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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Guided |
| Level: | Moderate |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 15 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Mar 30, Oct 12, 2013 |
| Tour price: | $1460 |
| Start city: | Mexico City, Mexico |
| End city: | Mexico City, Mexico |
Spectacular food, culture and mountain biking in the Sierra Norte of Mexico. This Mexican mountain bike adventure tour gives you the chance to explore the stunning Sierra Norte mountains, and soak up the culture and cuisine of the Zapotec people of Oaxaca.
We'll be mountain biking throughout the Sierra Norte’s 70,000 acres which are criss-crossed by ancient Zapotec foot trails and dirt tracks. These trails have been used by the local people for generations as the main route of communication between their isolated mountain villages in the heart of central Mexico.
Our home in Oaxaca will be in one of eight Zapotec villages that have come together to form an eco-tourism partnership, benefiting every community equally. You will feel right at home, with traditional home-cooked food and locally brewed Mezcal: a well-deserved reward after our fantastic days on the bike. Each day you will bike between 9-28 miles (15-45 km), as the daily routes are very flexible.
On your Mexican mountain bike adventure tour you’ll spend a morning at Monte Albàn, the most important archaeological site in the Zapotec world, and enjoy the splendours of the world-famous Oaxacan cuisine.
Learn more about guided tours.
Spectacular food, culture and mountain biking in the Sierra Norte of Mexico. This Mexican mountain bike adventure tour gives you the chance to explore the stunning Sierra Norte mountains, and soak up the culture and cuisine of the Zapotec people of Oaxaca.
We'll be mountain biking throughout the Sierra Norte’s 70,000 acres which are criss-crossed by ancient Zapotec foot trails and dirt tracks. These trails have been used by the local people for generations as the main route of communication between their isolated mountain villages in the heart of central Mexico.
Our home in Oaxaca will be in one of eight Zapotec villages that have come together to form an eco-tourism partnership, benefiting every community equally. You will feel right at home, with traditional home-cooked food and locally brewed Mezcal: a well-deserved reward after our fantastic days on the bike. Each day you will bike between 9-28 miles (15-45 km), as the daily routes are very flexible.
On your Mexican mountain bike adventure tour you’ll spend a morning at Monte Albàn, the most important archaeological site in the Zapotec world, and enjoy the splendours of the world-famous Oaxacan cuisine.
Learn more about guided tours.
Day 1: Travelling Day
We'll meet at Mexico City airport, then stay in an airport hotel for the night to recover from our travels.
Overnight in Mexico City.
Please note that each day you will bike between 9-28 miles (15-45 km), as the daily routes are very flexible.
Day 2: Transfer to Oaxaca City
Our guides will meet you at your hotel and we’ll drive (approx. five hours) to Oaxaca City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city and have dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants.
Overnight in Oaxaca.
Day 3: Monte Alban
We will spend the morning visiting the most impressive Zapotec archaeological site, Monte Alban. After exploring the temples and plazas we’ll continue to Cuajimoloyas, the gateway to the Sierre Norte and our first ride of the trip! We’ll pedal a nice easy eight kms to the village of Llano Grande, where we’ll stay in their eco-tourism cabanas run by the sustainable partnership formed by the eight communities in the area.
Overnight in Llano Grande.
Day 4: Llano Grande
We’ll make a very early start to enjoy a head-lamp ride to El Mirador, where we will have a fantastic view of the mist-covered valleys below at sunrise (make sure you bring a warm jacket!). We’ll pedal to Piedra Larga, on the northern side of the mountains, where, on a clear day, you can see the Pico de Orizaba, the highest snow-covered peak in Mexico at 10km. We head back to Llano Grande, where the locals have prepared a delicious breakfast for us.Batteries re-charged, we’ll depart for our second ride of the day – and it isn’t even lunchtime! 20 km of cross- country singletrack and dirt roads. We’ll pass some majestic rock formations known as Cueva Iglesia and enjoy a snack at an incredible viewpoint.
Overnight in Llano Grande.
