Overview:
Escape winter with a climbing trip to Mexico! Join us for a completely unique rock climbing experience to central Mexico, led by CMS guides Bernardo Beteta, a Mexican native, and Steve Levin, AMGA Certified Rock Guide and author of Eldorado Canyon, A Climbing Guide.
On this all-inclusive guided tour, you’ll visit several areas far off the U.S. climber radar, experiencing a mix of rock climbing and Mexican culture. This one-of-a-kind trip was designed for the climber with a sense of exploration!
For 2019, we are offering a 9-day trip starting in Querétaro (with direct flights from many U.S. cities).
We’ll begin by picking you up at the Querétaro airport, in the heart of colonial Mexico. We’ll climb at the sport climbing center of Las Peñas Dexcani Alto near Jilotepec, the fantastic multi-pitch walls of Peña de Bernal, and the historic crack climbing at Aculco. We’ll enjoy a rest day in San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage city, enjoying hot springs, craft markets, cobblestone streets, and an authentic Oaxaca dinner and artisanal mescal tasting.
You can relax as we take all of the worry and hassle out of Mexican travel. Driving distances are kept to a minimum, hotel stays are comfortable, and the authentic Mexican cuisine is outstanding. Bernardo will provide recommendations and often order widely from the menus, giving you the opportunity to try dozens of foods you’ve never had. We will tailor the climbing to your experience and background, whether sport climbing, multi-pitch climbing or crack climbing. No other guide service offers a trip like this, and it would be difficult to do this on your own!
Read a full report on our rock climbing trip to Mexico in 2017 in Dougald MacDonald’s article in Climbing Magazine: Mexico Rocks! Exploring 5 Crags Near Mexico City.
Client Testimonials
“I highly recommend the rock climbing trip to El Bajio, Mexico. The climbing and cultural aspects are not to be missed. In addition, I can’t speak highly enough of the two guides, Bernardo and Steve, for their professionalism, good humor, and meticulous planning. Truly an adventure to remember.”
– Roger S., 2018 El Bajío Trip
“I had such a good time on the first CMS rock climbing trip to Mexico that I’ve signed up to do it again this year. The accommodations, the food, and the transportation arrangements were all first rate and hassle-free. The places we climbed were pretty spectacular. Steve and Bernardo did a great job looking after us.”
– Chuck M., 2018 El Bajío Trip
“Such an unexpectedly fantastically fun trip! Great climbing on a huge variety of rock, and Bernardo and Steve couldn’t have been better guides! Our food and accommodations were top notch, and there were so many interesting cultural asides. Not your average climbing trip…I can’t recommend it highly enough! Go!!!”
– Pam R., 2018 El Bajío Trip
“The Bajio trip was an eye-opener in every sense of the word. We sampled five great climbing areas, with a huge range of styles, from bolt-clipping to stout crack climbing. The rest days were amazing (we’ve got souveners all over our house). And the guides, especially Bernardo, a native Mexican, helped us navigate approaches, busy streets, and unfamiliar menus while providing insights and access to the culture you’d never get while traveling to Mexico on your own.”
– Dougald M., 2017 El Bajío Trip
Sample Itinerary:
9-Day Excursion
- Day 1: You will be picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel in beautiful downtown Querétaro. We will have an authentic Mexican dinner and orientation to talk about trip specifics. Stay the night in Querétaro.
- Day 2: Delicious Mexican breakfast in Querétaro, then drive to Jilotepec and climb the remainder of the day at the fun conglomerate sport crag near town. Dinner and stay in Jilotepec for the night.
- Day 3: Climb more routes at Jilotepec during the day, and then drive to the small colonial town of Aculco to have dinner and spend the night.
- Day 4: Homemade breakfast and full day of crack-climbing at the splitter basalt cracks of Aculco Canyon. Mexican dinner followed by a second night in Aculco.
- Day 5: Homemade breakfast and morning climb in Aculco Canyon. Drive to San Miguel de Allende for a delicious dinner and some free time to see the beautifully lit colonial buildings in downtown. Spend the night in San Miguel de Allende.
- Day 6: Culture / Rest Day. Tasty Mexican breakfast followed by free time to explore the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende and all of its craft markets. Then an optional soaking in La Gruta hot springs. Traditional Oaxacan style dinner and Mescal tasting. Stay in San Miguel de Allende.
- Day 7: Breakfast in town, then drive to the charming town of Bernal. Climb the majestic volcanic plug of Peña de Bernal for the remainder of the day. Mexican cuisine dinner and spend the night in Bernal.
- Day 8: Roof-top breakfast followed by a multi-pitch climb with amazing views all the way to the summit of the Peña de Bernal monolith. Dine and lodge in Bernal.
- Day 9: Breakfast in Bernal then drive to the Querétaro airport and take flight home.
Meeting location:
Querétaro City, Querétaro
Details:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What about drinking the water?
We supply bottled water, so bring a couple of water bottles to refill and plan on staying hydrated! One can also drink fresh-squeezed juices, the traditional horchata, and bottled sodas.
How long are the driving times?
We try to minimize time spent driving, with an average of 1.5 to 2.5 hours from location to location, not including stops.
What about cash and documents?
You will only need cash for souvenirs and alcoholic beverages – we take care of everything else. ATM machines are common if you prefer not to carry much cash. You will need a valid U.S. passport, and a tourist card (available on your plane before arriving in Mexico).
Notes:
Expedition Cancellation Policy:
- A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Full balance is required 90 days before your reservation begins. A refund minus a 10% administrative fee can be issued 120 days prior to trip start. 50% will be refunded 90 to 120 days before trip start. 25% will be refunded 75 to 90 days before trip start. Inside of 75 day, no refund is available.
Jim –
Steve and Bernardo,
One last opportunity to thank you for your leadership, instruction, humanity and care while we were in Mexico. I think I can speak for everyone when stating that this has been more than a climbing vacation. Rather, it was a life changing enhancement to us all, physically, culturally and emotionally. Again, thank you very much.
Your friend, Jim