Join us for our Inaugural Foray into MegaDiverse area of La Chinantla!
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 at 1500m amongst Pine forest!
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Key Trip DetailsLength: 8 nights
Average Foray Distance: 2 miles/day Altitude: 1000-10,000 feet Exertion Level: Easy Accommodations: - 2 nights in Oaxaca City hotel - 6 nights in mountain community cabins All meals included: 8 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches. Cost: $3100.00 |
Our Host Leo shows us his preparation of local Mojarra fish in leaves.
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Announcing our first non-mushroom based trip! After several past attendees revealed their passion for Orchids, as well as Fungi, and with our main partner in Oaxaca being an Orchid Nerd himself, we felt that it was time to try our footing for another type of biodiversity adventure!
This trip is coming up quickly, so make sure you hop on soon!
We are offering a $200 Early Bird Discount for anyone who signs up before January 13th! Don’t miss out on this epic first time adventure in an unfathomably beautiful location explored by so few people. Our hosts are just begining their EcoTourism projects, and are so excited to host our group in one of the most beautiful settings in Oaxaca!
April 13-21, 2026: Wild Orchids of La Chinantla, OAX: This is NOT a foraging trip! This adventure is an exploration of one of the most biodiverse regions ON EARTH. What to expect: ferns the size of palms, endless waterfalls, swimming, cacao farms, the origin of vanilla orchids, coffee production, local & unique Chinanteco cuisine, hearing the tonal language of the area, meeting artisans, stingless honey bees (this video talks about our hosts Uncle in the same area), hike through true cloud forest, get a tour of one of the largest collections of orchids in North America, and of course, wild orchid viewing from 300m-3000m elevation, all guided by two orchid and biodiversity experts, local to the Sierra Norte!
This trip is coming up quickly, so make sure you hop on soon!
We are offering a $200 Early Bird Discount for anyone who signs up before January 13th! Don’t miss out on this epic first time adventure in an unfathomably beautiful location explored by so few people. Our hosts are just begining their EcoTourism projects, and are so excited to host our group in one of the most beautiful settings in Oaxaca!
April 13-21, 2026: Wild Orchids of La Chinantla, OAX: This is NOT a foraging trip! This adventure is an exploration of one of the most biodiverse regions ON EARTH. What to expect: ferns the size of palms, endless waterfalls, swimming, cacao farms, the origin of vanilla orchids, coffee production, local & unique Chinanteco cuisine, hearing the tonal language of the area, meeting artisans, stingless honey bees (this video talks about our hosts Uncle in the same area), hike through true cloud forest, get a tour of one of the largest collections of orchids in North America, and of course, wild orchid viewing from 300m-3000m elevation, all guided by two orchid and biodiversity experts, local to the Sierra Norte!
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
April 13th--Day 1: Please make arrangements to join us in Oaxaca City for our Opening Dinner!!
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April 14th --Day 2: Visit the world famous Huayapam Orchidarío, featuring hundreds of unique species of orchids both from Oaxaca, and all over the world! Eat with a view of the beautiful Sierra Norte, before ascending to the Comaltepec Cabins at 3000m/10,000ft for the night.
April 15th --Day 3: We will travel through 5 different ecosystems on our way down to Valle Nacional and Arroya de Banco, our location for the next 4 nights! Wild Orchid Hikes, Waterfalls, Palm-tree size ferns... you've never seen Oaxaca like this! April 16th--Day 4: Journey to Cacao and Vanilla farms--the origin of global Vanilla, and help harvest, roast and grind chocolate, taste the local coffee and enjoy a swimming hole. We will be fed by our host family for each meal. April 17th--Day 5: Explore waterfalls straight our of Fern Gully--one of the most magical swimming holes and orchid areas, where we will be submersed in beauty. |
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April 18th--Day 6: Head out to the tiny coffee producing famillies of La Chinantla, and experience time with the locals, get involved with coffee harvesting and production, and see the amazing orchids spread throughout the coffee forest.
April 19th--Day 7: We depart from the Chinantla to rise back up into the Sierra Norte to Ixtlan de Juarez, birthplace and home to our expert Cristian Tomas, director of the Orchidarío of the Sierra Norte, owned by the University of the Sierras, at 7200ft elevation. We will stay at EcoTurIxtlan, and explore the orchids at this altitude! April 20th --Day 8: Return to Oaxaca City for our final group dinner, photo exchange, and a reflection on the biodiversity of the most incredible part of the most incredible state of Mexico! |
April 21st--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 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!
As if by plane... an observation bench at 3000m looks out over the vast La Chinantla Region, our playground for the week!
WHAT PAST FUNGIVORE ADVENTURERS SAID:
"Expert local knowledge, confident backwoods hiking, and commitment to sustainability and the importance of multi-disciplinary learning (and progressive social change): all this adds up to a deeply fulfilling way to experience Oaxacan/Zapotec culture and natural history. A rare opportunity not to be missed!"
- Jonathan, Boston, MA, 2025 attendee |
"The friendly hosts and all the local guides/mushroom experts know their stuff!"
-Omar ; WA, 2023 & '25 attendee "Everything I hoped for and more! A taste of authenticity and humanity."
- Lara; Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2023 attendee 
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"One of the best trips I have been on."
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida, 2023 attendee
- Adam; Jacksonville, Florida, 2023 attendee
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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 cloud forests of Oaxaca! |
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. Celestino will be with us for all of our Sierra Norte adventures in 2026: Wild Orchids, MyComida: Rupestre, and NAMA_MX26. |
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 $3100. 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 this trip is canceled completely for any reason, you will get your payment back, minus unrecoverable credit card processing fees. |
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 12 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. |
YOUR FLIGHT TO and FROM OAXACA is not included. Please make travel arrangements to be able to join us in Oaxaca for dinner on April 13th, 2026!
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