Trincheras, Sonora

Trip to Santa Ana and Trincheras, Sonora, Mexico

This day trip to a Northern Sonora, Mexico pueblo takes you back thousands of years in the pre-Hispanic history of the region.

The archaeological site of the Cerro de Trincheras is a hill that was terraced with rocks by early residents of the area. The word Trincheras means “trenches” in Spanish.

The terraces, pottery shards and other archaeological artifacts from the site identify its origin during the period of the Trincheras tradition, a sub-culture that was most prevalent from 800 to 1100 A.D. in the region that is now Northern Sonora.

We visit the charming pueblo of Trincheras and its museum (which has centuries-old pottery shards) and may go for a walking tour of the town plaza and courtyard of the San Rafael de Trincheras church before going for a hike on the “pyramid of Northern Sonora.”

Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring a walking stick if you use one.

We will stop along the way for lunch and to visit the old church at Santa Ana Viejo (Old Santa Ana), the location of the original settlement that became the city of Santa Ana, Sonora.

The tour leaves early in the morning from the Quality Americana Hotel in Nogales. If you do not want to make an early morning drive to the border, The Quality Americana Hotel will offer a special tour rate for the evening prior to the trip to Trincheras.