"During 30 years of birding & nature travel, I've been many places. But I recently was at a place that ranks among the best, in the remote hills of Sonora, Mexico - a place called Rancho Los Banos. What's probably best about it is that it is NOW, as places such as Arizona WERE in the past - before "development" brought highways, agriculture, and many people. A place in the US that's quite similar to it is Big Bend National Park in Texas. Yes, from nearly 3,000 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level, and with canyons, peaks, hills, valleys, forests, and streams, the area of Rancho Los Banos has enough to it to be a national park.

When at the Sonoran ranch of Los Banos, there was much so nature to experience - birds, butterflies, and animals. The early-morning wake-up call, just outside the window, was the howling of coyote. Following dusk, owls called. After dark, the stars shone brightly, including a Milky Way that nearly jumped out of the sky.

As wonderful as the place and the nature were, it was certainly all the more so due to the kind hospitality of our hosts. So much was learned from them, and our excellent Mexican meals bought always to mind, although it was never forgotten, where we were. All of the time, during my visit, I was, simply put, so very glad to be there."

Armas Hill
Delaware

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I began planning my next trip to Rancho Los Banos on the day I arrived. Very few places have had that effect on me, but this is so much more than a nice vacation. Imagine your favorite national park with no one in it except you, the friends or family you've chosen to bring along, and a couple of the most gracious, fun hosts you'll ever meet. It will remind you that there are more important things in life than all of those deadlines, emails, voicemails, and traffic you've been worrying about.

Those photos on the website are not just a few nice areas; there are jaw-dropping views literally everywhere you turn. It is impossible to photograph or describe it all; you just have to go and see it. The silence is broken only by the birds, the smell of the desert after a rain is like nothing else, and the food is perfect. The ranch can be as relaxing or as filled with adventure as you want to make it. You could sit on the porch and watch the light change and listen to the birds all day and be perfectly content, but you would miss out on some of the even better aspects of this place that modern civilization has, thankfully, left behind.

A typical day for me began with eating homemade muffins on the porch just after dawn while watching the sunlight travel across the canyons. My friend and I and our hosts then piled into a Suburban for a scenic drive to the beginning of that day's adventure. Some days involved hiking, while others consisted of kayaking down the river or soaking up the sun by the lake. Every day included gorgeous views, friendly hosts and cowboys, delicious meals, and constant reminders of what is truly important in the world. Our evenings consisted of ignoring the huge television in favor of interesting conversation, admiring the stars from the porch, sipping red wine by the fire, and excitedly planning the next day.

                     Brenna Yursik

                     Phoenix, AZ

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We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Rancho los Banos.  Manuel is a incredibly

knowledgeable guide to the vast ecological wonderland that is the northern Sonoran desert.  He

is a wonderful host and his meals were delicious.  We stayed for a week at the El Cumaral Lodge,

which had a lovely wrap-around porch. The lodge was a lovely place to rest after a long day hiking

and watch the sun set.

It was an amazing experience for us. We were looking for an escape from our daily routines in

middle-America, and the experience allowed us to truly get outside of our every-day lives and

appreciate the beauty and grandeur that such a vast, serene and ancient landscape can offer.

The experience can be as different or as similar to "regular" American life as you'd like it to be

(there is Direct TV at the Lodge and Manuel is more than happy to help you do your shopping

for whatever you may desire before you leave the States), but I think we'd would both recommend

taking the unique opportunity to embrace nature and simple human interaction.

We'd both recommend taking as many hikes as a person is physically able, but there are many

other opportunities available at Rancho los Banos.  We'd recommend talking to Manuel and

finding the right schedule and experiences for yourself.

This is not a resort.  It's instead a good old fashioned real life human experience, and wonderful

interaction with glorious amounts of nature, on a scale writ-large with the beauty that only this

amazing landscape could bring.

We give it a 5 out of 5.  It's beautiful and memorable.

Strongly recommended.

Willow Fort and Curt Perkins, Tennessee

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We’ve been to many resorts, even eco-lodges in remote parts of the world, but to find ourselves in a place so pristine and untouched by the modern human world was something we will never forget. Surrounded by thirty thousand acres of mountains, valleys, cliffs and canyons – as far as the eye can see and beyond, we were able to sample only a bit of what this unusual eco ranch has to offer.

We, including our two teenage children, spent our time hiking into canyons, climbing through caves, looking at petroglyphs left by tribes roaming the lands 2,000 years earlier and sifting through dirt to find shards of artifacts. Wanting to leave everything as undisturbed as we found it, we took nothing with us but the incredible sense of being among only a handful of people to ever experience this place that is preserving what the world was like pre-civilization.

The highlights of our stay were the vaqueros, dignified, elegant cowboys who escorted us on some amazing rides on horseback. The more experienced among us were able to go out with a single vaquero and set pace, direction and destination of the ride. “All I had to do was think a direction and my horse would respond, “  said our 16-year-old daughter, commenting on how in tune she felt with her horse.

While our time there was a much needed and greatly appreciated respite (even for the kids) from the daily barrage of information via cell phone, computer and television, what made the trip truly exceptional was being in such majestic surroundings while getting to know Manuel Jr and Sr  - gracious and knowledgeable individuals, sensitive to the concerns and needs of guests and full of interesting facts and information about the land and the wildlife they live with at Rancho Los Banos. The food was authentic Mexican and the meals were wonderful opportunities to talk and relax, take stock of the day’s adventures and plan for the next day.

We highly recommend this to those travelers interested in a wilderness adventure like no other.

- the Gessner-Silvermans, Brooklyn, N.Y.

March 2010

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 I highly recommend Tierra Chamahua Eco Adventures at Rancho Los Baños to anyone who is looking for a safe, organized and affordable wilderness-type experience.  As a woman traveling alone, I received very comprehensive information ahead of time about what to expect, was met at the Tucson airport, and driven across the border to the ranch (and back) without any problems.    The accommodations were very comfortable and the views, spectacular.  Lots of options are available both to people with little outdoor experience or to those who prefer overnight trips into the mountains.  (I only had time for hiking and horseback riding but would love to try kayaking and longer treks into the canyons on my next trip.) 

The guides are friendly, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating.  Everything about the place is charming, from the authentic Mexican cowboys who lead the horseback rides, to the home cooking over mesquite fueled fires.  Schedules are flexible and every effort is made to accommodate specific requests by the guests.  This is a small, family-run business with a true focus on customer satisfaction.  If you are the kind of person who can't live without your Blackberry, forget about it.  But if you want to spend some time in a truly unspoiled place with the biggest moon you ever saw  in your life, and a sky full of shooting stars (and no it wasn't the Tequila, I really did see them!) you should check out Rancho los Baños.

Sheri Furlott,

Washington, DC, April 2010

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"I came to Rancho Los Banos with a nature tour group, not knowing just what to expect.  Having heard the property was 'unspoiled' and 'natural', I anticipated a quiet, cactus-studded retreat.  No description could have prepared me for the spectacular and remote landscape of Rancho Los Banos!  I kept exclaiming that I hardly cared if we saw birds and wildlife, the scenery was so magnificent.  However, we did have it all: birds, animals, canyons, mountains, a spring-fed grotto and stream, the lake and enormous dam...... I could go on and on.  Our host, Manuel, took good care of us, and shared his knowledge of the land and its history.  Next time, I want to do more hiking, stargaze, maybe raft down the river, and again enjoy Mexican home-style cooking and revisit my favorite spots."

                    L. Lawrence
                  Toronto, Canada

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My stay at the Rancho Los Baños in the fall of 2008 was an experience I will enjoy remembering over and over again.
 
As we made our slow ascent along canyon roads to the ranch house the crescent moon hung low over the mountains in a star-studded sky.  This was my first visit to Mexico and what a wonderful first impression! 
 
My whole experience was one of joy in this spectacular setting.  I listened to evening lullabies by elf owls and morning wake-up calls by coyotes!   The various tours of the ranch given by our ever considerate hosts revealed wonders I felt privileged to see. 
 
Always thinking of our well-being and our desires, Manuel and the Valenzuela family made sure all our needs were met.  For instance, meals were delicious and nutritious! 
 
Their deep love for the land and its wildlife and for the pets in their care was inspiring.  A rescued dog was gently being given time to adjust to its new home and all their other animals were obviously enjoying their lives – all the while being truly cherished.
 
I would definitely recommend a stay at the ranch for as long as possible.  It will enrich your soul.

