Epic Hike on Ancient Trail, latuvi-LACHATAO

WHAT YOU’LL DO

We’ll meet nice and early at 6:00 AM at the Coyote Aventuras Office on Macedonio Alcalá street.  Once you arrive, please ring bell ‘’A’’, between Bicibella and Café Punto Paz to let your trip leader know that you’re outside.  Once we’ve introduced ourselves we’ll hop into the Coyote van and get ready for our adventure.  The Camino Real is nestled deep within the Sierra Norte Region and it should take around 2 hours to arrive at the community where we’ll start the hike.

The Camino Real is an ancient trail paved by generations of indigenous peoples who braved its rocky paths to exchange goods with other tribes in a tradition called trueque.  This path invites you to contemplate the past and present realities of indigenous peoples not only in Oaxaca, but throughout the entire territory of Mexico. This hike descends through various communal territories exhibiting its vast range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty levels.  Before engaging in this hike it is important that you contact us for a brief meeting where we’ll discuss the physical conditions required to do the hike. We’ll select a section of the Camino Real that we believe best fits your skill set.

The Camino Real is an 18 km (11 miles) trail with a max altitude of 2312 meters (7,586 ft.) connecting towns in the Sierra Norte eventually with the Central Valley.  The section of the trail that we’ll hike connects two communities in the Sierra Norte.  When Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Mexica, Teotihuacano, Zapotec, Mixtec, Chinantec and Mixe occupied the area, this path represented a trade route connecting the two oceans vía Oaxaca. The Gulf was an area inhabited by Mesoamerica’s Mother Civilization, the Olmecs, and its descendents who traveled through the Sierra Madre Oriental to trade articles of tremendous importance such as conch shells and jade in exchange for other precious goods.

This trail is part of the ancient history not only of Oaxaca, but of Mesoamerica as an entire region.  As you travel through this ancient route you’ll feel within each step the ancestors who once crossed these paths in search of trading partners.  Observe the ancient vegetation, bright wildflowers, old abandoned shacks and mystic moss that will guide you through this tremendous journey.

The Camino Real will also offer you some unique opportunities to take a cold plunge in the Sierra’s mystic waters.  These crystalline spring waters are considered healing in many cultures and we strongly suggest you at least dip your feet in to give them a little rest from a long hike!

Another fundamental element of this experience is the connections we forge with local communities.  Along the entire way, we’ll be working hand in hand with local guides and individuals who possess a deep understanding of their territory.  These local guides will share with you how their culture is profoundly intertwined with the forest.   This sacred forest provides medicine, shelter, warmth, and bountiful food to the people who live there.

The hike ends at the Cerro del Jaguar where we’ll participate in a small ceremony observing a beautiful sunset and contemplating the divinity of this unique Zapotec archaeological site.  This experience is sure to be something you will never forget.

The hike finishes at the Cerro del Jaguar (Jaguar Mountain), for a beautiful sunset and an opportunity to contemplate this Sacred space. Join us on this epic experience that also includes exquisite food that will fuel you throughout this journey.

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 recommend this trip as a 2 day / 1 night journey where we stay at Santa Catarina Lachatao’s cabins, contact us to make it possible.

– Make it private for you and your dear friends! If you 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 Latuvi and make sure you have all the appropriate clothing for this trip.