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Follow expert guides on an awe-inspiring hike into the Rio Grande's beautiful Santa Elena Canyon
            [Description] => Follow expert guides on an awe-inspiring hike into the Rio Grande's beautiful Santa Elena Canyon
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Summit Emory Peak the highest point in the Chisos Mountains
            [Description] => Summit Emory Peak the highest point in the Chisos Mountains
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Cross the Rio Grande to visit the village of Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico, then hike to hot springs
            [Description] => Cross the Rio Grande to visit the village of Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico, then hike to hot springs
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            [Description] => cactus flower
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            [Description] => starry night
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            [Description] => mountains
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            [Description] => cactus
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            [Description] => food
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            [Description] => hiker
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            [Description] => campfire
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => hotel
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            [Description] => hikers
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            [Description] => lake
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            [Description] => itinerary square 1
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            [Description] => itinerary square 2
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            [Description] => itinerary square 3
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Alisa L.

Growing up in Montana and New Mexico instilled an early love of the outdoors in Alisa. Following her childhood dreams, she spent nine adventurous summers working in and exploring magnificent Glacier National Park. Her winters were dedicated to skiing in Big Sky, Montana, and in between she explored other outdoor adventures around the country. While rafting the Grand Canyon in 2016, she realized she wanted to become a guide and has since led river and hiking trips in 14 national parks. She lives the life she loves and loves the life she lives, as the saying goes!

Shawn R.

A southern California native, Shawn grew up with the forest at his back door. After some outdoor exploration around the country, he found his home in northern Idaho, where he could hike, bike, and raft to his heart's content. Since 2021 he has been guiding hiking trips in the national parks of the Southwest and canoe trips on the Upper Missouri River in Montana. He feels lucky to share his favorite places and discover new ones together with you.

Stephen S.

Making his home in Greater Yellowstone, Stephen takes advantage of exploring the region year-round. He has a wealth of experience leading hiking and multisport adventures in national parks around the country. When he’s not guiding, he revels in the diverse beauty of the landscapes around him, roaming along winding rivers and tackling mountain slopes. He is excited to share his love of the outdoors with you.

