el triunfo
The Most Magical Forest in the World
Located in the heart of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve is one of the last refuges of the majestic fog forest in Central America.
This unique ecosystem is home to extraordinary biodiversity, with giant trees up to 90 meters covered with lichens, mosses and orchids, creating a landscape of hazy hanging gardens. Exploring El Triunfo is immersing yourself in a mystical world where nature still dominates. Here they inhabit emblematic species such as the jaguar, the tapir, the spider monkey and the horned guan, as well as an incredible variety of bromeliads, arborescent ferns and wild avocados, the favourite fruit of quetzal, one of the most beautiful bird of the world.
Enter this natural paradise and live an unforgettable experience of ecotourism and adventure in one of the most impressive places in Mexico.
Our adventure begins early in the morning, leaving from Tuxtla Gutiérrez heading to one of the most impressive natural treasures in Mexico: El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve.
After approximately two hours of walking, we will arrive at the picturesque town of Jaltenango, where we will take a break to enjoy a typical breakfast and recharge. From here, we enter the mountain through a 40 km journey through dirt roads that will take us to Finca Prussia, an old coffee farm with history, founded at the beginning of the 20th century, surrounded by exuberant vegetation.
From this point, we will begin an unforgettable walk through the forest, gradually ascending through trails surrounded by fog, tree ferns and bird songs. This journey culminates when you arrive at the camp El Triunfo, located almost 2,000 meters above sea level, right within the core I zone of the reserve.
Once in the camp, a magical and silent environment awaits you, where the only noise will be that of nature. Here begins your immersion in one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet.
The sunrise in El Triunfo is not forgotten. The mist caresses the treetops as the first rays of sun filter timidly through bromeliads, mosses and orchids. After a comforting breakfast at the camp, we will prepare for our first exploration walk.
This day we will dedicate to entering the trails closest to the camp, where each step takes us deeper into one of the best preserved fog forests in Central America. Throughout the tour, we will be accompanied by expert local guides who will help us interpret the language of the forest: fresh traces of jaguar, marks of tapir in the mud, and signs of other mammals such as ocelots, oncilla and white-tailed deer.
With patience and some luck, we can have a visual encounter with two emblematic birds of this region: The Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), of iridescent plumage and long jade tail, considered a sacred symbol by the Mayan and Mexica peoples.
The horned guan (Oreophasis derbianus), an endemic and endangered bird that only inhabits these fog forests of Chiapas and Guatemala.
The setting is just spectacular: Tree ferns, Giant trees covered with epiphytes, colorful mushrooms, hanging bromeliads as natural candlesticks, and a symphony of birds and frogs that fill the humid air with their songs. We will take the time to stop, observe and photograph the impressive diversity offered by this neotropical ecosystem.
In the afternoon, we will return to the camp to rest and share experiences in front of a tall cup of coffee grown in the same region. And when night falls, the magic continues: the sounds of the forest are transformed into a night melody that will remind us of how alive and deep this corner of the planet is.
This day awaits us a day full of majestic landscapes and exciting walks. After breakfast, we will embark on a new exploration through the higher-altitude trails surrounding the camp: Banderas trail and El Triunfo trail, both designed to take us to the ridges of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas.
During the ascent, we will witness the extraordinary Mountainous terrain, with views that make their way through the vegetation as natural windows to the world. The botanical richness is also impressive: new species of orchids, multicolored lichens, and neotropical birds such as tangaras, trogones and hummingbirds appear at every step.
One of the highlights of the day will be the arrival at the viewpoint Costa, a natural balcony from where, if conditions allow, we can observe in the distance the Pacific Ocean, contrasting with the green slopes of the mountains. It is an ideal place to stop, take a deep breath and contemplate the magnitude of what surrounds us.
In addition to birds, during the tour it is common to find recent traces of large mammals. The guides will share with you tracing and interpretation techniques to identify the paths of species such as the spider monkey, the coati or even the jaguar, which still haunts these mountains in freedom.
In the afternoon, you can choose between continuing to explore or enjoy a moment of rest in the camp, surrounded by the unique silence of the forest, interrupted only by the sound of the wind between the branches and the distant echo of some exotic bird.
This day represents a total immersion in the majesty of the mountainous jungle. A gift for the body, the mind and the spirit.
Our last sunrise in El Triunfo will be special. From early on, after a light breakfast, we will return along the same path that brought us to this sacred corner of nature.
The descent walk towards Prussian farm will be another chance to marvel at foggy forest, this time from another perspective. As we lower the altitude, the landscapes are transforming: the gigantic evergreen trees give way to shady coffee plantations, ferns open up to the passage of light and the air becomes warmer. It’s like walking again through a natural time tunnel, watching how life changes at every meter of altitude.
This journey will give us unforgettable views, more bird sightings, and perhaps one last surprise of the forest: the fresh footprints of some tapir or jaguar that happened before us.
Once back in Prussian farm, a vehicle will take us to Jaltenango, where we will take a break to eat and share the latest impressions of the trip in a warmer and more relaxed atmosphere.
With the heart full of memories and the camera overflowing with images, we will undertake the final return to Tuxtla Gutierrez, with an estimated time of arrival around the 7:00 p.m.
More than a trip, you will have experienced a deep expedition through one of the most mystical and biodiverse forests on the continent. An experience that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on your adventurous spirit.