Nahua Expeditions

Tzotzil with John Derting

11 Days | Chiapas, Mexico
April 24 - May 4
10 Spots max

Join us on an extraordinary journey deep into Mexico’s hidden jungle this summer! If you crave raw adventure and untamed wilderness, this is it. Our exclusive group expedition fosters opportunity to bond with fellow adventurers and explore one of the world’s most awe-inspiring regions.

Join us on an extraordinary journey deep into Mexico’s hidden jungle this summer! If you crave raw adventure and untamed wilderness, this is it. Our exclusive group expedition fosters opportunity to bond with fellow adventurers and explore one of the world’s most awe-inspiring regions.

Take a look at where we're going

Yes! All those shots are of the same canyon! There truly is no place like this out there.

Take a look at where we'll be going

Yes! All those shots are of the same canyon! There truly is no place like this out there.

Meet your hosts

John Derting
I don’t work full time as a night shift diesel mechanic anymore but I come from a very remote off grid upbringing and have many unique skillsets and stories to share. I enjoy exploring hidden ice caves during solo winter outings on back county skis and multi day off grid adventures. I like some calculated risk and not everything needs to be scheduled and planned. I appreciate randomness and even if its inconvenient sometimes the unplanned adventures are the best ones. I say have a plan but be ready to adapt.
John Derting
I don’t work full time as a night shift diesel mechanic anymore but I come from a very remote off grid upbringing and have many unique skillsets and stories to share. I enjoy exploring hidden ice caves during solo winter outings on back county skis and multi day off grid adventures. I like some calculated risk and not everything needs to be scheduled and planned. I appreciate randomness and even if its inconvenient sometimes the unplanned adventures are the best ones. I say have a plan but be ready to adapt.
Nahua Expeditions
Specialists in eco-conscious expeditions designed to help explorers venture to Mexico’s most isolated and remote regions. Our mission is to host responsible tourism alongside locals to engage them in protecting the regions they call home..
Nahua Expeditions
Specialists in eco-conscious expeditions designed to help explorers venture to Mexico’s most isolated and remote regions. Our mission is to host responsible tourism alongside locals to engage them in protecting the regions they call home..

QUICK DETAILS

  • Terrain

    We go from arid landscape to lush, humid jungle as we travel over sandy riverbeds, slick rocks, limestone caves, waterfalls, mud trails, dirt paths, and farms.

  • Price

    $4,950 USD / person.

  • Airport

    Angel Albino Corzo International Airport. Approximately 45 minute taxi to downtown Tuxtla Gutierrez.

  • Impact

    We operate on a 100% Leave No Trace policy. Everything we pack in, we pack out, and campsites are left how we found them.

  • Weather

    Our trips are scheduled throughout the dry season Feb - May to avoid heavy rains. We can expect average daily highs above 27c/82f and daily lows above 17c/63f.

  • Duration

    The total trip length is 11 days, (7 river days). Check out the itinerary below for a sneak peek of each day.

SKILL PREREQUISITES

Paddling Skill

Camping Experience

Physical Skill

Good Attitude!

ITINERARY

PERSONAL PACKING LIST

Lightweight is best. If you and someone in your group decide to share a tent, you’ll benefit from having less weight to carry, and more space amongst you in your packs.

The sleeping bags that work best for this trip are bags designed for summer months. These tend to be light and compact sleeping bags. Look specifically for bags that are categorized as “ultralight” or suitable for backpacking, as they can compress down to a minimal size. Sleeping bags that are rated for temperatures below 9c/48f might be excessive for this trip; however, individual preferences vary, so choose based on your comfort with nighttime temperatures. Avoid bulky sleeping bags so you can allocate more space for food and other gear in your pack.

Keep in mind we will be in and out of water everyday. Choose footwear that is comfortable while wet, and comfortable enough for the final hike out of the canyon. Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes are a great choice, and can be worn throughout the entire trip. Another good option are Solomon Trail Running Shoes. As we walk along the river, our shoes will get small rocks in them, so we recommend decent hiking socks or NRS Hydroskin 0.5 socks. You can also bring some sandals / slides for at camp. We don’t recommend rafting in sandals as you’ll need good traction and entire-foot protection while walking on and around rocks.

