Big Bend 2023
Big Bend 2023
- 5 nights lodging
- Transport from/to MAF airport
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Park entry fees
- Locally guided river trip
- Tips for local guides
- All ground transportation & fuel
- Two F4A guides
The landscape in Big Bend is surreal and totally unexpected. Just south of the vast, oil-laden plains of West Texas, volcanic rock rises out of the earth, creating an other-worldly terrain. The Rio Grande winds its way along the border, carving out deep canyons and creating lush oases.
More often than not, we hear "Is this really TEXAS?". You have to see it to believe it...
TRIP DATES: October 3 - 8, 2023
TRIP PRICE: $2,695 (per person, double occupancy)
Single Occupancy supplement: $750
Not included: Flights to/from Midland (MAF), meals not mentioned above, tips for F4A guides, personal expenses (souvenirs, alcohol, etc.)
TRIP DETAILS
It’s rugged terrain. Like a prickly pear cactus, you have to be a bit bristly and rough around the edges to survive here. That's why we go... We go to hike the Chisos Mountains and eat delicious Mexican food, we go to get a glimpse of the Wild West and the incredible scenery of one of America’s most remote (and thus least-visited) parks. We go to EXPERIENCE the wonder that is Big Bend.
We base out of the old mining town of Terlingua, which is an experience in itself- this funky town holds a unique character and charm all its own. Our home for the week is the famous Perry Mansion- an equally quirky-yet-comfortable accommodation full of its own legends and lore...
Our Big Bend Adventure is an experience, in every sense of the word- an experience like none other and an adventure not to be missed...
LODGING - The Perry Mansion
It took a over a century, but your room is ready!
Since 1906, the Perry Mansion has proudly overlooked the Chisos Mining Company (now the Terlingua Ghost Town). Unfortunately, bankruptcy and a hundred years of decay overwhelmed Mr. Perry's dream house -- until now.
A three year restoration has renewed the dream and now it's available to us! Enjoy desert living at it's quirky finest in the wilds of West Texas!
Here's a look at the individual rooms, each decorated with antiques and art from the era when it was built. We've booked the entire building- 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms- every room has its own private bathroom!
FLIGHTS
All flights to be booked through the Midland/Odessa International Air & Space Port (Airport code: MAF). Please book flights to arrive by 11am on 10/3 and depart at 3pm (or later) on 10/8.
DEPOSIT
A $200 deposit (per person) is due at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
PAYMENTS
Final payment will be due August 15, 2023. You will receive a reminder email when this payment is due. Once made, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
CANCELLATIONS
By Client: If you need to cancel before the final payment date, the cancellation fee is your initial deposit. Your reservation will automatically cancel if final payment is not received by the due date.
By Fit 4 Adventure: In the event that we must cancel a trip for commercial reasons beyond our control, including if the minimum number of trip participants is not met, you will be able to transfer any amount paid toward any F4A trip in the next 24 months. You may also opt for a full refund.
By Force Majeure: In the event that a trip is cancelled due (but not limited) to natural disasters, pandemics, border restrictions, terrorism, or political instability, F4A will offer you a future trip credit valid for 24 months from the original trip date. F4A is not responsible for any additional expenses you may incur as result of your booking, including (but not limited to) visas, vaccinations, clothing, equipment, testing, travel insurance, or non-refundable flights. TRAVEL
INSURANCE
The cancellation policy will be strictly adhered to. To avoid loss of payments due to unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance is highly recommended. Travel insurance can often be purchased along with your flight or you can book though our partner Allianz Travel Insurance.
*We at Fit 4 Adventure take the health and safety of our guests and guides seriously. We will follow all local protocols and CDC-recommended guidelines while on this trip.
If you have any questions about this trip, please feel free to reach out to Nick@Fit4Adventure.com
Day 1- Arrival Day! Welcome to West Texas!
There are a couple of options:
- Fly to Midland (MAF) and we'll pick you up at the airport- plan to arrive by 11am!
- Drive yourself to Terlingua- plan to arrive at the hotel no earlier than 4pm!
Our lodging for the trip is the famous Perry Mansion- a quirky and historic hotel overlooking the equally funky town. We have the entire place to ourselves- 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, multiple terraces and fire pits, incredible views and wide open skies.
Our Welcome Dinner will be a home-cooked meal, prepared right at the Mansion. Guests will enjoy Happy Hour on the terrace and, weather permitting, we'll dine outside under stars.
Day 2- The Chisos Mountains Basin and the Window Trail
Today we head out to Big Bend National Park and the Chisos Mountains!
After breakfast at the mansion, we'll pack lunches and set out to hike one of the must-see trails in the park- the Window Trail. We’ll drive into Big Bend National Park and wind our way into the Chisos Mountain Basin, parking at the Chisos Mountain Lodge and Visitors’ Center. The Window View Trail will get our legs warmed up- a paved, half-mile loop, sporting fantastic views of 'The Window' and the surrounding Chisos Mountains. Then, we’ll get to it, heading out on the Window Trail (5.2 miles, out-and-back)- a spectacular trail through the Chisos Basin. Be on the lookout for wildlife- black bears have been spotted in the basin! The trail meanders along the riverbed before reaching The Window- a viewpoint at the end of the trail. We’ll stop for a trailside lunch along the way and then make our way back to the Visitors’ Center. If time allows, we’ll visit the dinosaur dig site located within the park to learn about the natural and geological history of Big Bend.
