Theobroma cacao - the Latin word for Cacao plant - means "Food of the Gods". The original word for cacao “Kakawa" dates back to the Olmec Culture (mother of all cultures) and their Mixe-Zoque language. The Mayas later called it ”K'akaw“, the Nahuatl ”Cacahuatl“, which means "Bitter Juice".

Our mission is to approach cacao and its ancestral drinks the ancient way. So we decided to take you on our cacao route to Oaxaca’s Chinanteca region, where old traditions are still alive and part of the Chinanteca culture. To get there, we’re crossing the foothills of the Sierra Juarez, and will see the elaboration of the molinillo (fundamental utensil to beat the cocoa drink).

We will continue with tourist and non-tourist destinations, feeling the breeze of the climatic changes that our state offers us, making your experiences unique. Arriving at the community of San Felipe Usila, we will taste a typical fish dish called "Caldo de piedra", which we will enjoy by the river, watching the whole process of its elaboration.

Arriving at our destination, Doña Lety and Don Fili will welcome us with a typical drink of the Chinantla region, known as "Popo", a drink offered in ceremonies, main events and as part of the arrival of their guests.

Continuing with our stay in the community, we will give an experience of making your own chocolate, in a traditional way (with its respective ritual), molding the cocoa paste with our own hands. In the evening we will drink our cocoa drink in a sacred ceremony.

In the course of the following days, we will share more activities making your experience unique, until we return to our starting point.

Highlights:
- Culinary highlights of Oaxaca’s Chinantla region like the famous “caldo de piedra” and the typical corn drink called “Popo”.
- Visit an organic cacao plantage. ( no es plantation)
- Ancient cacao ritual: prepare and drink your own ceremonial cacao.
- Enjoy the rich nature and tropical climate of Mexico’s third biggest jungle region.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival

- Start at 7:00 am at Chimalapa Workshop in downtown Oaxaca with chocolate/coffee and pan dulce to get to know each other and share more info about your upcoming cacao adventure.

- Breakfast in Sierra Norte and visiting a molinillo taller to learn about the artisanal elaboration of a traditional wooden whisk - basic tool for preparing chocolate drinks.

- Fresh pineapple juice stop in the tropical Valle Nacional region.

- Tasting the regional Chinanteco dish “caldo de piedra” in San Felipe Usila in the late afternoon, enjoying the view over el Rio Grande.

- Crossing the river on a boat and arriving at our final destination San Pedro Tlatepusco around 7 pm.

- Ancient welcome cacao drink made by your indigenous hosts Don Fili and Doña Lety.- Moving into your home, a simple cabaña run by the community with bunk beds in a dormitory and a shared bathroom outside the house.

Day 2: San Pedro Tlatepusco

- Morning walk to Don Fili organic cacao plantage to learn everything about the cacao plant.

- Handson traditional cacao making workshop from grain to cup at Don Fili house.- Outdoor sacred cacao ritual drinking the cacao you just made yourself..

Day 3: San Pedro Tlatepusco

- Morning hike to a secret waterfall.

- Visiting the comunal museum with spectacular findings of the nearby archeological site

- Preparing the traditional fish dish “Pilte” with your hosts.- Ending your stay sharing cacao stories, answering questions and just spending quality time with your hosts and cacao experts.

Day 4: Leaving

- Breakfast at Don Fili house.

- Starting our drive back around 8 am.

- Pineapple juice and “truchas” stop on the way.- Arriving in Oaxaca City around 6 pm.

Your cacao adventure includes:

- Transportation.

- Accomodation (3 nights) in a simple cabaña in a 4 bed doorm ( no es: dorm) run by the community.

- All meals and snacks.

More information by phone or email.

Ervit (speaks Spanish.)
+525578921790

email: chimalapa.cacao@gmail.com

Rut (speaks Spanish)
+529512873407
email: chimalapa.cacao@gmail.com

Katrin (speaks English)
+529512873407

email: chimalapa.cacao@gmail.com

For more information we are located in the center of Oaxaca.

Location.

https://goo.gl/maps/y5VfuGJ7e1MfCc4x8