|
       
|
 |
Tours • Miracle of Mata Ortiz Miracle of Mata Ortiz Thursday, October 23 - Tuesday, October 28, 2008Itineraries and costs are subject to change 
Caravan in your own vehicle from San Diego through Bisbee, AZ to Mata Ortiz and back through Benson, AZ to San Diego.Join us on an amazing adventure to the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with some culture and chile peppers mixed in. Watch Video of award winning potter Carlos Carrillo making an exquisite pot in Mata Ortiz Our sojourn to the Mexican village of Mata Ortiz, about 150 miles south of the Mexican border, will take you back in time to a place that has rediscovered an ancient art. The village itself is rural, with dirt streets, colorful houses, chickens, dogs and an occasional horse or burro. But inside these quiet homes is where the miracle of Mata Ortiz lies. Exquisite pots handcrafted by residents of the town can be seen tucked into living room shelves, tables and beds. Over the years, thousands of these decorative pots have made their way to museums, galleries and stores worldwide. In Mata Ortiz, these beautiful pots can be bought at nearly half the price charged elsewhere.  We will visit with these amazing artists, browsing for pots along the way. See how a ball of clay is transformed into a pot, and visit the nearby Pacquimé archeological ruins from which this art form derived. In the kitchen of a century-old hacienda learn how to make delicious Mexican meals. On our way back to San Diego, visit the Kartchner Caverns State Park and explore one of the top ten caves in the world.
The above video gives you a short glimpse into the little village of Mata Ortiz. Just 100 miles south of the U.S. border, a true Mexican village, mixing tradition with modern conveniences. The residents now produce world-class pottery, using only the clay from the surrounding hills that were at one time ruled by Pancho Villa. As you can see in the video, the artists "studios" are their homes. They invite you inside to show their work. They even spread the pots out on their beds, sharing the space with their favorite "teddy bear." It is a wonderful experience. INCLUDED: Five nights hotel accommodations • Meals as noted in itinerary (8) • Tourist card • Visit to the Pacquimé archeological site • Cooking class in the Hacienda San Diego • Guided shopping tours for pots in Mata Ortiz • Tour of Kartchner Caverns State Park. Car permits and Mexican vehicle insurance and roundtrip van transportation provided for our guests who pay $995. NOT INCLUDED: Meals enroute • Mexican Tourist Card, Car Permits and Mexican vehicle insurance • Personal items • Packing materials for pots • Tips to guides and waiters • Trip Insurance. Car permits and Mexican vehicle insurance and roundtrip van transportation provided for our guests who pay $995.  OCTOBER 23: SAN DIEGO ~ BISBEE, AZ -
We'll get an early morning start and caravan to the copper-mining town of Bisbee, stopping for lunch in Gila Bend, AZ, at the Space Age Café. Once in Bisbee, explore the town with its Victorian-style architecture, art galleries, antique shops and bookstores. Get acquainted with this quaint town that once produced the largest amount of copper in the world.
OCTOBER 24: BISBEE ~ MATA ORTIZ - Following breakfast, we're on our way to the U.S./Mexican border. After a stop at Mexican customs at the Douglas/Aqua Prieta border, we'll head south through Mexico's "Serengetti" plain and wind through mountains before making a lunch stop in Casas Grandes. Arrive at the El Adobe Inn mid-afternoon in Mata Ortiz. After getting settled in our motel, we'll begin the exciting search for pots. Includes dinner.  OCTOBER 25: MATA ORTIZ ~ PAQUIMÉ -
A special treat this morning while having breakfast! Watch a local artist transform a ball of clay into a pot. Continue shopping for pots the remainder of the morning. In the afternoon, we'll head to Paquimé and visit the extraordinary archeological ruins and museum. Paquimé, a World Heritage Site, was once a thriving center of trade between the Pueblo culture of northern Mexico and Mesoamerica in the 14th and 15th centuries. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
OCTOBER 26: MATA ORTIZ ~ HACIENDA SAN DIEGO - Mid-morning, we'll head to the Hacienda San Diego, a century-old hacienda that was one of dozens owned by former Chihuahua Governor Luis Terrazas.  This hacienda was seized by Pancho Villa and served for a time as his headquarters. Tour the hacienda that is now in the process of being renovated. We'll take a cooking class from Sara Ramirez de Acosta, a resident of the hacienda and learn her culinary secrets, then enjoy the fruits of our labor in her charming and beautiful kitchen. Back at the motel, pack our pots for the trip home, and bid farewell to Mata Ortiz with a festive farewell dinner. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
OCTOBER 27: MATA ORTIZ ~ BENSON - This morning, caravan back into the U.S. with our pot treasures. Spend the night in Benson. Includes breakfast and lunch. OCTOBER 28: BENSON ~ KARTCHNER CAVERNS ~ SAN DIEGO - In the morning we visit Kartchner Caverns State Park where we'll embark on a tour of these living caverns. Discovered in 1974, these caves are nature's works of art ranging from intricate formations to the largest column in Arizona. We'll return to San Diego arriving early evening. Please join us for this trip of a lifetime! Our award winning amigo Carlos Carrillo shows us how to make an exquisite Mata Ortiz pot. All by hand, using clay from the mountains. The "paint" is actually different colored earth and the brushes are made of children hair. Carlos used the backside of a hacksaw blade to shape this pot. The scraper he used to shape the inside was made from a plastic bottle. He uses cow manure to get the hottest fire he can get to fire the pot. Nothing was bought and nothing was wasted. Just incredible to watch. NOTE: Please contact Baja and Beyond Tours PRIOR to ensure the quota has been met on your specified trip. If quotas are not met, the trip may be cancelled. RESPONSIBILITIES: Each guest agrees to complete, initial and sign Baja and Beyond Tours Application for Reservations and Release of Liability Form which details further conditions. Right is reserved to withdraw any tour, program or trip and/or make changes to itineraries, dates and/or times. FOR INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS CONTACT US 866-558-3180 (TOLL FREE) 619-328-9814 |
| ©2007 Baja and Beyond Tours, All Rights Reserved :: Home | Tours | About Us | Contact Us | Photos | Videos | Links | Hotels Site By: Murrieta Web Design |