Troncones, a Special Place with Special Needs

Troncones is about 25 miles north of the twin resorts of Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is the “real” Mexico with its many miles of beautiful, unspoiled, golden beaches. Stroll along the virgin clean sand and go barefoot in the surf where flocks of pelicans skim the crests of waves and endangered sea turtles lay their eggs in the warm sand. It’s a small village of about 1, 500 people who make their living from the sea and has the charm that is a welcome change from many of the countries better know resorts. But it is a village in need of Volunteer Community help, and on this journey, we will be working with the local teachers and other community activists to help the local community.

We will be visiting two of the Local Schools to continue their cultural richness of the region by working with the children supplying school supplies and other needed items. We will spend a full day at the El Refugio de Potosi, a special place dedicated to the preservation of local fauna and flora and work on local facility improvements and construction projects. Included will be the Magic Dream Pillow project is a special favorite for the younger school children.

A special visit will be made to the village of Mesas de Bravo, located about 2 hours from Troncones near the Sierra Madre mountains. The village itself only has about a dozen houses (almost all adobe) and 75 residents. They have no formal water system and are extremely poor. But it does have a primary and secondary school with about 30 students and we will be meeting with them to give out clothes, school supplies, shoes and to help with some home repairs.

Your Journey Includes:

• Roundtrip air to Mexico
• Other tour-related transportation in Mexico
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, including luggage handling
• Accommodations in First Class hotels
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Daly breakfast
• Other meals as per itinerary
• Sightseeing as per itinenary
• All sightseeing entrance fees

Special Added Features:

• El Refugio de Potosi Conservation & education program
• Visit to the Las Cascades waterfalls
• Walking nature tour viewing a multitude of birds and butterflies on a special EcoTour.
• Visit to Zihuatanejo for exploring and shopping
• Farewell Dinner

Volunteer Projects in Troncones, Mexico include:

• The “Dream Project” pairs you with a local student and together discuss the student’s dreams for this art project. We have found it to be a valuable opportunity in teaching children the value of dreaming: how important it is to have dreams, to wish for things, to have goals in life…..and how visualizing ones dreams in this way and keeping them near you while you sleep helps your dreams come true.
• There will be Gift-Giving to children of poverty. They have very little and are genuinely appreciative of even the smallest presents: pens, pencils, crayons, markers, storybooks or educational toys, etc. are great motivators for the kids.
• Participate in renovating and refurbishing school equipment, painting a classroom/tables and/or chairs in the local school,
• Join the fight for the future of the planet by cleaning the river or other clean-up projects
• Visit Mesas de Bravo, a village with about a dozen houses (almost all adobe) and 75 residents, and offer our volunteer services to the villagers and the local school children
• There will be a day spent El Refugio de Potosi, a Center for Wildlife Conservation and Environmental education

TOUR ITINERARY
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Day 1. Sunday. Depart USA (D)
Depart the USA in the evening for our flights to Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa International Airport. Transfer to Troncones and our welcome to Mexico dinner.

Day 2. Monday, In Troncnoes (B)
Today, we will be working with Troncones students and teachers from the “local schools. We will work with local carpenters assisting them in fixing and repairing school facilities and grounds. Additionally, we will have time with the children to participate in their daily school programs including “Dream Pillow” project. We have found it to be a valuable opportunity to teach the children the value of dreaming: how important is to have dreams, to wish for things, to have goals in life…..and how visualizing ones dreams in this way and keeping them near you while you sleep helps your dreams come true. Using fabric, non-toxic paints and markers (travelers will bring them), the children create designs and affirmations, as well as put their names on their pillowcases. Sayings such things as Sweet Dreams, Dreams Come True, etc. Each child will leave with a Dream Pillow. We have found that this program gives these children an experience that can affect them very positively for years to come. The balance of the day is free to relax by the hotel pool or beach. Dinner on your own at one of the nearby restaurants.

Day 3. Tuesday, In Troncones (B)
This morning we continue with our local Volunteer program doing projects like helping rebuild the local playground, or work in beautifying the local church. Then about noon, we will have transportation to Zihuatanejo where you can spend the afternoon free for independent activities and shopping. Time to have dinner at one of the local restaurants before our transportation back to Troncones in the early evening.

Day 4. Wednesday, In Troncones Excursion to Mesas de Bravo & Las Cascadas Waterfall visit B/L/D)
A special visit will be made to the village of Mesas de Bravo, located about 2 hours from Troncones near the Sierra Madre mountains. The village itself only has about a dozen houses (almost all adobe) and 75 residents. They have no formal water system and are extremely poor. But it does have a primary and secondary school with about 30 students and we will be meeting with them to give out clothes, school supplies, shoes and to help with some home repairs. After lunch, we continue to Las Cascades, to view its beautiful waterfall. Bring a bathing suit for a dip by the falls. Return to Troncones for dinner on your own.

Day 5. Thursday, To Playa Blanca (B/L)
After breakfast it’s to the El Refugio de Potosi, a Center for Wildlife Conservation and environmental education. Here we will start our visit with a limb 50 feet to our safe and shady observation platform. Catch a cool breeze as you enjoy the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Visually explore the nearby lagoons, forest and mountains. Then we will volunteer our services to Laurel Patrick, the Refuge Director to assist her with the many projects that need help including the various walks and paths throughout the area that exhibit the flora and fauna to promote conservation and help repair the habitat for promotion and protection of local species., We will see the Butterfly Pavilion. Mexico is home to an astonishing 10% of the world’s butterfly species. We do not know the final count in the Potosi (that is in progress) but we estimate some 70 species of butterflies live in the region. You’ll enjoy viewing native species in free flight; they will light and flutter all around you. Marvel at their fragile beauty while you contemplate the magic of metamorphosis. Guides will point life cycle stages in our breeding areas. Afterwards, we will go to Playa Blanca seaside for a very special lunch before returning to Troncones and the evening on our own

Day 6. Friday, In Troncones (B/L/D
Morning EcoTour, as we explore the various birds and fauna located on Manzanillo Bay as you admire, up-close, the scenery and many different species of local and migratory bird s. Return to our hotel for the balance of the day to relax before our farewell dinner.

Day 7., Saturday, To USA
Transfer to the Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa International Airport for our flight to the USA. Arrive the same day.

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