Oaxaca Mezcal Tour Review: Hierve el Agua & Distillery Lunch

Planning a trip down to Oaxaca, Mexico? Well then, you simply have to add the Hierve el Agua Mezcal Distillery tour including lunch to the bucket list. It’s seriously one awesome experience that, actually, combines natural wonders with a taste of traditional Oaxacan culture. Here’s the real scoop, like a detailed look into what you could, perhaps, expect so you can get ready for one incredibly great day.

First Stop: Hierve el Agua’s Petrified Waterfalls

The tour usually kicks off with a trip to Hierve el Agua, these ‘petrified waterfalls’, a stunning geological formation very far from town, of course, created by mineral-rich springs throughout many, many years. You know, seeing these waterfalls is actually like stepping onto a different planet altogether. As a matter of fact, the views, I feel, are out of this planet and are one awesome photo opportunity, so it’s a pretty fantastic beginning for the day.

What’s quite neat is that it isn’t just all about looking at cool rock formations; you actually get the chance to explore the area. Then you get time for a relaxed wander along the top of the “falls”, taking in those broad views that stretch across the valley. Furthermore, there’s even the chance of a little swim in the mineral pools, depending on the tour, it’s almost like a bonus for anybody seeking some adventure beyond looking around. That being said, what to bring with? Don’t forget sunscreen; as I was saying, the Oaxacan sun can really bring the heat even at higher elevations.

The Mezcal Distillery Visit: A Taste of Oaxaca

Of course, the mezcal distillery bit tends to be a real highlight for a large amount of people – it certainly was for me. After the grandeur that is Hierve el Agua, the tour usually carries on toward a local mezcal distillery. Seeing as Oaxaca is literally the heartland of mezcal production, actually visiting a distillery, too it’s almost a must-do when in the area. The distilleries generally vary a bit, yet they each usually deliver an introduction into the traditional methods that local families still keep up with to produce this iconic drink.

The whole process of mezcal making is very interesting, starting with the roasting of the agave hearts, so it is something very neat to witness firsthand. At the end, the taste test of the finished product follows. You know, tasting different types of mezcal really lets you see the many different tastes that come with different agave plants. To be honest, don’t be shocked if, perhaps, you feel tempted into buying a bottle or two for souvenirs—the mezcal is that smooth, very tasty.

Lunch: Authentic Oaxacan Flavors

The meal’s very much more than just about filling your stomach; in reality it’s an exploration of all kinds of regional food which just might change how you think about the meals of Mexico! Sometimes, lunch might be set within the distillery; however sometimes it could be in one small family-run eatery located nearby. Either one supplies a more or less ideal spot to try out a lot of genuine Oaxacan food, like mole negro or tlayudas (the enormous, local tortilla “pizza”). Mole negro—a complex sauce with loads of ingredients—is seriously not at all like anything you can try at a run-of-the-mill joint.

While you’re consuming the rich flavors, you know, there’s that possibility to converse along with the regional chefs, so getting them to talk of ingredients, their secrets as well as traditions, simply includes richness into what exactly you’re experiencing. So then, it all ends up to being even more memorable meal. If the meals are located directly on the distillery, that really means that you just might even get specific pairings going to compliment any types mezcal.

What Makes this Tour Special

One part I noticed which makes the whole experience shine is because it is not exactly a typical tour, it is, instead, a closer look into regional life plus customs. Unlike simple holiday trips that take individuals rapidly at many hotspots but hardly, too it’s almost ever touching onto anything deeper, it truly combines an natural attraction coupled with hands-on social exposure. Therefore, what truly might appear basic can be highly instructional, including an awareness associated with not only landscape but culture, besides, too.

The little things throughout usually improve on what’s available for visitors too. So it really goes well beyond the mezcal and landscapes—there is frequently a local story, a piece to historical background about a family members’ craft, as well as bits of advice which can not be easily seen with no personalized directed way. All this converts precisely a travel directly into something that touches you at any level, like an immersive knowledge.

Things to Consider Before You Book

Before you sign-up, it helps just to keep quite some tips running in mind to, clearly, be set for just that perfect getaway. First off, think that Hierve el Agua lies with mountainous parts. Therefore the ride is usually pretty long plus potentially via bumpy locations depending on where that you are starting out of—always double check journey timelines and also be set when car sickness becomes anything.

Consider clothing as the trip spans outdoors alongside also included distillery visits. It’s usually highly sensible to make multiple layers. As well as that, do not forget that elevation. And then, although pleasant through mid-morning/day warmth does indeed dip after this in later afternoons, thus, keep many light jacket. Next issue, if it’s simply to not skip all swimwear; the pure spring pools from top tend always tempting on hotter mornings and afternoons so if taking dive happens it usually tends all quite possible and it may definitely always upgrade ones entire holiday. The following advice would become simply keep in mind; some locations may necessitate money while, when purchasing handcrafted merchandise as well as leaving tricks always helps in enhancing town visitor trade particularly from rural cities—it also helps simply by directly promoting local owners and family companies associated with that part. You tend greatly enhance whatever anyone gets away. In conclusion ensure with double check just about nearly all trip fine prints like always making certain about just anything provided—lunch drinks samples along all included things, just ensure you fully discover where you have so often signed up; by doing this the tour usually turns out to even bigger hit than it actually began getting ready regarding

Who Should Take this Tour?

This is pretty much an outstanding preference regardless of whether you just are not simply taking into consideration regional societies perhaps not easily getting around traditional tourism as well; those who savor exceptional food items; besides perhaps adventurous hearts finding distinctive backdrops—each that takes place provides just about everything concerning anybody. To me the most fantastic regions this appeals would contain couples requiring charming or even remarkable months; more independent backpackers attempting authentic regional life instead of normal “cookie cutter tourism”. Of course; anyone attempting perhaps any genuine comprehension concerning Mezcal may well have discovered this always wonderful mainly in contrast with something similar. At last what might always transform just an everyday walk to something unique, are probably these bits relating perhaps an incredible educational story connected, also therefore whether this occurs for every little thing along means next one just are probably taking anything above an escape itself. Any occasion, also in fact it would actually prove transforming with regards knowledge