Day 5: Llano Grande to Lachatao
Today we’ll tackle our first big day in the saddle (approx. five hours). We’ll ride some technical descents to beautiful waterfalls, then on to the village of Las Vigas. Then we’ll test our stamina on the long uphillto Lachatao. Lunch will be prepared along the way by our guides, and we’ll have dinner in Lachatao before being transported back to Llano Grande.
Overnight in Llano Grande.
Day 6: Llano Grande to Latuvi
Another early start and long ride today. We’ll pedal from Llano Grande along ancient foot trails to one of the best descents in the country. We have a climb ahead of us to reach Latuvi, known for its beautiful views of the Sierra. We’ll have a late lunch and our shuttle will be ready to take us back to Llano Grande.
Overnight in Llano Grande.
Day 7: Downhill out of the Sierra
We have the choice this morning of taking a shuttleor pedaling to the village of Neveria to start a very technical and exhilarating downhill trail back to Oaxaca. We’ll finish our ride at the El Tule tree, the widest tree in the world, around which a shrine and a village have developed over the course of centuries. We’ll also enjoy some of the best ice-cream south of the Rio Grande! After this refreshing break we’ll transfer to our hotel in Oaxaca City, take a shower, relax and enjoy the city, before our fantastic farewell dinner in one of the city’s finest restaurants, which also makes some of Mexico’s best Mezcal!
Overnight in Oaxaca.
Day 8: Free morning and Transfer
This morning is your own to explore Oaxaca, see the shops, buy some souvenirs to take home. We can even arrange a cooking experience, if you like. We’ll then be transferred back to the airport to say our final farewells.
Mar 30, Oct 12, 2013
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The hotels are 3-star eco-lodges.
The hotels are 3-star eco-lodges.
Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.
Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage.
Available bikes include a full suspension mountain bike or a hardtail mountain bike. All bikes are of superior quality and come with hydraulic disk brakes, Fox or Rockshox suspension, Maxxis tyres and high end finishing kit.
Equipment provided free with rentals include helmets and pedals. Available upon request for no cost are cycling bags and a bottle cage.
Terrain includes Landrover tracks, some singletrack sections, steep sections, frequent rocks and roots. You have basic bike handling skills, exercise two to three times a week for 30 minutes or more, and are comfortable with sustained effort. You should be able ride for three to five hours per day for up to four consecutive days.
This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.
Terrain includes Landrover tracks, some singletrack sections, steep sections, frequent rocks and roots. You have basic bike handling skills, exercise two to three times a week for 30 minutes or more, and are comfortable with sustained effort. You should be able ride for three to five hours per day for up to four consecutive days.
This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City airport is well served by many major airlines from all over the world. This tour will start and end at the Mexico City Airport and all transfers during the tour dates are included in the tour price.
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City airport is well served by many major airlines from all over the world. This tour will start and end at the Mexico City Airport and all transfers during the tour dates are included in the tour price.
Trevor Clark published this story in The Wall Street Journal (April 2012) about his experiences on the Oaxaca by Mountain Bike tour. It's a great account of the thrills and challenges of exploring this emerging mountain biking destination. Read the article >
Trevor Clark published this story in The Wall Street Journal (April 2012) about his experiences on the Oaxaca by Mountain Bike tour. It's a great account of the thrills and challenges of exploring this emerging mountain biking destination. Read the article >
If the mention of ‘Mexico’ immediately brings to your mind visions of sun-drenched beach resorts, such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, and not an awful lot else, read on and let us open your mind to the Mexico you thought you knew…
It’s true that Mexico boasts many miles of beautiful coastline, scattered with beach resorts and great surf, but these represent only one small gem in Mexico’s vast coffer of natural and cultural treasures, just waiting to be discovered by keen adventure travellers.
Did you know, for example, that Mexico is 5th in the world for its bio-diversity, and one of only a handful of countries in which you can experience all 10 of the world’s major eco-systems? Or that Mexico can proudly claim 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – more than any other country in the world?
We know about the Maya, of course, but did you know that Mexico ranks 10th in the world for monuments and archaeological sites, not just from the Mayan era, but also by the hands of the Zapotec, Aztec, Mixtec, and Olmec people? And from this rich ancestry, Mexico now has a gastronomic culture that has been recognised as Intangible World Heritage.
