Custom Big Bend Exploring and Hiking

Today is arrival day! You are to arrive in El Paso by 3 PM. An optional welcome dinner will be this evening. More details about meeting place and welcome dinner will be in pre-trip letter. Overnight: Hotel in El Paso

We start our trip at our El Paso hotel at 8am! Your guides will meet you at the hotel and after brief introductions the group will begin the journey east with a three-hour drive to Marfa- a former sleepy ranching town that has exploded onto the art scene. Before arriving in Marfa, we will stretch our legs with a short hike around the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. After our hike, we will drive the remaining 30 minutes to Marfa. We'll check into our lodging at the historic Hotel Paisano, chat about the trip, spend some free time exploring this unique town, share dinner downtown and maybe even spy the mysterious Marfa Lights. (B, L, D) Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center: 2.2 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 330ft Overnight: Hotel Paisano

We will spend the day exploring Marfa’s unique and interesting gallery scene. Marfa solidified into a modern art mecca in the 1970’s when minimalist artist, Donald Judd, purchased space in Marfa to turn desolate buildings into architecture projects and art exhibitions. Spend the day in galleries like Ballroom Marfa, which boasts works from visionary artists and thinkers, or visit Marfa Opens Arts, a non-profit community art center. Another option would be to spend the day in Davis Mountains State Park, a short drive away from Marfa. (B, L, D) Overnight: Hotel Paisano

Leaving Marfa, we'll depart for Big Bend Ranch State Park, stopping at the Fort Leaton ranger station before driving the scenic River Road along the Rio Grande. We will have the option to hike several shorter hikes around majestic hoodoos and in Closed Canyton. Hoodoos are naturally forming rock formations that rise high like spires from the ground. Before becoming a State Park, this area was home to mining and ranching operations. After our hike we will continue to Terlingua Ghost Town and settle into our homes in Lajitas for the next 2 nights. (B, L, D) Overnight: Lajitas Golf Resort

From yesterday's eagle-eye viewpoint we spied the Rio Grande and today we'll be paddling in it! We will have a full day paddle through one of the many amazing canyons in Big Bend National Park, depending on water levels and guide recommendations. Our local outfitter will provide instruction as well as natural history interpretation. We’ll return to Lajitas for a home cooked dinner. (B, L, D) Overnight: Lajitas Golf Resort

Today we move from our homes in Lajitas to Chisos Mountain Lodge, within the National Park. Our first stop is the National Park Visitor Center at Panther Junction. The Lost Mine Trail is a 4.8 mile out and back hike that provides an outstanding introduction to the flora and fauna of the Chisos Mountains, as well as showing us spectacular vistas of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert and out towards Mexico. Welcome to Big Bend! There will be alternative shorter hikes available. After our hike, we’ll move into our rooms and enjoy the scenery of the basin before meeting for dinner at the lodge. (B, L, D) Overnight: Chisos Mountain Lodge

After a hearty breakfast, we will continue exploring the Chisos Basin and hike the Window Trail, an out-and-back 5.6-mile route through Oak Creek Canyon. There will be alternative shorter hikes available. Tonight we will have our farewell dinner at the lodge, enjoying the scenery while eating a delicious Tex-Mex meal. (B, L, D) Overnight: Chisos Mountain Lodge

The trip may be ending but the journey isn't over! After a breakfast at the lodge we'll load up and drive two hours to Alpine, where we'll stop to stretch our legs before three more hours in the car brings us to El Paso. We’ll have our last picnic lunch together along the way. You can plan to fly out after 3:00 p.m. (B, L)