A FORAY INTO THE NATURE, COLOR & CULTURE OF THE MAYAN HIGHLANDS

This year, we are changing it up. We've been so lucky to haveAlissa Allen, veteran mushroom dyer and founder of Mycopigments--as well as the incredibleMushroom & Lichen Dyers United FB groupwith over 50k members--join us from Seattle, Washington for four years in Oaxaca with The Fungivore and Traveling Traders Bazaar! 

This year, we are bringing her to Chiapas, high up (7200ft) in the Mayan Highlands to explore the copious mushrooms in the many forests of the area. Alissa has become a fixture of this part of our mushroom journey: dyeing and learning the colors, as well as interfacing in wonder wioth the local dyers and weavers. Her mycological knowledge far exceeds that needed to dye, and she with lead our forays and our mushroom dyeing workshops with Kim Hunter in the gorgeous mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas! 

Of course, we aren't just here for the mushrooms...after four years exploring Oaxaca’s Sierras and sharing mushroom dye traditions with local communities, we’re shifting our focus to the pine-filled, mushroom-rich Highlands of Chiapas. Our home base will be San Cristóbal de las Casas—a 500-year-old Spanish colonial-style town surrounded by Indigenous villages known for flowers, craft, textiles and pottery. 

San Cristobal is a fascinating city with an incredible history of it's own! We will explore the history by foot, eat Chiapanecan cuisine, learn from indigenous artisans of the region, pay visits to both Chamula and Zinacántan--the two dominant cultures in this highland valley for 1000 years.​

The town itself is surrounded by forests, including more than five public parks at varying altitudes, giving us planty of places to find the dye mushrooms we seek, as well as identification of edible mushrooms, and mushroom in general! With our partners at Fungaria, we’ll gather dye mushrooms to dye our wool and silk.  Back in town, we’ll have our own dye studio studio at a local cultural center where we'll turn our harvest into a gorgeous rainbow of color.  Every participant leaves with several ounces of dyed fiber. Finally, we’ll wrap up our journey with a Sunday visit to Zinacantán and Chamula, communities celebrated for their traditions, textiles, and cultural resilience.

Unlike most of our previous trips, this one sets you down right into the lap of luxury right away. Attendees will fly into Tuxtla Gutierrez airport (TGZ), and immediately make their way to Sombra del Agua, a gorgeous hotel with an award winning restaurant right in the middle of downtown San Cristobal.

Daily Highlights

  • Sunday, October 11: Check in, meet fellow foragers, and enjoy our opening dinner at one of the fantastic restaurants in town.

    Monday, October 12    : A guided walking tour of downtown San Cristobal, introduction to Roberto Murphy. FREE NIGHT to explore town.

    Tuesday, October 13: Forage for dye mushrooms in Huitepec--where we have found many dyers Cortinarius, coral mushrooms, omphalatus mexicanus, as well as many edible mushrooms--with our mycologists team from Fungaria. FREE NIGHT to explore town.

  • Wednesday, October 14: Foray to Montetik,where we'll enjoy an easy walk with Fungaria for more dyers and meet up in the evening for a Movie night at the local independent theater. 

    Thursday, October 15: Foray to Parque Encuentro, a site for toothed mushrooms: phelladon, hydnellum, hawks wing, and hypomyces! FREE NIGHT to explore town

    Friday, October 16: Our first dye day at a local Cultural Center; embroidery and couching workshop. FREE NIGHT to explore!​


  • Saturday, October 17: 2nd Dye Day at a local Cultural Center; Dye your own items as well as completing the rainbow of skeins. FREE NIGHT to explore San Cristobal. 

    Sunday, October 18: Village visits to Zinacantan and Chamula for their weekly market, visit artisans in their homes; Closing Dinner in town at a fantastic location.

    Monday, October 19: Check out of Sombra del Agua with a rainbow of mushroom colors and lasting memories.**
Apply today to join us in October!

