MyColores: Sierra Norte takes place in the Sierra Zapoteca of Oaxaca.
Take in Oaxaca’s rich and ancient culture, traditional food & diverse landscapes over 7 full days & 8 nights as we forage, cook, & craft with local Zapotecs in the gorgeous Sierra Norte mountains! We will explore the ancient history, eat traditional foods and learn about the indigenous artisanship of the region. Alissa Allen, veteran mushroom dyer and founder of Mycopigments, will be joining us from Seattle, Washington for her fourth year in Oaxaca with The Fungivore, to lead both our forays and our mushroom dyeing workshops.
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In 2024, we took our attendees on a deeper into the Sierra Norte than we have gone before: In the elevated mixed pine and fir forests of the high sierras, we explored forests never explored for dye mushrooms San Pedro Cojonos--a community known for their silk and natural dyeing--and did not come back empty handed! Over the last many seasons, we, with our partner, nature guide, and friend Celestino Mendez--himself a native of the Sierra Norte--have nurtured relationships with the local communities. As a result, we often have access to wild woodlands that aren’t open to anyone else. So with the blessings of the communities, who join us throughout our forays, meals and activities, we look forward to you joining us on our mission of immersion and guelaguetza* with our gracious Zapotec hosts.
2025 will follow a similar route as 2024 MyColores: Sierra Norte with our knowledge from last year of foraging grounds and the effectiveness of the dye on silk! We will spend much more time with the dyers and weavers of San Pedro Cojonos: all of the ladies are very excited to forage with us in 2025 and turn those finds into colorful pieces! To call 2024 heart opening doesn't do justice to the IRL tears of connection and joy that were shed. We hope you will join us in 2025!
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Like all of our trips, this adventure is book-ended by a night on either side in the cultural & culinary mecca of Oaxaca City. We will enjoy dinners at some of the most celebrated restaurants, chefs known for the foraged fungal feasts during the month of "Hongosto," and opportunities to get lost in the magic of the city for the night.
See our day-by-day itinerary below, under the Key Trip Details section. |
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Never a dull moment! Being able to learn through experience is absolutely the best way to travel. Foraging was off the charts, every meal had me dancing in my seat, and all of the people (guests to hosts) were the best people to hang with!” |
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Key Trip DetailsLength: 8 nights
Average Foray Distance: 3-5 miles/day Altitude: 4,000-9,000 feet Exertion Level: Moderate Accommodations: - 2 nights in Oaxaca City hotel - 6 nights in mountain community cabins All Meals included: 8 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches. Cost: $3400 |
Each year we invite the local communities to learn mushroom dyeing. This year, we'll work with the silk community of San Pedro Cajonos.
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Day-to-Day Itinerary Overview
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August 12: Day 1: Check in, meet fellow foragers, and enjoy a group dinner at a top Oaxacan restaurant.
August 13: Day 2: Explore the 2,500-year-old Zapotec site of Monte Alban. Lunch in Tule, home of the world’s widest tree. Head to Cuajimoloyas for the night, with an evening presentation on dye mushrooms by Alissa. August 14: Day 3: Forage for dye mushrooms with local guides and the community. We will finish our hike with a true farm-to-table experience, and head by van to the cabins of Llano Grande. After talk of our finds, some experiments. August 15: Day 4: Depart by foot for a foray in bountiful forests of Llano Grande. We will end the day in El Carrizal, our home and workshop space for the rest of our mountain time. We will set up our ID table and pop-up dye studio for creative exploration and production! August 16: Day 5: Morning nature hike foray with our local honguera, Reina. Opportunity to swim; lunch in the field, followed by an afternoon of dyeing with our foraged mushrooms. |
Displaying our rainbow of mycopigments in El Carrizal.
This itinerary is subject to change, as weather and permissions can shift days around, but provides the activities we will do overall. |
August 17: Day 6: Foray with the artisan community of San Pedro Cojonos to find dye mushrooms—this is a highly anticipated day of fun with the dyers of San Pedro!
