The ruins of Mesoamerican cities are found throughout Mexico and visited on California Native tours of the Yucatan and Chiapas.
Our trip to the Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan was everything I could have imagined, if I’d known enough about the area to be able to imagine it fully.
Our guide, Jorge, was perfect for the group and worked as a team with the driver, Ernesto. In fact, when one of our party injured her foot, Ernesto stepped up and managed her wheelchair during the next touring day.
We didn’t just visit the Mayan archaeological sites, we explored, climbed pyramids, and learned the significance of what we were seeing. Our group was varied in the amount members were able to do physically, but I believe each felt they got the maximum out of the trip.
Hotels were varied, from an historic hacienda to a modern, “hacienda-themed” hotel, to an “archaeologically-themed” hotel, to just nice, modern accommodations, but all were clean and comfortable.
Mexico’s Copper Canyon is four times larger than the Grand Canyon.
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Janie DeCelles, from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, traveled with us on our Copper Canyon 5-day Independent Tripand reported this:
The trip was simply wonderful! The enormity of the canyon is really incredible to witness!
Some of my favorite parts of the trip were the train ride to/from El Fuerte to Creel, hanging out between the cars and enjoying the fantastic scenery.
All of the transfers you planned worked out absolutely perfectly! The hotels you chose —in El Fuerte and El Mirador were amazing!
I have already recommended CalNative to several friends and will continue to do so!,
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Larry R Hanson, from Carrabassett Valley, ME, traveled with us on our Copper Canyon 6-day Independent Tripand wrote us this quick letter about their trip:
Greetings Laurie,
Sending you a thank you for putting together a wonderful trip to Mexico. It was surly a vacation of a lifetime. Wonderful people, beautiful country and all of your itinerary masterful.
Thank you again, Larry R Hanson Carrabassett Valley, ME
Tarahumara indian at one of the many beautiful Copper Canyon view points.
Larry Hanson enjoying the view at Cusarare Falls in Copper Canyon.
Tarahumara indian girl sells baskets in Copper Canyon
We appreciate it when we receive comments and photos to share. From our story “Her Uncle Rode With Pancho Villa” we received many interesting comments by family members of people associated with Pancho Villa:
Crickett Quijada
Hi Lee, thank you for writing this article on my great uncle Ricardo Gonzalez with Francisco Villa and his wife Maria Luz Corral de Villa. He had three brothers. Jose, Simon and Daniel who was killed in WW11. Also he had three sisters, my grandmother Prajedes, Epifania and Isabel, all children of Estefana (Fanny) Gagen and Pedro Gonzalez.
Pancho Villa with Ricardo Gonzalez, great uncle of Bessie “Crickett” Quijada.
Alberto Gonzalez
Crickett is my cousin. I remember my Grandfather always with the funny hat and cane, I was with my Dad and my Grandfather (Ricardo Gonzalez) when this visit occurred
Rebecca Hughes
This is so cool, Ricardo was my Great-Grandfather and Crickett and Alberto are my cousins.
Matt Holguin
Ricardo was my great grandfather too! Small world!
Jonathan Corral
My family and I have been building a family tree of our family, the Corral’s, and since we only know of the Corral side. Everyone has passed away in our blood line from the elderly side and can only hope to find out more about Maria through her family or if we could find out if Francisco Villas side of the family happen to know more about Maria Corral. We have all been told by our (now deceased) grandparents that our family is related to Francisco Villas wife Dona Maria de la Luz Corral de Villa. I’m told my grandfather Joseph Louis Corral (born 1927) had a father named Leopoldo Corral (a Police Officer in Mexico and was assassinated as well) and his wife Maria Ortiz Figueroa Corral (born 1888). We know Maria Luz had a father named Jose de Jesus Corral, but we haven’t pin pointed exactly if she had any brothers our cousins. We’re told Leopoldos aunt was Maria Luz Corral.
Javier Solis
Jonathan my mother Alejandra Corral’s grandmother was Benigna Corral which was Luz Corral Sister. She still has memories of her grandmother and my grandmother (my mother’s mom) knew Luz Corral around Durango and Buena Sevi. My great great grandfather talked a lot about Pancho Villa.
Pancho Villa and his wife, Luz Corral de Villa, in 1914.
Dona Luz Corral de Villa with Ricardo Gonzalez in 1967.
The California Native has been leading tours to Copper Canyon for more than 30 years. Located in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Copper Canyon is four times larger than the Grand Canyon. This area is rich in history from Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution to the booming silver town of Batopilas.
