Step into a cultural and environmental masterpiece: the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. Your Zapotec guides offer unique insights into this stunning, heavily forested mountain area. Live in their traditional villages, and trek, bike or horseback from village to village along miles of guided trails. In Oaxaca City, meet with artisanal mezcal distillers and respected chefs on extraordinary culinary discoveries. Discover unique opportunities to travel deeper.

Overview

Discover the interplay of incredible natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and an up-close look into the world of traditional rural life in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. Trek through stunning mountain scenery at elevations of 10,000 feet along miles of trails interlinking several villages, all guided by the local Zapotec villagers.

Highlights

• Community based tourism at its best; learn from local guides and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals
• Trekking in some of the most beautiful landscapes Mexico has to offer
• Explore the fascinating city of Oaxaca and take part in a cooking class
• Opportunity to take part in community projects

Overview

Join us for a special program to go behind the scenes of the famously celebrated Day of the Dead Festival in Oaxaca, guided by the villagers of the Sierra Norte. Learn about this pre-Hispanic festival’s traditions and join the festivities! This program also includes an engaging schedule of cultural activities and exploration in Oaxaca City, Tule, and Teotitlan: weaving, artisanal mezcal, and exploring the ruins of Montel Alban.

Highlights

• Take part in a traditional festival with the Zapotec communities
• Be a part of the preparations and festivities of Mexico’s Day of the Dead
•  Enjoy local experiences and cultural activities in the central valley and mountains
• Discover the heart of vibrant Oaxaca City

Overview

Crooked Trails can now create adventures in the Pueblos Mancomunados around the time of the mushroom. Explore the mountains and mushrooms of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca from May to August on your own customized experience in one of the most prolific fungi regions of the world.

Highlights

• Trek through deep forests between traditional Zapotec communities
• Search for and collect mushrooms while learning from local guides and mycology experts
• Farm-to-table experience on local 100% organic farm
• Enjoy a private cooking class in Oaxaca City using local ingredients

Overview

Participate in three traditional festivals of Oaxaca: The Wild Mushroom Festival in the high Sierra Norte Mountains, the Guelaguetza, a traditional parade of dancing, dresses and culture and the Mezcal festival of tastings and demonstrations in beautiful Oaxaca City.

Highlights

• Trek through deep forests between traditional Zapotec communities
• Search for and collect mushrooms while learning from local guides and mycology experts
• Participate in mycology classes and workshops at the annual Wild Mushroom Festival
• Explore the fascinating city of Oaxaca and experience a traditional festival with mezcal tastings

Overview

This week-long teen volunteer service summer camp in Oaxaca, Mexico will have you teaching basic programming and building Spanish language skills, learning about the culture of Mexico, and connecting with local youth. Don’t feel like an expert-level programmer? Don’t feel like a fluent Spanish speaker? All you need are the basics in each to make an impact.

Highlights

• Spend 4-5 hours per day teaching at El Centro de Esperanza Infantil
• Time to explore amazing local sites like Monte Albán, the El Zócalo, El Museo de Santo Domingo, and the botanical gardens
• Discover local culinary treats such as the seven types of mole (a chocolate-based pepper sauce), chapulines (fried grasshoppers), and what Oaxacans call ‘Vitamina T’
• Tax-deductible trip makes it easier to claim service hours for school

Crooked Trails is a non-profit organization focused on transforming tourism into a positive force in the world. We create travel programs that reflect our values and are worthy of the trust placed in us by our travelers. By traveling with us, you can be assured that your money will go to support our partner communities, the causes we support, and our on-going work to make tourism better. We do this by: