Week of Rivers with Andrew Holcombe and Anna Levesque

Bios
Anna Levesque
Anna Levesque is a world-class whitewater kayaker who has a passion for inspiring and teaching women. Her experience as an accomplished international competitor, author, instructor and guide has placed her as the leading expert in her field.
Anna combines her international expertise in kayaking with her experience as a yoga instructor and student of meditation, to inspire women in confidently creating success and happiness in all aspects of their lives on and off the water. Her company, Girls at Play, is based out of Asheville, NC.

Andrew Holcombe
Green Race winner, silver medalist at the 2003 World Freestyle Championships and a star in several popular kayak videos, Andrew is one of the top whitewater kayakers in the world. During the 18 years that he has been paddling nationally and internationally, Andrew has logged numerous first descents and top three finishes. His experience and easy-going, friendly personality also make him a fun, top-notch guide and instructor. When Andrew isn’t competing or paddling he’s a head instructor at the NOC.

Trip 1 Date: January 17 - 24, 2009
Trip 2 Date: February 14 - 21, 2009

Skill Level and River Difficulty:
This trip is for intermediate to advanced paddlers. A consistent 80% success rate in whitewater rolling is required to participate in this trip. We’ll be paddling class III and IV rivers and participants should feel comfortable running and rolling in class III and IV whitewater.

Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Mexico!
Your port of entry into Mexico will be the International airport in Veracruz, Mexico. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by Anna, Andrew and the highly experienced staff of Esprit Rafting. We’ll stay overnight at the Hotel Centro Historico Veracruz situated in the heart of the Zocalo.

Day 2: Whitewater Warm Up
From Veracruz, we head east through the foothills of the Sierra Madre Orientales, to the Antigua River valley. Boats and lunch will meet us at the put-in to the Lower Canyon of the Antigua. Once everyone is outfitted in boats, and has had some lunch we’ll put on this class II-III section of river -- a great warm-up for our week of paddling.

After the river we’ll head into the village of Jalcomulco. This small community, situated in the heart of the valley, welcomes you with warm, friendly smiles and an easy going pace of life. We’ll get everyone settled at Aventuras Sin Limites, a local, family-owned rafting base camp. This evening we’ll relax and partake in delicious Mexican food complimented by cold cervezas.

Day 3: Fall Into Crystal Clear Water
Day three begins with yoga (optional) and a fresh, tasty breakfast. Then it’s off to the Actopan River, a spring-born river with crystal clear, aquamarine water -- arguably one of the most beautiful rivers on earth! The first
rapid is a 15 ft waterfall/slide that anyone can run! It’s true! If you have never run a waterfall before, this is the place to do it! The rest of the river is class II-III fast-paced, continuous whitewater with striking scenery. We’ll pull over for lunch riverside.

Dinner will be served a la Mexicana tonight at our friend Berta’s house followed by a salsa dance class with our favorite local instructor, Carlos ‘Manteca.’ Even if you don’t think you’re a dancer, by the end of the night you’ll be feeling the groove, shaking those hips and smiling a lot!

Day 4: Barranca Grande
This morning, we travel upstream from Jalcomulco to the upper reaches of the Antigua River. The scenic drive will take us past the expansive coffee plantations of Coatepec and up into the highlands surrounding the village of Xico. Dropping down a road that seems to cling to the edge of the mountain, we’ll reach the put-in to the Barranca Grande.

This is the beginning of our three- day expedition down the upper Antigua River. A section that features continuous class III-IV whitewater through a spectacular canyon oozing with rainforest greenery. The first day is narrow and fast with over 20 km of continuous whitewater. Remember to take a few breaks to look up and enjoy the spectacular scenery. We end our day beneath the swinging footbridge that leads to the remote coffee station of Amititla. We’ll spend the night here as guests of one of the local families, camping on the coffee platforms overlooking the valley.

Day 5: More Whitewater
After yoga (optional) and a leisurely breakfast, we head out on the river for our second day of paddling on the Barranca Grande. This stretch of whitewater features so many fun class III pool drop rapids that they’re too numerous to name. The gorge will gradually give way to Mango plantations and other signs of civilization as we make our way downstream. When we reach our camp at Monte Blanco, we’ll have covered close to 28 km of river!

Tonight’s camp is the most scenic and relaxing of the trip with palapa roofs and a point where you can sit peacefully overlooking both upstream and downstream views.

Day 6: The Four IVs
Yoga (optional) and breakfast start the day. The paddling begins with the “Four IVs” rapids of the Barranca Grande. These class IV and –IV rapids have everything – some are steep and technical, some have big wave trains and others are slides. You’ll enjoy this section that’s easy to scout and fun to run! We take-out at the highway bridge and head back to town for lunch and a relaxing afternoon in the hammocks.

Tonight we are privileged to take part in an ancient Aztec purification ceremony called the Temazcal. This sweat lodge is performed in a dome-shaped structure where water is poured over hot volcanic rocks to create a steam room. You’ll emerge feeling rejuvenated , relaxed and blissful.

Day 7: Creekin’ Time!
It’s an early start this morning to get to the grand finale of the trip -- the famous Tomata or Alseseca River. This river is a kayaker’s dream with an abundance of clean waterfalls and slides that will make you feel like a kayaking rock star!

From the river we head back to Veracruz to enjoy the nightlife in the Zocalo.

Day 8: Saying Goodbye...
Depart for Veracruz airport to say our farewells.

*Note: We do our very best to adhere to the itinerary outlined above. Activities and rivers specified above may be subject to change based on circumstances outside our control (eg: weather, water levels, road and safety conditions).

Cost: $1550 USD per person, not inlcuding airfare

How to book:
Call Nantahala Outdoor Center at 888.905.7238
or email adventure@noc.com or anna@watergirlsatplay.com

Questions:
Contact Anna or Andrew via email
anna@watergirlsatplay.com
aholcomb@vt.edu

Trip includes:
• Personalized guiding with Andrew Holcombe and Anna LevesqueMorning yoga class (optional)
• Kayak (You don’t need to bring your own kayak, but please bring your own helmet, lifejacket, sprayskirt and paddle. Otherwise this equipment will be available for rent at an additional charge through Esprit Rafting)
• All accommodation
• All meals starting at breakfast the morning of Day 2 until and including dinner on Day 7
• Ground transportation
• Internationally certified guides
• Tent for camping

Trip does not include:
• Airfare to Veracruz
• Equipment (lifejacket, sprayskirt, helmet and paddle) will be available for rent at an additional charge through Esprit Rafting.
• Dinner on Day 1
• Alcoholic beverages
• Telephone and fax services
• Thermarest or sleeping bag

MEXICO TRIPS:

Girls at Play Women's Week
Women's Beginner Whitewater Kayaking Trip to Mexico
Week of Rivers with Andrew Holcombe and Anna Levesque