Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, Mexico

Transcription

1 Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, Mexico Trail Running Holiday Effort Level: Adventure A division of Explorateur voyages Québec Licensee

2 Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, Mexico Trail Running Holiday Effort Level: Adventure Start off with discovering the amazing Oaxaca City with its rich colonial heritage. Then, allow yourself to be carried away by the stunning scenery and clean air of Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, a splendid massif covered with mature, native forests that are remarkably well-preserved. For more than a century now, eight indigenous communities have lived and worked together in harmony in this area under a unique system of pueblos mancomunados (literally meaning: joint villages ). This inspiring socioeconomic model, in which private property does not exist, promotes sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of ancestral traditions. The paths linking these high-perched villages will be our playground and we will invariably receive a warm welcome from the local people, who participate to our expedition in various ways. Trail running as an excuse for going on an adventure is exactly that! The images in this document are courtesy of:

3 Your holiday at a glance Duration: 6 days, 5 nights What to Expect: Trail running in a natural setting both enchanting and relaxing, a striking cultural and human experience, an opportunity to connect with local communities that are proud of their traditions... Mexico like you've never seen it before! Effort Level: Adventure (10-20 km m per day, mountainous terrain where we will at times feel the effects of the altitude) Accommodation: Two nights in comfortable huts shared with the other participants (dorms with 3 to 8 beds), three nights in a hotel in Oaxaca s historic district (double occupancy). Guides: A guide from our team and a Mexican guide, both specialized in adventure travel and trail running. Local guides will be added on groups of 10 runners and more. Group: 7 to 20 runners Price: See our website Dates: March 3 to 8, 2018

4 Highlights Four days in the great outdoors to discover the area of Oaxaca and the exceptional beauty of its forests and mountains, on paths that are perfectly suited for trail running. Enriching human experience in pueblos mancomunados, where local communities have developed their own governing model for the better preservation of the natural environment and their cultural heritage. Delicious traditional meals, made with love by the communities that will welcome us. An active vacation that combines trail running with a multitude of activities for you to explore the area. Nomade Actif s special touch Professional guides, specialized in adventure travel and trail running. The added value of a local guide and his team, who have unparalleled knowledge of the area and its history. Comfortable accommodation, ideal for relaxation and recovery. High-quality guiding service for your peace of mind. Just put on your running shoes and enjoy your adventure!

5 A few things to keep in mind We will run km and gain m per day. Although the cumulative elevation gain is modest, we will sometimes feel the effects of the higher altitude, ranging from 2000 m to 3000 m. Nights and mornings will be chilly. Each runner must carry a small daypack. Participants must stay with the group on our running excursions. The huts have 3 to 8 beds and are shared with the other participants.

6 Our local guide Mauricio Díaz A runner by heritage, an adventurer by nature, Mauricio is also co-founder of a trail running community in Mexico. His adventure logbook is filled with seven marathons (three completed in under 3 hours), four ultramarathons, an Olympic-distance triathlon, plus several mountain tops and bicycle tours, amongst many other achievements. Mauricio s life mission is to help inspire as many people as he can to live a more fulfilling and active life, aided by a deeper connection to nature, which is, to his eyes, the true path to happiness. His favorite quote: "Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? (Hunter S. Thompson).

7 The price includes: - 2 professional guides: one from our team, one from Mexico. More local guides will be added on groups of 10 runners nights: two in huts (dorms with 3 to 8 beds), three in a hotel (double occupancy) - 4 guided trail running outings - Various activities: a tour of some of the most important historical sites of Oaxaca, two morning yoga and meditation sessions, traditional medicine rituals (Temazcal, massage, and purification), Tyrolean, suspension bridge - 3 breakfasts, 3 lunchs, 2 dinners - An assortment of Xact Nutrition snacks (one per day) - Drinking water on running excursions - Entrance fees to the Sierra Norte Ecotourism Project - Transportation of runners and luggage on days 2 to 5 - Transportation from and to Oaxaca Airport - Telecommunication equipment (VHF walkie-talkie, local cell phone) - First aid equipment for the group - Group meeting prior to the trip - Taxes and service fees The price doesn t include: - Airfare and related costs (airport tax, luggage registration, etc.) - Meals other than those mentionned in the itinerary - Gratuities - Drinks other than water - Souvenirs - Purchase and rental of personal equipment - Contribution to FICAV (compensation fund for customers of travel agents: $1 per $1,000) - Insurance - Vaccines

