Land of the Seri
Offered exclusively to Museum members! Membership information can be found in the FEE section below.
ITINERARY
Day 1 TUCSON TO KINO BAY
After our border crossing, we break in Magdalena de Kino before continuing to Santa Ana for lunch. Drive through a region of small agrarian pueblos and visit a traditional orchard before lunch in the town of Santa Ana. We arrive to Kino Bay in the late afternoon to check into the Playa Hotel located on a beautiful beach. After check-in, we’ll enjoy a hosted soiree followed by dinner. L, D
Day 2 SAND, SURF and CARDONS
This morning we explore a patch of desert that has a remarkable stand of giant cardons. Afterwards, we stop by the Prescott College Field Research Station in Kino Nuevo to learn about their programs in marine science, climate studies and community-based conservation. In the afternoon we have an introduction to the Seris themselves with a visit to the Seri Museum at Kino Nuevo. At the end the day we enjoy a seafood extravaganza along the Sea of Cortes B, L, D
Day 3 PUNTA CHUECA
This morning we make the short trip to Punta Chueca to meet the Seri people. Our first activity will be a visit to Isla Tiburón by panga boat to explore mangroves, shell middens and observe Seri ceremonial traditions. We return to the mainland for lunch and to shop Seri crafts such as intricate basket weavings, authentic ironwood carvings or simple jewelry made from shells and other natural materials. A detour to a beautiful stretch of coastal thornscrub allows us to learn about the important plants utilized by the Seri. Pizza party at the hotel. B, L, D
Day 4 KINO BAY FREE DAY
Today is dedicated to enjoying free time at our beautiful property and beach. In the afternoon, visit the estuary Laguna de la Cruz for birdwatching before another delightful seafood dinner. B, L, D
Day 5 KINO BAY TO TUCSON
We end our travels and head to Hermosillo, then have lunch in Santa Ana followed by the border crossing and home. B, L
YOUR LEADERS
Jesús García is a Cultural Conservation Research Associate at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Jesús was born and raised in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, México. As a young man he moved to Tucson and earned a bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Arizona. He began his career with ASDM in 1991 and has taught natural history and cultural programs throughout southern Arizona and northern Sonora. His many interests include conservation biology, art, cultural ecology, regional languages, music, and gardening. Jesús is a master storyteller and an expert at identifying plant and animal species, describing their preferred growing or breeding habits and explaining their environmental connections to one another and to us.
Stephen Bernier, Travel Director, runs tour logistics and is owner of South of the Border Tours. Stephen has organized and produced tours throughout the American Southwest and Mexico since 1993 that include the University of Arizona Elderhostel/Road Scholar Program, Arizona Historical Society, Scottsdale Sister City, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tohono Chul, Portland Art Museum, Heard Museum Guild, Tucson Museum of Art, as well as various other museums and universities. Stephen is also a volunteer with Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists.
INCLUDED SERVICES
Transportation by luxury motor coach, 4 nights in Bahia Kino, meals as listed on the itinerary, guides, entrance, and admission fees.
MEETING PLACE
We will meet and leave cars at the Museum.
BORDER CROSSING
You will need a valid passport book to take this trip. Your passport book must be valid for at least 6 months after our travel dates.
MEXICO TRAVEL
The U.S. State Department has Travel Advisories for some of the areas we will visit or travel through. You may review the most up-to-date status of different areas within Mexico at this link. Our tour operator, South of the Border Tours, has established a record of safety and quality during their 30+ years of running tours throughout Mexico and keeps in close communication with partners at each location to which we travel.
GROUP SIZE
Tour is limited to 24 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Guests must be able to walk unassisted at a moderate pace, which can include a minimum of one-half mile over varied terrain. The tour is considered suitable for those that can spend much, if not the entire day, out and about exploring. Please contact Debby Bernier (email shown at end) prior to registering should you have physical limitation concerns.
FEES
This special travel opportunity is offered exclusively to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum members. If you currently are not a member, but would like to join us, you may do so by following this link. The tour price is $1880, and the single supplement is an additional $300.
ROOMING
The listed price is for double occupancy. For those with no traveling companion, we will attempt to make a roommate match. However, if one cannot be found, then a single supplement will need to be paid.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be in writing or email. Our policy is as follows: Cancellations made 60 days prior to departure will result in refunded payments less a $200 per person handling fee. Cancellations made 59-31 days prior to departure will result in a 50% forfeiture of payment. Cancellations made 30 days or less prior to departure are non-refundable.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend travel insurance. You are welcome to choose any travel insurance company; however, Allianz Travel Insurance is our preferred company. Please visit their website to review all policies that are available: www.allianztravelinsurance.com. Insurance should be purchased within 14 days of paying your tour deposit. By doing so, you will have the best coverage options to choose from. Should you sign up with them, please use our ACCAM number, which is FO29755.
TOUR ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
We reserve the right to change components, substitute hotels or alter the itinerary, and to make any other changes deemed necessary to carry out and maintain the quality and safety of the tour in good faith to the participants. In the case of civil unrest, acts of God, situations known as force majeure, we may cancel or postpone a trip.
QUESTIONS
This trip is jointly run by South of the Border Tours and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Should you have any questions about the itinerary or logistics, please contact Debby Bernier, Office Manager at 520-760-4000 or at southofthebordertours@msn.com. For questions about payment, please contact the Reservations Coordinator at 520-883-3025 or at education@desertmuseum.org.