With such an abundant larder of natural, cultural, historical, and culinary delights Mexico offers the ideal landscape for adventure travel in all its guises, but our particular focus is, of course, mountain biking. You may have heard of mountain biking in the north of Mexico, however our passion for discovering new experiences, and our love of food took us to Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
The state of Oaxaca is magical. Its capital – Oaxaca City – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cuisine is world-renowned amongst discerning foodies. Oaxacan culinary specialities include: tamales wrapped in banana leaves; chapulines (grasshoppers); amazing Oaxacan cheese; and black mole, an intense blend of chilli, chocolate and spices.
Just outside Oaxaca City we discover the history of the Zapotec people at Monte Albán, the most important archaeological site of the Zapotecs, and at one time home to around 50,000 inhabitants.
Our next stop is the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, and a village called Llano Grande, where the eco-tourism ‘cabanas’ will be our home for four nights of our mountain bike tour in Mexico. Llano Grande is one of eight communities in the Sierra Norte that have come together to form Mexico’s most successful sustainable tourism venture, based on a model that ensures that all tourism monies coming into the area – through accommodation, guiding, meals, etc. – are shared out equally amongst all the villages.
The rustic cabanas provide a perfect base for exploring the web of fantastic mountain bike trails spread right across the 70,000 acres of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, stopping in at local villages where we’re welcomed with open arms and delicious food. Our local mountain bike guide José is as lean as a whippet and knows the area like the back of his hand, and our driver Eduardo negotiates the Mexican mountain roads with skill.
In our opinion there’s no better way to explore the diverse eco-systems and communities of Oaxaca than by mountain bike. You can be up before dawn watching the sun rise over the cloud forest, then descending to beautiful waterfalls, and riding through remote mountain villages, before ending the day with a barbecue of fabulous local meat, veg, beans and hand-made tortillas and salsas!
And during our tour in late October/ early November you’ll experience the spectacle of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations, for which Oaxaca is famous all over Mexico.
So, if you’d like to get to know the real Mexico, why not bring your bike and come with us to experience the culinary treasures, spectacular landscapes, and warm-hearted people of Oaxaca?
If the mention of ‘Mexico’ immediately brings to your mind visions of sun-drenched beach resorts, such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, and not an awful lot else, read on and let us open your mind to the Mexico you thought you knew…
It’s true that Mexico boasts many miles of beautiful coastline, scattered with beach resorts and great surf, but these represent only one small gem in Mexico’s vast coffer of natural and cultural treasures, just waiting to be discovered by keen adventure travellers.
Did you know, for example, that Mexico is 5th in the world for its bio-diversity, and one of only a handful of countries in which you can experience all 10 of the world’s major eco-systems? Or that Mexico can proudly claim 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – more than any other country in the world?
We know about the Maya, of course, but did you know that Mexico ranks 10th in the world for monuments and archaeological sites, not just from the Mayan era, but also by the hands of the Zapotec, Aztec, Mixtec, and Olmec people? And from this rich ancestry, Mexico now has a gastronomic culture that has been recognised as Intangible World Heritage.
With such an abundant larder of natural, cultural, historical, and culinary delights Mexico offers the ideal landscape for adventure travel in all its guises, but our particular focus is, of course, mountain biking. You may have heard of mountain biking in the north of Mexico, however our passion for discovering new experiences, and our love of food took us to Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
The state of Oaxaca is magical. Its capital – Oaxaca City – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cuisine is world-renowned amongst discerning foodies. Oaxacan culinary specialities include: tamales wrapped in banana leaves; chapulines (grasshoppers); amazing Oaxacan cheese; and black mole, an intense blend of chilli, chocolate and spices.
Just outside Oaxaca City we discover the history of the Zapotec people at Monte Albán, the most important archaeological site of the Zapotecs, and at one time home to around 50,000 inhabitants.
Our next stop is the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, and a village called Llano Grande, where the eco-tourism ‘cabanas’ will be our home for four nights of our mountain bike tour in Mexico. Llano Grande is one of eight communities in the Sierra Norte that have come together to form Mexico’s most successful sustainable tourism venture, based on a model that ensures that all tourism monies coming into the area – through accommodation, guiding, meals, etc. – are shared out equally amongst all the villages.
