Between the Ears: Oaxaca, Mexico

8 Days from $3370.50 per person | Trip Type: Field School | Activity Level: Advanced | Group Size: 5-10 + 2 Instructors

Trip Overview

• Ride into the Sierra Norte mountains and cross the Continental Divide outside of Oaxaca City.

• Stay in Los Pueblos Mancomunados — Indigenous-managed communities with eco-tourism projects that support cultural heritage and local ecosystems.

• Experience the region’s incredible biodiversity — cactus forests in the valley, oak forests dripping with Spanish moss, high elevation agave growing over 8 ft tall among the pines, and forests of flowering bromeliads and orchids.

• Optional add-ons during the rest day of limpia (spiritual cleansing), temazcal (sweat lodge ceremony), and massage.

  
  

Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive at the local farm by mid-afternoon via pre-arranged transport from the airport or a hotel in Oaxaca City. The farm is located just 16 km from the city center and 20 km from Oaxaca’s international airport, nestled on the edge of the traditional cheese-making village of Rojas de Cuauhtémoc. Settle into your guest rooms before diving into a briefing on the upcoming week of riding. Meet your horse and head out for a short ride through the surrounding countryside. This introductory ride is an opportunity to test the tack for comfort and ensure that horse and rider are well matched. Dinner at the ranch.

• Day 2: Ride out from the farm heading east-northeast, traversing the breadth of the valley. Mornings are defined by trails shaded by wild cane, passing small plots of farmland and horse-drawn carts. Enjoy a relaxing tailgate lunch beside a spring-fed stream, where egrets and flycatchers glide through the air and shepherds pass with their herds of goats and cattle. The landscape shifts toward the arid foothills dotted with agave plantations, and the route continues along an age-old trail lined with towering candelabra cacti—an iconic welcome to the Zapotec village of San Miguel del Valle. Overnight in the village’s charming eco-tourism cabins.

• Day 3: The day begins with a steady climb out of the valley, accompanied by sweeping views and dramatic geological formations. Hardy cattle graze in scattered pastures, and campesinos wave from cornfields as you pass. Tiny roads weave through preserved oak forests, leading toward the Continental Divide that runs along the spine of the great Sierra Madre Oriental. Due to the remoteness of today’s route, lunch is packed in saddle bags. The landscape becomes surreal—bizarre yuccas reminiscent of Cousin Itt from The Addams Family stand alongside delicate wild orchids clinging to mossy oaks. By late afternoon, you'll pass apple orchards and flower gardens, signaling your arrival in the mountain village of Cuajimoloyas. Overnight in eco-tourism cabins at the edge of a broad mountain meadow.

• Day 4: From an altitude of 3,000 meters, today’s ride is a gradual descent through well-preserved communal forests of pine, oak, madrone, and mountain laurel. Massive agaves line the quiet dirt lanes. You'll cross pristine streams and pass small homesteads where cattle graze contentedly. Lunch is a rendezvous with the support vehicle near ancient aqueducts—an ideal spot to relax and refuel. Where terrain allows, enjoy trots and canters, but be prepared to dismount and lead your horse down a steep descent on a winding earthen trail. Cobbled lanes and adobe homes signal your arrival in San Miguel Amatlán, a tranquil village perched above a deep river canyon. Unpack your bags for a two-night stay in the village's eco-tourism cabins.

• Day 5: Stretch your legs on a gentle trail that winds along a pristine river beginning at the atmospheric ruins of an old silver-mining hacienda. Native amate trees line the banks, and the path crosses two ancient stone bridges that hint at the region’s storied past. Lunch is served at a peaceful riverside restaurant. The people of the Sierra Juárez are renowned for their traditional healing practices—massage and limpias (spiritual cleansings) can be booked for later in the day.

• Day 6: Today begins on a cobbled road leading into the quaint village of Chicomezúchitl, known for its irrigation canals and fruit orchards. From there, the horses carefully navigate a marked ascent on a centuries-old trail carved into the oak forests. Meet the support vehicle for lunch at one of the few accessible spots in this remote, forested region. The afternoon ride winds through enchanted forest where bromeliads and orchids drape from the trees. Eventually, the landscape opens up to sweeping mountain vistas. Extended trots and canters bring you to Latuvi, a tiny village clinging to the steep slopes of the Sierra Juárez. Overnight in cozy eco-tourism cabins.

• Day 7: As you descend from Latuvi, traditional homesteads dot the landscape. Sturdy plow oxen graze among wildflowers, and you'll cross the clear mountain stream of Las Guacamayas. The trail then begins its final ascent through forests of massive conifers, including some of the southernmost stands of Douglas fir in North America. Reaching the continental divide once again, the narrow trail clings to the mountainside. Signs of village life emerge—a potato field, grazing sheep, and the resilient people of Oaxaca’s high mountains. Enjoy a relaxing tailgate lunch at the divide. The final hours of the ride follow a dirt road through immaculately preserved forests of mixed conifer, oak, and mountain laurel. At the end of the ride, the horses are loaded into the waiting trailer, and riders are transported down nearly 1,500 meters back to the valley floor. Settle once more into your guest room at the farm. A debriefing with detailed topographical maps precedes a delicious farewell dinner.

• Day 8: Enjoy breakfast on the open-air terrace at the farm before departing with pre-arranged transport.

Overview: A week-long adventure that begins at a small farm in Tlacolula Valley outside of Oaxaca City and ascends on horseback into the surrounding Sierra Norte mountains to cross the Continental Divide. The route winds through local villages and follows trails that have been used for centuries. Oaxaca, well-known for its vibrant culture and culinary traditions, also houses incredible biodiversity. Over the course of the week, we ride through cactus forests in the valley, oak forests dripping with Spanish moss, high elevation agave growing over 8 ft tall among the pines, and forests of flowering bromeliads and orchids. Ride the personal horses of an ex-endurance rider and enjoy a mix of slower riding over more hilly or technical terrain and some longer trots and canters on open roads and trails. Some steep sections of the trail require us to dismount and walk. Each night we stay in eco-tourism cabins managed by Los Pueblos Mancomunados — a collection of Indigenous communities organized for sustainable tourism that supports cultural preservation and the environment. We have picnic lunches along the way, packed with Oaxacan specialties — local cheese, fresh salsas and salads. Guided by a resident of Oaxaca for over 40 years with extensive knowledge of the region’s cultural and biological diversity, the ride is capped at four guests and offers an intimate group experience through rural and peaceful Oaxaca. This may be the only time we offer this expedition so save your spot early!

Age Requirements: 18+

What can you expect when you travel on an Anthro Tours trip?

• Dedicated Anthro Tours instructors and knowledgeable guides

• A small group of 6-10 guests

• Comfortable and convenient accommodations in each destination

• Included activities as indicated in itineraries

• Optional activities may be available for an additional cost as indicated in itineraries

• Opportunities for on-your-own exploration as indicated in itineraries

• Included meals as per itineraries

• Tent partners match for solo travelers at no additional fee

Dates & Prices

2026 Dates & Prices

22 February- 1 March 2026

$3370.50 per person

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. Optional activities are at an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in US dollars.

Travel Insurance

A minimum level of medical and emergency travel insurance is required in order to travel with Anthro International Field Schools. Details are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and you will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance.

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