EXPLORING TEXTILES OF THE TZOTZIL MAYA
WEAVING THE
MAYA COSMOS
"I was looking for an authentic travel experience, in depth learning about culture and history, finding off the path experiences, and an understanding of what made the region unique. From the site visits, to the meals, guides, and transportation, everything was seamlessly planned and exceeded my expectations. Thank you Jen and team!" - Regan (Art Collection Tour 2025)
WEAVING THE
MAYA COSMOS
EXPLORING TEXTILES OF THE TZOTZIL MAYA
STARTS: Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas Mexico
ENDS: Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas Mexico
DATES: November 20-28, 2026
DURATION: 8 Nights / 9 Days
PRICE FOR 8: $59,653 MXN Per Person (Approximately $3400 USD / $4600 CAD)
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $9600 MXN (Approximately $530 USD / $730 CAD)
If you are travelling alone, we can try to match you with a roommate so you can avoid paying the single supplement. There is also one single room available that has a shared bathroom, if you prefer privacy. This room also avoids single supplement as it is a smaller room for a lower price. First come, first serve!
INCLUSIONS:
Hotel Rooms x 8 Nights (Double Occupancy), Breakfast x 9, Lunch x 9, Dinner x 9. Desserts and Drinks are separate. Weaving workshop includes a small loom, all workshops and activities included. Private Transportation for the duration of the tour, Bilingual guided services.
Tips for team leaders are discretionary but appreciated
CURRENCY CONVERTER
ABOUT THE MAYA
The ancient Maya are often described as a people who disappeared...
The Maya civilization originated in 2000 BCE and thrived until 1697 CE. Their city states spanned the southeastern Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana-Roo, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western regions of El Salvador and Honduras. The Maya were never considered an Empire, as they did not have one central administration centre, but instead had many administration centres that oversaw smaller satellite cities...
but in fact, are still alive and thriving in their traditional territories...
Despite archaic notions of vanishing races and disappearing peoples that served to elevate Colonial usurping of indigenous territories, the Maya continue to thrive in their ancestral lands, with artisans who weave exquisite textiles with designs that pre-date the arrival of the Spanish, culinary traditions that are pre-Hispanic, and languages that continue to be the primary tongue of the household.
This tour explores the exquisite textiles of the Maya with a special focus on the Tzotzil Maya. The Tzotzil refers to the language spoken in these communities, thus defining the region through linguistics.
TRIP OVERVIEW
The Tzotzil region of Chiapas is abundant with traditional textiles...
This region is abundant with traditional back-strap weavers who continue creating fabrics based on ancient iconography of their ancestors. From ceremonial huipiles to fashionable blouses, table runners, pillow cases, purses, change purses and more, the weavers of this region create a plethora of beautiful items for textile lovers...
making it a perfect region to learn directly from indigenous weavers...
We are honoured to be working with Maya weaver and textile expert Eustaquia Ruiz, who is currently the curator of the textile museum. Eustaquia brings a remarkable perspective to this offering due to her strong network of traditional weavers and teachers, as well as being from the heart of Zapatista territory with experiences she will share with us, along the way. As communications liaison during the 1994 uprising, Eustaquia will offer us a fascinating talk about the events of the uprising and how it has impacted local communities over the past 30 years.
who will be teaching us to weave and use natural pigments...
Each guest will receive a small loom that you may keep. We will be learning how to string the loom before weaving a simple coaster without designs. Once we have the weaving process under our belts, those who want to experiment can try to create a pattern. We are also very grateful to have the unique opportunity to spend the day with Rosa Hernandez, who is a deeply respected Maya elder who uses tree bark, berries, plants and sediments to dye fabrics using ancient techniques. Having the opportunity to learn from a local elder is definitely the icing on the cake...
“I spent all night weaving a poem for you to wear. You look so beautiful when you wear my light." - Kamand Kojouri
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
TOUR DIFFICULTY
This tour does not involve any hiking or boats, but travellers should be aware that San Cristobal de las Casas and the villages we visit pose challenges due to slate-tile sidewalks that can be slippery, especially in the rain, as well as stairs and uneven streets. Decent mobility and balance are necessary, though a walking stick can also do wonders!
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
We will be in conservative Maya towns and villages, so wearing appropriate clothing includes long pants or dresses, blouses that are not revealing etc. We often visit churches where exposed skin is frowned upon, so we ask guests to consider shorts or skirts that are below the knee, and blouses that button-up. As we will be participating in a natural dye workshop, we suggest bringing at least one outfit that is comfortable and black, for that particular day. November is cold, especially at night, so please bring warm sweaters and socks, consider light gloves and a warm toque for evenings. As we will be at the end of rainy season, we also recommended a rain poncho and/or compact umbrella.
GROUP COOPERATION
Not everyone is made to travel in groups. We ask you to consider how flexible and adaptable you are, before committing to this tour. We work hard to stick to our itineraries as much as we can, due to the expectation and investment from our guests. Sometimes, we must change plans due to spontaneous closures or other unseen obstacles, such as an accident that closes the road or a sick guest who needs to stop at a clinic. We appreciate travellers who can roll with the punches and stay open-minded despite alterations that are necessary.