                      Doris Potter

                      Montreal, Canada

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When searching for adventure, tranquility, or even home away from home, we are often surprised by what we find and where we find it. For me, Los Baños turned out to be more than everything that I was hoping for plus home. 

Each turn, each vista, each canyon, each piece of ancient history came to light as part of the wonderful discovery of the authentic, pristine, and natural setting for the “home ranch”, which, with its’ simple surrounding and practical function, defined “the real thing”.

Sheer sandstone canyons carved out by time unlimited and following the natural water courses, make for endless hiking in untouched nature.  Wildlife galore speaks to the natural habitat, safe haven, and remote paradise that lives undisturbed by the greatest predator of all….man.

Graciously and humbly presented by the stewards of the ranch for over 60 years, the Valenzuela family introduces and hosts Los Baños for each guest by proudly offering the area for what it is and always has been.   A real working cattle ranch nested in an environment unsurpassed for natural beauty, ruggedness, history, and wildlife.  Trails upon trails through some of the most diverse and glorious landscape on earth punctuated with pure silence and star filled nights.

Los Baños was far more than I ever expected and will be recorded in my memory as a “trip of a lifetime” waiting to be enjoyed again and again.

         Lynn Wallack

         Chicago, IL   

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My husband and I came to Los Banos as experienced horse people who were interested in riding the ranch's backcountry and to experience ranch life.  Los Banos did not disappoint! We had some amazingly scenic rides that were fun and challenging. We saw lots of country—gorgeous wet canyons, rugged mountaintops, rough, thorny desert, and wildlife too.

The ranch's horses were tough and surefooted and very responsive, like good ranch horses should be. They were safe, but definitely not slow, dull tourist horses. Our guide, ranch vaquero Carlos did not speak English, but we had made a a new friend when we left the ranch—his good nature and our pleasure and interest in the ranch seemed to overcome any barriers. We helped him move cattle, shoe horses and even milk wild range cattle!

When our days on the trail were over, it was wonderful to come back to the ranch house and have a terrific meal full of local flavors waiting for us, even tasted Carlos' menudo and homemade cheese. We wound up our evenings up with a star strewn night on the porch with a cold beer chatting with our fellow guests.

We also enjoyed a paddle on Lake Agostura and a terrific canyon hike.

Manuel and his family are gracious, knowledgeable hosts, and the ranch is as remote and spectacular as it looks on the Web site. I would highly recommend Los Banos to anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, beautiful wild places, or is interested in experiencing traditional Mexican ranch life.

         Trudy Balcom

          Northern Iowa

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My inadvertent adventure in time travel began innocently enough with the firm handshake and genuine smile of Manuel  at the Tucson airport and was packaged as an eco-adventure tour.  The change began as we drove South and East through the sere Arizona landscape talking like old friends, but I didn't catch the beginning of the regression until we passed through Tombstone.  By the far side of Agua Prieta, it was clear to everyone in the vehicle to some degree or other that time as we know it in the United States was no longer relevant and the demands so inferred were lifted.

On the ranch time took wing as we explored the canyons of the ancients, our hands using the same holds they had when they climbed up to scribe the cavern walls.  We sat on our heels and pondered the meaning of the glyphs.  We lay beneath the overhangs and felt echoes of the heartbeats that reverberated into the living rock.  We swam in the pools that healed or cleansed.  We aligned our lives to the natural rhythm of the sun and moon and opened our hearts and lives to each other as is only possible in the uncomplicated timelessness.

So powerful the draw of the timeless life, that even now as I write these words from the year 2010 in my mind's eye I can still view the youthful stars that dance in the night sky over Rancho los Banos to the chorus of the coyote and I plan my future return to the past.

Mark Saltus

San Diego, CA 

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We recently spent a few days at "Rancho Los Banos" and had a great time. The landscape is unspoiled and spectacular and was just what we needed to forget about our busy lives at home. It's a bit like traveling back in time, as the pace slows down and your focus is in the moment. While we are not birders, we could appreciate the fact that this area would be great for people seeking this experience. We enjoyed several great hikes, a horseback ride and a great cup of coffee with Carlos, one of the vaqueros. We had great hosts and guides and we only wish that we had been able to spend more time in this beautiful corner of Mexico.

