Native Trails MyTrails 2025 65 Chiapas 16 Visit the archaeological site Plan de Ayutla Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Only since 2012 has the archaeological site Plan de Ayutla been accessible to the public. According to unconfirmed theories, the ruins could belong to the lost city of Sak Tzi, which was conquered by the rivaling Mayan cities of Toniná and Yaxchilán at the end of the 8th century. Here you will discover the North Akropolis with its hut-like stone coverings. Remarkably peculiar, it resembles the traditional Mayan house structure; the massive roof is outfitted with stairs or crenellated stone mosaics, while in the interior, the two rooms, up to seven meters high, are covered with stucco. 17 Walk from Chamula to Zinacantán Duration: 02:30 h · Level: Medium Explore the surroundings of San Cristóbal de las Casas on a hike from Chamula to Zinacantán. You follow macadamized roads and cross a wooded mountain ridge; a hiking trail finally takes you to the valley of Zinacantán, which is known for its craftsmen and the Tzotzil living there, one of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas. The region is very fertile, and your way leads you past fields grown with vegetables, spice plants and citrus trees, cucurbits and colorful flowers. Your walk ends in the center of Zinacantán. 18 Visit of Zinacantán and a weaving mill Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Zinacantán means “place of bats” and is a Nahuatl name that dates back to the times of the Conquista. Visit the mighty colonial church and get to know the descendants of the Mayas as a dynamic and self-confident community – more than 99 % of the Tzotzil continue to use their indigenous language. After the short tour of the town, you are guest in the small weaving mill of three sisters. Relishing freshly cooked tortillas, you learn more about life in Zinacantán and the art of weaving from the three committed women. 19 Hike in the Reserva Huitepec Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Medium The Reserva Ecológica Huitepec – Alcanfores preserves 135-hectares (334-acres) of rain forest in the mountains of Chiapas. The reserve got its name from Huitepec, the mountain at whose slopes the reserve is situated and which is a sacred mountain to the Tzotzil population. From the oak forest in the lower part of the reserve, you ascend to the cloud forest with ferns and epiphytes. On your walk, you can spot mountain trogons, hummingbirds, raccoons, flying squirrels, armadillos, reptiles, and insects. 20 Visit of the archaeological site of Lacanjá Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Medium Following the traces of the Maya, you take paved ways to get amidst the Selva Lacandona rain forest. Your goal is a sacred place full of mysticism and secrets – the Lacanjá ruins. The Lacandons, descendants of the old Maya, live in this area in great seclusion and still foster their traditional way of living and their religion, as they have done for centuries. 21 Rafting on Río Lacanjá Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Difficult If you like adventures, you will get value for your money during the rafting tour on Río Lacanjá. The about 4-hour tour starts in the lush rain forest around Lacanjá. After short safety instructions and “dry practicing” at the landing place (a tranquil branch of Río Lacanjá), the fun begins – ahead of us lies a river section of several kilometers interspersed with waterfalls between 1 and 3 meters (between 3.3 and 9.8 ft.) high. The tranquil scenery between the cascades, the loud calls of howler monkeys, Mexican military macaws passing by, giant ceibas towering above the jungle – the fauna and flora are fascinating! Afterwards you take a hike through the jungle to visit the old Mayan site of Lacanjá as well as the mighty Moctuniha waterfalls where you can benefit from the cool water at its foot to take a swim and refresh.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzIxMzY3Mw==