OUR LODGINGS
We will stay at Bela's B&B in downtown San Cristobal de las Casas...
Bela's B&B is a well-loved favourite of many a weary traveller who has stumbled through Bela's doors over the past 30 years. Bela herself is a fun and loving host with lots of local knowledge and recommendations, and her home offers incredible comforts one won't find elsewhere, such as electric mattress pads and heated towels! There is ample hot water and good water pressure, a lovely dining room with a warm fire place and incredible staff who are wonderful and nurturing. Manuela, Martin and their daughter Ana have been with Bela for many years, providing excellent service, including housekeeping and laundry...
which means home-cooked meals and access to the vibrant night-life...
We will enjoy a hearty, healthy and delicious breakfast each morning, with yogurt, fruit, toast, eggs any style, fresh juice, coffee and tea. While we are here, we will also ask Manuela to cook us dinner, as she prepares incredible local dishes such as Drunken Chicken (with Pox, a local spirit), the best Chile Rellenos (with cheese) and her famous Chicken Mole & Sopa de Pan (my personal favourite!). There is nothing so wonderful as returning from a long day to unwind around the dining room table for a warm and comforting home-cooked meal with a real wood fire...
PHOTO GALLERY
It's impossible to take a bad photograph here...
For those of you who love photography, San Cristobal de las Casas is a picturesque and cosmopolitan city surrounded by picturesque towns and villages. These photos are from our travels to this region between 2023 and 2026. All photos are property of Copper Moon Travels...
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR
A 25% non-refundable deposit confirms your seat...
Unless we must cancel this tour, your 25% deposit is non-refundable and is what confirms your seat for this experience. Please do not book your flights until we confirm the tour is going ahead. The tour cut-off is September 1, 2026 - so if we do not have 6 guests by then, we will be forced to cancel this tour, in which case, your deposit will be refunded immediately.
WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH A STRICT RESERVATION POLICY COMPARED TO CORPORATE TRAVEL COMPANIES?
As sole proprietor of a small business, I cannot afford the fall-out of guests who are noncommittal. Recently, we had 3 guests who verbally committed to our Chiapas tour only to change their minds within a few days for non-emergency reasons, leaving me with unfair and substantial financial loss. I was obligated to the 3 guests who had not only paid deposits, but who had also booked their flights. Unfortunately, this has happened far too many times for me to keep working on trust, which is why I now require a deposit in order to confirm your seat.
So if you are committed and ready to travel, please contact us but do not book your flight until we have confirmed that we have enough guests...
What is expected after the tour and flights are confirmed...
Once your deposit is paid and tour is confirmed, I require another 25% deposit so I can pay deposits for hotels, van rental and other expenses.
The balance is due in full upon arrival. If you prefer to pay the balance with a credit card, I need to invoice you two weeks in advance, as it takes 10 business days for the deposit to enter my account. If you are paying with cash, we only accept Mexican Pesos, as exchanging foreign cash costs us nearly 20%.
PAYMENT METHODS
Our preferred payment method is WISE, formerly Transferwise...
If you do not have a WISE account, please click here to start an account. We recommend using your smart phone, as it's easier to upload ID and verify the account. You will need your standard banking information to connect your bank account to the transfer app. Once your account is open, you need to transfer money from your bank into the WISE account in order to make payments.
When you are ready to pay, simply email me for a payment link. The beauty of WISE is that I can request the payment in Pesos, so the exchange isn't messy.
Please Note: If you use my referral to sign up for your account, your first transaction is discounted.
Just click on this link to get started: https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/jenniferb907
We can also accept Interac Transfers to our Canadian or Mexican accounts...
If you do not have a WISE account, we can also accept traditional wire transfers to our Canadian or Mexican bank accounts. Please email us for deposit information.
Canadians can e-transfer us through a simple email transfer...
If you have a Canadian bank account, we can accept an e-transfer to coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
Or you can pay 5% to use Stripe if you are paying with a credit card...
As all other payment methods do not cost us any processing fees, we do not add them into our prices. If you are using a credit card, we must charge 5% to cover their processing fees. If you are paying with a credit card, please click on the link below to make your payment!
The amount is in Mexican Pesos
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
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Weaving Workshop
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Dye Workshop
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Presentation about Zapatista Uprising
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Learn about Maya iconography and their meanings
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San Juan Chamula
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Zinacantan
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San Andres Larrainzar
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Oventic
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Chenalho
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Pantelho
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Acteal
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Venustiana Carranza
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Aguacatenango
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Amatenango
Important information about your flights to and from Tuxtla Gutierrez....
There are flights arriving daily from Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara and other cities. Please let us know where you are departing from so we can help you find the best flight path...
If archaeology interests you, consider joining us in Selva Lacandona...
Preceding this tour, we are travelling through the jungles of Chiapas on a journey to visit several remote archaeological sites, including some tours with the local Lacandona Maya. Please click here to visit the website if you would like to combine these tours...
QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or would like to schedule this tour at a different time for a private group.
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp: +52 443 639 2782 (Please text first)
