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SWC Travel Series: Sonora Querida 2026

SONORA QUERIDA: THE HISTORY, CULTURE, PEOPLES AND FOOD OF THE RÍO SONORA

March 18 - 23, 2026

Headed by Tom Sheridan, Bill Steen, and Jennifer Jenkins

 

 

We’re excited to share the with you the details of our Spring 2026 Sonora Querida trip, a refreshed and expanded take on our beloved exploration of the Río Sonora Valley.

This unforgettable travel experience begins in Cucurpe, a farming and ranching village on the Río San Miguel where Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino launched his evangelization of the Pimería Alta, to the historic Río Sonora, México, the center of political and economic power in Sonora from the 17th to 19th centuries. We share the food, history, music, and culture of the region with the ranchers, farmers and bacanora makers who have sustained a way of life that has flourished for four centuries. Our base of operation is the lovely Hotel Posada del Río in the town of Banámichi, with support from Hotel Los Arcos. From there, we will explore and celebrate Sonoran history and culture through guided day trips from Arizpe, once the capital of the Provincias Internas, to Ures (fresh addition to the itinerary), the gateway to eastern Sonora. 

The Basics

💰 Cost: $2,000/person, $2,250 in single occupancy (Includes an $600 donation to the Southwest Center
🗓️ Dates: March 18–23, 2025
🧳 Duration: 5 Nights/ 6 Days
📍 Base Location: La Posada del Río Sonora and Hotel Los Arcos, in Banámichi
👥 Group Size: Limited to ~20 participants
🚐 Designed for: Curious travelers, Mexico lovers, and lifelong learners
👉 What makes it special: Sharing the road with Tom Sheridan, whose insights bring the region to life, as we recreate the legendary trips Bill Steen designed for Linda Ronstadt in 2013 and 2019
📩 Contact and questions: cquinteroh@arizona.edu

What is Included

  • Five hotel nights
  • Transportation from and to Tucson in UofA vans
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
  • Site admissions,  guides, and cultural programming
  • Donations to local cultural organizations and artisans
  • $600 donation to the Southwest Center

Who Should Join?

This trip is designed for friends of the Southwest Center, donors, alumni, and intellectually curious travelers. Participants should be comfortable with moderate walking, scenic drives, and engaging conversations.

How to Secure Your Spot

FAQs

We ask for a $300 deposit to guarantee your place. It is refundable, and will be discounted from the final fare.

The final payment deadline is January 19. You may cancel without penalty until then. After January 19, there will be a $750 cancellation fee, unless we have someone on the waitlist ready to step in. After March 1, the cancellation fee increases to $1,250.

Yes, definitely safer than Tucson. We’ve been traveling to and from the Río Sonora Valley for many years without a single incident. Plus, we have trusted friends living in the area who would immediately let us know if safety ever became a concern

We will take care of that at Km 21 checkpoint, shortly after we cross the border. Just remember to bring your passport.

There are reliable medical facilities near Banámichi (Huépac, Ures), and specialized hospitals in Hermosillo, two and a half hours away, so travelers can feel confident knowing quality care is available if needed. However, health coverage while abroad is the responsibility of each traveler. We strongly recommend checking with your U.S. health insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes international coverage. If not, you may wish to purchase short-term travel insurance that includes medical protection.

Some traditional, reliable providers of travel insurance providers are:

Yes. The donation portion of your trip fare is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. After your payment is processed, you will receive an official acknowledgment letter from the University of Arizona Foundation indicating the tax-deductible amount of your contribution. This letter can be used for your tax records.

If you have specific questions about how this applies to your personal tax situation, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.

You Will be Around Here:

 

Itinerary Highlights

🗓️ Day 1 – Cucurpe,  arrive in Banámichi
Drive along the Río Dolores floodplain to visit mission ruins, with a discussion on the Columbian Exchange. Enjoy lunch in the lovely backyard of Eva and Beto Cruz. Arrive at your hotel in Banámichi for a welcome dinner and reception.
🗓️ Day 2 – Arizpe and Bamori
Tour of Arizpe town and mission, and walk along the Alameda to discuss  Arizpe's place in Sonoran History. Lunch at the home of Daniel and Bere Montijo features traditional Sonoran enchiladas made with nixtamalized corn. Later, tour their bacanora distillery and garlic fields.
🗓️ Day 3 – Los Paredones and Rancho la Martina
Morning tour of Banámichi, and a discussion on the cattle industry—past and present—in Sonora. Stop at Los Paredones, the homestead of Stevan de la Rosa and Lucia Gómez. Lunch at Ranchito La Martina, hosted by Blanca López and Prieto Ochoa, includes a tortilla- and bacanora-making demonstration, and a musical performance by Los Cuates.
🗓️ Day 4 – Valle del Rio Sonora: Huépac, Aconchi and Baviácora
Visit the mission and historic flour mill in Huépac while learning about the Río Sonora’s significance in regional history. Enjoy comida at La Estancia, home of Chay Maldonado and Armida Contreras. In the afternoon, tour Baviácora and nearby pueblos along the original Camino Real. That evening, a folkloric dance performance takes place in Banámichi’s main plaza.
🗓️ Day 5 – Ures, "Sonora´s Forgotten Athens"
Tour of the city of Ures, twice capital of the state, and designated Pueblo Mágico in 2023. Discussion about Ures' rich cultural history (hence the alias), and some of the events that shaped its character, including Jerónimo´s incursions during the Apache Insurrection. 
🗓️ Day 6 – Back to Tucson
On the way to the Naco border crossing, stop in Bacoachi to enjoy a riverside meal prepared by Lupita Madero along the banks of the Banacuchi Rive.

A Different Kind of Trip

Past Trips from Our Series

Young women in traditional Mexican folkloric customes
Our First Sonora Querida, October 2022
People in a little boat near Navopatia, Sonora, Mexico
Alamos-Navopatia, November 2024