Explore the history and landscape as you hike and bike through this vibrant region in Oaxaca. A 3 day fully-supported trek in the Sierra Norte Mountains provides panoramas of the Oaxaca Valley and glimpses into the lives of the local Zapotec communities. Mountain bike to villages that practice the folk arts of pottery and weaving in the same centuries-old traditional techniques.
Highlights
Trek for three days through the Sierra Norte Mountains
Bike through plantations into villages and visit weaving workshops
Visit villages where artisans employ the traditional techniques of the past
Explore the ruins and learn the history of Mitla, the "Places of the Dead"
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive in Oaxaca, where a private transfer will take you to your charming colonial hotel. Most central hotels are just a 25–30-minute drive from the airport. The rest of the day is free for you to explore and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Dive into history and legend on this private tour of ancient Mesoamerican sites and one of the world's oldest trees. Your private guide picks you up from your hotel to start the adventure.
First, head to Monte Alban, an ancient city perched on a mountaintop just outside Oaxaca City. Once home to around 30,000 people, this archaeological zone offers impressive views. Walk alongside your expert guide as they share fascinating details about the city's history, including the mystery behind the intricate "Los Danzantes" rock carvings.
Next, visit the ceremonial center of Mitla, where you'll explore ancient tombs, discover the pre-Hispanic roots of a 16th-century church, and admire the unique mosaic work found nowhere else in Mesoamerica.
On the way back to Oaxaca City, stop at the "Arbol de Tule," a massive Moctezuma Cypress believed to be over 2,000 years old. Learn how the local community honors this ancient tree and their efforts to preserve it.
You’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant during the day.
Start your day with a guided bike ride through Oaxaca’s valley, exploring local culture and rural life. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Oaxaca City and drive you to Santa Maria del Tule (35 minutes). Before starting, you’ll see the famous Tule Tree, a massive cypress tree over 58 meters wide.
Ride past farming fields, small villages, and landscapes. Pass through Tlacochahuaya and stop in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec town known for wool weaving. Visit a local rug gallery and watch a demonstration on how they use naturally dyed wool.
Continue cycling by fields and agave plantations with some short climbs and descents. At Tlacolula de Matamoros, you can either ride to Matatlan for lunch or take a break and drive. There’s also an optional 7-kilometer ride through the mountains with scenic views.
You can also drive 40 minutes to “Las Salinas” in San Baltazar Guelavila. Walk upstream to see a small grotto with colorful rock formations, and depending on the rainfall, take a dip in the creek or natural pool.
Finish the day at a local mezcal distillery, or “Palenque,” in San Baltazar Guelavila. See how mezcal is made and enjoy a sample before returning to Oaxaca City (1.5 hours).
Discover Oaxaca's rich artistic traditions as you visit nearby artisan communities. Just 15 minutes from the city, start your journey in San Bartolo Coyotepec, known for its stunning black pottery. You'll learn about the centuries-old technique perfected by Doña Rosa in the 1950s, giving the pottery its shiny, metallic finish. Meet the artisans keeping this craft alive today.
Next, head to Santo Tomás Jalieza, "The Town of Belts," where skilled weavers, mostly women, create beautiful belts, bags, and wallets using backstrap looms. Watch them in action as they demonstrate their intricate techniques.
Finally, visit San Martin Tilcajete, renowned for its handcrafted alebrijes—vibrant animal or mythical figurines carved from copal wood and painted with natural dyes. You'll witness the meticulous carving process and learn how local artisans make their paints.
Lunch will be provided along the way, with your guide recommending clean, authentic restaurants.
Drive to the small village of Benito Juarez to begin the 3-day trek in the Sierra Norte Mountains. Hike among the alpine pine and descend to the lower cloud forests during your time in the Sierra Norte's. At an elevation ranging from 7,000-10,000 feet, this mountain range offers diverse terrain and ecosystems teeming with birdlife, wildflowers (orchids bloom in the spring and early summer), and forests of cedars, pine, and oak. Pass through local farm fields of potatoes, beans, and wheat and witness the small-scale agriculture providing food to the villages in the Sierra Norte’s. Pueblos Mancomunados is an ecotourism project comprised of nature trails that follow the ancient routes used by the Zapotecs to connect the small villages. Community-owned lodges in eight villages host visitors and provide an economic alternative to logging and large-scale ranching, a major contributor to the region's deforestation. Enjoy traditional meals and glimpses of the rich culture and lifestyles in the Oaxacan villages while trekking through the beautiful Sierra Norte Mountains.
Trek Details
Day 5: Optional - 4 miles (6.4 km.), 1.5 hours, altitude: 300 ft gain / 300 ft loss
Day 6: Cuajimoloyas to Latuvi. 9.8 miles (15.7 km.), 6 hours, altitude: 500 ft gain / 200 ft loss
Explore the villages on your way to the cloud forests of the Sierra Norte Mountains. Hike past fields of potatoes, beans, and wheat, descending into dense forests of pine, oak, and cedar. Look out for wildflowers, bromeliads, and wild orchids if you visit in spring or early summer. After lunch, head back to your hotel in Oaxaca City, stopping briefly to admire el Arbol de Tule, the largest tree in the Americas!
Trek Details
Day 7: Latuvi to Benito Juarez. 7.4 miles (11.9 km.), Half day. altitude: 750 ft gain / loss 1,200 ft
Day 8: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport to connect with a flight home. With more time, extend your stay in Mexico. Contact us for options.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for May 16, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for May 16, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,305
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Notes
$731 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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