Mexico is a vast country of extraordinary diversity. Covering almost two million square kilometres, it is bordered by Belize and Guatemala to the south and the USA to the north. The Pacific Ocean lies off its western coast, with the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The topography ranges from the deserts and rugged canyons of the north, to the volcanic mountains - reaching up to peaks of 5,700m - of the central region, to the jungles and pre-Hispanic ruins of the south and the Yucatan peninsular. Although many people think of Mexico as a “touristy” destination, teams will spend the majority of their expedition experiencing the more remote and less visited regions, i.e. the ‘real’ Mexico.
Mexico’s population is divided between two groups - the Indians who are direct descendants of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic inhabitants, and the mestizos who’s heritage is both Indian and of the Spanish conquistadores. Spanish is the official language although many indigenous dialects remain widely spoken. The Mexicans are incredibly warm-hearted people who will make teams feel extremely welcome in their vibrant country. Because Mexico is so vast, teams are advised to focus on the north or the south of the country. With both itineraries, teams will be able to experience dramatic scenery during the trekking phases, embrace local culture whilst working on the project, and witness incredible Aztec and Mayan monuments throughout.
Some possible expedition objectives are given below, please note these may alter between now and your expedition. The Expedition Programme Manager for Mexico will agree a suitable expedition itinerary for you, to best match the abilities and aspirations of your team.
Acclimatisation
There are a number of treks that the team can do to prepare for the main trekking phase. The treks are located within different areas so there is a chance to trek in and see a diversity of scenery. These range from a Cactus reserve to the mountains around the colonial town of Guanajuato, to the Lakes of Zempoala and the humid lowland forests of Cuetzalan.
Main Trekking phase
Sierra Norte de Oaxaca
At 3000m above sea level, this mountainous region in the state of Oaxaca boasts some of Mexico’s greatest diversity in forest and flora. Teams follow pre-Hispanic trails which lead through the mountains and the cloud forests linking remote Zapotec communities, giving a great opportunity for cultural interaction en-route.
The Volcanoes
These challenging treks culminate in the ascent of some of Mexico’s highest peaks - La Malinche, Nevado de Toluca and Sierra Negra (4500 to 5000m). Teams will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Mexico at sunrise – from all three peaks the famous Popocatépetl can be seen smoking on the horizon.
Set in the northern state of Chihuahua, this rugged and mysterious terrain provides an excellent challenge for adventurous teams. Our expert guides will lead you on an exploration of the Urike Canyon, which at 2000m is deeper than The Grand Canyon! The trek is for 8 days, some of which will be long and hot, but several times during the trek you will have the opportunity to stay in Indian Tarahumara communities.
El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve
In the south eastern state of Chiapas near the border with Guatemala, the Triunfo Biosphere Reserve receives only a few hundred visitors annually, making it a wild and exciting place to explore. The trek takes teams up in to the cloudforest that make up the heart of the reserve before embarking on the 3 day trek down the other side to the lush and humid Pacific coast.
Projects
Teams in recent years have completed projects at schools, children’s homes and in rural communities as well as working on eco/environmental based projects. These offer teams an opportunity to carry out renovation or building work whilst at the same time being immersed in a friendly Mexican community. Many of the projects take place in remote, rural areas where teams can experience the ancient indigenous Mexican culture.
Rest and Relaxation
Mexico has almost 1000km of coastline upon which some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are to be found. There is therefore no shortage of places for teams to spend the last few days of their expedition relaxing under the hot Mexican sun. There are also wonderful colourful markets in many of the towns throughout the country, and the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, from Teotihuacán, just outside of Mexico City, to the Mayan metropolis of Palenque soaring above the jungles and planes in south east of Mexico.
