Expediciones Sierra Norte

Definitely one of the best options for travellers who want to explore the inner area of Oaxaca, namely the autonomous villages of the Sierra Norte. They will peak you up at your hotel, let you choose different routes and options according to your needs, meet knowledgeable guides who are able to share a lot about indigenous culture or medicinal plants. By buying their services you would also support the community of these villages, given that it facilitates the services in the community. Totally recommended for an authentic experience in the Oaxaca’s mountains! Small tip: bring only the essential but be mindful about temperatures dropping at night.

5/5

This is the best way to hike through the Oaxaca mountains! Yes, it is more expensive than going on your own, for sure, but you get so much for what you pay for! You get picked up and dropped off from your hostel in Oaxaca, you get a local, knowledgable guide that will explain plants, animals, local culture and history to you, you get the cabanas provided at each village and that are spotless, cozy and romantic. You get served great food, prepared fresh with local ingredients at every meal (there's even vegetarian options). And the best sleep of your life in a quiet village, with a wood fire in your room if it gets cold. All that while encouraging the local community and not private/foreign-owned guided tours.

5/5

This was an incredible experience! My partner and our two friends did a five day trek through the beautiful mountains of Oaxaca with these amazing guides. Everything was very well organized and so beyond our expectations! We have done multiple international treks without guides before so thought about doing something independently but felt so happy that we went with a guided trek. Not only did it save us enormous amount of time planning logistics but it added so much to our experience and learning. We went with a Spanish speaking package since we speak intermediate Spanish and it felt like an incredible immersion opportunity! Practicing Spanish by learning about local culture, ecology and history was an absolute dream. We had a different guide each day, from each new village stayed in. This level of local knowledge and connection was so valuable both in finding our way and in learning and connecting as we walked. The level of collective care and commitment to community in these villages is truly amazing! Everyone spends a whole year volunteering, every three years. This includes the guiding company, so several of our guides were on their volunteer year. It was such a fascinating model to learn about and really inspiring counter balance to the individualism I’m used to seeing as an American. We also took a molé cooking class which I cannot recommend enough! So amazing to learn in a family home and it was absolutely delicious. I am a lifelong vegetarian which often poses challenges for me traveling but the whole time people were so accommodating and made it so easy. Every place we were eating already knew from my registration and would have something vegetarian for me. The accommodations were comfortable, the food good, the people kind and open, the mountains absolutely with tons of biodiversity. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

5/5

We had a wonderful 3 day hike with Mario (and the local guides). Nature was incredibly beautiful (mountains, valleys, rivers, and more) and it was so nice to stay in the 'pueblos' and get to know from inside their living modes and culture. After 4 to 6 hours of walking we were always warmly welcomed in the villages with smiles, and good food. It could be a bit intense but it seems to be always possible to adjust pace and itinerary. We have now great memories, next time, we will extend a little bit the experience :)! We spend a great time with Mario, Casilda, Jonas! Mario is a very good guide and EN translator. We highly recommend this trip when traveling in Oaxaca (and Mexico)!

5/5

We had a nice experience on our 3D/2N trip with Expediciones Sierra Norte. We had an English-speaking guide as well as local guides along the way, all arranged by the organisation. The guides were all very knowledgeable, in particular, local guide Juan from Lachatao (near Amatlan), who was absolutely lovely and showed us beautiful spots along the trail with gentle pride in his region. The accommodation in Lachatao was especially nice, and the breakfasts and lunches were absolute feasts! Lunches were in the mid-afternoon, and snacks would've been a good idea! Dinners are light and simple. Post-trip, I am a bit concerned to read some reviews that suggest that the guides get very little of the fee. It isn't the cheapest tour.. Otherwise, I understand there's a rotation between the local restaurants, each taking turns to provide meals to participants, so that's good. It'd be nice to know that everyone is being compensated fairly at the outset.

4/5