8 Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Oaxaca Upon arrival at Oaxaca Airport, take a shuttle to your hotel, located in Oaxaca's historic district. Depending on the flight schedule of the participants, the guide will meet you at the airport or the hotel. Free time in the evening. Day 2: Treasures of Oaxaca (approx. 10 km, flat terrain) We are off to a good start with a running tour of the city, followed by a road trip to some of the most important historical sites in the area: Hierve el Agua (geological formations), Monte Alban (an ancient Zapotec city), and a giant tree whose estimated age varies from 1200 to 3000 years! Free time in the evening. Day 3: Llano Grande Cuajimoloyas (approx. 8 km m) Cuajimoloyas Latuvi (approx. 16 km downhill!) Departure to the Sierra Norte early in the morning. Breakfast on arrival in Llano Grande, followed by our first running outing of the day, to Cuajimoloyas. There we will meet with Señora Teléfora for a traditional medicine session that includes a massage and a purification ritual. After lunch, we re off to our second run to the village of Latuvi. The whole route is a fun downhill, starting at 3100 meters and ending at 2200 meters. Dinner in the village and overnight in a hut. Day 4: Latuvi Lachatao Amatlán (approx. 14 km m) Our day starts off gently with a yoga and meditation session. After breakfast, we run to the village of Lachatao following Camino Real, a trail dating from the pre-hispanic era that once served as a link between the Zapotec cities of the central valleys and the Gulf of Mexico. With its ancient forests, sublime views, and vestiges of past civilizations, it is the favorite course of our local team. In Lachatao, lunch is followed by a Temazcal (traditional medicine ritual). Dinner and overnight in a hut in Amatlán, the neighboring village. Day 5: La Neveria Benito Juárez (approx. 9 km m) Rise and shine with a morning yoga and meditation session. After breakfast, our shuttle drops us off at La Neveria, from where we run to Benito Juárez. Our adventure ends with an exhilarating photo opp at the village viewpoint, with a breathtaking view on the central valleys. Thrill-seekers will love the suspension bridge and zip line! Lunch served in the village. We return to Oaxaca in the afternoon. Free time in the evening and overnight at the hotel. Day 6: Departure to Oaxaca Airport This program includes transportation from hotel to airport. N.B. This itinerary is provided for information only and could be modified by the guides for safety purposes and the smooth running of your stay.

9 Useful information Group supervision Group of 7 to 20 runners. This tour is entirely supervised by a guide from our team and a local guide (or more, depending on the size of the group). Our guides ensure the smooth running of the program, overseeing both the technical and logistical aspects of the excursions and the quality of the services provided by third-party suppliers, as well as sharing with you their knowledge of the area. Our guides are adventure travel professionals, experienced in trail running, and certified in wilderness first aid. Other local stakeholders: local logistical support team. There will be a group meeting before departure. Day pack Our guides look after the well-being of the entire group and carry first aid, orientation, and communication equipment for this purpose. However, the group's safety also depends on well-equipped runners. Make sure to wear a running day pack that fits you well and that you have tested successfully before your holiday. Each runner must carry: Water: minimum 2 liters in a hydration bag or water bottles. Food: this tour includes one Xact Nutrition bar per day and participants must bring any other energy product they wish to use. Protective gear: windproof jacket, insulating mid-layer, toque, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, whistle. Personal first aid kit: bandages and dressings, antiseptic wipes, personal medication, etc. Accommodation In the Sierra Norte: two nights in comfortable huts of 3 to 8 beds. Given the altitude, plan for warm clothing for nights and mornings. A detailed list of the required equipment will be provided. In Oaxaca : three nights in a hotel of the historic district.

