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 Travel & Outdoors | July 2006 
Move Over, Indiana Jones!
 Joshua Harbour - PVNN
| | Although I may have not had a whip attached to my hip and I wasn’t chased by a giant boulder, I did manage to quietly hum the theme song on each zip line and for a brief moment, I WAS Indiana Jones lost in the jungle and escaping from mortal danger while saving the girl. | 
| | We were treated to a thorough (and funny!) safety demonstration from our friendly team of canopy guides. |
Being a die-hard fan of the Indiana Jones movies, I was ecstatic to find out I would be taking the Canopy Tour de los Veranos during my last vacation in Puerto Vallarta. Each day leading up to this tour was filled with anticipation, and when the eventful day arrived, I couldn’t have been more excited! I was going to get to be my hero ... Indy!
Taking the easy stroll from our condo on Playa de Los Muertos to the Canopy Tour’s office, we arrived for the first tour of the day. Boarding their large open-air jungle cruiser, we started the approximately 40-minute drive along the coast. Enjoying the ocean’s breeze, we sped by such famous PV landmarks as Los Arcos, Mismaloya Beach, and the set from “Night of the Iguana.”
We finally made the turn-off into the small Mexican town of Las Juntas. After traveling through this tiny town, we came to our final destination ... the Los Veranos Ecological Preserve in the jungles above Puerto Vallarta’s coastline. After a chance to stow away our belongings in personal lockers we headed into the harness fitting area to be matched with the appropriate equipment.
We were then treated to a thorough (and funny!) safety demonstration from our friendly team of canopy guides. We were also informed our tour that day would be photographed and videotaped and DVDs/photo CDs would be available for purchase at the end of the trip. Finally ready to go, we headed up into the jungle to start the exhilarating experience that awaited us.
With a total of 14 zip lines spaced throughout the jungle and mountainside, we had plenty of thrills awaiting us. After climbing a short spiral staircase, we started three short canopy runs to make sure we were comfortable and understood the mechanics of the zip line equipment.
It was then on to the real adventure as the zip lines grew both longer, steeper and with much longer spans. Each trip over the distant jungle floor got more exhilarating and breathtaking as our tour progressed, culminating in a series of four runs spanning over the roaring jungle river below us; the longest run more than 1300 feet in length (nearly a quarter of a mile!)
We finally had the chance to “race” our family and friends on the side-by-side finale line which took us right over the river’s rapids and into the tour’s restaurant, “Pancho’s Last Resort.” Tired from the delights of the day’s tour, we were welcomed with a complimentary soda and a chance to view our video and Canopy Tour photos.
Some of our group began to try one of the 80 Tequilas Pancho’s serves, while the rest of us found a relaxing table under a giant palapa right on the jungle river’s banks. As we discussed the day’s excitement, we dined on Mexican specialties and tropical drinks.
With our stomachs full, we introduced ourselves to the adorable spider monkeys and toucans that live there as well as the tarantulas, scorpions and snakes on display. After a quick swim in the cool river and some quick rides down the rock water slides carved into the banks, we climbed aboard our jungle cruiser and headed back to town.
On the way back we all had a great time discussion our different experiences and favorite moments on the day’s trip. All in all, it was a full day of fun, excitement, thrills and good food and drink. Although I may have not had a whip attached to my hip and I wasn’t chased by a giant boulder, I did manage to quietly hum the theme song on each zip line and for a brief moment, I WAS Indiana Jones lost in the jungle and escaping from mortal danger while saving the girl. I can’t wait to do it again!
Canopy Tours de Los Veranos is not just a tour ... it's a place to enjoy, offering a memorable day for people of all ages and interests. For more information, call [322] 223-6060, or visit their website at CanopyTours-Vallarta.com |
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