¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
www.BikeMexico.com
The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
Pilgrimage in Oaxaca 2005
Season 2005–2006 · all tours that season
This extreme CHALLENGE difficulty tour in the state of Oaxaca starts and ends in Oaxaca city. The route to the coast will take us through a major Mexican pilgrimage destination, Juquila. People come from all over Mexico by foot, bicycle and motorized vehicle. After a brief stay on the coast in the surfer town of Pto. Escondido we head back into the hills and mountains to loop back to Oaxaca. This area is rich in indigenous culture, mainly Mixtec and also Triqui. We end the ride along an ancient trading route winding it's way along the top of a high ridge.
Archive note: NEW tour.
| Dates: | Thurs Dec 1, 2005 to Thurs Dec 15, 2005 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 87km Maximum/day: 117km Total Approx: 870km |
| Route Type: | Extreme CHALLENGEChallenge DifficultyYou need to have excellent fitness and good cycling experience. Distances generally average about 70 - 110 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 150 km. Roads range from flat to Sierra Madre (mountainous!). We may climb up to 3000 metres in a day.WeatherThe Weather: MountainsLate fall and winter in the Mexican mountains is dry and cool. The sun warms things up during the daytime, but expect freezing temperatures overnight. High volcanoes can be snowcapped around this time.Spring is warmer, and in the summer it will often rain in the afternoon. RoadThe Road: MountainsThe road is generally in excellent condition. There are some sections of dirt road, and rough pavement. In the mountainous areas, the road rarely flattens out and occasionally climbs at more than a 10% grade, however in the high plateaus the road can be fairly flat to rolling. Traffic is generally light to non-existent, except of course close to larger towns and cities. The surface is generally wide and the drivers are courteous.LandThe Land: MountainsAltitudes generally range between 1500 and 2500m, however on some tours we may climb up over 4000m. The high volcanoes are snow-capped in the winter. The mountain vegetation varies greatly from humid cloud forests to cool dry pine forests or dry desert shrub. |
| Highlights: | High mountains and deep valleys make for some outstanding scenery and challenging riding. There are Zapotec ruins as well as indigenous Zapotec, Mixtec and Triqui people and settlements. The roads here are very quiet, most with very little traffic. We will make the famous pilgrimage to Santa Catarina Juquila, then head down to the famous surfer town of Puerto Escondido on the coast. There are more challenging climbs ahead, as well as colonial towns, little Paris, the biggest Dominican church in all of Mexico and a spectacular almost 50km long stretch of road along an ancient trading route that meanders atop a high ridge offering views on both sides. |
The route details, map and itinerary below are preserved from the 2006 edition of this tour — the closest surviving version of this route.
The Route
Itinerary
Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0Meet in Oaxaca city-Mountain colonial city. Markets, museums, shady plazas, nearby Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban.
Day 1Oaxaca to Sola de Vega94kmStarts flat, end in the mountains
Day 2Sola de Vega to Juchatengo51kmChallenging climb, spectacular descent
Day 3Juchatengo to Juquila53kmAmazing views, challenging climbing
Day 4Juquila to Puerto Escondido117kmUp, and dooooooowwwwwwwwwwnnn... the Pacific ocean
Day 5Puerto Escondido-Rest Day. Small Resort Town. Surfer Beach, Mexican Resort Beach, Seafood, Nightlife.
Day 6Puerto Escondido to Santiago Jamiltepec110kmBeautiful foothills and distant mountains. Colonial mountain town.
Day 7Santiago Jamiltepec to Cacahuatepec80kmgentle climbs, foothills
Day 8Cacahuatepec-Rest day
Day 9Cacahuatepec to Putla87kmmore climbing, small towns, gentle mountains
Day 10Putla to Tlaxiaco88kmserious climbing, breath-taking views, little Paris
Day 11Tlaxiaco-Rest day. Little Paris
Day 12Tlaxiaco to Nochixtlan83kmsmall towns, rolling countryside, huge church
Day 13Nochixtlan to Oaxaca city103kmHard day, 50km along a high ridge, great views on both sides
Day 14Oaxaca city-Stay a bit longer or fly back home
What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $130 | $170 | $120 | $920 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Pilgrimage in Oaxaca through the years.
Photo Album
