Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, Mexico

Transcription

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

2 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!

3 Your holiday at a glance Duration: 6 days, 5 nights What to expect: Trail running in an enchanting, relaxing setting, a memorable cultural experience featuring interactions with local people, an opportunity to get acquainted with communities that are proud of their traditions Mexico as you have never seen it before! Effort level: Adventure (10 20 km, m per day, mountainous terrain where we will occasionally feel the effects of the altitude) Accommodation: Two nights in comfortable huts shared with other group members (dormitories with 3 to 8 beds), three nights in a hotel in Oaxaca s historic centre (double occupancy). Guides: A guide from of our team and a local guide who both specialize in adventure travel and trail running. Additional local guides if there are more than 10 runners. Group: 8 to 20 runners Price: See our website Dates: February 2 to 7, 2019

4 Highlights Four days in the open air exploring the Oaxaca region, its forests, and its breathtaking mountains on routes that are ideal for trail running. Enriching encounters with local people in the pueblos mancomunados (literally, joint villages ), indigenous communities that have developed their own socioeconomic system to preserve their natural environment and culture. Mouthwatering traditional meals prepared thoughtfully by our Mexican hosts. An active holiday that combines trail running with many opportunities to experience the local culture. Nomade Actif s special touch Professional guides who specialize in adventure travel and trail running. The additional expertise of a local guide and his team who know all about the region and its history. Comfortable accommodations where you can relax and recover. Complete group supervision that gives you peace of mind. All you need to do is lace up your shoes and start your adventure. Photo: Mauricio Diaz

5 A few things to keep in mind Daily distance of km with m of elevation gain. Although there is minimal elevation gain, we will be running at m above sea level and will sometimes feel the effects of the altitude. Evenings, nights, and mornings are cool. All runners must have a small daypack. Participants must stay with the group. The huts are comfortable dormitories shared with the other members of the group.

6 Our local guide Mauricio Díaz Runner by heritage and adventurer by nature, Mauricio is also co-founder of a trail running collective 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: - Two professional guides: one from our team and one from Mexico. Additional local guides if there are more than 10 runners. - 5 nights: two in comfortable huts (dormitories with 3 to 8 beds), three in a hotel (double occupancy) - 4 guided trail running outings - Additional activities: tour of the important historical sites in the area of Oaxaca, two morning yoga sessions, traditional medicine rituals (Temazcal, massage, and purification), suspension bridge - 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, including a high-end dinning experience in Oaxaca - An assortment of Xact Nutrition bars (one per day) - Water on our excursions - Entry fee to the Sierra Norte ecotouristic project - Transportation of runners and luggage - Transportation from and to Oaxaca airport on arrival and departure - Telecommunication equipment (walkie-talkie, local cell phone) - Advanced first aid equipment - Pre-trip meeting - Taxes and service fees The price doesn t include: - Airfare and related costs (airport tax, luggage, etc.) - Meals other than those mentioned in the inclusions - Gratuities - Drinks other than water - 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 A shuttle will take you from the Oaxaca airport to your hotel, which is located in the city s historic centre. Depending on the participants flight times, the guide will meet you at the airport or the hotel. Free evening. Day 2: Treasures of Oaxaca We start off on the right foot with a city tour running, of course! Later, we drive to visit some of the most important historic sites of the region: Hierve el Agua (geological formations), Monte Albán (ancient Zapotec city), and a giant tree estimated to be between 1200 and 3000 years old. Overnight in a hotel. Approx. 10 km, minimal elevation gain Day 3: Llano Grande Cuajimoloyas Latuvi Early-morning departure for Sierra Norte. Breakfast on arrival in the village of Llano Grande, followed by the first run of the day to the village of Cuajimoloyas, which sits at 3100 m, our highest altitude of the trip. There we take a break to visit Señora Telesfora for a traditional-medicine ritual. After a delicious meal, we set out on the second run of the day, which includes a few climbs and a challenging 6 km descent. Dinner and overnight at a hut in the village of Latuvi (2200 m). AM: approx. 8 km, +200 m PM: approx. 16 km, +340 m, -930 m Day 4: Latuvi Lachatao Amatlán After a morning yoga session and breakfast, we run to the village of Lachatao via the Camino Real, a trail that dates to the pre-hispanic era and formerly connected the Zapotec cities in the central valleys to the Gulf of Mexico. With its ancient forests, sublime viewing points, and vestiges of past civilizations, this is our local team s favourite route. After lunch in Lachatao we experience a Temazcal, a traditional ceremony performed in a sweat lodge. Dinner and overnight in Amatlán, the neighbouring village. Approx. 14 km, +200 m Day 5: La Neveria Benito Juárez After a morning yoga session and breakfast, our shuttle drops us off in La Nevería. From there we run to Benito Juárez. We finish our adventure with a photo opportunity at the village s lookout point, which offers an unobstructed view of the central valleys. If you like getting an adrenaline rush, you will love the suspension bridge! Lunch served in the village. Return to Oaxaca in the afternoon and indulge in a gastronomic dinner. Overnight in a hotel. Approx. 9 km, +250 m Day 6: Departure for Oaxaca airport Transfer from the hotel to Oaxaca airport. N.B. This itinerary is provided for information only. The guides and staff reserve the right to modify it at any time for safety purposes or to ensure that the trip runs smoothly.