August 18: Day 7: Spend the day at Silk Sanctuary in San Pedro Cajonos. Learn about the silk production process, from raising worms to spinning, weaving, and naturally dyeing fiber. Transform our foraged treasures into a silk rainbow of mushroom colors. August 19: Day 8: Descend from our mountain time, and explore the Zapotec weaving village** of Teotitlan del Valle. We will be back by afternoon in Oaxaca City, and conclude with a final group dinner to celebrate our time together.* August 20: Day 9: Check out of Hotel with a rainbow of mushroom colors and lasting memories.** |
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*All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) starting with dinner on the night of 8/12 through our last night together on August 19th with accommodations provided through checkout on 8/20.
** You can put your newly dyed yarn to use and add a 6 hour hands-on weaving workshop with Dr. Samual Lazo and his incredible family in Teotitlan del Valle on 15th century style looms to bring home a small rug or pieces to remember your time here. |
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WHAT PAST MYCOLORES ADVENTURES SAID:
"The mushroom dyeing was top notch with master dyer Alissa.
- Liann; Washington State "This adventure was very interesting and displayed a colorful mix of culture in relation to mushrooms, plants, weaving, dying, and food."
- Holly; San Francisco, CA |
"This was an excellent experience for anyone wanting to learn which mushrooms to collect for dyeing and for learning the actual process of dyeing natural fibers."
- Donna, Northern California 
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"This tour was an amazing experience. Through Kim & Zach’s respectful relationship with the Mixtec and Zapotec people I gained an authentic heartfelt connection."
- Meredith; Canada "Everything I hoped for and more. A taste of authenticity and humanity."
- Lara, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Our Team
Zachary & Kim Hunter
Your Tour Leaders
Zachary and Kimberly shared their first hosted Mexico tour together less than two months after meeting. That love-(and-tourism)-at-first-sight in Fall of 2018 has blossomed into a project far beyond their original dreams.
In 2023, they celebrated their 5th year of hosting mushroom adventures in Mexico, a journey that saw them move to Oaxaca in early 2022, and to dedicate their attention to the cradle of civilization hiding in plain sight; to tap into the both ancient and future wisdom of the people of the clouds. Zachary and Kim will be your hosts for each and every tour in 2025! |
Alissa Allen
Mushroom Dye MasterAlissa is the founder of Mycopigments. She specializes in teaching about regional mushroom and lichen dye palettes to fiber artists and mushroom enthusiasts all over the world. Alissa got her start in the Pacific Northwest and has been sharing her passion for mushrooms for over 15 years.
Alissa uses brilliant colors found in fungal dyes to entice people to take a closer look at mushrooms and lichens and the role they play in our lives. This will be her second season joining us for mycoadventures in Oaxaca. Alissa will be with us for MyColores: Sierra Nortes, August 12-20th and MyCongreso in Ixtlan, August 25th-September 2nd |
Celestino Mendez
Zapotec Nature Guide
Celestino Mendez is a local Zapotec member of the Mancomunados of the Sierra Norte, 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 tours in 2021 and 2022. He is passionate about orchids, and has a deep knowledge of the forests & ecological diversity in the Sierra Norte. Celestino will be present for all of our tours in the Sierra Nortes in 2025. |
How to join, the cost and what's covered:
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What is Covered on Trip
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. (Please have them fill out an application to join you also.) INCLUDED: All meals, lodging, tours, activities, and workshops are included with this adventure, in addition to take home mushroom dyed silk and wool and Mycopigments learning materials. NOT INCLUDED: Alcohol or fancy drinks (during meals or otherwise), souvenirs, and some optional activities. Ground transportation to & from Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca City (~$7-20 each way). The deposit is non-refundable IN MOST CASES. We use it immediately to secure transportation, lodging and reservations. However in 2020, the full cost of the trip, deposits included, was fully refunded due to the pandemic. If the trip is canceled by us for any reason, you will get ALL of your money back, guaranteed.) |
Payment Policy, Non-Refundable Deposit and Refund Schedule
This Adventure is $3400 per person for double occupancy cabins and hotel rooms. Single rooms are available on a limited basis. Payments for the trip shall be made in full, and includes the NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $500 which enables us to secure accommodations, reserve transportation, book restaurants, and secure the tour. Refunds for later cancellations will be returned on the following schedule:
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How to Join
We review each application to make sure our mycoadventure 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, deposit information and next steps. We will fill the trip in the order of applications received and deposits secured. Our group size is capped at 12 participants and we have high interest again this year. Sign up to secure your spot in line! First come, first served. 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 help 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. |
THE FLIGHT TO OAXACA is not included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in Oaxaca for dinner on August 12th.