10 Useful information Food This tour includes all meals eaten in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca. Our meals are prepared by the communities that welcome us and are made from fresh, organic ingredients produced on site. This is a dream opportunity to live an authentic experience! In the city of Oaxaca, you will find a great selection of restaurants to suit all budgets. Mexican cuisine is primarily a fusion of indigenous and Spanish influences. Local ingredients such as corn, beans, avocado, tomato, and chilli peppers mix in with ingredients brought by Europeans at the time of colonization, such as rice, farmed meat (beef, pork, chicken, goat, mutton), cheese, and various herbs and spices. The State of Oaxaca, which includes various ecosystems, is renowned for its varied gastronomy. Typical dishes of the area include: tlayuda, a large corn crepe topped with beans, guacamole, meat or seafood and cheese; tamale, a stuffed corn dough steamed in a banana leaf; seven types of mole sauces that are a staple of many dishes; chocolate, served as a hot drink with almonds, cinnamon and other ingredients; and of course, mezcal, the local alcoholic treat, made of distilled agave. Climate The city of Oaxaca sits at 1550 m above sea level. In February and March, the average temperature is around 30 C during the day and 11 C at night. In the Sierra Norte, we will travel at altitudes of 2000 to 3100 meters. The average temperature can vary from 15 C to 25 C during the day and from 4 C to 10 C at night. Note that these are averages and that conditions in the mountains can vary widely. In general, we must protect ourselves from the sun, whose radiation is more powerful at higher altitudes, and plan for warm clothing for chilly nights and mornings. You will receive a detailed list of the required equipment. Money and currencies The currency in use is the Mexican peso (MXN) and the majority of your purchases will be paid in cash. A debit card is the best way to withdraw money. We will direct you to an ATM upon your arrival. Check the transaction fees charged by your bank and note the phone number to use in case your card is lost or stolen. Credit cards can be used in upscale restaurants and hotels. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. It is advisable to bring two, in case of loss, theft or defect. It can be difficult to find an institution that accepts traveler's cheques, and management fees are particularly high. If you still opt for this solution, make sure to ask for cheques in Mexican pesos.

11 Useful information Tipping Tipping is of course at your discretion, but as an indicator of the standards in the travel industry, adventure travel guides (from your travel agency and from the local team) usually receive about $10/day, per person. In Mexico, a tip of 10% to 15% is standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers are not used to receiving tips unless they provide additional services. Travel insurance We would like to remind you of the importance of taking out medical insurance to cover expenses in case of hospitalization abroad or repatriation, and cancellation insurance to cover the non-refundable portion of the cost of your trip. Explorateur voyages, the travel agency with which we are associated, offers full travel coverage, with or without cancellation insurance. Ask us for a quote. If purchasing cancellation insurance from Explorateur voyages, you will be able to do so at the time of the final payment. However, if you choose to buy cancellation insurance with another provider, we remind you that you may have to do so at the time of your initial deposit. Finally, if your credit card provides insurance, it is imperative that you make your initial deposit with this card. Visa and passport requirements For holders of a Canadian passport, no visa is required. Your passport must be valid at least until the scheduled date of exit from the country. Health, vaccines, and safety We recommend that you refer to your closest traveler's clinic or community health department to find out what vaccines are needed and what precautions to take.

12 Useful information Electricity Power sockets: A/B type. Voltage: 127 V. Frequency: 60 Hz. Check out this site to see socket types: Internet and telecommunications In Oaxaca, your hotel offers free Wi-Fi. It is also the case in several restaurants and cafes, although the quality of the connection varies from place to place. In the Sierra Norte, there is very little chance of finding a wireless network. Since 2015, some communities have had access to the Internet, but the infrastructure provided can be minimal. Cell phone coverage varies with each geographic location, and from time to time, there will be none available. Equipment and luggage Your main luggage can be a backpack or a duffle bag. Some are equipped with handles or even wheels. We do not recommend using a rigid suitcase, especially if it is bulky, as it will limit the available space during group transportation. Remember to identify all your bags (name and address). A complete list of the required equipment will be given to you when you sign up for this tour. Feel free to contact us with any equipment-related questions, our guides are here to help. Information and registration For any questions about this tour or to sign up, contact us. This tour is organized in collaboration with Explorateur voyages, Québec licensee.