Arrive to Los Mochis airport where you will be greeted and transferred to the gateway of Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. In the afternoon meet the guide for an orientation of El Fuerte and take a walking tour and streetcar ride of this cobble-stoned, colonial city.

If you are planning to arrive early in the day, we can arrange an optional half-day excursion to visit the pre-Columbian petroglyphs and a boat trip on the El Fuerte River with good opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife-viewing.

All aboard the world famous, first-class El Chepe train of the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway for the six hour journey into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Considered one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys and an engineering marvel, the train crosses 36 bridges and passes 87 tunnels along its 655 km route from México’s interior to the Pacific coast.

Arrive to Posada Barrancas after lunch (on your own in the restaurant car) and be met at the station and transferred to the hotel. Meet the guide, your host for the next five days, who will lead a hike before dinner so you can stretch your legs and enjoy the mountain air.

Spend the morning exploring on your own or simply relax on your private balcony that overlooks the canyon. Ziplining and via ferrata (rock climbing/ropes course combination) are options with an additional cost for any thrill-seekers. After lunch, meet your guide and begin the drive to Creel with stops along the way at Piedra Volada, the tallest waterfall in Mexico. Continue to the Valley of the Mushrooms, known for its namesake-shaped rocks, and Lake Arareko with unusual rock formations and surrounding pine forest.

An old railroad and logging town, Creel’s picturesque location among the pine forest makes it an interesting destination. Spend some time wandering through the main plaza and arts and crafts cooperative that contribute directly to the Tarahumara community. After some time in Creel, head outside of town to the Tarahumara village of Cusarere and settle in at your rustic lodge. Enjoy a 3 mile round-trip hike to the 90 foot Cusarare Falls before returning for dinner.

After breakfast, set off in a vehicle and descend the switchbacks to pass through La Bufa and Copper Canyons towards Batopilas. Observe the changes in flora and fauna as your elevation drops into a more lush and tropical environment. Your guide explains the natural history of the canyons’ volcanic rock by rivers and tectonic movements over centuries.

Batopilas, a former silver mining town, sits on the canyon floor at an elevation of 1,400 ft, almost 6,000 ft beneath Creel’s elevation. Explore the plaza with your guide and admire the colonial architecture or take a stroll to the Batopilas River. Your guide is available to make recommendations for dinner on your own tonight.

Enjoy a full-day of hiking in the Batopilas Canyon today. Your guide helps you select a hiking option based on your groups’ preferred duration and intensity level.

Option 1 – A five hour roundtrip flat hike to the Lost Cathedral of Satevo, a spectacular structure dating back to the 1760's.

Option 2- A five hour roundtrip hike including 1.5 hours of climbing to the Peñasquito Mine. This was formerly considered one of the most prosperous silver mines in the world. Enjoy beautiful views of Batopilas Village and the river below.

Option 3 – A nine hour hike with 4 hours of climbing to the Mesa de San Jose. Enjoy breathtaking views of Batopilas Canyon and the neighboring Urique Canyon.

Drive this morning climbing the switchbacks back up to the canyon's rim and the alpine landscape. Continue to Creel in the late afternoon, and your evening is free.

Continue north from Creel towards Chihuahua and stop en-route for lunch . After arriving to Chihuahua and settling into your hotel, you are free to explore the parks, plazas, impressive cathedral, and museums of this important historic, regional capital.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to return home or to your next destination in Mexico.