Take the deepest dive into the regional cuisine and lifestyle of the Sierra Norte Mountains that you can. You will be foraging and enjoying mushroom cooking classes with our Zapotec partners in Cuajimoloyas; learn how barbacoa is made overnight from start to finish & participate in the making of Pan de Horno with locally grown, donkey-threshed and stone-ground wheat that the villagers bake into delicious empanadas in massive wood-fired mud ovens with our hosts in El Carrizal; join a personal tour of the 12,000 year old caves of Mitla where the earliest evidence of corn and pumpkin cultivation was found; and, of course, dine at some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City! This full-contact adventure is an exploration of Oaxacan cuisine from village to city, from prehistoric to modern fine-dining. See our day-by-day itinerary below, under the Key Trip Details section.
Join us for MyComida: Rupestre in the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca.
The trip was a perfect way to visit Oaxaca with great adventures and experiences in the heights of the Sierra Norte mountains, as well as urban life and gastronomy. I loved learning about all the plant and fungal diversity in this area of Mexico, as well as experiencing new cooking techniques from locals & from our culinary leader Zachary, an expert in edible mushrooms." |
2022 Cuajimoloyas Mini-Mycofest
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Key Trip DetailsLength: 8 nights
Average Foray Distance: 5-8 miles/day Altitude: 8,000-11,000 feet Exertion Level: Moderate to Difficult Accommodations: - 2 nights in Oaxaca City hotel - 6 nights in mountain community cabins All meals included (8 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches) |
Boletus edulis in the field. This time of year is the season for porcinis!
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
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July 17th--Day 1: Dinner together in Oaxaca city at one of the many celebrated restaurants.
--Day 2: Visit 2500 year old Monté Albán; ascend to 10,000ft for a birds eye view of the Central valleys and our first night in the mountains --Day 3: First Foray, destination hike between Benito Juarez and Cuajimoloyas, 7km. Settle into Cuajimoloyas Cabañas --Day 4: Cuajimoloyas mushroom festival all day activities.* *The mushroom festival traditionally happens the weekend we are here… we believe in magic; otherwise a foray with community. --Day 5: El Carrizal Foray at 11,000ft; arrive in El Carrizal Cabañas; Settle in to our final location in the mountains. Intro to the milpa system. Eat with Delila and family. |
Our 2nd Place blanket from 2023, at the Cuajimoloyas Mushroom Festival species competition (we found 243!!). The Festival is part of the Guelaguetza festivities City Wide in July. See below.
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--Day 6: Gorgeous hike (pun intended) to a swimming hole (your choice, of course), mushroom hunt, outstanding geology and lunch in the field. Dinner with Delila; option to help Ramon prepare the 24-hour traditional barbacoa.
--Day 7: Second El Carrizal Foray with la Honguera Reina; Lunch in the field; optional waterfall hike; MicroMycoFest with Community; barbacoa goodbye dinner. --Day 8: Visit to the 12,000 yo Mitla Cave site, where corn and pumpkin seed progenitors were found. Final group dinner at a Special Restaurant, to seal the incredible experience we’ve had together with unparalleled food. Return to hotel (final covered night). July 25th--Day 9: Check out of Hotel. Adventure is officially over! Guelaguetza in full swing.* |
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*The Guelaguetza (Zapoteco: "To give and to get") Festival:
Since 1932: A Grand Celebration of all things Oaxaca, Something that one must experience in their lifetimes... ....so why not stay in Oaxaca and extend your adventure? In 2024, the Guelaguetza festival officially runs from Monday, July 22nd to Monday July 29th. This event encompasses specific festivals as well: molé, chocolate, coffee, artisans, mezcal, with constant parades, parties, fireworks, dancing, costumes and city-wide decorations. |
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WHAT PAST MYCOMIDA ADVENTURERS SAID
Reina, El Carrizal's honguera, with Amanita basii, a favorite edible here.
"Mexico offers more than I had imagined and Oaxaca is perhaps the most magical place I’ve ever visited. Zach and Kim provide all you need to take it all in at your own pace and the direction of your choosing.”
- Michael, Miami, Florida |
"It was magical, fun, authentic, and delicious! And if they're a myco-head, I would highly recommend it!"
- Molly; Austin, Texas "Everything I hoped for and more! A taste of authenticity and humanity."
- Lara; Albuquerque, New Mexico 
The Fellowship of the Shroom
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"One of the best trips I have been on."
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida
2023 was such an indescribably awesome time, that we are increasing our capacity for this epic adventure. To tell the truth, we had so much fun during this tour that we just wanted to make it happen exactly the same as last year!
We are bringing back our dear friend and incredible mycologist Iñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola, who last year stewarded an incredible micro-festival last year as the culmination of our week, teaching cultivation–both lo- and hi-tech methods–as well as general mycology and identification for the community.
We also welcome back our renowned and awesome trekking guide Celestino Mendez, our fearless leader and facilitator from Walk with Celestino. Celestino is local to the Sierra Norte, and works with various institutions to explore and canvas the natural abundance of species in Oaxaca and elsewhere.
ALL of our adventures are unique, special, and filled with the life and magic found in abundance in Mexico, but this one hold a very dear place in our heart for their raw hiking and trekking through the wilds of the Sierra Norte. With only 8 spots remaining, we expect it to continue to fill up quickly! We will process applications as we receive them, so don't hesitate to get yours in ASAP!
We are bringing back our dear friend and incredible mycologist Iñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola, who last year stewarded an incredible micro-festival last year as the culmination of our week, teaching cultivation–both lo- and hi-tech methods–as well as general mycology and identification for the community.
We also welcome back our renowned and awesome trekking guide Celestino Mendez, our fearless leader and facilitator from Walk with Celestino. Celestino is local to the Sierra Norte, and works with various institutions to explore and canvas the natural abundance of species in Oaxaca and elsewhere.
ALL of our adventures are unique, special, and filled with the life and magic found in abundance in Mexico, but this one hold a very dear place in our heart for their raw hiking and trekking through the wilds of the Sierra Norte. With only 8 spots remaining, we expect it to continue to fill up quickly! We will process applications as we receive them, so don't hesitate to get yours in ASAP!
Our MyComida Team
Zachary & Kim
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Iñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola
Lead MycologistIñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola graduated with a BS in Biology at the University of Guadalajara, specializing in Ethno-mycology and Biotechnology for the cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Iñaki has dedicated himself to empirical research on the uses of medicinal mushrooms for more than two decades, working and collaborating at the community level with the Mazateca, Mixtec and Zapotec cultures in the highlands of Oaxaca and in Sonora with the Comca'ac. Iñaki will be joining MyComida: Rupestre, Part II from July 17-25, 2024. |
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 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 2024. |
How to join, the cost and what's covered: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 $500 which helps us secure accommodations, reserve transportation, book restaurants, and secure the tour. 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. Refunds for cancellations will be returned on the following schedule:
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How to Join & Discounts
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, payment 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 very high interest this year. If you are interested, get your spot on the list for 2024!. Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Please send info@thefungivore.com an email to explore this option. |
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 1 bed or two. **All meals, lodging, tours, activities, and workshops are included. Alcohol during meals, souvenirs, and some optional activities are not included. Ground transportation to & from Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca City is not included ($5-20 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 for any reason, you will get ALL of your money back, guaranteed.) THE FLIGHT TO OAXACA is not included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in Oaxaca for dinner on July 17th. |