We will be getting wet every day while on the river. Water clothing during the day is best. Be sure to bring at least one long sleeve shirt and leggings / pants to protect against sunburn, and river safe sunscreen. We also recommend bringing a swim suit, lightweight rain jacket, light puffy jacket or fleece and dry clothes for camp / evenings. Merino wool is best for quick drying and smell resistant properties.

Our drinking water along the river will come from both natural springs and river water. You’ll need to bring a filtration system before being able to safely drink from water sources on this trip. There are an array of filtration systems on the market, but bringing a water bottle that doubles as a filter might be the best option for you. We recommend the LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Bottle – plastic version.

If you already own a filter such as a pump filter that attaches to your water bottle, that works great as well.

We avoid bringing squeeze bottle filters as they are susceptible to punctures and often have smaller filters attached. 

Any personal belongings left unprotected will get submerged and wet at some point on the river. Whether you want to have quick access to your camera gear, or snacks and sunscreen consider bringing a small < 12L  drybag which you can keep in between your legs while paddling.

We will be boiling water for meals two times per day–for breakfast and dinner. The best meal solution is backpacking meals. These are pre-made, freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that are prepared simply by adding water. Popular brands include Mountain House, Good To-Go Meals and Backpackers Pantry. We will spend 7 days on the river. We recommend bringing 2 meals per each day on the river.

Small, inflatable, compact and light pads are best. Sea to Summit and Therm-a-Rest are two brands we would recommend.

Our guides use the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow.

Like all nights out camping in the wild, a headlamp is a must. We recommend the Black Diamond Storm series headlamps.

We recommend bringing a long spoon or a long spork. The Sea to Summit Alpha Spork is a great utensil and is long enough to comfortably eat out of backpacking meal pouches! Depending on the food you plan on bringing into the canyon, you might also consider bringing a foldable knife (if you must bring a knife be sure to bring some tape to prevent it from accidentally opening while inside your pack).

This is an optional item. If you choose to bring one be sure to pick a lightweight option. We recommend the Helinox Chair Zero along with the Chair Zero Groundsheet to avoid having the chair legs sink into the sand.

We recommend bringing a small, lightweight and quickdrying towel. The REI Co-op Multi Towel Light is a good example, but anything similar or made with microfiber is a good bet. Look for towels that are marketed as “lightweight”, “quick-dry”, “ultralight” or “microfiber”.

We’ll be directly exposed to sunlight for most of the day during the expedition. Please be sure to bring sunscreen that has River Safe or Reef Safe, and Biodegradable properties. Products that meet this criteria are typically water-resistant, but be sure to double-check, as we’ll be in and out of the water consistently throughout the day.

If you choose to bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap of any kind, be sure to bring a biodegradable product. This will be a requirement if you plan on packing any soap related products onto the river. Products that meet this criteria are typically marketed as “outdoor”, “biodegradable”, “environmentally safe”, “plant based”, “eco friendly” or “organic”.

Although not perfect, the use of these biodegradable products helps minimize our impact and limit the introduction of harmful chemicals into the rivers and water bodies we’ll be traveling through. As a member of this group, one of your main goals will be to promote responsible outdoor ethics, and do your part to ensure that future generations can enjoy these environments.

Our commitment to leave no trace means whatever we pack in, we pack out, including any human waste we produce.

There are 2 things you’ll need: WAG Bags and a 4″+ diameter plastic cylindrical container with a lid. You might also consider bringing a Large Ziploc bag wrapped with duct tape to pack out feminine hygiene items and / or excess toilet paper.

Our waste management procedure in the canyon is as follows: We will poop and deposit our toilet paper into the Wag Bags. When finished, we will seal or tie up the bag and put it inside a container which we’ll pack out of the canyon.

An all in one solution is a product by Cleanwaste called Toilet In A Tube, and can can be found here. WAG Bags can be found here.

