The Camino del Mayab is a network of trails that begins in the old plantation village of Dzoyaxché and extends 110 kilometers or 68 miles across the rugged Yucatán countryside, ending at the ancient Maya city of Mayapan.
Started when Pandemic measures shut down travel, the project has survived to become Mexico’s first long-distance hiking trail. It stretches across 14 rural communities in Yucatán in a region famous for its historical haciendas and cenotes.
Camino del Mayab’s five-day guided hiking trip starts at 12,900 pesos per person, which includes trail accommodation, meals, camping gear, transfers and entrance fees. Private hikes and cycling tours are also available.
Parts of the Camino del Mayab network are pathways between villages and through haciendas, and some follow ancient Maya roads. Many species of flora and fauna are found along the trails, and opportunities for birders are especially ideal.
For the hikers, authentic Yucatecan meals are prepared by villagers. Some nights are spent in a community, at a tourist ranch, and sometimes in a campground.
Working with local communities, the environmental organization EcoGuerreros Yucatán established and manages the Camino del Mayab. They return 80% of their profits to the local economy.
“We want to empower Maya communities to make a living without leaving their homelands, while also sharing their history and culture with the world,” EcoGuerreros co-founder Uri Huesca recently told National Geographic.
Find more photos and details on their website and follow them on Facebook.
