I recently heard about this interesting group of villages in Oaxaca (state, not city) and am wondering if anyone has been and can describe their experience - especially how to make reservations!

Hi jgindc,
I have contacted this group by going to their website www.sierranorte.org.mx and sending them an email thru their contact link. I was looking into making reservations for a bike or hike trip during Day of the Dead week, which I figured would be very busy. They assured me that all I would have to do is come to their office in downtown Oaxaca and make arrangements once I got there. There website is very informative, but most of the descriptions of the routes are in Spanish, which I can read a little. The majority of the website can be seen in English. Their guides are not bilingual but that doesnt dissuade me, I speak a little Spanish. I haven't yet taken advantage of their services but will in late Oct. 2008. They look like an incredibly worthy project as they are non-profit whose mission is to help the indigenous population economically and enviromentally. A lot of the tourist $'s stay in the city of Oaxaca and this is an attempt to help the rural population. My only concern, while minor, is in the political tension that exists in the States of Oaxaca and Chiapas at the present. I am keeping a close eye on the news from there to gauge if it is safe for tourists to travel the remoter areas. There have been incidents since the riots of Oct,2006 directed towards the native activists (none directed towards tourists) that raise concerns for me. However, I plan to raise these concerns with PM before I use their services. But,if you can speak Spanish or not I say go for it! I'm already planning my next trip there to use the overnight cabins and family home stays for an entire trip! Let me know how you do and if you go before Oct, what your experience was! I'll be watching this forum, Pipingcat

Hi Pipingcat,

I also saw their website and sent a couple of messages but don't believe I got a response.

We may not make it there this trip but if you go I would love to hear more about it. It sounds like an awesome concept and a great way to get to know this part of Mexico in a very intimate way. And if we do go, I'll let you know! Or see you there: we're looking at about the same exact time.

Teotitlan de Valle and Santana De Valle both have tourist YU's which are part of this system. They are rustic little houses which I have heard varying reports on from people that have stayed in them like bugs and leaks. I have been to both these towns many times over nearly 20 years and certainly would feel safe in staying in either. Most of the times I have seen them they have been empty although it may be different during el dia de los muertos. Likewise Guelatao and Ixtlan are bit more off the beaten path, up in higher cooler and forested areas. They are accessible in a bout a 1 1/2 hour trip via collectivo or longer by bus from OAX city. Also, although a popular destination, Hierve del Agua has cabins as well. Its pretty up there.

Just returned from Oaxaca in early November from celebrating Day of the Dead...this post is to update interested people on Pueblos Mancomunados. We took a day hike up in the area under the jurisdiction of Pueblos Mancomunados. We hired an English speaking guide whose name we got off our hotel's bulletin board...He was excellent! Carlos was very knowlegdable, a freelancer so to speak. But he picked us up at our hotel, transported us to one of the villages Llano Grande, which was delightfully beautiful at 10,000'. There we picked up our Pueblos Mancomunados guide who only spoke Spanish and is required by the village authorities who oversee and control access to these trails. No outsider is allowed without "permit" and guide. The cabins we viewed were lovely. Nice double bed, fireplace, very clean bathroom with shower and flush toilet. Can't say about leaks and bugs but the cabins looked great. For crying out loud, if you are concerned about a few bugs, stay at Disneyworld. Anyway, we hiked in the most amazing forest, with views truly breathtaking. Between our two guides we learned so much about the ecosystem, history, how the people have worked together to protect, restore and promote their heritage in the best way for their villages. It really is a model for local ecotourism. I definitely plan to return and do a 5 day hike or so. Arrangements can be made to have luggage transported from village to village, while one sleeps in a cabin. Or you can tent camp, but no campfires are allowed, only camp stove cooking. Food is obtained in local comidors, kinda like restarants. Check out Carlos' website www.trekkinginoaxaca.com.mx or www.sierranorte.org.mx directly. Altho it helps to speak Spanish if you work with them directly. Feel free to contact me if you need more info