This itinerary will allow you to experience our unique community-based-tourism model that enables us to protect the environment, fight poverty, and strengthen local landowners. You will meet our network of small-scale tourism operators that offer services in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve and learn about social challenges involved in community tourism, green building techniques, and payments for ecosystem services.

    Day 1

    Meet your local guide in the old mining town of Pinal de Amoles, nestled high in the mountains. After having lunch in one of the traditional small restaurants (fondas) along the Ruta del Sabor, we will travel to the community of Cuatro Palos, where a trail will take us to a stunning lookout point of the Cerro de la Media Luna (Half Moon Mountain in Spanish), one of the most fascinating places in the Sierra Gorda.

    In order to see the benefits that tourism has generated in this community, we will introduce you to the women’s group that offers lodging in cob-style eco-cabins. We will also go for a hike led by guides from Cuatro Palos.

    We will then continue on to the Sierra Gorda facilities located in Jalpan de Serra to attend a presentation on the history of the community-based tourism in the Sierra Gorda, as well as other successful community tourism projects in Mexico. Following the presentation and dinner, you will have a chance to relax next to a bonfire and enjoy the sounds of nature.

    Accommodation: Sierra Gorda Cabins

    Day 2

    After breakfast, we will give you presentations on biodiversity in the Sierra Gorda and the steps that Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda took to become a Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination.

    We will then visit La Casita Ecológica, where the owners will show and tell you more about the bio-construction technique that they used to built their cabins, as well as other eco-building methods.

    Afterwards, we will drive to the community of La Colgada. There we will meet with a women’s group that operates an embroidery workshop. They will tell us about the group’s history, as well as how they design their products. Following this presentation, they will serve you lunch in the restaurant that they operate, called La Encina.

    After enjoying delicious home-cooked lunch, we will visit Remedios Valen, a herbalist’s workshop where you will be able to observe the preparation of herbal remedies and skincare products. We will then return to Centro Tierra for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

    Accommodation: Centro Tierra Cabins

    Day 3

    We will start the day early with a good cup of coffee and a walk around the Jalpan Dam, where you can admire surrounding forested mountains.

    After breakfast in Centro Tierra, we will attend a workshop at Alimentos Pura Vida, where a group of women uses local fruits to make delicious treats, such as jams and jellies.

    We will then drive to Ayutla River, where we will visit other eco-cabins and campgrounds that are part of our network. We will also have time to relax, go for a swim in the river, and try local dishes in Los Sauces Campground, before returning to Jalpan de Serra to end our journey.