Sierra Norte Hike and Indigenous Village Full-Day Adventure
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Behold the beauty of the HIGHLANDS of northern Oaxaca's Sierra Norte region in an intimate small group experience in this full-day hiking tour. Discover the indigenous village of Cuajimoloyas, situated at 3,150 meters above sea level, and enjoy breathtaking mountain views. Start your day with a hearty breakfast before trekking through lush cloud forests adorned with local flora, including giant agaves and wildflowers. The 8 km hike features scenic trails in a pine forest, impressive rock walls, view points, and optional activities like crossing a long suspension bridge. Conclude your adventure with a delicious lunch featuring authentic mountain cuisine.
-Tour Duration: 9 hours
-Guided in both English and Spanish with a bilingual professional guide.
-Intimate groups of 6 people max, so you can truly connect with other travelers.
-Moderate difficulty suitable for ages 16 and up
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Breakfast and lunch provided
- Hiking poles available
- Transportation included
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments
Not recommended for travelers with respiratory issues
Not recommended for travelers with low level of fitness
ABOUT THE HIKE: - Distance: 8+ km. / 5+ miles total approx. - Hike time: 3:30 hrs. approx. moderate hike. - Elevation: 3,050 m. min, 3,230 m. max. - Elev. gain: 250+ m. - The activity level is moderate and the skill level is intermediate. - It's important to be familiar with the hike distance/time to enjoy this adventure.
What To Expect
Templo de San Matias Jalatlaco
Meet by the front of the Jalatlaco church
Cuajimoloyas
Enjoy a 90 minute drive as we make our way up the mountains
Options
Cuajimoloyas Sierra Norte Hike
Small group experience: Intimate groups of 6 people max, so you can truly connect with other travelers. Duration: 9 hours: Times are estimated and may vary in case of any unforeseen delay. Breakfast and lunch included.
What‘s Included
Local community guide
Private transportation
Breakfast and lunch
Park entrance fee included
Professional bilingual guide
Fully guided informative tour
Hiking poles
Drinking water to refill your bottle
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Breathtaking Views, Regional Cuisine, and Native Plants Invoke the Ultimate Day-Trip
joannakW3746XT,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sigrid was an amazing and informative guide. She taught us so much--I felt like I was on the coolest botanist trip. The hike was led at a great pace -even for someone like myself who suffers from high elevation sickness. There were plenty of water breaks and time to catch our breath. I never felt rushed when taking all the wonderful photos of foliage, various different árboles and agaves along the way. The lunch at the memelas restaurant was the best reward, where we watched the preparation of our meals in an open kitchen. As an avid cook, it was delightful to see how several (delicious!) dishes were prepared simultaneously. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone who is wishing to have a day trip out of the city and experience village life. The value was priceless. A tour agency that is affordable, community-focused, organized, prompt, and personable is difficult to find these days! Grateful to have discovered Valterra Excursions. My partner and I will definitely book their other experiences next time we visit Oaxaca. Thank you for this memorable experience!
Beautiful views
D4819CXblancag,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you want to know how indigenous live and where they live this is a must. We love our experience in this hike. Surrounded by magnificent views. Not the easiest but doable. I enjoy our food very much. Just like I was eating at my abuelas home.
BOOK THIS EXPERIENCE!!
Karina1516,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Do not miss this opportunity to take this hike with Ivan! He is extremely knowledgeable and his love for Oaxaca is clearly evident. The hike is difficult at times but definitely doable - I would not miss the suspension bridge - pretty cool! Breakfast and lunch were amazing as well. It was quite cold up there so definitely dress in layers. Thanks again Ivan - until next year and another adventure!
Beautiful hiking excursion!
rayhnumaa,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this hiking excursion! Ivan is deeply knowledgeable about Oaxacan culture/surrounding nature, native plants, and his passion for the outdoors is contagious. He’s extremely organized and was very attentive to all the details to ensure we had a special experience. The sweet little comedor he took us to for breakfast and lunch before/after the hike was the perfect way to start and end our day in Cuajimoloyas. The hike itself was great — the views were excellent and Ivan identified noteworthy plants and birds!
Great hike in the mountains north of Oaxaca
LawrenceH333,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved this excursion. Ivan was professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. He drove the comfortable van safely to the location of the hike in the Sierra Norte. The hiking route was beautiful and varied, including sections of dirt roads through open fields and a path through mixed conifer and hardwood forest. Along the way he showed and explained various medicinal plants and local birds including (lucky us) a beautiful red warbler. There were two places where we had to use hands as well as feet: one to ascend through a slit between two rock faces (looked worse than it was) and the other to get to the top of a crag with great views where we took a water break. The hike was a good length for us and the main challenge was the elevation, which left us out of breath occasionally. Breakfast and lunch before and after the hike were both in a village comedor--simple but tasty. Our fellow hikers were friendly and interesting. A great change of pace from the bustle of Oaxaca City
Great day hike in Zapotec village
U1685DKmelanies,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole day was a great adventure from start to finish, everything was run so smoothly. lvan was very knowledgeable and loved that he works with the local Zapoteco village to give us an even richer experience. Hike was a bit difficult but I had been sick, most hikers with elevation experience should be fine.
Wonderful
ajk550,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had used and liked this company for another experience, so I was confident in booking this one. This hike was moderate— the right amount of challenging, but plenty of time for rest and to enjoy the beautiful area/views/flora and fauna! Ivan was a great guide— he was punctual, patient and kind. He knows a ton about the area and was happy to share that information. I enjoyed how this tour included an additional local guide from the community and meals from a local kitchen. The food was filling and yummy, the extra support and knowledge from the guide was wonderful, and it was nice that this tour helps to support the community in these ways. Gracias for another great tour!
Wonderful day in the mountains!
kriskU2700SM,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ivan was a great host and tour guide, safe driver and all around great guy. I appreciate his knowledge and willingness to share the local flora and fauna, mushrooms and culture of the villages. The food was amazing and felt homey in the space, with a view as well. You can tell Ivan respects the land and the local people, including them in his tours and supporting the community. Hike was wonderful and just right, lots of different things to see while not being to strenuous of a trek. Cheers!
Great city escape!
globalcitizen76,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the latest adventure with Ivan (third total this trip). Great opportunity to get out of the city and explore the mountains of Oaxaca. The day was a little rainy and overcast but the hike still ran smooth and was extremely beautiful. lvan is a great host, helps in every way possible to be sure all is well (had spare ponchos). Super special food stops, a good three hour hike (not too fast or slow -not too muddy) and lots of great stops for views, plant identification, bird calls, and simple bouldering. Great to see mountain village life, and efforts for sustainable tourism. Book this trip if you need less concrete and more green in your trip.
Amazing hiking day trip from Oaxaca City
Safari680930,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day trip from Oaxaca! The hike was really unique, intermediate level, and really beautiful landscape. Ivan had great knowledge about the plants, mushrooms, animals, and birds. The food was amazing and was really nice to see a small village in the mountains.
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