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Pictures from an ecotour in the Sierra Norte mountains Northeast of Oaxaca city, Mexico (pronounced "wa-ha-ca"). There's a grouping of mountain villages in Oaxaca called Pueblos Mancomunados which work together to preserve their environment. They offer guided hiking, biking, and horseback riding between villages. At the top of each town you'll see the nicest houses, these are the tourist cabanas. Clean and complete with hot water, comfortable beds, and great views these cabanas sleep 4 people each. Explore the rural mountains of Mexico without toting along any camping gear. Feel good knowing you're paying and tipping local guides who live in the villages you visit and support their goal of preserving the local environment.
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| Zapotec village of Cuajimoloyas, Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico |
One of the cabanas in Cuajimoloyas, which overlooks the village |
Inside the clean, modern, and comfortable cabana |
Fireplace in the Cuajimoloyas cabana, one of the highest and coldest villages in the area |
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| Pueblos Mancomunados trail sign, although there are several signs, guides are necessary |
Walking on the Loma de Cucharilla trail from Cuajimoloyas to Latuvi |
Our guide from Cuajimoloyas, Evencio, next to a trail sign |
Colorful plant along the trail |
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| Typical trail scene in the cloud forest, near the Mirador Xi-Nudaa, halfway to Latuvi |
Clould forest plants |
Plant detail, Sierra Norte trail |
Moss and rocks, Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico |
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| Thick forest on the Pueblos Mancomunados trail system |
More plant details along the trail |
Small waterfall at the trout farm |
Mountain valley view near Latuvi, Oaxaca, Mexico |
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| Sunlit mountain valley |
The Pueblos Mancomunados ecotour system is quite organized |
View of the cabanas on the hilltop of Latuvi |
New visitor ecotour center in Latuvi, Sierra Norte, Oaxaca |
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| Red tiles of the terraced cabanas in Latuvi |
Clean, comfortable cabana room in Latuvi cabana |
View from a terrace of the Latuvi cabanas |
Getting ready for a horseback ride from Latuvi to Lachatao |
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| Fields between Latuvi to Lachatao in the Pueblos Mancomunados |
Another field view of the rural scenery outside Latuvi |
Riverside cliff trail on the way to Lachatao |
Trees covered with plants, more colorful in the fall |
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| Camino Real trail, getting closer to Lachatao |
Mountainside homes above Lachatao, Oaxaca, Mexico |
Cabana of Lachatao, across the street from the church with a balcony |
Inside the clean and comfortable Lachatao cabana |
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| View of the Sierra Norte mountains around Lachatao |
Overlooked 16th century church of Lachatao, built by Dominican Monks |
Lachatao church detail |
Inside the Lachatao church |
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| Altar of 16th century Lachatao church |
Detail of carved wooden figure in the church |
Carved wooden cherub details |
Altar figure details, Lachatao church |
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Another cherub detail, on the altar |
Altar view inside Lachatao church |
