Our Project
Oaxaca is more than a destination.
It is a collection of communities, landscapes, languages, traditions, and stories that have existed here for generations.
At Zapotrek Hike & Bike, we create small-group and private outdoor experiences that connect travelers with the people and places that make Oaxaca unique.
We hike mountain trails, cycle through rural valleys, visit communities, explore ancient landscapes, and share food, mezcal, pulque, traditions, and stories.
But our goal goes beyond showing you Oaxaca.
We want tourism to create opportunities for the communities that make this region what it is.
Hike
Walk through mountain communities, forests, valleys, waterfalls, and ancient landscapes.
Bike
Travel through rural roads and communities at a slower pace, connecting the valley with the people and landscapes around it.
Taste
Experience mezcal, pulque, traditional foods, chocolate, coffee, seasonal products, and local cuisine.
Connect
Meet the people who live and work in these communities and learn about their relationship with the land.
Stay
When possible, spend the night in community-run accommodations and experience mountain life beyond the usual tourist routes.
Tourism With a Purpose
Tourism can take from a place.
Or it can contribute to it.
At Zapotrek, we believe travel should create value for the communities that welcome us.
We work to build relationships with Indigenous communities in the Tlacolula Valley and surrounding mountains, creating opportunities for local guides, families, producers, cooks, artisans, drivers, and community organizations to participate in tourism.
Our goal is not to bring communities into tourism simply because travelers want to see them.
Our goal is to develop tourism together with the communities themselves.
That means listening first, respecting local knowledge and traditions, working with local people, and creating experiences where the economic benefits can remain closer to home.
We are still building this vision.
And that is part of the journey.
Zapotrek is not the finished idea. It is a commitment to building a better way of experiencing Oaxaca.
