It’s a classic mountain journey across the Sierra Gorda from Queretaro [5] to Jalpan [8]. The road descends from 2000 m to 1300 m passing through a desert landscape of strange plants, then winding up to a 2600 m cloud shrouded pine forest before descending through jungle to 700 m to arrive in Jalpan – 200 kilometers, 4 hours.
With Marcelo from Aventurate we set off in search of the endangered Guacamaya Verde – a beautiful multicolored parrot. In a remote canyon we were lucky enough to see one of the last remaining colonies on their daily feeding run. They are noisy birds. You hear them well before you see them, their bright blue and green wings flashing as they turn, never close enough to photograph.
From the desert at 1500m to ...
... cloud forest at 2500 m
Crossing the Sierra Gorda
The Sierra Gorda is a Biosphere Reserve, the most diverse in Mexico
Jalpan specialty - cecina - thin strips of dried meat soaked in sour orange
Strips of meat drying to make the cecina
20 November (Mexican Revolution Day) Parade in Jalpan
Women in 20 November parade
The Mexican Revolution Day parade
Zacahuilt - giant chicken & pork tamale slow cooked all night
Ploughing with oxen in Sierra Gorda
Path leading to ...
... El Chuveje waterfall near Jalpan
Steamed tacos with shredded meat from a stall by the roadside
Pool in a remote Sierra Gorda canyon
The Monarch Butterflies are arriving from northern U S A