Top Oaxaca Hiking Tours

Gilberto was simply the best possible guide we could have asked for: so kind, energetic, accommodating, and knowledgeable/informative! He has really taken the effort to organize the perfect way to experience the beauty and culture of Oaxaca while both having fun and learning a lot. Each of the 3 stops (the Hierve el Agua park, the Tlacolula food market, and the textile shop) offered a very different and enjoyable experience, and it would have been pretty much impossible to cover all this in one day without Gilberto. I highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting Oaxaca!

This 5 stop guided tour is for those who want to make the most of a full day to see sights, learn about history and experience culture and mezcal outside of Oaxaca City! Our tour guide Lys and driver Miguel took care of us during our travels and my group was very satisfied with the time allotted at each stop. 45 min/one hour at El Tule was terrific, followed by the 2 1/2 hours at Hierve el Agua-- you can choose to do 1/2 of that time on a moderate hike to the petrified cliffs (highly recommended, but it has moderate stairs difficulty) or spend the full time at the mineral pools (bring a change of clothes, swimsuit, restrooms are available). Then we had a good buffet lunch stop, before experiencing Mitla. Everyone says Monte Alban is the #1 archaeological attraction, but I found Mitla just as rewarding because of how close you can examine the codexes and mysterious geometric carvings. From there, you have some stops to experience the Oaxacan weaving craft and then finally, some mezcal tastings to celebrate the full day. The last two stops go by quickly and you'll be a bit tired, but they are well worth it. And you'll be back in time for dinner. So a full day of: nature, history, archaeology, textile craft and mezcal, with a lunch break included. If you have any hiking issues, discuss with the company first about the requirements of Hierve el Agua. Very happy with this offering by Zapotecas Tours, a local family-owned company--if you contact them directly, I'm sure they would be happy to customize or make a private tour customized for your group. They helped create some great Oaxaca memories for my friends and I.

Pável our guide and Eric our driver From Zapoteca Tours were excellent. Pável especially gave our group (2 of us and 3 other fun travelling companions) a really great commentary on several stages of the journey. We learned about Mitla caves (although a separate tour) as Pável used iPad to show pictures and videos of things we wouldn’t see, but also in anticipation of the stops of our tour. Hierve el Agua is stunning. Make sure to take your ‘togs’ and a travel (or borrow hotel) towel. The local guide Helio had an infectious giggle but gave good detail on our walk down to the bottom of the ‘falls’. He and other locals manage visitor experience and lead sustainable approach to ensure the sacred site is respected by visitors. A gratuity (not included in tour cost) is well worth supporting the local guides and their community. After expending energy on the hike, relaxing in the pools we had an ‘eat as much as you like’ traditional buffet lunch. It was good honest selection and full of flavour (210MX per person plus drinks). Then we took in a Mezcal production tour and tasting at El Rey de Matatlan. Even though we had previously attended a lecture and tasting the way the tour is presented added great context. The tasting certainly brought our group together more with laughs and tasting note discussions. Final stop was Santa Maria del Tule. A stunning natural phenomenon of the world’s widest tree. Framed by the town’s church and immaculate gardens a peacefully majesty all of its own. Pável and Eric permeated the drive with additional information and musical matches to the New Zealand, Australian and Swiss passengers. A great day’s value and fantastic appreciation of natural wonders. 100% recommended Zapotec’s Tours.