These are some awesome Leave no Trace resources we recommend checking out:

How to Poop (Almost) Anywhere with a “Wag Bag”

Take That Poop To Go: How To Use a Human Waste Bag

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Included

  • Guide Services
  • Fees and Permits
  • Transportation
  • Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
  • Canyon extraction with gear
  • Porter services
  • Cabin usage and service
  • Pack-raft, paddle, lifejacket, helmet & 65L drybag
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Camping stoves, gas and pots for boiling water
  • Luggage storage during the expedition

Not Included

  • Airfare to and from destination
  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
  • Personal gear (included in Personal Packing List)
  • Backpacking food (meals on the river)

GETTING THERE

To Mexico

Most travelers coming from abroad will need to take a connecting flight at either Mexico City International Airport or Guadalajara International Airport before landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Your final destination Airport is Angel Albino Corzo International Airport. Flight times from Mexico City to Tuxtla are around 1.5 hours and times from Guadalajara to Tuxtla are around 2 hours. 

Landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas

Angel Albino Corzo International Airport is located 32km/20mi (approx. a 35min drive) to downtown Tuxtla Gutierrez, where our group will meet at hotel and attend orientation.

Arriving at your hotel

We highly recommend landing at least a day prior to the start date of the expedition in case of any travel delays or unforeseeable circumstances. You can easily find clean and reliable airport taxis upon arrival outside the airport. They typically charge no more than $15 USD to take you anywhere in Tuxtla. Hotel and restaurant recommendations will be made if you are landing prior to the expedition.

QUICK DETAILS

  • Terrain

    We go from arid landscape to lush, humid jungle as we travel over sandy riverbeds, slick rocks, limestone caves, waterfalls, mud trails, dirt paths, and farms.

  • Airport

    Angel Albino Corzo International Airport. Approximately 45 minute taxi to downtown Tuxtla Gutierrez.

  • Impact

    We operate on a 100% Leave No Trace policy. Everything we pack in, we pack out, and campsites are left how we found them.

  • Weather

    Our trips are scheduled throughout the dry season Feb - May to avoid heavy rains. We can expect average daily highs above 27c/82f and daily lows above 17c/63f.

  • Duration

    The total trip length is 11 days, (7 river days). Check out the itinerary below for a sneak peek of each day.

  • Price

    $4,950 USD / person

SKILL PREREQUISITES

Paddling Skill

Camping Experience

Physical Skill

Good Attitude!

ITINERARY

PERSONAL PACKING LIST

Lightweight is best. If you and someone in your group decide to share a tent, you’ll benefit from having less weight to carry, and more space amongst you in your packs.

The sleeping bags that work best for this trip are bags designed for summer months. These tend to be light and compact sleeping bags. Look specifically for bags that are categorized as “ultralight” or suitable for backpacking, as they can compress down to a minimal size. Sleeping bags that are rated for temperatures below 9c/48f might be excessive for this trip; however, individual preferences vary, so choose based on your comfort with nighttime temperatures. Avoid bulky sleeping bags so you can allocate more space for food and other gear in your pack.

Keep in mind we will be in and out of water everyday. Choose footwear that is comfortable while wet, and comfortable enough for the final hike out of the canyon. Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes are a great choice, and can be worn throughout the entire trip. Another good option are Solomon Trail Running Shoes. As we walk along the river, our shoes will get small rocks in them, so we recommend decent hiking socks or NRS Hydroskin 0.5 socks. You can also bring some sandals / slides for at camp. We don’t recommend rafting in sandals as you’ll need good traction and entire-foot protection while walking on and around rocks.

We will be getting wet every day while on the river. Water clothing during the day is best. Be sure to bring at least one long sleeve shirt and leggings / pants to protect against sunburn, and river safe sunscreen. We also recommend bringing a swim suit, lightweight rain jacket, light puffy jacket or fleece and dry clothes for camp / evenings. Merino wool is best for quick drying and smell resistant properties.

Our drinking water along the river will come from both natural springs and river water. You’ll need to bring a filtration system before being able to safely drink from water sources on this trip. There are an array of filtration systems on the market, but bringing a water bottle that doubles as a filter might be the best option for you. We recommend the LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Bottle – plastic version.

If you already own a filter such as a pump filter that attaches to your water bottle, that works great as well.

We avoid bringing squeeze bottle filters as they are susceptible to punctures and often have smaller filters attached. 