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                    [Headline] => Fossil Bone Discovery & Window Trail Trail, Big Bend National Park
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/5 miles hiking with 750\' elevation gain/loss 
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                    [ItinBlock] => Welcome to Texas, are you ready for the ultimate Big Bend adventure? Your guides will pick you and your fellow adventurers up this morning from your pre-trip hotel. After an orientation meeting, depart Odessa-Midland in the morning we will journey due south across the plains of West Texas. Once in Big Bend National Park we pause for a delicious picnic at the Dinosaur Discovery Center, where you can explore the park\'s rich archaeological and natural history. After a relaxing picnic, get set to hike the classic Window Trail. This hike begins gently, meandering across the Chisos Basin allowing you to warm up your legs. Soon you\'ll descend into a narrow chasm leading you to the breathtaking highlight: the Window Pour-off. The hike offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and canyons, as well as a chance to spot some of the park\'s interesting wildlife. Along the way, you\'ll encounter unique rock formations and a variety of plant species, including the fascinating and hardy agave. Wrap up your first day with a welcome dinner at the Starlight Theatre with a great mix of Texas and Mexican cuisine.
                    [Breakfast] => 0
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5- to 4.5-hour private van transfer 
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 31.854
                    [Longitude] => -102.351
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            [1] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 2
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                    [Headline] => Narrow Desert Gorges, the Rio Grande & Santa Elena Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ 5-6 miles hiking with 600\' elevation gain 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
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                    [ItinBlock] => 
Today you will explore some of North America\'s most incredible desert canyons via a collection of short hikes. After exploring Tuff Canyon and Lower Burro Mesa slot canyons, picnic by the Rio Grande. In the afternoon magnificent Santa Elena Canyon awaits. As you hike and possibly wade in the Rio Grande you\'ll be surrounded by towering canyon walls that rise up to 1,500 feet, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. You\'ll encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna attracted to the perennial water, including cacti, yucca, and a variety of neo-tropical bird species. This experience is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Big Bend, an unforgettable journey through one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in all of the Southwest.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2- to 2.5-hour private van transfer round trip
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 29.166
                    [Longitude] => -103.609
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                    [Headline] => Summit Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ 10 miles hiking with 2,440\' elevation gain 
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                    [ItinBlock] => 
Summiting Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains is an experience like no other. The hike to the peak is challenging but rewarding, taking you from 5,400-feet elevation through dense forests, rocky ridges, and steep switchbacks. At 7,825 feet elevation, the summit itself offers unbeatable 360-degree panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and surrounding desert landscape. Reaching the peak is an accomplishment that leaves you with a sense of pride and fulfillment. Along the way, you may even have the chance to spot some of the diverse wildlife that call the mountains home. The hike to the summit of Emory Peak will take you through a variety of terrains, including dense forests, rocky ridges, and steep switchbacks. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, but the challenge of the terrain keeps things interesting and exciting. This is our most physically challenging day and everyone will be encouraged to attempt to summit, but it is not mandatory and there are scenic options for those looking for less of a challenge.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1- to 1.5-hour private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 29.245
                    [Longitude] => -103.304
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                    [DayFrom] => 4
                    [DayTo] => 4
                    [Headline] => Hike to Hot Springs by the Rio Grande & Visit Boquillas del Carmen Mexico
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ up to 4-5 miles total hiking throughout the day with 750\' elevation gain 
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On the banks of the Rio Grande, thermal springs carry mineral-rich groundwater from deep within the earth to the surface. Set out on a 3-mile hike along the river, passing fascinating fossil beds and natural hot springs. If water levels permit you may choose to stop for a soak. Cross the river in a small rowboat to Mexico and take a short hike to Boquillas del Carmen, a charming Mexican village located just across the Rio Grande River from Big Bend National Park and surrounded by mountains. The village is known for its delicious food, including traditional Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos, and tamales. Enjoy lunch at one of the village\'s small restaurants and sample some of the local street food. Explore the village\'s inviting main street, visit its small shops, and interact with the friendly residents who are happy to share their customs and traditions. Cross back into the United States with time to relax at the pool and enjoy happy hour around the fire pit at the Casitas before a delicious dinner prepared by your guides.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2 hour private van transfer round trip
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 29.186
                    [Longitude] => -102.936
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                    [DayFrom] => 5
                    [DayTo] => 5
                    [Headline] => Discover Big Bend State Park & the Marfa Art Scene 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/up to 3 miles hiking with up to 500\' elevation gain
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => After an entertaining stop to visit with the Clay Henry, the first duly elected Mayor in Lajitas TX, enter Big Bend State Park. Hike the Closed Canyon trail traversing smooth ledges, inching past tinajas, and walking beneath towering spires of rock, deep into its shady depths. Discover its unique geology carved by wind and water over millions of years, creating a surreal landscape. Next immerse yourself in the rich history of the Fort Leaton State Historic site, a one-acre adobe fortified compound overlooking the Rio Grande valley. In the late afternoon arrive at Marfa, TX a small desert town that has become an international cultural hub. Known for its unique art installations, modern minimalist architecture, and stunning sunsets, Marfa offers a one-of-a-kind experience that you won\'t find anywhere else. It\'s the perfect place to celebrate with the group at a farewell dinner.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hour private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 30.309
                    [Longitude] => -104.025
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                    [DayFrom] => 6
                    [DayTo] => 6
                    [Headline] => Transfer to Midland-Odessa & Depart
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
After a relaxing and leisurely morning head back to Midland-Odessa. The most common departing flights occur around 2:30pm so we will plan to arrive at around noon. 
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5-hour private van transfer 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 31.936
                    [Longitude] => -102.25
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Daily 4- to 8-hour hikes up to 10.5-miles on steep, uneven terrain with some moderate exposure to heights. Hikes will often be broken up across multiple different trails with rest breaks. The hike to the top of Emory Peak involves a strenuous climb of about 2,500 feet along a dirt and rock trail. The last 25 feet to the summit is optional and requires climbing solid rock without a rope, handrails, or other artificial handholds.
    [Trip_Level] => 3
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Accommodations

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Modern and relaxed three-star properties in five-star settings.

Hotel Saint George

Comfortable Hotel

Hotel Saint George is located in the heart of downtown Marfa and features repurposed materials from the original Hotel Saint George built in 1886, melded with world-class contemporary art by local artists. The hotel's thoughtfully appointed rooms and suites have high ceilings, spacious modern bathrooms, and hand-crafted furnishings. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, access to a nearby fitness center, a full-service bar, and the onsite restaurant Laventure which features wood-fired pizzas.

Big Bend Casitas

Comfortable Hotel

Located in Terlingua, each casita (Spanish for "little house") offers 400 square feet of indoor space complete with full bath, two queen beds, kitchenette (with refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker) 32" flat screen satellite TV, maid service and free wifi. A porch to kick back and relax on after a full day of adventure and a courtyard with picnic tables and a barbecue pit. All casitas are non-smoking.

Hotel Paisano

Comfortable Hotel

Originally constructed in 1930, step into a historic ranchers' resort, complete with vintage tile and Spanish Revival exterior. Actors Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean stayed at the hotel while filming the 1956 classic Giant! Cozy rooms feature patios or enclosed porches and modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Take a plunge in the pool and check out Marfa's modern art scene.