The rustic cabanas provide a perfect base for exploring the web of fantastic mountain bike trails spread right across the 70,000 acres of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, stopping in at local villages where we’re welcomed with open arms and delicious food. Our local mountain bike guide José is as lean as a whippet and knows the area like the back of his hand, and our driver Eduardo negotiates the Mexican mountain roads with skill.
In our opinion there’s no better way to explore the diverse eco-systems and communities of Oaxaca than by mountain bike. You can be up before dawn watching the sun rise over the cloud forest, then descending to beautiful waterfalls, and riding through remote mountain villages, before ending the day with a barbecue of fabulous local meat, veg, beans and hand-made tortillas and salsas!
And during our tour in late October/ early November you’ll experience the spectacle of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebrations, for which Oaxaca is famous all over Mexico.
So, if you’d like to get to know the real Mexico, why not bring your bike and come with us to experience the culinary treasures, spectacular landscapes, and warm-hearted people of Oaxaca?
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Mountain bike tour in Oaxaca, southern Mexico with H&I Adventures.
Mountain bike tour in Oaxaca, southern Mexico with H&I Adventures.
H&I Adventures specializes in exceptional guided mountain bike adventures in some of the most spectacular locations in the world.
We personally research and test all of our tours before taking any bookings. We're committed to responsible tourism and use local guides/ drivers/ fixers in all our destinations, and contribute to local conservation efforts.
Our guides are among the best in the industry and give our customers a truly memorable experience. We offer skilled advice on all of our tours - no matter what level - to ensure our customers get the most out of their trip with us.
H&I Adventures specializes in exceptional guided mountain bike adventures in some of the most spectacular locations in the world.
We personally research and test all of our tours before taking any bookings. We're committed to responsible tourism and use local guides/ drivers/ fixers in all our destinations, and contribute to local conservation efforts.
Our guides are among the best in the industry and give our customers a truly memorable experience. We offer skilled advice on all of our tours - no matter what level - to ensure our customers get the most out of their trip with us.
If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.
If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.
We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.
If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.
Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.
To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.
On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.
Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.
We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.
When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.
Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.
Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.
If you wish to cancel your holiday, this must be done in writing by the person whose name the holiday is invoiced to.
If you cancel your booking more than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday, you will receive a refund of monies paid, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.
If you cancel your holiday less than two calendar months before the first day of your holiday you will receive no refund on monies paid.
We will not cancel your holiday unless (i) we are forced to do so by unforeseeable circumstances: adverse weather conditions, acts of God; or (ii) if the minimum number needed to operate our holidays has not been met. In the latter case we will advise you no later than 28 days prior to departure.
If the holiday has to be cancelled for any reason then you will be informed and offered another holiday.
Highlands and Islands Adventures reserves the right to change the itinerary advertised for any holiday, at any time and for any reason, such as adverse weather conditions, forestry operations and other seasonal activities, e.g. deer culling.
To take part in our holidays you must include adequate insurance for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers.
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the risks and hazards of such a holiday, including the dangers inherent in cycling either on the road or off the road, or the dangers inherent in the other activities included in individual holidays.
On an adventurous holiday it is necessary that you abide by the authority of the leader, who represents the company. Completing the booking process signifies your agreement to this, and if you commit any illegal act when on the holiday or if in the reasonable opinion of the leader your behaviour is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your travel arrangements without any liability on our part. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people's enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.
Our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive there at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.
We shall not be held liable for any damages caused by the total, or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is due to the theft of bicycles or injury as a result of cycling either on or off road and in particular injuries as a result of either inadequately maintained and serviced personal equipment or failure to wear the correct safety equipment most notably cycle helmets.
When completing the booking process you agree to accept all these conditions and when we accept your booking we agree to carry out our obligations as defined to you in all materials sent to you from us. This agreement is made subject to, and must be interpreted and enforced by Scots Law.
Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, videos and the internet.
Please ensure that your bike is adequately maintained and insured. We will take all reasonable care when transporting bikes, however we are not responsible financially for any damage caused by a third party during our trip or in transit to the start point of the holiday.