Key Trip Details

Length: 8 nights 
Average Foray Distance: <2 miles/day
Altitude: 1000-7200 feetExertion Level: Easy to Moderate
Accommodations: 8 nights in a San Cristobal de las Casas Hotel (Sombra del Agua)​
Meals included: 2 Dinners, 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches.
Cost:$3100.00

How to join, the cost, ​ and payment schedule:

  • Price & What is Covered on Trip

    The cost of this trip is $3100.00 (before applicable discounts).

    Double occupancy is assumed for our available accommodations. If you are traveling with someone, be sure to let us know if you need ONE bed or TWO beds.(Please have them fill out an application to join you also.)

    INCLUDED: Most meals, lodging, tours, activities, and workshops are includedwith this adventure, in addition to take home mushroom dyed silk & wool, and Mycopigments learning materials.

    NOT INCLUDED:    Alcohol or fancy drinks (during meals or otherwise), souvenirs, and some optional activities. ​Ground transportation to & from Tuxtla Gutuerres Airport (TGZ) to San Cristobal de las Casas.

    THE FLIGHT TO/FROM TUXTLA GUTIERREZ AIRPORT (TGZ)and travel to San Cristobal are not included. Make sure to budget in ~$30-$60 for transport, depending on your preference: private taxi or colectivo. Please make travel arrangements to meet the group at Hotel Sombra del Agua and join us for opening dinner by 6:00pm of October 11th, 2026.

  • Payment Policy, Non-Refundable Deposit and Refund Schedule

    Payments for the trip shall be made in full, and includes the NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of 20% ($620) which enables us to secure accommodations, reserve transportation, book restaurants, and secure the tour.

    ​Refunds for cancellations will be returned on the following schedule, minus Stripe processing fees (~3%):

    • 4 months or more before the start of the trip: we keep the non-refundable deposit [before June 11th]
    • 2-4 months before the start date, 50% refund;
      [June 11th - August 11th]
    • Within 2 months before start date, no refund available [after August 11th]


    The deposit is non-refundable IN MOST CASES. We use it immediately to secure transportation, lodging and reservations. If this trip is canceled completely for any reason, you will get your payment back, minus unrecoverable credit card processing fees.

  • How to Join + DIscounts

    First step, Apply today to join us!

    We are partnered with The Fungivore for our mushroom focused experiences. We review each application to make sure our mycoadventure is a good fit for all participants and give us insight to create the best experience for each group. Upon review, we're reach out ASAP to offer an info call, deposit information and next steps.  

    We will fill the trip in the order of applications received and deposits secured. Our group size is capped at 12 participants.

    ​Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Please send info@thefungivore.com an email to explore this option.
Come forage with us this October!

Our Local Partners & Experts

  • Kim & Zack, Tour Leaders

    Over several trips to Oaxaca, we have cultivated a rich relationship with the people, culture, & cuisine that has culminated in this invitation for a hands-on, immersive window into this cradle of civilization. Avid travelers with curiosity & a deep appreciation for culture & engaging people around the world, we believe that through travel & connecting with different cultures, we gain a greater understanding of the world, our place in it, and the better future that we can build together. It's in this spirit that we share the Oaxaca that we know & love with you. 

  • Alissa Allen, Mushroom Dye Master

    Alissa is the founder of Mycopigments. She specializes in teaching about regional mushroom and lichen dye palettes to fiber artists and mushroom enthusiasts all over the world. Alissa got her start in the Pacific Northwest and has been sharing her passion for mushrooms for over 15 years.
    ​
    Alissa uses brilliant colors found in fungal dyes to entice people to take a closer look at mushrooms and lichens and the role they play in our lives. This will be her second season joining us for mycoadventures in Oaxaca.

  • Ezequiel Cruz, Mycologist

    Ezequiel Cruz Campuzano is the director and co-founder of Fungaria, a project in partnership with four other friends, chefs, digital wizards and mycophiles committed to re-acquainting the Chiapanecan people to their fungal heritage.

    Ezequiel is a licensed biologist from UNICACH, and is passionate about the diversity and distribution of macro-basidia from Chiapas. In 2023 he was named by the Chiapas Municipal Youth Awards for his selfless work in mycology and received an award for his work in Environmental Protection.