Eco-Cultural trips among
Nayarit's Cora People
When: any time Length: Your visit can be customized for any length of time. Below we provide a 7-day trekking itinerary just to give you an idea of what can be chosen from Number of guests: Most trips require a minimum of 4 persons, with a maximum of 7 to 10. Fee: This depends entirely on the kind of tour we design for you. Howver, to give you a ballpark idea of costs, our 8-day, 7 night tour costs US $950. This fee includes all transport (including flights to the Sierra from Tepic), horses and pack animals, camping gear, meals, activities, and contributions to Cora communities.
About Nayarit Nayarit is home to a wide variety of tropical and temperate flora and fauna, including some 300 species of orchids, 400 bird species, and animals such as crocodiles, sea turtles, jaguar, and humpback whales. The human geography is equally diverse, with four indigenous groups and many local populations who maintain distinct customs. The region is full of ancient temples, petroglyphs, and other sites which date back thousand s of years. In the small rural towns and villages one finds stately colonial architecture, traditional artisans, and a tranquil provincial ambience. The Concept: My main interest is in anthropology, with a special focus on the Cora people, so this is what I can tell you most about. However I know this area very well and can also set you up for kayaking, hiking, snorkelling, horseback riding, rappelling, and wildlife observation. Below is a 7-day trekking itinerary to give you an idea of what can be done in my area: 
A 7-DAY TREKKING ITINERARYDay 2: Early morning departure from the Tepic airport. The flight to the Sierra in Cessna bush planes is quite a journey in itself, giving you a panorama of the rugged Sierra Madre Occidental. After landing in the village of Kuaymarutzi, we saddle up the horses to ride across the pretty, rolling countryside of the high mesa country. This area is ideal for walking or riding, with mixed prairie and pine forest. We camp at a Cora ranch at the edge of a huge canyon-- sunsets here are fantastic! Day 3: We spend most of this day exploring the rim of the San Pedro River canyon, a massive 2000 meter-deep barranca whose bottom is out of sight below. On clear days the Pacific Ocean is visible in the distance, and sometimes you can the Marías Islands over 200 kilometers away. At other times moist air from the ocean rises abruptly and condenses, bathing the canyon in mist. This fog has created a fascinating micro-environment. The encino trees along the rim are veritable botanical gardens, covered with dozens of species of bromeliads, moss, ferns, lichens, orchids, and fungii.
Day 5: In the morning a dramatic cliffside trail takes us down to the canyon floor, in a warm semi-desert climate. The trail follows a stream to Chuisete, a town of adobe houses and cobblestone streets which is also an important Cora ceremonial center. We'll visit the old Jesuit church (guarded by the mummified remains of a Cora ancestor) as well as local artisans who make woven and embroidered bags, huarache sandals, clay pipes, and other articles for daily and ritual use. In the afternoon we head out south of town, and camp along the Jesús María river. Day 6: We continue to follow the river canyon downstream, past small ranches and farms, stopping to admire rock formations and enjoy the better swimming holes. We gradually move into the territory of the Huichol Indians, who are neighbors and close cultural relatives of the Cora. In the evening we make camp at a Huichol ranch, and during the night a mara'akame (shaman) will demonstrate traditional curing techniques-you may receive a cure yourself if you wish. Day 7: On the final morning we arrive at Las Adjuntas, at the upper reaches of the Aguamilpa reservoir. A motor launch then takes us through the flooded Huaynamota River, beneath imposing cliffs. If we're lucky we can spot some of the big crocodiles (they reach over 15 feet in length) who lurk along the water's edge. After arriving at the giant Aguamilpa dam, we return by van to Tepic. |
Host:
Day 4: We travel through the forest and across the cordillera of the Sierra del Nayar, with many splendid views of the mountains. At the village of Cuaxata we stay at the Franciscan mission, which functions as a school and self-sufficient hostel for Cora children. With local Cora families you can learn to make tortillas or watch the women as they weave on backstrap looms. The nearby waterfalls are perfect for bathing, and walks through the forest take you to spectacular canyon views on all sides.
