Zapotecan Village Trek (trip)

Zapotecan Village Trek

  • Airport near Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Active & Adventure
Mexico, North America

from £995* per person8 DaysOctober
Simple accommodations Exertion level: 5
Operator: Travel The Unknown 12 people max
Venture into a hidden corner of Mexico that the indigenous Zapotecs call home - the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca. This stunning region is home to around 4,000 plant species and is thought to be one of the oldest eco-systems in the world at around 20 million years old. These beautiful mountains, pine forests, rivers and valleys lend themselves to legends and the Zapotecs have many which they are only too happy to share with the adventurous souls who visit their native lands. The benefits of this eco-tourism project are shared amongst the people and villages that make this area so special. Come discover this little slice of paradise.

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Locations visited/nearby

Mexico, North America

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Travel The Unknown:

  • Reviewer: Karla located in Canada
    Just wanted to say thanks so much for making my holiday to the North East of India one of the most interesting and exciting travel experiences I have ever had. Our guide CK was extremely thoughtful and patient (especially with our frequent change of plans and food requests for momos and noddles) and our driver, Das, was the most amazing driver ever! He definitely saved our lives on those dark, monsoon destroyed, narrow, winding roads through the himalayan mountains on our journey to Tawang. I really felt taken care of and going on the tour made travelling in such a remote and unexplored area so much easier than if I had to do it on my own. Teaching the native tribal women in Along the chicken dance and the macarena was definately my high of the trip. I have never laughed so much, especially when awakening in the morning and hearing the chicken song being hummed in the background. God what they must think of western dancing now! Monks, tribes and Rhinos!!... what more can a person ask for!
  • Reviewer: Stephen located in Ireland
    Gotta say thanks to Travel The Unknown for organising my fascinating trip to a little-known area of the world. The scenery was fantastic, food was amazing, the guide was great and the living bridges were inspiring. An India not many get to see. Thanks again.
  • Reviewer: Myrka, located in Slovakia
    Thank you so much for organizing such a brilliant trip. I must admit it took me few days to get used to the country, as I have never visited a developing country. But after that i started having a great time with my friends. Really enjoyed the nature, the beautiful views. From all the places we visited I liked most Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang. I think the trip wouldn’t be the same without our guide CK, the best guide EVER! He helped us so much, and went out of his way, just to make the trip the best we had. So big thank you for him as well ;-) I still look at the amazing pictures I took and can’t believe that I have been there. So thank you again for the best holiday.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from Mexico City into Oaxaca. You will be met at the airport by a Travel The Unknown representative and brought to your hotel. Rest of the day free. Meal plan: N/A

Day 2

Drive North to the village of Llano Grande in the Sierra Norte mountain range. Start a 4 hour hiking loop in the surrounding cloud forest before returning for a late lunch. Afternoon free to relax or visit the village. Dinner and overnight in Llano Grande. A fire will be lit in the fireplace in your room in the evening here. Meal plan: B, L, D

This area is one of incredible biodiversity and home to over 400 birds and 350 butterfly species as well as jaguar, spider monkeys and tapirs. The Sierra is also the site of mixed pine-oak forests, classified by the World Wildlife Fund as being the richest and most varied on earth and one of the world's oldest ecosystems. It is estimated to be over twenty million years old.

The Zapotec people of the Sierra Norte live from their forests and mineral resources. In 1998 an ecotourism project was founded to protect and preserve this nature system in a sustainable way (Expediciones Sierra Norte A.C.). A small tourism infrastructure has been established and the tours offered in the area are organized by the villagers themselves. Guides from the villages accompany us during our walks and explain the different kinds of animals and plants and their uses.

Day 3

Hike to Cuajimoloyas via Cueva de la Iglesia (5 hours). Lunch at Cuajimoloyas. Optional afternoon hike to El Mirador (viewpoint) or visit of a traditional healer. Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 4

Hike to Latuvi (5½ hours). Lunch at a trout farm. Overnight in the cabins of Latuvi. Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 5

Hike from Latuvi to Amatlan along Camino Real.(6 hours). Optional temazcal (traditional steam bath) in the late afternoon. Overnight in the cabins of Amatlan. Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 6

Free morning or hike from Amatlan to La Natividad / Capulalpam. After lunch visit of the center for traditional medicine in Capulalpam. Drive back to Oaxaca city. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L

Day 7

Day tour of Oaxaca. Visit of Santo Domingo church and the ethnobotanical garden.Walk along the main pedestrian street down to the main plaza (`El Zocalo`) and visit the cathedral and the central "20 de noviembre" market stopping at different stands for an explanation of the uses of medicinal plants. Sample chillies, taste various local products such as agua de horchata con tuna y nueces (rice water with prickly pear and walnuts), the famous chapulines (grasshoppers) and nieves (home-made ice cream - with hundreds of flavours). Lunch at the Centro de Esperanza Infantil with an explanation of the work they do. Overnight in Oaxaca. Meal plan: B, L

The Centro de Esperanza Infantil is a part of the Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots organisation, an organisation based on community participation and volunteering. Their goal is to lessen poverty through education. Making a difference begins at the grassroots level and requires community involvement and volunteer action to promote learning, greater self-esteem, and personal achievement and to remove the physical, emotional, medical or financial barriers that hinder children from receiving an education.

Day 8

Breakfast. Drop to the airport for departure to Mexico City. Meal plan: B

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