The Ultimate 12 Day Veracruz Action Adventure

Note: This trip always starts on a Friday

Day 1: Arrive in the city of Veracruz
Your bilingual trip guide will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the Veracruz Airport. From there it is just a short 45 minute ride the small seaside town of Chachalacas. We will be staying at a local family-owned accommodations. Personalized service is the key as the owners also live there. Our accommodations is located a short walk from the sandy beaches of the Gulf of México. The rest of the day is free to explore the town and begin to acclimate to the slower-paced life here in Veracruz.

Day 2: ATV Sand Dunes Ride / Beach Time
After breakfast, it's time to hit the beach and the sand dunes on ATVs. The trip starts right from your accommodations. You will be riding alongside the ocean waves as you zoom down the beach before heading up into a maze of tall sand dunes. No prior experience is necessary as you will quickly learn how to operate your 4-wheel ATV. Lunch will be served near a meandering stream at a local family's house. There will be time to cool off in the stream. On a hot day, this really feels good. Next, there is more ATVing before you finally head back to the accommodations. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore, hang out at one of the many rustic open-aired restaurants by the beach, and enjoy small town Mexican life. (B.L,D)

Day 3: Whitewater River Rafting / Zipline Ride over the River
This morning we will head to the river rafting capital of Veracruz found in the town of Jalcomulco. After lunch, everyone will embark on an exciting whitewater river rafting trip (class 2-3 rapids). We work with a local family who runs a very professional rafting company. One of the brothers is the national kayaking champion for all of México. We will also have the thrill of flying over the river on a high speed zipline ride. Then it is back to our accommodations in Chachalacas. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Travel to the Mountainous Region of Veracruz / Big Outdoor Market Place
After breakfast, we pack up and move out towards the mountainous area of Veracruz. Our destination is the cobbled-street town of Coscomatepec which is found at 5000 feet elevation. Every Monday the whole town transforms into an outdoor market place. Everything from shoes to live animals are bought and bartered here. There will also be some great grilled foods for sampling. Most likely our group will be the only foreigners there so the locals will probably be watching us as much as we are observing them. We will spend the next 3 nights here at a big hacienda-looking hotel. Peace and tranquility rein as you relax on your own private balcony while marveling at the green rolling hills surrounding this hilltop retreat. Looking out from the front of the hotel is a great view of the entire town of Coscomatepec visible in the valley below. On the backside, the 18,500 foot snow-capped Pico de Orizaba pierces the sky. (B,D)

Day 5: Travel to the base camp of Pico de Orizaba / High Altitude Hike / Bike down 7000-10,000 feet
Today, we will experience a rugged 4-wheel drive adventure trip up an unpaved rocky/sandy trail road to the base camp of the 3rd tallest mountain in North America. This base camp for climbers is located at 14,500 feet. Our mountain guide will lead us on a short high altitude hike up the trail that starts toward the peak. After a "field lunch," we will have the option (extra fee) to bike down the mountain road. A dual suspension mountain bike, helmet, and gloves will be provided. Then it's back to our accommodations in Coscomatepec for a hearty meal. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Explore a huge Cavern / Hike / Rappel
Heading south, we will take some back roads to get to a gigantic cavern. With flashlights, we will explore a portion of it and hear how this cavern was and still is being used for ceremonial purposes. Then we will hike to see a spectacular waterfall. After lunch, we will rappel 90 feet down for an even greater view of the falls. Then once again, we will overnight in Coscomatepec.

Day 7: Travel to southern Veracruz / See a massive Waterfall / Temazcal Ritual
It's time to journey to the southern part of the state to the tropical lakeside town of Catemaco. On our way, we will stop to see the massive waterfall used in the movie, Apocalypto. It is impossible to get to close without getting sprayed. Think of it as the "Niagara Falls" of Veracruz. We will check in at accommodations near Lake Catemaco and in the evening, experience a Temazcal Ceremony. This is an ancient ritual that includes an igloo-shaped hut which becomes a sauna and a special cleansing mud covering your body. It will definitely be an experience to tell your friends back home! (B)

Day 8: Lake-River Kayak Trip / Swim under Jungle Waterfalls
Today we will travel around the lake to embark on a one hour scenic kayak trip down a slow-moving mountain stream which flows into Lake Catemaco. After stowing the kayaks, we continue our travels up a back road into the tropical hills to hike and swim in pools found under several beautiful waterfalls. Later, we will return to Catemaco and our accommodations. (B,L)

Day 9: Boat Ride to view Mangrove Trees / Explore the Gulf of México's Tropical Coastline / Beach Time
After breakfast, we will head to another lake which flows into the ocean. There we will take a boat ride to view the backwaters where tangled twisted roots of mangrove trees are found everywhere. Then we continue to the Gulf of México to explore some of the tiny coastal villages and to hang out on the semi-secluded beaches under the tropical sun. Here you can truly relax at one of the small palapa-style restaurants and take a dip in the ocean at your leisure. Optional activities may include an ocean boat ride to see a huge cave carved by the waves, thrilling high speed banana boat ride, and a horseback ride to explore small waterfalls nearby. Overnight in Catemaco. (B)

Day 10: Cempoala Archeological Site / Return to Chachalacas
We leave Catemaco and head north past the city of Veracruz to the archeological ruins of Cempoala. These ruins were once the capital of the Totonac people with an estimated population of more than 25,000. Most of the structures date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Later we return to the accommodations in Chachalacas for one night. (B)

Day 11: Snorkel Trip / Veracruz City Tour / Farewell Dinner
On our final day together, we will travel to the city of Veracruz and head out in a dive boat to snorkel over the beautiful coral reefs which are scattered everywhere and can be found just a short distance from the city shoreline. A large variety of underwater wildlife live among the 23 coral reefs and 350 ship wrecks found in the government protected Veracruz Coral Reef System National Park. In the afternoon, our guide will lead us on a city tour and explain some of the colorful history of this steamy tropical port city. After a farewell dinner, we will overnight at accommodations in the city. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Travel day home

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