Trekking
in Mexico
Includes White Water Rafting
Mexico City, once
known as Tenochtiylan, was the capital of the Aztec Empire for nearly 200
years until the Spanish conquest in 1519, when it was captured by Captain
Hernan Cortez. Many of its pyramids and Aztec remains still stand, but much
was destroyed by the Spanish armies.
East of Mexico City is the town of Puebla situated high up with views of the
surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Your trekking and white water rafting adventure begins here in the town of
Puebla, in the shadow of Pico de Orizaba. At 5,700m it is Mexico's highest
mountain and the third highest mountain in North America. Your first
challenge involves crossing over a high pass 4,000 meters above sea level,
and continues through steep canyons, green valleys and local Indian
villages, ending at your campsite by some hot springs.
You’ll visit the colonial city
of Coatepec which sits in a valley surrounded by coffee plantations. The
city streets are lined with exquisite colonial homes, with richly decorated
balconies.
In total, you will travel over 250kms by foot and by raft as you make your
way towards the Gulf of Mexico. En route you will trek across the Mexican
sierra, along hidden trails and through pine forests, before an exhilarating
rafting journey along the white waters of the Antigua River, through a steep
canyon surrounded by cloud forest and tropical rainforest, cacti, mango
plantations and exotic fauna. Finally, you will trek to the village of
Xocilapa and onto the Cotlamani plateau.
You will have the chance to relax the Aztec way - in bamboo and mud igloos -
inhaling the recuperative vapours of aromatic grasses, warmed by spring
water thrown on to volcanic stones. Indulge your spirit of adventure and
challenge yourself to the experience of real Mexico.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
International Departure
Fly from Sydney Airport to Los
Angeles and from there to Mexico City. You will be crossing the Dateline so
gaining a day. On arrival at Mexico City Airport, you will be met and
transferred to the town of Puebla by bus. You will stay overnight in a three
star hotel and receive a full briefing for the weeks challenge ahead.
Day 2: Puerto Nacional to Atotonilco
Breakfast. Transfer to
Tlachichuca village. We stop for the Team Leader to purchase goods for the
all trekking. The trek starts at 3200m from the small village of Puerto
Nacional. We reach 4000m exactly in front of the majestic Pico de Orizaba
volcano. Lunch. We descend to 2800m and up again to 3200m at El Jacal. We
stop for the night at 2400m at Atotonilco village. Dinner and camp at Hot
springs pools.
Day 3: Xacaxomulco
Village
Today we need a lot of strength
to reach Xacaxomulco village situated on top of a steep hill. We carry on to
Chichicuila. The vegetation changes into tropical and we leave pine bushes
behind us. We continue to Col. Guadalupe in a steep canyon. Camp and dinner.
Day 4: Jesus Maria
Breakfast. Today the trekking is
outstanding for the magical views and original villages. We pass El Triunfo
to S. Martin and reach Jesus Maria for the camp. Dinner.
Day 5: Barranca Grande
Trekking to Barranca Grande, a
village situated by Pescados river. Transfer to selvAzul lodges. Afternoon
rest. Dinner.
Day 6: White Water Raft the Antigua River
Breakfast. We'll get a chance to
sleep in a bit this morning (though you may not want to miss a moment of the
fun). Later we'll climb into the rafts directly outside the lodge to begin
rafting the Antigua section of the Antigua River. This is a beautiful Class
III section that flows alongside tropical mango and citrus plantations.
We'll raft about three hours, depending on water levels. Our bus will be
waiting for us at the take-out for the 30- to 45-minute shuttle ride back to
selvAzul. Lodges and dinner.
Day 7: White Water Raft
the Antigua River
Today we raft down the Class III
technical waters of the Pescados section of the Antigua River, deep in
canyon scenery, navigating rapids like the "White Witch" and the infamous
"Cave". This is a typical "pool and drop" river and passes through a huge
canyon. Along the river we will see fisherman catching acamayas in
traditional woven baskets. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will travel by local
bus to visit a Coatepec colonial city which sits in a valley surrounded by
coffee plantations (half-hour drive). This colonial-era town was at its
prime in the 18th century when it was a stopover for caravans between Mexico
City and Veracruz. Its streets are lined with some exquisite colonial-era
homes, with balconies hanging over most sidewalks.
Day 8: Cotlamani Trek
Breakfast. Cotlamani is a
fascinating and spectacular hiking adventure. Followed by cargo mules
through a mango tree path, our first stop is at the lookout at the foot of
the canyon in the San Francisco reserve.
Starting directly from selvAzul base camp, we follow a narrow canyon, a two
to three-hour hike to Cinacatla Canyon crossing a small ravine and passing
under huge mango trees and typical tropical vegetation into San Francisco
Canyon. Lunch. We then descend to the magical village of Xocilapa and then
on to the Cotlamani plateau, known as the Totonaca's Mictlan cemetery, where
we will set up camp. Dinner.
Day 9: "La Gotera"
Breakfast. Return to selvAzul
base camp. On the way, we stop to relax nearby natural pools "La Gotera".
Lunch. Resting in hammocks. At night pre-Hispanic sauna (Temazcal) steam
bath where you can relax your tired body and try to cleanse your soul (as
tradition has it). The participants enter into an igloo made of mud. Burning
volcanic stones are introduced and sprinkled with herbal water. Dinner and
lodges.
Day 10: International
Departure
Transfer to Mexico City. Fly
back to Australia - Cross the Dateline so loosing a day
Day 11: Arrive Home
Arrive back in the Australia
N.B. The itinerary is there as a
guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements,
the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the
set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute
changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your Team Leader will
have the final say.
info & booking
