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. Cost: $2900.00 |
Boletus edulis in the field. This time of year is the season for porcinis!
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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 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.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
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July 31st--Day 1: Dinner together in Oaxaca city at one of the many celebrated restaurants.
August 1st--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! August 2nd--Day 3: First Foray, destination hike between Benito Juarez and Cuajimoloyas, 10km. Settle into Cuajimoloyas Cabañas! August 3rd--Day 4: Second Foray: Hike to Trout Meadow and enjoy a farm to table fish lunch with our friends in the field! August 4th--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 our host family. |
A haul of porcini (Boletus reticulatus group).
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August 5th--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 Host Family; option to help prepare the 24-hour traditional barbacoa.*
August 6th--Day 7: Second El Carrizal Foray with la Honguera Reina; Lunch in the field; optional waterfall hike; Cooking our edibles MicroMycoFest with Community; barbacoa goodbye dinner. August 7th--Day 8: Visit to the 12,000 to 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). |
August 8th--Day 9: Check out of Hotel. 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 mushrooms are coming up!
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 mushrooms are coming up!
The table display for El Carrizal's micro mico fest, the culmination of our rupestre experience!
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The Guelaguetza (Zapoteco: "To give and to get") showcases the eight regions and indigenous groups of Oaxaca through dance, traditional dress, and food!
In 2025, the Guelaguetza festival officially runs from Monday, July 21st to Monday July 28th! This event encompasses specific festivals as well: molé, chocolate, coffee, artisans, mezcal, with constant parades, parties, fireworks, dancing, costumes and city-wide decorations. We highly recommend joining the festivities and then coming on our trip... the context you will have for the state of Oaxaca and our adventure will be outstanding! |
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WHAT PAST MYCOMIDA ADVENTURERS SAID
Reina, El Carrizal's honguera, with Amanita basii, a favorite edible here.
"Amazing trip and a very special experience. The mountains, the fungi, the forest, the food, the people - I felt very lucky to get to be part of it."
- Peter L., Oakland, CA |
"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 
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"One of the best trips I have been on."
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida
This is not the adventure for everyone. Our first day of trekking really puts us all to the test. And that's why it is so amazing! The dramatic hikes through the Sierra Norte will take your breath away--in both their beauty and their altitude. This is an adventure for the hikers!
2024 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 week that we are bringing it back for a third season with the same amazing crew and a special addition this year: Chef Chad Hyatt!
We are also bringing back our dear friend, mycologist Iñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola, who the last two years stewarded an incredible micro-festival as the culmination of our week together, 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 10 spots total, 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!
2024 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 week that we are bringing it back for a third season with the same amazing crew and a special addition this year: Chef Chad Hyatt!
We are also bringing back our dear friend, mycologist Iñaki Oyarvide Ibarrola, who the last two years stewarded an incredible micro-festival as the culmination of our week together, 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 10 spots total, 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!
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Our Rupestre Team
Zachary &
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Chad Hyatt
Mushroom Chef
Chad Hyatt has made a name for himself in Northern California and beyond by sharing his delicious spin on wild mushroom cookery at public and private events. Both an expert forager and classically trained chef, he has cooked in a variety of restaurants and private clubs around the San Francisco Bay area, where he can often be found putting on wild mushroom themed dinners and teaching mushroom related classes.
He still has a reputation for eating all of the weird mushrooms, though these days people often pay to share the experience. Iñaki will be joining MyComida: Rupestre, July 31st- August 8th, 2025. |
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, July 31st- August 8th, 2025. |
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:
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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. 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). Once you sign up, we have detailed information for all logistics. 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.) |
Payment Policy, Non-Refundable Deposit and Refund Schedule
The cost of this trip is $2900 to participate. 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. Refunds for 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, 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 already this year. If you are interested, fill out your application now! 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. |
YOUR FLIGHT TO OAXACA is not included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in Oaxaca for dinner on July 31st!
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