Hike in the Sierra Norte, CUajimoloyas

WHAT YOU’LL DO

We’ll meet at 7:00 AM at the Coyote Aventuras Office where you’ll ring doorbell “A” to let your trip leader know that you’ve arrived.  The office is right between Bicibella and Café Punto Paz on Macedonio Alcalá street.  Once your trip leader provides a brief orientation of the day, you’ll have a moment to introduce yourselves to the group.  Now, it’s time to hop in the Coyote van for your tour as we head out to a community tucked away in the majestic Sierra Norte mountain range.

Cuajimoloyas, one of 8 communities that form the Pueblos Mancomunados, is a remote town about 1 hour and a half away from Oaxaca City.  The Pueblos Mancomunados are a network of 8 Zapotec communities in the Sierra Norte region.  These communities share responsibilities in sustainably managing their forests, organizing ecotourism projects and ensuring their resources are protected from multinational extractive corporations.  Cuajimoloyas is the perfect place to learn a little bit more about this revolutionary project in communal organization!

Once we arrive in Cuajimoloyas, we’ll have a little time to stretch our legs from the ride and learn a bit about the town before we have breakfast at a delicious family restaurant.  Restaurant Bélgica is a true gem in the area, always preparing exquisite traditional food served with chocolate, tea or coffee. It’s sure to warm you up on a brisk morning in the sierra. This region is also known around the world for its rich biodiversity in mushrooms!  If you are lucky enough to visit the area during the rainy season, you’ll get to try some fresh mushrooms picked directly from the surrounding forests.

First, we’ll do a community tour where your guide will begin to explain the central tenets of Comunalidad, the communal way of life that is typical in the majority of Oaxaca. Comunalidad governs communal way of life incorporating elements of communal territory, organization, tequio, and the communal fiesta.  If there is one thing about Oaxacan communities that we know, it’s that they love to throw a good party!  Community is at the center of resistance to corporate extraction and the history of the region is filled with social struggle to protect their forests.

For this adventure, we’ll take a 10km (6 mile) hike through the forest reaching delightful lookout points with expansive mountainscapes, voluptuous high-altitude clouds and pine trees that are characteristic of the Sierra Norte’s ecosystems.  This hike reaches a max altitude of 3,228 meters (10,587 ft.) so please be prepared to be hikin at high altitude! This particular trail is known for its colorful wildflowers, massive agaves, dangling spanish moss, and beautiful pine and oak trees.  It’s a perfect place to learn more about the Sierra Norte’s flora and fauna.  Then, we’ll head back down to the community for a traditional lunch!

After our lunch we’ll walk over to the Cuajimoloyas hanging bridge, which is always a favorite amongst our travelers.  As we hang over this mystical forest, we’ll take some time to admire the landscape, expressing our gratitude for a beautiful day in nature.  You arrive back in Oaxaca City at 5PM.

In addition to this trip, there are other trips that are equally enjoyable. That is the hike from Benito Juarez to Cuajimoloyas.

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:

– Make this a private tour specifically for your friends and family.
– Don’t see your desired date available? Please contact us! We will do our very best to make special arrangements for you!

– Please, check Cuajimoloya’s weather forecast to best prepare for this trip.