AAVE's Summer Surf Camp in Mexico
Day 1:
You will be met upon arrival at the airport gate by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check, to assure that you are prepared for the diverse, demanding and remote regions we explore, we load up our custom vehicles and head off! During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained and the process of growing together as a group begins. We can stop to pick up some cheap guitars, tambourines, drums, and other instruments so we can jam around the campfire at night.
Day 2:
Morning fishing with the locals and in the afternoon the whole group enjoys cooking a typical Mexican beach BBQ with fresh fish. Overnight at our Quimixto beach surf camp.
Day 3:
We head into the mountains to the 17th century mining town of San Sebastian. After our 2 hour drive up the windy roads into the mountains, we pull into the San Sebastian Plaza and head straight for papeleria and general store of Maria Francisca Perez Hernandez to get a cool drink! Step back in time and stretch out your legs by visiting the town, including the Museo de Dona Conchita, and the restored 17th century church, dedicated to Saint Sebastian all in the center of town. As one of the oldest mining towns in Mexico, San Sebastian reached its glory in the 1700's during which time it was a highly prosperous Colonial town. It now remains as a living museum of how villagers lived and worked in a remote mountain town. We will have a typical taco lunch at Lupita's Taco Shop and then head to the spectacular lookout close to the top of the landmark mountain La Bufa (elevation about 8,400 ft.). We can park the van and then hike up over 1,000 ft. into the unexpectedly cool mountain air to the sweeping views that look down to the Pacific.
That night we are joined by experienced instructors on a unique "survival" skills experience near San Sebastian. Our goal is to use only what we find in nature and our imagination before spending the night sleeping in hammocks in the jungle.
Day 4:
This morning we head out to tour the ruins of "La Quiteria", the most famous local archeological mine site. About five miles from town, this mine was one of the main reasons that the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta was founded. The machinery, the bare walls, gaping processing pits, and great ore tailings are all that remain of a mine that produced millions in gold and silver before closing around 1930. After lunch we will meet with a traditional family, visit their home, watch them grind coffee beans and make homemade tortillas. We can even have a hand at tortilla making! We will visit one family who runs a coffee plantation and grows indigenous tangy-sweet arrayan and limas, an orange-lemon hybrid.
Day 5:
After breakfast, we pack up our van and head back to the coast! We have a 2 hour drive back to the coast and then a 3 hour drive to our next beach camp. We break for lunch en route and get to our campsite with time for beach games and a refreshing swim before making dinner together at camp. We overnight at our Boca de los Iguanas beach surf camp.
Day 6:
Surfing and boogie boarding in the morning, afternoon sea kayaking. Overnight at our Boca de los Iguanas beach surf camp.
Day 7:
Surfing and boogie boarding in the morning, lunch in town, kayak back to camp in the afternoon. Overnight at our Boca de los Iguanas beach surf camp.
Day 8:
Morning mangrove tour. Surfing and boogie boarding in the afternoon. Overnight at our Boca de los Iguanas beach surf camp.
Day 9:
Final Day Surf Competition and beach BBQ. Overnight at our Boca de los Iguanas beach surf camp.
Day 10:
Pack up, snorkeling and beach picnic at Chamela en route to our camp at Playa Mayto. Night hike to hot spring. Overnight at our Playa Mayto beach surf camp.
Days 11-12:
Sea Turtle Service Project: This coast on the Eastern Pacific, is one of the most important beach systems for nesting sea turtles in the world. Despite protection by Mexican law since 1986, human depredation of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), black (Chelonia agassizii) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles continues illegally in this area. Various governmental organizations and NGOs are working to restore populations in this region through the daily patrolling of nesting beaches during the reproductive season, and by locating nests and translocating eggs to incubate and hatch in protected hatcheries. Volunteer Options include: To patrol beaches on a nightly basis looking for nesting sea turtles. When found, turtles are measured, and checked for general health conditions. Nests are then collected and relocated and protected in hatcheries. Hatchery duties include monitoring for hatching baby turtles and releasing them into the ocean, as well as post hatching nest excavations to determine success rates.
Day 13:
We are up early to do our final camp clean up before heading northwards. We will arrive to El Eden mid-morning where we will spend the entire day enjoying the amazing ziplines and swimming holes of this paradisiacal water wonderland. We then head into town for our last night Farewell Fiesta.
Day 14:
Today we will get an early start and return to Puerto Vallerta, sharing our memories, and relishing our friendships and unforgettable experiences of the past 14 days.
Price Includes:
Two CPR and First Aid certified AAVE Trip Leaders, local Journey Mexico guide throughout; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and maid-staff for included meals and hotels (days 1 and 18).
Price Doesn't Include:
Flights to/from Puerto Vallarta; immigration card ($18 USD); optional gratuities, extra snacks, souvenirs, phone calls.
This itinerary is a sample outline of the program highlights. It is not a precise description. Changes made before or during the trip will only be made in the interest of safety or a more successful trip. This diverse itinerary is our framework for a summer of exhilaration and adventure. Get your mind and body set. Activities are planned using years of experience with your highest expectations in mind.
We appreciate the importance of this decision and want you to be as informed as possible! Please phone 800 222 3595 or email us with questions, to receive 2007 references or to make a reservation.
We look forward to having you join us!
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