9 Useful information Group supervision Groups of 8 to 20 runners. This tour is entirely supervised by a guide from our team and local guides (the number of local guides varies with group size). They make sure that everything runs smoothly, oversee the technical and logistical aspects of the excursions, ensure that the quality of the services is high, and above all, share their knowledge of the country. Our guides are adventure travel professionals who are experienced in trail running and certified in wilderness first aid. Other local staff: local logistical support team. There will be a group information meeting before departure. Daypack Our guides look after the well-being of the entire group and carry first aid, navigation, and communication equipment for this purpose. However, the group s safety also depends on well-equipped runners. Make sure to wear a running daypack that fits you well and that you have tested before your holiday. Each runner must carry: Water: minimum 2 litres in a hydration bag or water bottles. Trail food: we provide an assortment of Xact Nutrition bars (one per day) and participants must bring other snacks or energy products they would like to use. Protective gear: windproof jacket, insulating midlayer, ski cap, thin 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 with 3 to 8 beds. We will be at high altitude, so make sure to bring warm clothing. You will receive a detailed list of the equipment you need. In Oaxaca: three nights in a modern hotel in the city s historic centre.

10 Useful information Food The price includes all meals from days 2 to 5. In the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, meals are prepared by the communities that host us and are made from fresh, organic, locally produced ingredients. In Oaxaca, you will get a chance to have an authentic culinary experience as you taste a creative, spicy cuisine. Mexican cuisine is primarily a fusion of indigenous and Spanish influences. Local staples such as corn, beans, avocado, tomato, and hot pepper are combined with ingredients the European colonists brought with them, such as rice, meat from domestic livestock sources (beef, pork, chicken, goat, and lamb), cheese, and different herbs and spices. Oaxaca State, which is home to diverse ecosystems, is renowned for its varied cuisine. Typical regional dishes include the tlayuda, a large corn tortilla covered with beans, guacamole, meat, or seafood and cheese; the tamale, a stuffed corn-based dough steamed in a banana leaf; seven types of mole sauces used in preparing many dishes; cocoa, which is served as a hot beverage with almonds, cinnamon, and other ingredients; and last but not least, mezcal, an alcoholic beverage made from distilled agave. Climate Oaxaca City lies at 1550 m above sea level. Average February temperatures are around 27 C during the day and 10 C at night. In the Sierra Norte, we will be at m above sea level. Average temperatures range from 15 C to 25 C during the day and from 4 C to 10 C at night. Keep in mind that these are only averages and weather conditions in the mountains may vary drastically. As a general rule, you will need to protect yourself from the sun, which is stronger at this altitude, and bring warm clothing for nighttime. You will receive a detailed list of the equipment you need. Money and currencies The currency in use is the Mexican peso (MXN) and most purchases are made in cash. The best way to withdraw money during the trip is with a debit card. We will direct you to an ATM when you arrive. Before the trip, check your bank s transaction fees and make a note of the telephone number to call if your card is lost or stolen. You can pay by credit card in high-end restaurants and hotels. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. We recommend that you bring two cards in case one is lost, stolen, or defective. It might be difficult to find a business that accepts travelers cheques, and service fees are quite high. If you choose this option, be 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 Can$10/day, per person. A 10% 15% tip is customary in restaurants. Taxi drivers are not accustomed to receiving tips unless they provide an additional service. Travel insurance It is vital to take 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. Please contact us to request a quote. If you choose to purchase cancellation insurance from Explorateur voyages, you will be able to do so when you make your final payment. However, if you choose to buy cancellation insurance from another provider, please note that you may have to do so when you make your initial deposit. Finally, if your credit card provides insurance, you must make your initial deposit with that card. Visa and passport requirements For holders of a Canadian passport, no visa is required. Your passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay. Health, vaccines, and safety We recommend that you contact your local travel clinic or community health department to find out what vaccines are needed and what precautions to take.

12 Useful information Electricity Power socket: type A/B. Voltage: 127 V. Frequency: 60 Hz. Visit this website to see socket types: Internet and telecommunications The hotel in Oaxaca has free WiFi. Many restaurants and cafés also offer free WiFi, but the quality of the connection varies from place to place. In the Sierra Norte, it is unlikely that there will be WiFi. Some communities have had Internet access since 2015, but the infrastructure is still underdeveloped. Cell phone coverage varies depending on the location, and in some places there may not be any coverage at all. Equipment and luggage Your main luggage can be a backpack or a duffel bag. Some are equipped with handles or wheels. We do not recommend using a hard suitcase, especially if it is bulky, because it will limit the available space when the group is travelling together. Remember to label all your bags with your name and address. A complete list of the required equipment will be sent to you when you sign up for the 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, please contact us. This tour is organized in collaboration with Terra Ultima / Explorateur voyages, Québec licensee.