Dinner will be back at the Perry Mansion, where we’ll enjoy a spectacular sunset from the patio and marvel at the Milky Way overhead. Weather permitting, we’ll light the firepit and listen to the coyotes howl....
Day 3- The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
After breakfast, we head back into Big Bend and set out on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. We'll take you to our favorite spots- Tuff Canyon, Mule Ears Viewpoint and Sotol Vista, among others...
The thirty-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive leads to the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon- a spectacular slot canyon carved out by the Rio Grande. Along the way, the road showcases some of the historic and geologic features this region is famous for. Not to worry, we will get our steps in today- we will hike the Santa Elena Canyon (1.4 miles) and Boquillas Canyon (1.2 miles) Trails, along with other short walks along the route.
Tonight, we'll hit a local taqueria on the way back to the Perry Mansion- it’s BYOB and we’ll have the cooler loaded up! Everyone pays their own at the taqueria.
Day 4- The Lost Mine Trail
After breakfast at the mansion, we’ll head back into the Chisos Basin, where we’ll find the trailhead for the Lost Mine Trail. This moderate mountain hike covers 4.8 miles round trip, beginning on the Basin Road and moving toward the breathtaking vistas of Juniper Canyon and Casa Grande just one mile in. A fairly steep climb encounters swaths of forest and leads to a ridge overlooking Pine Canyon and Mexico’s Sierra del Carmen. We’ll have ‘lunch with a view’ along the trail before retracing our steps back to the van.
If time permits, we may visit Panther Junction Visitors’ Center, and/or Balanced Rock Trail.
Tonight, we’ll be back at the Perry Mansion for dinner.
Day 5- River Day on the Rio Grande!
Get ready to see Big Bend in a whole different way- from the Rio Grande river! We’ll head out with a local outfitter that knows the park inside-and-out- depending on water level of the river, they’ll pick a stretch that’s ideal for our group. This full-day River Trip includes snacks and lunch, and might even have a few surprises along the way... Scenic low mountains, bluffs and washes, dramatic clefts in the limestone and beautiful scenery along the river’s edge- it is an incredible adventure on the Rio Grande! Our guides will help us navigate the river, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of even the most novice of paddlers.
After the River Trip, we’ll head back to the Mansion to clean up before our Farewell Dinner at the famous Starlight Theater. Dinner is on F4A as we raise a toast to our incredible Big Bend adventure!
Day 6- Departure Day
Please plan departures out of Midland (MAF) for 3pm or later. We’ll grab breakfast at a local coffee shop in Terlingua (included in your trip) before saying goodbye to Big Bend and making the drive back to Midland.
If you have any questions about this trip, please feel free to reach out to Nick@Fit4Adventure.com
If you want to visit an epic landscape and enjoy the trails and scenery with experts who not only know their way around the trails but also look after your needs and make the trip fun and exciting, this is the trip for you! Leave everything to your guides and enjoy a beautiful trip into Big Bend without the worries. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who isn’t comfortable adventuring alone. It exceeded all my expectations.
Big Bend was spectacular! The variety of views, wildlife, and fauna dispel the myth that a desert is a wasteland. Instead, it is a jewel with many fascinating facets that I thoroughly enjoyed exploring. From mountains to balancing rocks to clear waters and sightings of bears, javelinas, and centipedes, not to mention the long range views and star-studded nights, this is a wow-filled experience! I love traveling with Fit 4 Adventure because all the details are taken care of - lodging, meals, transportation, entrance fees, etc. Kris and Nick are awesome guides - from whipping up culinary delights in the kitchen to leading us through each day’s itinerary. All I have to do is pack and get to the pickup point- from then on, fun and adventure!
I’m trying to put into words how wonderful the Big Bend trip was. You can’t beat staying at the Perry Mansion in the historical town of Terlingua. The warm days and cool nights under the star filled skies- it was incredible! The Fit4Adventure team was very accommodating and took care of everyone’s needs.
Big Bend is a hiker’s paradise, with stunningly beautiful views and the mighty Rio Grande as a background. Anyone going to the Big Bend area must hike the Window Trail, see Terlingua, and eat at the Starlight Theater. But a trip to Big Bend with Fit4Adventure adds so much more! We saw parts of the park that I’ve never seen before, hiked areas that were incredible, and stayed at the Perry Mansion, which was one of the highlights of the trip. Happy hours with F4A are legendary and the back porch of the Mansion was the ultimate location for those. The stars are big and bright that deep into West Texas and the dry Chihuahuan desert air along with the background of the Chisos mountains make the night sky a majestic vision. But as with all F4A trips, the guides make the trip and Kristin and Nick made it special. Even if you’ve been to Big Bend before, this trip makes it worth repeating the journey. And if you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to see this part of the country with Fit4Adventure!
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