Join us for our first orchid viewing adventure into mega-diverse Chiapas!
Absolutely fantastic trip! With breathtaking scenery—every view felt like a postcard. The accommodations were comfortable and well-located, making it easy to explore the area. We had the chance to try some local cuisine that brought the culture to life." |
A wild Orchid of only 2mm size found among Mayan Ruins!
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Key Trip DetailsLength: 8 nights
Average Foray Distance: 2 miles/day Altitude: 600-8,000 feet Exertion Level: Moderate Accommodations: - 2 nights in San Cristobal Hotel - 2 nights in Lagos de Montebello Cabins - 2 nights Las Nubes Ecotourism Cabins - 1 night in Tzimol Hotel - 1 night in San Cristobal Hotel Most meals included: 6 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches. Cost: $3450.00 |
An underground Pacific-side cenote of Chiapas.
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Announcing our SECOND non-mushroom based trip! Hot on the heels of our first Orchid adventure... we already cannot wait to do it again!!
We are so lucky to have opportunities to explore the rural and rugged landscapes of Southern Mexico. The biodiversity, endemic species, incredible backdrops, and in Chiapas, Mayan ruins that leave the mouth agape in wonder. Chiapas, the southern-most state of Oaxaca, sharing an incredibly long border with Guatamala is nothing short of astounding. Home to several of the most iconic Mayan ruins (Palenque, Tonina, Teman Puente, Chinkultik to name a few), the jungle here is vast and quickly eats anything left untended.
Chiapas is known for its diversity of Orchid species, and for this adventure, we will begin at 2300m (7300ft) in San Cristobal, where we will visit and hike the gorgeous Moxviquil Orchidarium, and enjoy the mountain setting before dropping down into the stunning blue waterfall-filled jungles of the lowlands. We will be surrounded by a wildness you didn't know existed: the Lagos de Montebello, considered the most diverse of all orchid hotspots in the world, some of the ruins mentioned above, the pine and true jungles surrounding impossible karst (limestone) landscapes filled with caves, cenotes, underground rivers, and jaw-dropping beauty.
It is here that we will be exploring Mayan Ruins, searching the ancient walls and trees for orchids, insect, birds, lizards, snakes and fungi. It is here that we will interface with the local communities growing chocolate, vanilla, coffee, cardamom, and even reishi mushrooms in the jungle through our partnership with JANGALA chocolates, a beyond-fair-trade company from San Cristoball with whom we've partnered in the past to craft functional mushroom chocolate bars for our MycoChiapas adventures! This time, we will follow them to the very communities producing these magical ingredients.
We are so lucky to have opportunities to explore the rural and rugged landscapes of Southern Mexico. The biodiversity, endemic species, incredible backdrops, and in Chiapas, Mayan ruins that leave the mouth agape in wonder. Chiapas, the southern-most state of Oaxaca, sharing an incredibly long border with Guatamala is nothing short of astounding. Home to several of the most iconic Mayan ruins (Palenque, Tonina, Teman Puente, Chinkultik to name a few), the jungle here is vast and quickly eats anything left untended.
Chiapas is known for its diversity of Orchid species, and for this adventure, we will begin at 2300m (7300ft) in San Cristobal, where we will visit and hike the gorgeous Moxviquil Orchidarium, and enjoy the mountain setting before dropping down into the stunning blue waterfall-filled jungles of the lowlands. We will be surrounded by a wildness you didn't know existed: the Lagos de Montebello, considered the most diverse of all orchid hotspots in the world, some of the ruins mentioned above, the pine and true jungles surrounding impossible karst (limestone) landscapes filled with caves, cenotes, underground rivers, and jaw-dropping beauty.
It is here that we will be exploring Mayan Ruins, searching the ancient walls and trees for orchids, insect, birds, lizards, snakes and fungi. It is here that we will interface with the local communities growing chocolate, vanilla, coffee, cardamom, and even reishi mushrooms in the jungle through our partnership with JANGALA chocolates, a beyond-fair-trade company from San Cristoball with whom we've partnered in the past to craft functional mushroom chocolate bars for our MycoChiapas adventures! This time, we will follow them to the very communities producing these magical ingredients.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
April 5th, 2027--Day 1: Please make arrangements to join us in San Cristobal de las Casas for our Opening Dinner!!
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April 6th --Day 2: Visit the world famous Moxviquil Orchidarío, featuring hundreds of unique species of orchids both from Chiapas! We will hike up to the ruins of Moxviquil and look at the mixed oak forests of the highlands!
April 7th --Day 3: We will travel through several different ecosystems on our way down to Comitan and the Lagos de Montebello and beyond, our location for the next 4 nights! Wild Orchid Hikes, Orchid Island, Waterfalls, crystal blue lakes for swimming and Mayan Ruins... you've never seen Mexico like this! April 8th--Day 4: Our Second day to explore the vast area of Lagos de Montebello! this area is full of hikes, lakes, swimming, and a diversity or orchids unmattched anywhere in the world! April 9th--Day 5: Dropping further down into the Chiapan Jungles, we will find our way to Las Nubes, a community run ecotourism center that boasts some of the most stunning river and waterfall views we've ever encountered. |
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April 10th --Day 6: Following the guidance of Julio Salazar, our host in the jungles and chcolate master from JANGALA chocolates, we will explore the cacao, coffee, reishi and cardamom producing villages of the Chiapanecan jungle lowlands. with epic swimming of course.