Any personal belongings left unprotected will get submerged and wet at some point on the river. Whether you want to have quick access to your camera gear, or snacks and sunscreen consider bringing a small < 12L  drybag which you can keep in between your legs while paddling.

We recommend bringing a small, lightweight and quickdrying towel. The REI Co-op Multi Towel Light is a good example, but anything similar or made with microfiber is a good bet. Look for towels that are marketed as “lightweight”, “quick-dry”, “ultralight” or “microfiber”.

We’ll be directly exposed to sunlight for most of the day during the expedition. Please be sure to bring sunscreen that has River Safe or Reef Safe, and Biodegradable properties. Products that meet this criteria are typically water-resistant, but be sure to double-check, as we’ll be in and out of the water consistently throughout the day.

We will be boiling water for meals two times per day–for breakfast and dinner. The best meal solution is backpacking meals. These are pre-made, freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that are prepared simply by adding water. Popular brands include Mountain House, Good To-Go Meals and Backpackers Pantry. We will spend 7 days on the river. We recommend bringing 2 meals per each day on the river.

Small, inflatable, compact and light pads are best. Sea to Summit and Therm-a-Rest are two brands we would recommend.

Our guides use the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow.

Like all nights out camping in the wild, a headlamp is a must. We recommend the Black Diamond Storm series headlamps.

We recommend bringing a long spoon or a long spork. The Sea to Summit Alpha Spork is a great utensil and is long enough to comfortably eat out of backpacking meal pouches! Depending on the food you plan on bringing into the canyon, you might also consider bringing a foldable knife (if you must bring a knife be sure to bring some tape to prevent it from accidentally opening while inside your pack).

This is an optional item. If you choose to bring one be sure to pick a lightweight option. We recommend the Helinox Chair Zero along with the Chair Zero Groundsheet to avoid having the chair legs sink into the sand.

If you choose to bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap of any kind, be sure to bring a biodegradable product. This will be a requirement if you plan on packing any soap related products onto the river. Products that meet this criteria are typically marketed as “outdoor”, “biodegradable”, “environmentally safe”, “plant based”, “eco friendly” or “organic”.

Although not perfect, the use of these biodegradable products helps minimize our impact and limit the introduction of harmful chemicals into the rivers and water bodies we’ll be traveling through. As a member of this group, one of your main goals will be to promote responsible outdoor ethics, and do your part to ensure that future generations can enjoy these environments.

Our commitment to leave no trace means whatever we pack in, we pack out, including any human waste we produce.

There are 2 things you’ll need: WAG Bags and a 4″+ diameter plastic cylindrical container with a lid. You might also consider bringing a Large Ziploc bag wrapped with duct tape to pack out feminine hygiene items and / or excess toilet paper.

Our waste management procedure in the canyon is as follows: We will poop and deposit our toilet paper into the Wag Bags. When finished, we will seal or tie up the bag and put it inside a container which we’ll pack out of the canyon.

An all in one solution is a product by Cleanwaste called Toilet In A Tube, and can can be found here. WAG Bags can be found here.

These are some awesome Leave no Trace resources we recommend checking out:

How to Poop (Almost) Anywhere with a “Wag Bag”

Take That Poop To Go: How To Use a Human Waste Bag

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Included

  • Guide Services
  • Fees and Permits
  • Transportation
  • Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
  • Canyon extraction with gear
  • Porter services
  • Cabin usage and service
  • Pack-raft, paddle, lifejacket, helmet & 65L drybag
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Camping stoves, gas and pots for boiling water
  • Luggage storage during the expedition

Not Included

  • Airfare to and from destination
  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
  • Personal gear (included in Personal Packing List)
  • Backpacking food (meals on the river)

GETTING THERE

To Mexico

Most travelers coming from abroad will need to take a connecting flight at either Mexico City International Airport or Guadalajara International Airport before landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Your final destination Airport is Angel Albino Corzo International Airport. Flight times from Mexico City to Tuxtla are around 1.5 hours and times from Guadalajara to Tuxtla are around 2 hours. 

Landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas

Angel Albino Corzo International Airport is located 32km/20mi (approx. a 35min drive) to downtown Tuxtla Gutierrez, where our group will meet at hotel and attend orientation.

Arriving at your hotel

We highly recommend landing at least a day prior to the start date of the expedition in case of any travel delays or unforeseeable circumstances. You can easily find clean and reliable airport taxis upon arrival outside the airport. They typically charge no more than $15 USD to take you anywhere in Tuxtla. Hotel and restaurant recommendations will be made if you are landing prior to the expedition.

SKILL PREREQUISITES

Paddling Skill

Camping Experience

Physical Skill

Good Attitude!

GETTING THERE

To Mexico

Most travelers coming from abroad will need to take a connecting flight at either Mexico City International Airport or Guadalajara International Airport before landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Your final destination Airport is Angel Albino Corzo International Airport. Flight times from Mexico City to Tuxtla are around 1.5 hours and times from Guadalajara to Tuxtla are around 2 hours. 

Landing in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas

Angel Albino Corzo International Airport is located 32km/20mi (approx. a 35min drive) to downtown Tuxtla Gutierrez, where our group will meet at hotel and attend orientation.

Arriving at your hotel

We highly recommend landing at least a day prior to the start date of the expedition in case of any travel delays or unforeseeable circumstances. You can easily find clean and reliable airport taxis upon arrival outside the airport. They typically charge no more than $15 USD to take you anywhere in Tuxtla. Hotel and restaurant recommendations will be made if you are landing prior to the expedition.

Majestic heights

It's really real.

This trip is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The feeling of venturing through this space is difficult to put into words. We will get to float through some of the most wild, beautiful, untouched and remote jungle in North America. The canyon itself is difficult to access due to remoteness and lack of human contact, so to experience the entirety of the river a lightweight, inflatable kayak known as a pack-raft is necessary. Pack-rafting is a relatively new sport, and because of this there are places out there that have been able to remain hidden and untouched. 

No experience needed

The canyon provides you with the perfect progression of difficulty, allowing you to develop your paddling skills in a fun and engaging way. People with absolutely no paddling experience have done this trip, and by the end they consistently have a better time than everyone else. A good attitude comes above any physical skill on this trip!

DIY Journey

This is a DIY journey! Meaning you will be required to carry your own raft with your own gear; you will be responsible for setting up and taking down your own camp; cooking your own meals on the river, and packing your own gear to and from the canyon. To exit the canyon you will be required to ascend a 25m rappel. Proper climbing gear and instructions will be provided.

Pueblo Mágico

Our group will spend two days together exploring the beautiful boutique colonial town of San Cristóbal. Known as one of Mexico's "magical towns" here, we'll get a flavor for some of the country's best cuisine and profound cultural heritage. We'll explore the vibrant streets along with lively travellers from all across the world, and learn about Mayan culture with a local host. Bustling markets, ancient arts, some of the highest quality coffee in the Americas, and rich traditional dishes are some of what we'll experience in San Cristóbal.

Growth

"I’m actually venturing into the sport of pack rafting as I have recently had the pleasure of taking a trip to try it out in New Zealand. It can sometimes gain me access to areas that are almost impossible to get to any other way. I think learning the sport in a warm environment is ideal as the cold glacier waters in Alaska can really catch you off-guard without a dry suit. I’m still very new to the sport and excited to learn more." - John

 

Connect

This 11 day experience will challenge you, introduce you to like-minded adventurers, and leave you with memories of a lost jungle that feels totally and absolutely unreal. Along the way, you'll forge deep connections with new friends who share your passion for pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown. 

Growth

"I’m actually venturing into the sport of pack rafting as I have recently had the pleasure of taking a trip to try it out in New Zealand. It can sometimes gain me access to areas that are almost impossible to get to any other way. I think learning the sport in a warm environment is ideal as the cold glacier waters in Alaska can really catch you off-guard without a dry suit. I’m still very new to the sport and excited to learn more." - John

Connect

This 11 day experience will challenge you, introduce you to like-minded adventurers, and leave you with memories of a lost jungle that feels totally and absolutely unreal. Along the way, you'll forge deep connections with new friends who share your passion for pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown.