| Budget Tours: North America
>
USA
>
San Francisco
|
|
28 Day SOUTHERN MIGRATION
With
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
Departing from
San Francisco
,
USA
|
Prices from around $1049
Week One: Departing from San Francisco, we will head southbound for the border town of Nogales; Bienvenidos a Mexico! Our first campout will find you on the beautiful Pacific beach of San Carlos where white-washed houses with red-tile roofs form the backdrop to a snorkeling paradise. Don the mask and see for yourself the 500+ species of fish that share this beach along with an abundance of pelicans and dolphins! An overnight drive then takes us to El Fuerte, the mouth of the majestic Copper Canyon, from where you will board one of the most breathtaking train rides in all of North America! Balanced on the rim of this natural wonder, the mining town of Creel and its pine-covered mountains will be our base for the night. Reboarding the train, we''ll snake back to the Tortoise and head for San Blas and its tranquil beach, quaint main square, and the ruins of an old church perched on a hill overlooking the town. An optional jungle side-trip can also take you to a hidden freshwater artesian spring and swimming hole (watch out for the gators!)
Week Two: Snooze through the night as we transport you to the town of Guanajuato, where colonial architecture crowds the narrow hilly streets creating an aesthetically unique Mexico experience. Be sure to visit the mummy museum! Moving on to San Miguel de Allende, the artist and ex-patriot community give this town a flare all of its own. Wander the cobblestone streets past numerous churches and gardens, and you will quickly see how this norteamericano/mexicano coexistence has manifested in beautiful artistry and academics. To lovers of history, our next stop in the town of Dolores Hidalgo, may ring a bell - literally. What many argue to be the birthplace of Mexico, this town was home to Don Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico''s beloved priest, who was revered for waking up the entire community at dawn 200 years ago by ringing the bell in the parish church and initiating Mexico''s Independence movement. Hidalgo has since become a Mexican hero. After driver Josh''s Christmas surprise, we will then journey to Teotihuacan, ''the Place of the Gods!'' This holy city dates back to 200 b.c.e and is famous for its Temples of the Sun and Moon, and the mind-blowing vistas where pyramids meet wildflowers meet mountains. We will wrap up our second week in Oaxaca, a charming cosmopolitan city adorned in jacaranda trees, outdoor cafes, a colorful market and prestigious museums. A visit to the nearby ruins of Monte Alban is also well worth a short side-trip.
Week Three: Returning to the Pacific, we will spend the next couple of days and nights camping out on the beach under the stars and sun''s rays. It is here where we''ll bring in the New Year, south-of-the-border style! After a morning of recuperation on the first day of 2003, we then work our way to the Chiapas region with a stop at Canyon del Sumidero. Famous for its dramatically steep cliffs, this canyon is home to diverse wildlife from sea to sky that range from monkeys to hummingbirds to crocodiles and our favorite: turtles! San Cristobal del las Casas and surrounding Chiapas highland towns will be our next focus. The ethnic and religious pluralities within this area make for an intriguing cultural experience as indigenous women with babies tucked in colorful shawls share the plaza with western-attired mestizos. Colonial monuments, a colorful mercado, and traditional villages await your discovery. Venturing forth to the cascading waterfalls of Agua Azul, we will then indulge ourselves in the ultimate jungle experience! Our riverside camp will allow you to explore the river from the headwaters to the remote lower falls. In Palenque, be sure to walk through the jungle behind the excavated ruins as there are many undeveloped archeological sites yet to be explored. (Please take only photos and leave only footprints!) Misol Ha is a thundering waterfall into a crystal clear pool, where the local kids will show you a hidden cave behind the falls for a small tip!
Week Four: The last section of our expedition will inspire the archeologist inside of you if it hasn''t already done so! Calakmul, on the way to the Caribbean, are ruins which have only recently been discovered and are still well off the ''gringo'' trail. As many of the pyramids at this site are not yet excavated, this location is very inspiring. Be sure to hike to the top of the main pyramid for sunset, where you will be serenaded by monkeys, parrots and toucans as this magical day ends. We then journey to Majahual, a sleepy little town tucked on a remote Caribbean beach. Optional activities here range from scuba diving to fishing the turquoise seas. The bottomless sacred pools of Cenote Azul will be our next stop before an early morning arrival to the beachside ruins of Tulum. Watching the sun rise against temples and crashing waves will be well worth the effort and will also enable you to explore this coastal wonder before the crowds arrive. That night, we will camp out on the beach before an optional side trip to Coba, some lesser visited ruins nestled in the jungle, before ending this journey in Cancun.
Included: Approximately 70% of your meals are includedThere is an additional $151 food fund due 3 weeks before departure
Not Included: * The remaining balance and the additional $151 food fund is due 21 days before daparture* This sample itinerary is a general overview. We cannot guarantee any one destination or activity. Driver has authority to adjust it according to weather or any othe
|
| Tour Details |
| About
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
|
| FAQ's For
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
|
| Ask A Question |
| Tour Advice |
| Tour Category:
Adventure tours
|
| Fitness Required: n/a |
| You should bring: | | Camping Out: We will be camping out quite a bit on these trips and we do not provide tents. As such, we highly encourage people to bring a small, easy-to-assemble tent. Not only do they provide privacy and sanctuary when in the great outdoors, but also ca |
| |
| Company :
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
|
| Days: 28 |
| Departs :
San Francisco
|
|
Cheap Accommodation
|
|
|
|
|
| Budget Tours: North America
>
USA
>
San Francisco
|