Michael and Catherine McCormack

Lazy Dog Ranch

Sierra Vista, AZ

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Visit April 3-13, 2010 

My husband and I are full time professional artists, and as usual we look for holidays that are ‘off the beaten path’ to fuel our creativity and expand our horizons. This 30,000 acre working ranch, tucked miles beyond a private dirt road, offered a diversity of experiences: unspoiled nature and birding, unrivalled scenery, diverse rock formations, petroglyphs, horseback riding, kayaking, all levels of hiking, cave and canyon explorations, interesting company, and unlimited inspiration. 

The remoteness of this ranch was another attraction. Far from telephone and internet, we were able to concentrate on living in the moment, Mexican style. Each day we consulted with our host and guide, Manuel, who offered options that suited our mood and energy level. For those who are flexible, this trip offers an organic approach that flows with nature, your physical stamina and experience, and your personal goals for the trip.  

During our stay we noted how very accommodating were our hosts to the guests’ level of fitness, making sure that each visitor was able to enjoy the maximum benefit within his comfort level. As such, we were trusted with a Suzuki Crawler, which allowed us freedom to wander and explore on our own. The food was good and plentiful, accommodations authentic and warm, and the view with morning coffee was breathtaking. Early April, with the mesquite just coming into leaf and cactus just starting to flower, was a great time to go. 

This trip is not for you if your idea of enjoyment is sitting at the Captain’s table on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean… but it’s perfectly geared to the fit adventurous traveler who wants a unique, down-to-earth personalized experience in the Sonoran-Chihuahuan deserts. From the first moment, our visit to Tierra Chamahua at Rancho Los Baños was all we hoped for and more.

We highly recommend it.  

Lorraine Roy  www.Lroytextileart.com

Janusz Wrobel  www.Jwrobelphoto.com

Ontario, Canada

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Every year or two, three women friends and I pack our hiking boots, bathing suits and bird scopes and go on an adventure in an interesting location. This year we went to Rancho Los Baños--a remote, wild and wonderful desert ranch in northern Mexico. What a wonderful experience!

Our flight into Tucson was delayed so our host Manuel set up comfortable accommodations for us at a hotel that night and we headed for the ranch early the next morning.

After several hours of driving, we left pavement, got on the long dirt road leading to our accommodations and the terrain became more stunning and rugged. The winter had been a particularly wet one and the ranch was in full spring flower when we arrived--cacti were blooming all over the hillsides and along spring fed streams. This is a working ranch, so the first folks we met was Manuel Sr. and his vaqueros--a  hard-working and charming group, surrounded by dogs, cats, cows, horses and plenty of wildlife. We weren't even at our house when Manuel stopped the car and we had the rare opportunity of seeing an Elegant Trogon--a beautiful parrot-sized bird, sporting the colors of the Mexican flag--showing off in a tree along the road.

Around every bend leading to the ranch was another gorgeous view--arroyos lined with flowers, terracotta colored giant rock formations right out of a John Ford western (just out our front door!), caves with carbon burnt ceilings from First People's cook fires of more than a thousand years ago, birds of all kinds, mesquite and ocotillo cacti "forests" against a brilliant azure sky. There's a lot of water on the ranch so it's not typical desert terrain--palm lined oases are everywhere, giving what one would imagine to be a very dry place an other-worldly tropical feeling

Manuel was a gracious host, a great cook and a wonderful guide. We spent very full days hiking, bird watching, kayaking, touring the land by Jeep and enjoying the company of the two other guests participating in these adventures. Every evening we had delicious mesquite fired dinners and sat on a roomy porch and watched the sun set with our two new friends.

Since I got home it has been difficult to describe this very special experience to my family and friends. It was magical...I'll be back!

Pat Roan Judd,  

Detroit, Michigan

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My husband and I stayed here at the end of March 2010 for 4 nights. We were met at the Tucson airport by our host, Manuel, who handled our baggage problems with aplomb (arranged to get them delivered the next day). Our stay was magical in every sense of the word and we agree wholeheartedly with the previous reviewers. Manuel made every attempt to individualize our visit and accomodate our wishes for activities which included hiking in the magnificent canyons, jeep rides, birdwatching, horseback riding and of course dining on mostly locally obtained food. We hope to return in another season to see the changes in the flora and of course to try to get a better view of the Elegant Trogon!

Karen Crabtree 

Ukiah, California

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