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Patzcuaro Lake Tour
Nature, Easter and Crafts Festival - April 4th - 8th, 2012
Patzcuaro is a picturesque colonial town in central Mexico. Nestled in a lush pine forest on the southeastern shore of Lake Patzcuaro in the state of Michoacan, at an elevation of 7,200 feet. The town has cooler temperatures than San Miguel de Allende, ranging from 50°F/10°C at night, to 88F/29C in the daytime.
This lovely "Pueblo Magico" is listed as an Important Area for Bird Conservation by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), with an updated registry of about 260 bird species. Patzcuaro is noted for its rich historic heritage, and its outstanding range of local crafts such as: ceramics, lacquer, carved wood and hammered copper.
We will have enjoyable hikes in the mornings looking for endemic birds in pine forested areas, marshes and lakes with master bird guide Victor Hugo Valencia. We will also visit and bird at Las Yacatas, an important archaeological site.
Afternoons will be spent visiting local artisan workshops such as Great Master Emilio Molinero in Tzuntzuntzan for Pottery and the best coppersmiths in Santa Clara del Cobre. Each evening, after resting at our beautiful bed and breakfast, we'll enjoy the finest cuisine of the region at local restaurants.
We invite you to join us for this special tour to get to know Patzcuaro and to have a unique and unforgettable Audubon experience. |
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Itinerary |
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Day 1 |
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Depart on a 4 hour drive for Patzcuaro. Arrive at our B&B and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants surrounding the main square. Spend the rest of the day exploring Patzcuaro's annual spring arts and crafts fair, as well as galleries and shops. Before dinner, during our cocktail time, meet with our birding expert Hugo Valencia* who has been exploring Patzcuaro's environs for more than 30 years. Hugo also studied at Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada as a field biologist. |
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Day 2 |
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After breakfast at our B&B we'll be birdwatching the north side of Lake Patzcuaro at La Estacion, an abandoned train station surrounded by beautiful oak forests. On our way back we'll stop at Erongaricuaro's bridge to see a different variety of marsh birds. After lunch in Patzcuaro we'll visit the nearby coppersmith town of Santa Clara del Cobre. Once back in Patzcuaro you may visit the market or join us for cocktails at our B&B before going to dinner. |
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Day 3 |
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Start the day with breakfast at our B&B. Hugo will guide us as we look for Orioles, Woodpeckers and Euphonias at Ojo de Agua, a bird haven located north of Patzcuaro facing the eastern side of the lake. We'll explore the sacred ceremonial center of the pre-Columbian Tarascan empire known as Las Yacatas. This archaeological site is named for its five round pyramids overlooking Lake Patzcuaro, then we'll enjoy a box lunch together. In Tzintzuntzan we'll visit the Church of San Francisco, walk under the shade of ancient olive trees planted by the area's first benefactor, Vasco de Quiroga. That evening in Patzcuaro, we'll have the privilege of witnessing Patzcuaro's famous Procesion del Silencio (The Procession of Silence). |
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Day 4 |
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Once we have had breakfast at our B&B we'll travel to Uruapan, where we'll enjoy exploring the National Park Barranca del Cupatitzio while looking for the amazing Brown-backed Solitaire and the charismatic Orange-billed Nightingale-trush. After lunch we'll spend the rest of the day enjoying the annual regional arts and crafts fair. This fair is the the largest crafts fair and competition in the state of Michoacan, presenting hundreds of artisans who practice ancient Purepecha techniques creating amazing crafts such as: ceramics, carved wood and baskets. Once we've returned to Patzcuaro you may relax at the B&B or wander around town. That evening we'll gather for cocktails at our B&B and go out for dinner at a local restaurant. |
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Day 5 |
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After breakfast we'll have extra time to explore Patzcuaro, after that we'll gather at reception with our luggage and prize-winning purchases. Once we've checked out and loaded our baggage, we'll depart for San Miguel de Allende. |
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Victor Hugo Valencia
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Hi, my name is Victor Hugo Valencia Alberto, but most people know me by Hugo.
I am from the small town of Erongaricuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. |
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| In Purhepecha language, Erongaricuaro means "place for waiting." I married Lupe who is also from Eronga. We have a beautiful little girl named Mariana. She is four years old. Now my wife is expecting our second child.
I love my family so much. I am teaching Mariana about birds, like my father used to do with me. He used to take me fishing and camping in the mountains when I was young. This is why I love Mother Nature and am curious about birds. |
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| More information |
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| Patzcuaro Lake Tour |
5 DAYS • TRIP CODE: TPLT
| FROM |
| $ |
564 |
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$ |
125 |
'OPTIONAL
"MY OWN ROOM" |
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| Members of Sociedad Audubon de México get at $25 discount |
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If you are traveling alone we will try our best to match you with another single traveler of the same gender. Otherwise we offer single room accomodations for an extra fee. |
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| The fee includes: Transportation, Accommodation, Breakfasts, Bird watching guide (Victor Hugo Valencia), Box lunch (April 6th), Entrance fee for Archaeological site, The B&B provides one bottle of wine per room, Contribution to Sociedad Audubon de Mexico, A.C. to support environmental education programs for children in San Miguel de Allende and Gratuities. |
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