BajaVida
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Visit to San Francisco de la Sierra cave paintings
we are hoping the head there in March and want to take a mule tour for 3 days
most of what I have read says one needs to go to San Ignacio, get the permits and make arrangements there
can it be done without going all the way to SI?
any experiences/reports appreciated
thanks
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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Ken Bondy
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All of it can be arranged at the little base camp in the mountains near Cueva Raton. But San Ignacio is not too far south of the camp and Kuyima and
the other tour operators really make everything very easy for you.
carpe diem!
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dtbushpilot
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We went with Gary at Ignacio Springs B&B. He's a great host and we had a blast. Haven't tried the others but have no reason to after going with
Gary.
http://www.ignaciosprings.com
We're heading there tomorrow to share Thanksgivivg dinner with them. Gary and Terry are great folks and run a nice operation....dt
[Edited on 11-27-2008 by dtbushpilot]
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wilderone
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If you know a little Spanish, no reason to hook up with yet another guide. You need to go to San Ignacio because the INAH office is there, which will
issue your permit, and you will pay the photography fee as well. You will also be assigned a guide from the 3 or 4 ranchos out of San Francisco.
Then go to San Francisco, sign in, and your guide will come get you or you'll be told where to go. Then you meet up with your guide, make other
arrangements (regarding food, whether you're hiking or riding a mule, etc.), and then you're off. Plan on a day getting the permit, going back to San
Francisco and meeting the guides. Then camp out near the rancho, and head out in the morning. The rancho guides know all the cave painting spots
that you'll want to see, as well as the swimming holes. You'll need all your own camping gear and food in one piece of baggage per person (to tie
onto the mules), and take a water purifier. If you must have more baggage, then you'll have to pay for another mule. Also, consider contributing
something to the guides' meals - cup o'noodles, dried soups, dried fruit, canned beef.
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BajaVida
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I speak enough Spanish to get in trouble...
but it would be nice to drive directly to the trail head and purchasing the permits there and making arrangements at the same time
we would probably get to SI after INAH closes, we would have to wait until morning and backtrack
it would not be a problem were we not meeting up with our group in Bahia Asuncion on the way back
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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thebajarunner
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B.V. speaks perfect Spanish
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaVida
but it would be nice to drive directly to the trail head and purchasing the permits there and making arrangements at the same time
we would probably get to SI after INAH closes, we would have to wait until morning and backtrack
it would not be a problem were we not meeting up with our group in Bahia Asuncion on the way back |
It's his English that makes me nervous...
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biglar
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I went to San Francisco de la Sierra with Malarrimo Tours out of Guerrero Negro almost 7 years ago. We were well taken care of, with everything
supplied. Very nice people to work with - they may be able to streamline things for you.
Lar.
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Paula
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BajaVida, there is new info on your u2u.
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Paula
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
All of it can be arranged at the little base camp in the mountains near Cueva Raton. But San Ignacio is not too far south of the camp and Kuyima and
the other tour operators really make everything very easy for you. |
This is true if you are just driving up to see cueva del raton or las palmitas. If you are planning a mule ride or any overnight trip down in the
canyon, you have to pick up your permit in San Ignacio-- even if you have arranged for a guide without hep from the INAH office.
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wilderone
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You have to show picture IDs for your INAH permits, and pay the camera fee too. Going to Asuncion afterward is no problem. I went with a guide and
he collected our IDs and cash for INAH to "streamline" the process for a group, but required nevertheless. Also, our guide knew that we needed to
check in in San Francisco (ask around if the tiny office seems closed). You sign in a book there, and they walky-talky (or shortwave radio ?) the
ranchos. It would be an interesting experience to do on your own - you know what to do now. We camped in the middle of a road the night before we
met up with our rancho guide. There's a lot of hanging around at each step, so don't expect otherwise, and allow yourself time - as I mentioned, do
the permit, check-in, meet the guide one day, and plan to start out the next day. We didn't get on the trail until about 10:30 am, hiked the whole
way and got to the the first cave mural about 2:30 pm. We set up camp and went to another one about 4:30 - it was just dusk when we got back to camp.
You've heard about the spiders that come out at night, right?
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Ken Bondy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paula
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
All of it can be arranged at the little base camp in the mountains near Cueva Raton. But San Ignacio is not too far south of the camp and Kuyima and
the other tour operators really make everything very easy for you. |
This is true if you are just driving up to see cueva del raton or las palmitas. If you are planning a mule ride or any overnight trip down in the
canyon, you have to pick up your permit in San Ignacio-- even if you have arranged for a guide without hep from the INAH office.
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Thanks Paula. I didn't realize that. When we were there we just saw Cueva del Raton and did not do the mule trip.
carpe diem!
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BajaVida
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I have not heard about the spiders--do tell...
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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