HIKE FROM BENITO JUÁREZ TO CUAJIMOLOYAS IN THE PUEBLOS MANCOMUNADOS

WHAT YOU’LL DO

For this hiking tour we’ll meet at the Coyote Aventuras Office nice and early at 7:00 AM.  Once you arrive, please ring bell “A” to let your trip leader know that you’re outside.

We hope you’re ready to explore the forest and enrich your understanding of Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte communities.  Once we’ve introduced ourselves, we’ll hop into the Coyote Van to drive out to Benito Juárez.  The drive should take around 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Benito Juárez belongs to a network of 8 Zapotec communities who have worked collectively to protect their territories for over 400 years.  Please remember that we’ll be hiking at high altitude with a max elevation of 3,166 meters (10,384 ft.) so it’s important to come adequately prepared and be sure to let your guide know if you need to slow down for a break.

Once we arrive in Benito Juárez, we’ll begin our experience with a delicious picnic of traditional Oaxacan food in the forest.  As we take in the scenery of this lush forest teeming with life, our guide will explain the fundamental aspects of Comunalidad, the collective vision that governs life in the majority of Oaxacan communities.  Here, there is no private property, just communal territory that is preserved and cared for with the utmost attention to detail by a communal assembly.  We ensure you’ll be able to tell this region is different from other parts of México.

After our picnic we’ll make a brief pit stop so you can visit one of the major attractions of the Benito Juárez forest.  In this community there is a massive hanging bridge that is sure to get your blood flowing.  After crossing the bridge, we’ll head out to San Antonio Cuajimoloyas, immersing ourselves deep into the forest, exploring local wildflowers, massive mountain agaves, milpa agriculture, pines, oaks and stunning mountainscapes. Please, don’t forget your sweatshirt because it gets cold out in the Sierra.  With many communities above 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) it’s very likely you will feel the altitude.

During this 10 km (6 mile) hike you’ll traverse through delightful forest scenery, crossing through lush meadows and feeling the brisk mountain air caress your face in this clouded forest ecosystem.  You’ll learn more about the ways in which the majority of Oaxaca State lives, appreciating unique traditions and customs that are unique to the Sierra Norte region.  Our goal is to not show you a manufactured image of Oaxaca, but permit you to learn about the economic realities of our state while supporting local communal economies.  

As we get closer to Cuajimoloyas we’ll view the community in the distance as it peeks through the fog and pine trees covering the scenery.  This community is the highest town in Oaxaca topping out at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) and it has a population of approximately 670 people.  This is a great opportunity to understand more about life in Oaxaca’s indigenous communities and draw interesting comparisons to the active city center in its capital.  

As we approach the community, smells of fresh local ingredients begin to permeate the air.  If you’re lucky enough to visit Cuajimoloyas during the rainy season, you’ll even get to try some freshly picked mushrooms.  After indulging in a delicious meal we’ll head out to one of the community’s main ecotourism attractions, the zipline!  This is the longest zipline in the Sierra Norte and we highly suggest it for all adventure seekers on the tour (cost of $200 MXN not included).  At the end of our hike through this tremendous ecosystem, we’ll celebrate a job well done by crossing yet another hanging bridge where you’ll award yourself with a gorgeous view of the forest.  Then, we’ll begin our descent back to Oaxaca City after a day filled with adventure.

ACTIVITY ADVISORY

Outdoor activities carry risks, and you may be exposed to dangerous situations as part of this experience. Make sure you can participate safely given your abilities and the conditions (such as location, weather, and equipment).

NOTES:

– We would be happy to arrange a private tour for you and your loved ones.

– Don’t see your desired date available? Please contact us! We will do our best to make special arrangements for you!

– Please, check the weather in Cuajimoloyas before coming along on this journey.  Make sure you have all the appropriate attire to participate.