We offer a full range of itineraries from small group escorted tours to worry-free adventures designed for the independent traveler.
One of the many highlights of our California Native 14-day Tibet Everest Explorer is a visit to the North Base Camp of Mount Everest.
California Native’s Lee and Ellen Klein visit the North Base Camp at Mount Everest.
Mount Everest, also known in Nepal as Sagarmāthā and in Tibet as Chomolungma, is Earth’s highest mountain. It is located in the Mahalangur mountain range in Nepal and Tibet. Its peak is 29,029 ft above sea level. The international border between China and Nepal runs across Everest’s precise summit point.
For many people, the main reason that they go to Tibet is to see the amazing view of Everest’s famous North Face. The view of Everest from the Tibet side gives a clear, sweeping view of the mountain. Unlike the Nepal side of Everest, no hiking is required to reach the Tibet side of Everest. You can drive all the way to Everest Base Camp. The North Base Camp is accessed by vehicle through a 100 km road branching to the South from the Friendship Highway near Shelkar.
The only way that foreigners can go to the Tibet side of Mt. Everest is by arranging an organized tour through a tour company. There are NO exceptions. Included in our 14-day Tibet Everest Explorer are the required travel permits, tour guide, private vehicle and driver. You cannot use public transportation (ie. buses) to travel to Everest.
The California Native has been leading tours to exotic destinations for more than 30 years and people are always asking what our favorites are. One of our favorite trips is this wonderful journey which begins in Beijing, China, travels through Tibet and hits its high point at Mount Everest Base Camp at the top of the world.
Marker located at the North Base Camp
Amazing view of Mt Everest from the North Base Camp
Short hike to a view point along the Friendship Highway
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Linda & John Gowdy, from Poestenkill, NY, traveled with us on our Copper Canyon 8-day to the Bottomand wrote us this quick letter about their trip:
Laurie-
I wanted to thank you for all your help and arrangements for our Copper Canyon trip! We got back Saturday night after a week of very relaxing travel. Everything was exactly as planned and we were very pleased with the accommodations and the trip. We had a very good time and the scenery was spectacular. Martín was an excellent driver on the “road” to Batopilas. He even put up with my bad Spanish!
Thanks again!
Linda Gowdy Poestenkill, NY
Tarahumara church in the Copper Canyon.
El Chepe train exiting one of the 86 tunnels it will pass through as it travels through Copper Canyon.
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Allan & Mildred Karlin, from Morgantown, WV, traveled with us on a 7-day Peru Explorer and wrote us this quick letter about their trip:
We really did not have any expectations, the way the trip worked out was far better than we imagined it would be. This was the first time we took a trip like this and didn’t make all of the arrangements ourselves. We had a very enjoyable, stressless, and educational jouney. We would definitely travel this way again.
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Leslye Dentch, from Fishkill, NY, wrote us this short letter about her adventure with us in the Copper Canyon:
We just recently returned from your 7 day Copper Canyon tour and I just wanted to tell you how impressed we were with our guide, Rob. He was professional and well informed but it was his people skills – his knowing the nuances and subtleties of our group that made the difference.
We were a group of ten family members ranging in age and attitude from 13 to 80 and Rob not only managed to handle everyone’s needs – he anticipated them – even before we ourselves could. It was not an easy task given the diverse age and interests in our group and Rob did it with ease, style and grace. Watching him “wrangle” my 13 year old nephew, pacify my brother and his outspoken negativity and entertain my 80 year old mom was like watching an artist at work. It was truly impressive.
Sincerely, Leslye Dentch Fishkill, NY
Tarahumara women selling baskets and small items at the Divisadero area
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Bonnie and Morris Papich, from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, traveled with us on our Ireland Dingle Way Walking Tour and wrote us this quick letter about their trip:
Dear Lee
I want to stress how much we enjoyed our hiking of the Dingle Way in Ireland. We met the nicest people, who were so friendly and helpful and stayed in lovely little towns, in great B & Bs. The scenery was spectacular! If you ever get the chance to do this hike we highly recommend it.
Bonnie and Morris Papich
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Scenic path in the Irish countryside.
Walking tour in Ireland
Walking is a great way to see and experience Ireland!
We appreciate it when our guests share their stories, comments and photos with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Jirina Welch, from San Jose, California, traveled with us on our 14-day China, Tibet, Everest Adventure and wrote us this quick letter about her trip:
Hi, Lee.
As I promised, here are my comments to our trip to China. Our trip was great, well organized. All guides were professional and knowledgeable. Hotels nice and clean, personal polite and helpful.
