At The Fungivore, we are nature geeks with a passion for bringing together mushroom lovers, experts, and local communities to explore the fungi, cuisine & culture of Mexico with open minds and new eyes.
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Mushrooms around the world are finally getting their day in the sun, with recognition coming from seemingly every discipline from ecology to psychology. Simultaneously, Mexico is finally beginning to receive the credit due for its role as a Cradle of Civilization and its contribution to global culture even to this day. The combination of these piqued global interests meet with The Fungivore Adventures.
Mexican mycology is getting a major lift right now, being perfectly situated at the intersection of local curiosity, mushroom interest soaring globally, and DNA technology becoming more accessible. The youth of Mexico are leading the charge through science and humble curiosity, tapping into their roots to the hundreds of indigenous cultures, who have been true mycophiles for countless millennia. Since 2018, we have cultivated a rich relationship with the people, culture & cuisine of Mexico that has culminated in this invitation to join indigenous guides, artisans, & experts for a hands-on, immersive window into this oft overlooked cradle of civilization. |
Alissa Allen of Mycopigments.com with Celestino Mendez, local and one of our main partners, an the community of Cuajimoloyas, one of eight communities linked economically in the Mancomunados.
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We don't view "tourism" through the same lens. We center our activities around our community partners, salt-of-the-earth real human experiences, and deep unlocking of knowledge, both modern and ancient.
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This trip was incredible! Kim and Zack were warm and wonderful and the group and I connected with them instantly. The trip combined craft, food, history, nature, and community in a way that I have never experienced before. There was absolute respect and reverence for the indigenous communities we stayed with and learned from which was an amazing thing to be a part of. Getting to spend time in the small pueblos outside of Oaxaca gave us the chance to interact with people from different cultures and to share knowledge and space and food together. It made me appreciate this special place in a way that was really special and way more impactful than I ever imagined it would be." |
Want to get a better grasp on why we get rave reviews?
Here are some of the most memorable trip highlights:
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There is no better way to dive into the Cradle of Civilization that brought you corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, chilies, mezcal & chocolate! We forage for mushrooms & plants in the beautiful mountains of Mexico that we’ll both cook for dinner and use for dyeing; not to mention identification and mycological learnings from our team of experts! Besides mushrooms, you will eat and discover pre-hispanic dishes with the village Abuelas (grandmothers), as well as up-and-coming local chefs, whose cooking classes are magical!
You will learn the symbology & stories of the ancient cultures seen in weaving, art & ruins from the indigenous artisans themselves; and tour local folk markets and sink into the products, arts & crafts that have been traded for millennia... as well as learn about medicinal plants and the traditional use of mushrooms from the wisdom keepers and medicine women of the mountain communities. But, lest you think its all ancient, you will also experience world-class fine-dining at some of the gastronomic "haute spots" in Southern Mexico! |
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Whats more, our trips often intersect with one of the many incredible local mushroom festivals during rainy season; but no matter what you will spend time with leading North American mycologists & experts like Alissa Allen, Alan Rockefeller, Christian Schwarz, Langdon Cook, and Cheshire Mayrsohn as well as Mexican mycologists, professors, chefs and mycophiles!
We will watch artisans in action and get hands on experience trying it yourself, and for context, visit historic Beniza'a (Zapotec), Ñuu Savi (Mixtec) or Maya ruins such as Monté Albán, Tonalá, Mitla, Yagul, Dainzu and Monte Negro, to name a few, with local archeological guides. Just the nature alone will captivate as you take in the incredible mountainous landscapes & bask in in the beauty of the many Sierra Mountain Ranges: Norte, Sur and Occidental; and should you choose, taste and learn about the magical spirit that is mezcal, and learn about the oldest practices of distillation on Earth, right in the central valleys of Oaxaca. And honestly, that's just scratching the surface when it comes to the visceral feeling of connection and vibrant love and nature that is your temporary classroom for our week together. |
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Touring with Zachary and Kim is a total blast. From the moment we first met, it felt like we had known each other for years! Our whole group felt like a little family during our trip. I’m not sure if I’ve ever eaten this well and had as many adventures on a guided tour before the Oaxaca mushroom foray! |
