07 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,295pp
Escorted tour
Mexico City to Oaxaca with Zapotec Village Hiking – 12 Days
Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca, then a three-day hike through Zapotec villages in the Sierra Norte, with a small group of up to 12.
12 days
From £2,007
Tour overview
This 12-day small-group journey combines central Mexico's colonial cities with a three-day hike through the cloud forests and mountain villages of the Sierra Norte, run by local Zapotec communities. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout and local community guides in the mountains. You travel by private vehicle and local bus, and stay eleven nights: nine in hotels in Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca, and two in simple cabins in the villages of Benito Juárez and La Nevería. Breakfast is included daily, with several lunches and dinners in the mountains.
In Mexico City your leader shows you the historic centre, from the vast Zócalo square to the cathedral and the murals of the National Palace. On the way to Puebla you pick up some local lingo with an informal Spanish lesson, then have a free day in Mexico's culinary capital, famous for mole poblano and its tiled colonial buildings.
Read more
A local bus takes you to Oaxaca, with free days to explore its markets and galleries, perhaps join a cooking class or visit a mezcal distillery, and a guided visit to the hilltop Zapotec city of Monte Albán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The adventure culminates in the Pueblos Mancomunados of the Sierra Norte, a group of Zapotec villages that run their own ecotourism. You stay in community cabins in Benito Juárez and La Nevería, and hike with local guides through pine and oak forest, past viewpoints and farms, to the village of Latuvi, sharing meals cooked by local families along the way.
The physical rating is medium, with hikes of several hours at altitude. This trip suits active travellers who want to combine Mexico's colonial cities and food with community tourism and walking in the mountains. Your leader handles every connection, and the free days in Puebla and Oaxaca give you time to explore their markets, cafés and galleries at your own pace before the hike. Mexico's food is a highlight in itself, from street tacos and tamales to regional moles, and the country's warm hospitality makes it easy to feel at home. The dry season, from November to April, is the most comfortable time to travel.
Trip highlights
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Mexico City's Zócalo and historic centre (Day 2)
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A free day in Puebla, Mexico's culinary capital (Day 4)
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Monte Albán with a local guide (Day 7)
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Community cabins in Benito Juárez (Day 9)
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Hiking in the Sierra Norte (Days 9–11)
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Meals cooked by Zapotec families
Your route
12 stops from Mexico City to Oaxaca
- Mexico City Days 1–2
- Teotihuacán Day 3
- Puebla Days 3–4
- Cholula Day 4
- Oaxaca Days 5–8
- Hierve el Agua Day 6
- Teotitlan del Valle Day 6
- Monte Albán Day 7
- Benito Juárez Day 9
- La Nevería Day 10
- Latuvi Day 11
- Oaxaca Days 11–12
Why choose this tour
Colonial cities plus a mountain hike with Zapotec communities. Community tourism that directly supports local villages.
Best suited to
- Active travellers who enjoy walking
- Travellers interested in community tourism
- Food lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
Day-by-day itinerary
12 days from Mexico City, Mexico to Oaxaca, Mexico
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Day 1 · Mexico City Arrive in Mexico City
A welcome meeting at 6pm.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Zócalo, Mexico City Mexico City
A tour of the historic centre.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Puebla Puebla
A Spanish lesson on the way to Puebla.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 4 · Puebla Free day in Puebla
Explore Mexico's culinary capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Oaxaca Oaxaca
Travel by local bus to Oaxaca.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Oaxaca Free day in Oaxaca
Explore markets or join a cooking class.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Monte Albán Monte Albán
A guided visit to the Zapotec city.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Oaxaca Free day in Oaxaca
A free day and a meeting with new travellers.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Benito Juárez Benito Juárez
Drive into the Sierra Norte and begin hiking.
- Hotel
- Community cabin
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · La Nevería La Nevería
Hike through forest to La Nevería.
- Hotel
- Community cabin
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 11 · Latuvi Latuvi
Hike on to the village of Latuvi.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 12 · Oaxaca Trip ends
Return to Oaxaca, where the trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Mexico City (2 nights) Hotel
- Puebla (2 nights) Hotel
- Oaxaca (4 nights) Hotel
- Benito Juárez (1 night) Community cabin
- La Nevería (1 night) Community cabin
- Latuvi (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in hotels and 2 in community cabins
- Meals 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinners, including lunches and dinners in the mountains
- Private vehicle and local bus travel
- Mexico City historic centre walk and a Spanish lesson
- Monte Albán with a local guide
- Three-day Sierra Norte hike with community guides
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Mexico City and from Oaxaca
- Meals not included 5 lunches and 9 dinners
- Optional activities, such as cooking classes
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want comfort every night — the mountain cabins are simple
- You dislike altitude — the hikes are at around 3,000m
- You want to see the Yucatán — this trip stays in central Mexico
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–12 · Lunch: Days 3, 5 and 9–11 · Dinner: Days 9–10
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Mexico
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,007 per person, twin share, tour only. 17 upcoming departures.
05 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,007pp
19 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,250pp
09 Jan 2027
Twin share
£2,520pp
06 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,520pp
20 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,330pp
06 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,400pp
20 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,400pp
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,330pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£2,330pp
08 Jan 2028
Twin share
£2,520pp
05 Feb 2028
Twin share
£2,520pp
19 Feb 2028
Twin share
£2,445pp
04 Mar 2028
Twin share
£2,520pp
18 Mar 2028
Twin share
£2,520pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,445pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£2,445pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard is the hiking?
Moderate hikes of several hours a day at altitude, on forest trails.
What are the cabins like?
Simple community-run cabins in mountain villages, with basic facilities.
Who runs the Sierra Norte trips?
The Pueblos Mancomunados, a group of Zapotec villages that manage their own ecotourism.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not need a visa for Mexico for a holiday stay.
Does the group change?
Some travellers may join in Oaxaca for the hiking section.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary