Tzotzil Experience the unbelievable with Chelsea Kauai
11 Days | Chiapas, Mexico
March 27 - April 6
9 Spots max
Together with Chelsea, we’ve created an experience where curiosity, mindfulness and appreciation meet everything nature has to offer in a unique pack-rafting adventure to Mexico’s most secret and majestic jungle. Join us on an unforgettable, human-powered expedition with Chelsea in the spring of 2023!
ChelseaKauai
As someone who seeks out and curates transformational experiences around the world this particular expedition has been on my bucket list for years! I am so excited for us to experience this together. No service. EPIC views. Stepping up to the challenge. Deep presence. These are the things I live for.
ChelseaKauai
As someone who seeks out and curates transformational experiences around the world this particular expedition has been on my bucket list for years! I am so excited for us to experience this together. No service. EPIC views. Stepping up to the challenge. Deep presence. These are the things I live for.
Nahua Expeditions
Specialists in eco-conscious, pack-rafting expeditions 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 these spectacular rivers.
Nahua Expeditions
Specialists in eco-conscious, pack-rafting expeditions 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 these spectacular rivers.
Take a look at where we're going
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.
Yes! All those shots are of the same canyon! There truly is no place like this out there.
QUICK DETAILS
SKILL PREREQUISITES
ITINERARY
Orientation Day – Tuxtla Gutierrez
Upon arrival in Tuxtla Gutierrez at Hotel, reception staff will assist you with an easy check-in. At our orientation briefing enjoy a warm welcome by our guides and meet fellow travelers. Enjoy a group dinner at Restaurante Las Pichanchas before spending the night in preparation for a morning shuttle the next day to breakfast and then to the river entry point!
Canyon Entry
8:00 am transport to breakfast. Here we will enjoy our last meal before entering the river. Extra bags will be left in secure storage at hotel. After breakfast, the shuttle van will take to a small village where we will begin our 6.5km/4mi hike up and into the canyon! Once we reach the river, we will set up and rig our rafts. Camp is just a short paddle downstream. We’ll enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing and playing in a spectacular waterfall.
Full float
9:00 am camp departure. Today we will have our easiest paddle day, and a perfect introduction to the rivers class II rapids. We’ll float past springs with increased vegetation along the way. The walls begin to reach heights of 200+ as we venture further into the canyon. Our group will stop for lunch at a spring shortly before encountering our first team-building obstacles. At roughly 3:00 pm we will reach our campsite and take the afternoon to relax.
To Island Camp
We will start off at 9:00 am and casually float past springs with increased vegetation along the way. The walls begin to reach heights of 200+ meters as we progress to Class II rapids, finishing off with a portage in the afternoon. At around 2:00 pm we will reach Island Camp and enjoy a scenic campsite, surrounded by breathtaking views up and down stream.
The Castle
7:30 AM Camp departure. Today we’ll begin to experience otherworldly scenes. The river will also put our paddling skills to the test, we’ll work as a team to complete a portage, stop for lunch at an incredible location beneath the tallest wall of the canyon, and then paddle onward to our campsite of the day: The Castle!
Cave Exploration
Our easiest and shortest day on the river also happens to be our caving day. After some fun rapids we stop for lunch at the catchment of a dry wash. We hike up for about 20 minutes to the entrance to one of the regions most impressive karst systems. Be sure to bring sufficient batteries for your headlamp, you definitely don’t want to miss out! Inside the cave we also get to see old pottery left by ancient Mayan civilizations as offerings to their gods. We’ll enjoy a unique campsite set up at the entrance of this cave.
El Derrumbe
After packing up camp we take a short float down to a large landslide along the river known as “El Derrumbe”. This is our largest and last portage of the trip. The reward that comes after is difficult to put into words. At this point your jaws have dropped and minds have been blown, but today you will start to question reality. We will float past what few people have had the privilege of experiencing. And to top it off; we finish the day camping underneath the worlds tallest natural arch.
Hike Out
We begin our ascent out of the canyon by rappelling up a 20 meter wall to a small platform where we will re-fuel with fruit and snacks before our hike to the nearest village. The hike is roughly 3 hours, with the first 45minutes being the steepest and most challenging (be sure to read the Shoes – Sandals tab in the Personal Packing List below). The solidity of the mud on this trail depends on the weather, so conditions can vary. A good attitude comes above any physical ability on this trip. Once we reach the village we will each be assigned a cabin before taking a short walk to a local family’s house, where we are treated with a traditional home-made meal. A true culinary experience.
Jungle to San Cristobal
This day starts off with breakfast at a local family’s home before taking a pickup truck to the nearest city, approximately 45 minutes away. There we’ll board a private shuttle van that will take us to the boutique colonial town of San Cristobal. The drive is around 2 hours. Upon arrival we’ll check in to a beautiful and newly built private rental house known as Casa Carmen, hosted by “Los Abuelitos”. Once everyone gets cleaned up and settled into their rooms, we’ll go for a delicious lunch at one of the many incredible restaurants San Cristobal has to offer. The rest of the day can be spent freely exploring the picturesque shops and streets, before ending the evening off with an amazing taco dinner.
Full day in San Cristobal
After getting a feel for the magical town you now find yourself waking up in, today we have the opportunity to spend the entire day experiencing what really makes San Cristobal a “Pueblo Magico” (“Magical Town”). Popular attractions include the markets, shops, historical museums, libraries, restaurants and so much more.. If you’re not feeling up for that, you can sit back and relax at Casa Carmen. You have the entire day to do whatever you want. Depending on what everyone decides, we’ll typically head out to a farewell dinner in the evening as this is our last full day together as a group.
Final day of the trip – San Cristobal
This is the last date listed for the trip. We’re confident that at this point you’ll be leaving with lifelong memories and new friends who shared a once in a lifetime experience with you. Depending on your travel arrangements, we will arrange transportation for you to Angel Albino Corzo Internation Airport in time for your flight.
PERSONAL PACKING LIST
Any personal belongings left unprotected will get submerged and wet at some point on the river. Some people opt to put their stuff inside lightweight drybags that fit inside their backpack. Others opt for a drybag with backpack straps. Both work great and it’s really up to you. We like to use the Watershed Westwater 65L. The 65L gives you storage for all your camping gear, food and clothing while providing straps for carrying. We do not recommend bringing a drybag smaller than 60L capacity. Watershed drybags are available for rental through us for $60 USD.
Our drinking water along the river comes from clean, natural springs. To be extra safe we still recommend bringing a water bottle that doubles as a filter. We recommend the LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle.
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. Chaco Sandals have been a popular choice, and can be worn throughout the entire trip. Our guides opt to use Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes. Although with this option our shoes will get small rocks in them, we have the advantage of better 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.
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.
Light and compact sleeping bag for temps down to 40f. Try to avoid big bulky sleeping bags so you can have more space for food and other gear in your pack.
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.
Small, inflatable, compact and light pads are best. Sea to Summit and Therm-a-Rest are two brands we would recommend.
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.
Spoon, fork and a foldable knife.
This is an optional item. If you choose to bring one be sure to pick a lightweight option. We recommend the Helinox Ground Chair.
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
-
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)
-
Meals on Days 10 & 11
GETTING THERE
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.
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.
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
SKILL PREREQUISITES
ITINERARY
Orientation Day – Tuxtla Gutierrez
Upon arrival in Tuxtla Gutierrez at Hotel, reception staff will assist you with an easy check-in. At our orientation briefing enjoy a warm welcome by our guides and meet fellow travelers. Enjoy a group dinner at Restaurante Las Pichanchas before spending the night in preparation for a morning shuttle the next day to breakfast and then to the river entry point!
Canyon Entry
8:00 am transport to breakfast. Here we will enjoy our last meal before entering the river. Extra bags will be left in secure storage at hotel. After breakfast, the shuttle van will take to a small village where we will begin our 6.5km/4mi hike up and into the canyon! Once we reach the river, we will set up and rig our rafts. Camp is just a short paddle downstream. We’ll enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing and playing in a spectacular waterfall.
First float day
9:00 am camp departure. Today we will have our easiest paddle day, and a perfect introduction to the rivers class II rapids. We’ll float past springs with increased vegetation along the way. The walls begin to reach heights of 200+ as we venture further into the canyon. Our group will stop for lunch at a spring shortly before encountering our first team-building obstacles. At roughly 3:00 pm we will reach our campsite and take the afternoon to relax.
Through the Maze
We start today off by conquering the legendary maze; a 1.3km rock garden where we will work as a team and improve our paddling skills. We’re rewarded with fun rapids and narrows as we experience the shifting flora of the canyon. Continuing down the river, our lunch spot of the day will likely go down as the most incredible lunch spot you’ve ever had. Here, you can enjoy some cliff jumping, soak in the peace and quiet by the water, practice your rafting and of course, take jaw dropping photography.
The Castle
7:30 AM Camp departure. Today we’ll begin to experience otherworldly scenes. The river will also put our paddling skills to the test, we’ll work as a team to complete a portage, stop for lunch at an incredible location beneath the tallest wall of the canyon, and then paddle onward to our campsite of the day: The Castle!
Cave Exploration
Our easiest and shortest day on the river also happens to be our caving day. After some fun rapids we stop for lunch at the catchment of a dry wash. We hike up for about 20 minutes to the entrance to one of the regions most impressive karst systems. Be sure to bring sufficient batteries for your headlamp, you definitely don’t want to miss out! Inside the cave we also get to see old pottery left by ancient Mayan civilizations as offerings to their gods. We’ll enjoy a unique campsite set up at the entrance of this cave.
El Derrumbe
After packing up camp we take a short float down to a large landslide along the river known as “El Derrumbe”. This is our largest and last portage of the trip. The reward that comes after is difficult to put into words. At this point your jaws have dropped and minds have been blown, but today you will start to question reality. We will float past what few people have had the privilege of experiencing. And to top it off; we finish the day camping underneath the worlds tallest natural arch.
Hike Out
We begin our ascent out of the canyon by rappelling up a 20 meter wall to a small platform where we will re-fuel with fruit and snacks before our hike to the nearest village. The hike is roughly 3 hours, with the first 45minutes being the steepest and most challenging (be sure to read the Shoes – Sandals tab in the Personal Packing List below). The solidity of the mud on this trail depends on the weather, so conditions can vary. A good attitude comes above any physical ability on this trip. Once we reach the village we will each be assigned a cabin before taking a short walk to a local family’s house, where we are treated with a traditional home-made meal. A true culinary experience.
Jungle to San Cristobal
This day starts off with breakfast at a local family’s home before taking a pickup truck to the nearest city, approximately 45 minutes away. There we’ll board a private shuttle van that will take us to the boutique colonial town of San Cristobal. The drive is around 2 hours. Upon arrival we’ll check in to a beautiful and newly built private rental house known as Casa Carmen, hosted by “Los Abuelitos”. Once everyone gets cleaned up and settled into their rooms, we’ll go for a delicious lunch at one of the many incredible restaurants San Cristobal has to offer. The rest of the day can be spent freely exploring the picturesque shops and streets, before ending the evening off with an amazing taco dinner.
Full day in San Cristobal
After getting a feel for the magical town you now find yourself waking up in, today we have the opportunity to spend the entire day experiencing what really makes San Cristobal a “Pueblo Magico” (“Magical Town”). Popular attractions include the markets, shops, historical museums, libraries, restaurants and so much more.. If you’re not feeling up for that, you can sit back and relax at Casa Carmen. You have the entire day to do whatever you want. Depending on what everyone decides, we’ll typically head out to a farewell dinner in the evening as this is our last full day together as a group.
Final day of the trip – San Cristobal
This is the last date listed for the trip. We’re confident that at this point you’ll be leaving with lifelong memories and new friends who shared a once in a lifetime experience with you. Depending on your travel arrangements, we will arrange transportation for you to Angel Albino Corzo Internation Airport in time for your flight.
PERSONAL PACKING LIST
Any personal belongings left unprotected will get submerged and wet at some point on the river. Some people opt to put their stuff inside lightweight drybags that fit inside their backpack. Others opt for a drybag with backpack straps. Both work great and it’s really up to you. We like to use the Watershed Westwater 65L. The 65L gives you storage for all your camping gear, food and clothing while providing straps for carrying. We do not recommend bringing a drybag smaller than 60L capacity. Watershed drybags are available for rental through us for $60 USD.
Our drinking water along the river comes from clean, natural springs. To be extra safe we still recommend bringing a water bottle that doubles as a filter. We recommend the LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle.
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. Chaco Sandals have been a popular choice, and can be worn throughout the entire trip. Our guides opt to use Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes. Although with this option our shoes will get small rocks in them, we have the advantage of better 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.
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.
Light and compact sleeping bag for temps down to 40f. Try to avoid big bulky sleeping bags so you can have more space for food and other gear in your pack.
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 bringing extra batteries as we will be entering an incredible cave on Day 6 of the expedition. We recommend the Black Diamond Storm 400 headlamp.
Spoon, fork and a foldable knife.
This is an optional item. If you choose to bring one be sure to pick a lightweight option. We recommend the Helinox Ground Chair.
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
-
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)
-
Meals on Days 10 & 11
GETTING THERE
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.
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.
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
GETTING THERE
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.
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.
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.
In the past 5 years of being a fulltime creator, I’ve had the chance to travel the world, visit the most beautiful places and be filled with that childlike wonder, over and over again. I would love to experience this wonder & joy together, on an adventure discovering one of Mexico’s most secret rivers in all its beauty.
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
The guides from Nahua bring their rafting expertise and I look forward to adding in my spice: mindset exercises, connection games, and 11 days of life changing conversations. I’ll be an open book on this trip for any questions.
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.
Growth
The guides from Nahua bring their rafting expertise and I look forward to adding in my spice: mindset exercises, connection games, and 11 days of life changing conversations. I’ll be an open book on this trip for any questions.
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.