Ultimate Hierve el Agua Hike + Mezcal

Guided Hike: 7 km / Fitness level: Intermediate / Group Size: Up to 10 people

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Our Hierve el Agua tour begins bright and early at 6:00 AM at the Coyote Aventuras Office, Macedonio Alcalá 802, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca. Ring doorbell ‘’A’’, between Bicibella and Café Punto Paz to let your guide know that you’ve arrived.

Once everyone has gotten to Coyote Aventuras, it’s time to head out to Hierve El Agua!  Our drive out to San Isidro Roaguía to visit these iconic petrified waterfalls usually takes a little less than 2 hours.  In San Isidro Roaguía our good friend and local collaborator Emelia will be waiting for our arrival with delicious locally-sourced hot chocolates and cafecito de olla to wake you up after an early morning!  We even recommend trying her exquisite mocha which combines the best of both worlds creating a tasty fusion.  As we sit around the table and enjoy our refreshments, you’ll introduce yourself to our adventure partners for the day. Please don’t hesitate to talk with Emelia and her husband Rey to learn more about their lives, the local customs, and their communal molino (corn mill) where people from around San Isidro grind their masa for tortillas.  After our drinks, Emelia will prepare a healthy breakfast of memelas, quesadillas and pan dulce to get you fully nourished and ready for our hike!  

Once we arrive at Hierve el Agua, we will hike around a short loop exploring the surrounding ecology and observing the petrified waterfalls from many different perspectives. You’ll then have some free time at the pools where you can cool off with a swim in these mineral waters.  Hierve el Agua’s water is composed of calcium carbonate, iron, silver and a little sulfur (just in case you catch a funky smell.). For thousands of years Zapotec peoples considered these waters a sacred and healing place.  It is here where we’ll take a moment to reflect, meditate, or just simply contemplate the beautiful view of the valley below.

The surrounding communities have many traditional stories explaining the origin of this natural wonder.  These legends relate stories of mystical animals who integrated into Oaxaca’s mountainous landscape. It is important to ask for permission and leave a little offering before passing through their territory.  Hierve el Agua is also home to ancient canals etched into the stone by Zapotec peoples who used this water for irrigating their plots of milpa.   

Once we’ve explored Hierve el Agua, we’ll start our 5 km (3 mile) hike down the valley where our guides will explain some features of the local ecology, illuminating the different reproductive cycles of agave plants (essential information for our mezcalito in the afternoon) and guaje trees that give Oaxaca its name.  We’ll descend down into the valley eventually reaching a hidden oasis undiscovered by most travelers!  This secret gem is our very own private Hierve el Agua and is sure to not disappoint.  You’ll have an opportunity to calmly explore this unique spot, while recuperating from our hike with some local snacks and cold drinks.  Then, take a dive into yet another pool of revitalizing mineral waters before we head out for a little mezcal!   

Our next stop is with a family from the Zapotec community of Santiago Matatlán.  Known as the world capital of mezcal, Matatlán gives you a chance to sample many varieties of Oaxaca’s remarkable ancestral spirit.  A maestro mezcalero will explain the three distinct processes of creating ancestral, artisanal and industrial mezcal so that you better understand how the agave economy is developing in Oaxaca’s central valley.  

Mezcal is a multi-generational spirit forever connected to the ancient Mexica goddess, Mayahuel, a goddess of fertility associated with the mother of the Mexica culture, Tonantzin.  When a maestro mezcalero prepares the field and sows the seeds of an agave plant they are never sure whether they will be the one to harvest its fruits.  Mezcal is a profound labor of love where seeds are sown for future generations to cultivate. 

Once we’ve sampled some mezcal, grasping the full flavor profile of the wild varieties of this sacred plant, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch with our local hosts.  You’ll arrive at the city with just enough time to make that dinner reservation and enjoy the final moments of an unforgettable day.

PRICING

$3,000 MXN

IMPORTANT:

We can only offer this tour if a minimum of 3 people sign up. If your tour doesn’t reach our target minimum of 3 travelers, the experience will be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

ACTIVITY ADVISORY

Outdoor activities carry man 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 and weather).  Coyote Aventuras will provide certain safety equipment but it is your responisbility to not expose yourself to unnecessary dangers and listen attentively to our guide’s directions.

This hike, although short (7km), is mostly downhill on rough rocky terrain. We recommend bringing specialized hiking shoes or boots with good grip.   This hike is considered intermediate. The temperature in Oaxaca can be very hot, so it’s important to stay hydrated!  Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses.

 

ITINERARY:

6:00 Transport to Hierve el Agua
7:45 Traditional Breakfast with a Emelia and Rey
8:45 Arrival to Hierve el Agua
10:00 Swimming, Relax, Exploring Hierve el Agua
11:00 Refreshment
11:30 Hike to Las Salinas
14:00 End of the hike + Waterfall
15:00 Lunch + Mezcal Tasting at a Distillery
17:00 Departure to Oaxaca
19:00 End of our tour in Oaxaca City

WHATS INCLUDED:

– Certified guide
– Transportation
– Drinks: water, coffee, tea, beer
– Breakfast: Memelas, quesadillas, and eggs, hot chocolate and coffee
– Lunch: Vegetable soup,  tlayudas, beef or chicken and refreshments (vegan and vegetarian options will be available)
– Mezcal tasting
– Access to protected natural areas
– Insurance

NOTES:

– Make this a private tour for your friends and family!
– Don’t see your desired date available? Please contact us! We will do our best to make special arrangements for you!
– Please, check out the local weather conditions and come prepared for the tour.

 

 

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