April 11th --Day 7: We begin our return ascent, traveling form the Jungle, back through the Lagos to the ruins of Tenam Puente, and oft overlooked "fortress" of the Mayan post-classic period, covered in wild orchids, bromeliads and spanning several many hectares. These ruins are often empty of visitors, and we will have a grand opportunity to explore to our heart content before settling into the luxurious accomodations of Hotel Canto del Agua. April 12th --Day 8: Completing our driving, we will end up back in San Cristobal de las Casas for our final meal of the trip, to discuss our highlights, and leave you with a new sense of profound wonder about the stunning state that is Chiapas. |
April 13th, 2027 --Day 9: Check out of Hotel. The guided adventure is officially over!
Events on the itinerary are approximate and based on the availability of our partners or the weather. Some of these events may switch days, or be traded for other similar or even better experiences based on things like where the orchids are blooming!
Events on the itinerary are approximate and based on the availability of our partners or the weather. Some of these events may switch days, or be traded for other similar or even better experiences based on things like where the orchids are blooming!
The impossibly blue waters of Tzimol, so loaded with minerals that it coats the fallen leaves before they have a chance to compost!
WHAT PAST FUNGIVORE ADVENTURERS SAID:
"The level of knowledge of all the staff exceeded my expectations--they not only knew the flora and fauna but they were connected to the communities we visited. We always felt welcomed. "
- Donna; NY, 2025 attendee |
"I feel spent even trying to convey my thoughts. It’s simply one of the most wonderful weeks I have ever experienced. Looking back, I struggle to convince myself that it was real, that we were really there... In a heartbeat I would march right back through every single part of every single day, every bite of every meal, every edifying conversation, every crowing rooster."
- Bruch; Chicago, IL; 2025 Wild Orchid attendee 
"You will see a lot of interesting orchids and feel immersed in the culture of the mexican people where you will stay."
-Beth ; MD, 2025 Wild Orchid attendee |
"The Fungivore hosts... the best trips I have been on."
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida, 2026 Orchid Adventure attendee
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida, 2026 Orchid Adventure attendee
Our Orchid Team
Zachary &
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Cristian Tomas
Mexican Orchid ResearcherWith a personal collection of over 400 species of orchids in his home, and the director of the University of the Sierra Norte's Orchidarío in his hometown of Ixtlan de Juarez, OAX, Bio. Cristian Tomas has only just begin his exploration and contribution of his work to science.
Collecting type specimens for the National museums of Mexico and logging every wild orchid he finds for the country and for the state of Oaxaca, indigenous Zapotec researcher, Cristian is redefining how we can relate to the earth and acts a bridge between the constant of the ancient world, as well as the stoic preservation of the academic world. A true master of his craft, it is an honor to follow in his footsteps through the jungle forests of Chiapas! Cristian is thrilled to explore the region of Chiapas for new species of orchids and new biodiverse habitats in 2027! |
Celestino Mendez
Guide & Orchid Expert
Celestino Mendez is a local Zapotec member of the Mancomunados of the Sierra Nortes, farming and living in his native village of Latuvi. He leads treks, mountain bike tours, mountain summit tours and more through Walk With Celestino.
We met Celestino in 2019 at the Cuajimoloays Mushroom Festival, and have partnered with him on all of our Sierra Norte tours since 2021. He is passionate about orchids, and has a deep knowledge of the forests & ecological diversity in the Sierra Norte. In 2025, Celestino embarked on an ambitious project of mapping the biodiversity of the entire Mancomunados, and was elected by his community as manager of the Flora, Fauna, and Funga project of the nine community collective. Hnads down, Celstino is one of the most cited highlights of our adventures together! |
How to join, the cost and what's covered:
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What is Covered on Trip
The cost of this trip, before any applicable discounts, is $3500. Double occupancy is assumed for our available accommodations. If you are traveling with someone, be sure to let us know if you need ONE bed or TWO beds. Most meals, all lodging, all planned tours, nactivities, and workshops are included. Alcohol during meals, souvenirs, and some optional activities are not included. Ground transportation to & from Tuxtla International Airport (TGZ) to and from San Cristobal City is not included (about $70 taxi or $20 shuttle each way). Once you sign up, we have detailed information for all logistics. 20% is non-refundable IN MOST CASES. We use it immediately to secure transportation, lodging and reservations. Should we cancel the trip for any reason, all monies except the non-recoverable CC processing fee will be returned. |
Payment Policy, Non-Refundable Deposit and Refund Schedule
Payments for the trip shall be made in full, and includes the NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT (NRD) of 20% which helps us secure accommodations, reserve transportation, book restaurants, and secure the tour. Refunds for cancellations will be returned on the following schedule, minus Stripe processing fees (~3-4.4%, depending on your bank):
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We review each application to make sure our Adventure is a good fit for all participants and give us insight to create the best experience for each group. Upon review, we're reach out ASAP to offer an info call, payment information and next steps. All participants MUST fill out an application in full to be considered for joining.
We will fill the trip in the order of applications received and deposits secured. Our group size is capped at 8 participants and we have very high interest already this year. With this payment commitment, your deposit will be returned to you only on one of two conditions: the trip is completely canceled (all monies will be returned), or you arrange for someone else to take your place. Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Please send info@thefungivore.com an email to explore this option. |
Neither YOUR FLIGHTS TO and FROM Tuxtla Gutierrez (TGZ), nor your transport to San Cristobal de las Casas are included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in San Cristobal de las Casas for dinner on April 5th, 2027!
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