Ecoturismo Cuajimoloyas, Expediciones Sierra Norte

Overview

Description

Ecoturismo Cuajimoloyas, Expediciones Sierra Norte, is part of the farming community of Pueblos Mancomunados, located in the region known as the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, one of the best conserved natural areas in Mexico and one of the three richest zones in animal diversity in the country. It has more than 400 species of birds, 350 species of butterflies, and a highly rich flora with more than 6,000 plant species. It also has seven of the nation’s nine types of terrestrial vegetation -- its forests occur at elevations from 650 to 9,840 feet (200 to 3,000 meters) above sea level, which fosters this high biodiversity and makes the northern Sierra one of the world’s 17 most important areas for biodiversity.

Given the great variety of habitats, the fauna is extremely diverse. You can find tropical species including tapirs(Tapirus bairdii), brocket deer(Mazama americana), jaguars(Panthera onca), monkeys, several species of parrots, and toucans, as well as temperate zones species such as pumas (Puma concolor), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and endemic birds such as the dwarf jay (Cyanolyca nana).

This region is characterized by moist pine-oak forest in four different climate zones: cold, cold temperate, subtropical, and tropical. You can find endemic species of orchids, tree ferns, and walking palms, diverse kinds of flowers and bromeliads, as well as mosses, lichens, laurel, oak, arums, and fungi. This community stands out for its production of orchids and bromeliads.

In addition to the great variety of plants and animal species, you can also admire a range of landscapes from mountains to valleys, cliffs, caverns, caves, plains, rivers, springs, watersheds, and streams.

This region has the highest concentration of the indigenous Zapotec people. Pueblos Mancomunados of the northern Sierra of Oaxaca is one of the most outstanding examples of community social organization in Mexico. Their natural and cultural areas have a network of more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) of rural trails made cooperatively by the eight communities, which they use to travel and spread the word about the responsible use of their natural and cultural resources and the conservation of their forests, considered among the richest and most varied in the country.

The community of Cuajimoloyas is 10,500 feet (3,200 m) above sea level. Its location is ideal because it is in one of the main access points to the Sierra Norte; it also has a panoramic view of the central valleys with lookouts where you can see much of the Sierra.

Cuajimoloyas is also known as “the land of the mushroom” because of the high diversity of fungi that can be found in its forests. Every year the community hosts the traditional “Regional Wild Mushroom Fair.” During the fair, visitors can tour the forest to identify different mushroom species and learn more from the community guides. These tours take care not to upset the delicate balance of nature. During mushroom season, you also can enjoy new cuisine based on this ingredient. Year round, you can appreciate the traditional foods of the region, its natural attractions, and the culture of the community.

Rooms

16 adobe cabins with fireplace, bathroom, and hot water with capacity for 4 people. The cabins are located on two different sites; 6 are in the community and the rest are in the woods.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 14 empleados fijos

Percentage of local employees: 100%

We help conserve our area through the sustainable use of our natural resources and sharing ideas about conservation with the people.

We generate direct and indirect employment and we invest our profits in the development of our community.

One of our main objectives is to promote responsible tourism, so that all ecotourism centers of Pueblos Mancomunados have:

• Measures for forest conservation, use, and management by means of a community management plan and an environmental education program.
• Regulations and a guide for visitors that stipulate the measures they should follow to minimize their impact on the forest and its natural resources. This includes are recommendations for a healthy coexistence and pleasant experience in the area.
• A water treatment plant and techniques for managing organic and inorganic wastes.

Rates

$51 – $75

Rates are per day and include activities in the forest, meals with typical dishes, and lodging. Costs can vary depending on the number of people, activities, and duration of stay.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Oaxaca (OAX)

Travel time to nearest airport: 2 hours

There are no limitations to access, except for 3-axle buses.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• Pueblos Mancomunados (Commonwealth of Villages), the network to which Expediciones Sierra Norte belongs, was recognized as the 2002 Best Tourist Destination by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
• Pueblos Mancomunados was recognized by engineer Miguel Ángel de Quevedo for nature conservation in 2002.

Date This Information Was Provided

February 2013.

Photos courtesy of Ecoturismo Cuajimoloyas, Expediciones Sierra Norte, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.