Mesoamerica is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular sierras in the world. Anyone who’s an adventurer at heart will feel the urge to get conquer a few of them. Moreover, these countries have many beautiful volcanoes. Finally, you can find interesting wildlife sanctuaries sprinkled throughout the area.
Barranca del Cobre is one of the most famous sierras in Northern Mexico. It has canyons which are not only deeper but larger than those of the Grand Canyon. Moreover, the associated El Chepe is one of the most impressive train rides in the world. Through this trip, you will see majestic landscapes and go deep in rich traditions.
We will begin our adventure at the Copper Canyon at the beautiful small colonial town of El Fuerte. From there, we will take the railroad of El Chepe. Then, we will get to Cerocahui, home to beautiful colonial Missions. Moreover, the spectacular look-out point of Cerro del Gallego will blow your mind.
Continuing our journey, we will again take El Chepe train* to Divisadero. This Adventure Park is home to a cable car, the world’s second-longest zip line, a via Ferrata and much more. After this, we will stay at a Raramuri Community. In here, the locals will share their culture and guide us through a hike around the sierras.
* Note we include the two most interesting sections of El Chepe (El Fuerte – Cerocahui – Divisadero).
To finish our experience, we will explore the stunning Creel Valleys. Here, the rock formations bear a striking resemblance to mushrooms, frogs and monks. Near them, we visit San Ignacio, an eighteenth-century Jesuit mission. Last but not least, we explore the crystal clear Aarareco lake.
This national park is home to the two largest waterfalls in Mexico. The tallest, the Piedra Volada, is tricky to reach and only accessible through a full day hike. The second – Cascada Basaseachi – is worth a visit. Through our adventures, we will trek to the beautiful waterfalls of Piedra Volada trough stunning sierras. This is one of the most rewarding experiences in Chihuahua!
The remote villages known as Pueblos Mancomunados gather into a unique eco-tourism project. Together, they offer great escapes and an up-close communion with Zapotec life. Here, we will hike through beautiful sierras. The landscapes, with canyons, caves, waterfalls and panoramic lookouts, are spectacular.
One of the most spectacular sierras in central Mexico, Cuatro Palos’ views will leave you breathless. A 20min hike will take you to the top of the mountain where we will camp for one night. This is without a doubt the most scenic place in the state of Querétaro!
While travelling through north Guatemala, we will stay at Posada Unicornio Azul. This hacienda resides in the Cuchumatanes’ sierras. The area has ample opportunities for incredible horse rides. Moreover, we will visit the famous Juan Diéguez viewpoint. Here, a full encounter with nature invites to feel inspired by a peaceful environment.
One of the best activities to do while in San Miguel de Allende is horse-riding around the nearby canyons. In collaboration with Coyote Canyon Adventures, we enjoy a half-day horseback excursion. Here, we will explore a set of cattle ranches around the Cañada de la Virgen / Coyote Canyon. The landscape is extraordinary in all directions, and the horses are very tame and smooth.
While visiting Antigua Guatemala, you’ll be able to explore two magnificent volcanoes.
The standard included activity is the Acatenango Volcano. This might well be Guatemala’s best-known hike. It offers stunning views over the long chain of volcanoes and the ever-erupting Volcán de Fuego. But, It’s also one of the tougher climbs, with a steep two-day ascent through fields, forest and volcanic ash. Weather permitting, you’ll witness a stunning series of eruptions from base camp!
A less demanding option is a morning hike through the skirts of Pacaya Volcano. This is one of the easier ways to get close to active volcanoes during a stay in the country. Hikers are unlikely to see red-hot lava cascading down its side. Yet, they will get the opportunity to toast marshmallows on volcanic rock.
The tiny village of Paricutín is worth visiting for the submerged Church of San Juan Paricutín. Yet, it’s not submerged in water as you might think, but in solidified volcanic rock. This eruption took place in 1943, and it is the most recent creation of a volcano in Mexico. While this destroyed the rest of the village, most of the church survived the explosion. To this day, it is possible to see it peeking out from the sea of lava which surrounds it. All in all, climbing to the top of the volcano is an accessible and rewarding experience.
Every year, monarch butterflies that live in the United States migrate to Mexico to escape the winter. They spend the chilly months in oyamel fir trees in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve of Angangueo, Mexico. Somehow, this mammoth migration of butterflies manages to hibernate in the exact same trees as the previous year kaleidoscope (that’s what a group of butterflies is called). This is one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences you will encounter in Mexico!
Every year from late June to early August, in the Mexican state of Tlaxcala, thousands of fireflies begin their mating dance in the pine forests. This type of fireflies are endemic to these forests and found nowhere else on earth. Moreover, this area is well known for the pulque drink, which we will have the opportunity to taste when doing a tour around the agave fields!
The Green Macaw Sanctuary is located in the Biosphere Reserve Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. In here, the Tecomavaca Communal Center is in charge of protecting these birds and the nesting sites in the canyon. Having the opportunity to see the green macaw flying in its natural habitat is a unique experience. Moreover, Lupita is one of the very few companies taking you to this remote area.
During the months of December to April, almost the entire whale population migrate to Baja California’s lagoons to mate. The world’s second-largest peninsula is a paradise for marine mammals!
