What is Zapotrek?

Zapotrek is a responsible tourism organization located in beautiful Oaxaca, Mexico. We provide one-of-a-kind bicycle, hiking, and cultural tours and specialize in Eco-archeology, indigenous cultural experiences, and traditional medicine. We also feature authentic Mezcal plantation tours and offer custom nature excursions, such as various birding and botany expeditions. Our goal at Zapotrek is to partner with the local villages and indigenous people to promote their culture while maintaining the sanctity of their land and their traditions.

Who is Zapotrek?

While Zapotrek is a young company, eco-tourism and promoting the culture of Oaxaca is nothing new for its founder, Eric Ramirez. Eric, a Oaxacan native, grew up in Tlacolula, a town about thirty minutes from the city of Oaxaca. Educated in the United States for approximately ten years, Eric returned to Oaxaca to be closer to his family. Upon his return, Eric re-discovered his passions for the deep-rooted Oaxacan cultures and traditions, and specifically those of his Zapotec ancestors. Eric has been working in the tourism industry in various capacities since 2004 and has come to appreciate the unique opportunities this area offers for education and exploration. By starting Zapotrek, Eric hopes to bring awareness of his culture and ancestry through responsible tourism.

Who does Zapotrek partner with?

The goal of Zapotrek is to partner with the local villages and indigenous people of Oaxaca to promote their culture while maintaining the sanctity of their land and their traditions. In order to do this, we spend a lot of time in the communities understanding the needs of the individual villages and their people. We focus on partnering with communities that have unique goods or services, but do not have the means to promote their product. By hiring local guides and area experts for our tours, arranging for local meals to be prepared, and bringing tourists to out-of-the-way locales, we aim to bring awareness and provide income to those who do not benefit from the commercialized tourism of the city.