The Big Bend region of Texas is untouched, under-touristed, and just a little bit funky. This trip brings you into the heart of the region with hiking in Big Bend Rand State Park and Big Bend National Park (which border each other), paddling along the Rio Grande, a trek up into the Chisos Mountains- a trail that Backpacker Magazines includes in their ‘100 Best Miles of Hiking in the US’, and a half-day visit to the tiny, isolated town of Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico. You will experience the eclectic style of West Texas people, nature, and history. We will spend a night in luxury tipis and look for the unexplained Marfa Lights, learn about the ranching history of Texas, and paddle through the dramatic Santa Elena Canyon beneath 1000-foot cliffs on the Mexico side of the Rio Grande. This desert that on first glance seems so lifeless is filled with hardy vegetation and a myriad of desert creatures. We’ll spend a day hiking up into the Chisos Mountains and from the south rim we will gaze into Mexico and look forward to soaking our tired feet in the natural hot springs right near the border. We’ll even cross the border into the tiny Mexican town of Boquillas for the world’s best tamales and sotol. We think the Big Bend Region is a world set apart and suspect you will too. This late winter destination is one of the few places in the US where outdoor activities are encouraged in February. We agree with the the folks in the Big Bend region- “West Texas is the Best Texas!”
Highlights
- Experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Big Bend National Park on foot
- Paddling along the Rio Grande River and admiring the the natural border between Mexico and the United States
- Visiting one of the many natural hot springs in the area
- Visiting the Mexican town of Boquillas and the local artisans
- Hiking in the Chisos Mountains along the South Rim Trail
- Star gazing in the desert darkness
Departures and Prices
| February 22 to February 28, 2020 |
| $2195.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Six nights lodging in lodges, bunkhouse and the teepee!
- All meals from dinner the first night through lunch on the last day, with the exception of one lunch and one dinner. We will go out to restaurants for a most meals and the guides will cook for a few meals.
- Round-trip transportation from El Paso to the Park
- Park entry fees
Not included: Travel to and from El Paso, one lunch, one dinner, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities and travel insurance
Details
This trip is designed for women who enjoy hiking in the mountains and desert surrounded by breathtaking scenery. We will be hiking 6 - 10 miles a day in hilly terrain with steep ascents and descents, along rocky and uneven terrain. Previous hiking experience is extremely useful, as is having a sense of adventure and a good level of physical fitness. A rating of 4 requires aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week. Additional endurance exercise (e.g. going for a 2-hour hike once a week) and/or strength training is appropriate. Rating: 1 2 3 [4] 5.
This trip combines hiking with an immersion into the uniqueness of this fascinating area - there is no better way to understand the this park than by foot and from a kayak. Some of the hikes are quite challenging in terms of length and elevation gain, and it is an excellent trip for fit intermediate and experienced hikers who like hikes of intermediate or longer length.
The lodging on this trip will vary as much as the landscape. The accommodations will include a historic hotel, a bunk house, luxury tipis (they really are lovely) and a National Park lodge. All but the bunkhouse will be 2-bed rooms. Most will have en suite bathrooms although the tipis and bunkhouse will have a nearby shared bathhouse. There is an option at an additional cost to get a single room at some of the lodges. There is not a single supplement available for the entire trip. You can select this option at registration.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
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- Where do we eat?
Most meal breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants where you can order off the menu. Lunches will either be packed lunches (guides will put out lunch fixings in the morning) or picnic style. Some dinners will be prepared by the guides. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-intolerant although we can not guarantee a completely gluten-free diet, if we know well in advance. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you’re vegan, you may want to bring some additional protein bars. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
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