Hike the Copper Canyon's alpine upper rims and descend to the tropical canyon floors on this fully-supported, deluxe camping trip. This Copper Canyon hiking tour is ideal for active travelers seeking to trek in the remote wilderness setting of the Copper Canyon with visits to local Tarahumara villages and wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Highlights
Visit the school and church of the indigenous village, San Alonso
Hike Urique Canyon to majestic views of canyon walls & rivers
Wander through the arts & crafts cooperative in Creel
Explore the parks, plazas, and cathedrals of Chihuahua
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
Arrive to Los Mochis airport where you will be greeted and transferred to the gateway of Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. The evening is free to explore this cobble-stoned, colonial city and enjoy dinner.
Meet your guide in the morning after breakfast to start your half-day private excursion. After a short walk to view pre-Columbian petroglyphs along the banks of the El Fuerte River, take a boat trip on the river with opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Return to El Fuerte for a historic tour of the city with a short visit to the town's eclectic museum with its collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern artifacts, including from outlaw Pancho Villa.
Your afternoon is open for you to enjoy lunch and independently explore El Fuerte. In the evening, your trekking guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to discuss the next day's departure.
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 Mexico’s interior to the Pacific coast.
Arrive to Areponapuchic after lunch (on your own in the restaurant car) where you take a short transfer to the rustic and comfortable community cabins. Take a short hike this evening before dinner to get your muscles ready for tomorrow. Ziplining and via ferrata (rock climbing/ropes course combination) are options with an additional cost for any thrill-seekers.
After breakfast transfer to the trailhead in San Rafael (7,425 ft elevation). The mules are loaded, and you set out on the moderate hike through beautiful rolling hills of the high sierra. Visit the indigenous village of San Alonso and its school and church before continuing through the high Sierra Tarahumara before arriving to Guitayvo (7,590 ft.) in the mid-afternoon. Spend the night in the community's charming eco-cabins for a perfect introduction to the Copper Canyon and its hospitable communities.
Full-day hike of 4.5-6 hours. Altitude gain/loss: 1,716/1,320 ft.
Day 5: Trek Day: Guitayvo to Huemachi
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start today off with a descent to the river bed before a gradual climb following the side of the canyon. Take in the stunning views and picturesque vistas of pine forest in this alpine region. Camp tonight at the Huemachi ranch (6,620 ft.).
Full-day hike of 6-8 hours. Altitude gain/loss: 690/1,650 ft.
Day 6: Trek Day: Urique Canyon
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Hike to Urique Canyon this morning with majestic views of canyon walls and the Urique River below. You follow along the ridgeline today before arriving to Chiruhuerabo Ranch (7,720 ft.). Arrive in the late afternoon with camp set up, and enjoy the rest of the evening to rest up and take in the spectacular scenery.
Full-day hike of 6-8 hours. Altitude gain/loss: 1,320/142 ft.
Today descend into Urique Canyon to the Naranjo Village located at 3,894 ft. Observe the changes in flora and fauna as your elevation drops into a more lush and tropical environment. Visit in this friendly community while the gear is loaded in the vehicle. Drive to the former mining town of Urique, located at the bottom of the canyon. Explore this Wild West outpost before climbing back into your vehicle for the drive up the canyon switchbacks en-route to Cerocahui. Clean clothes, hot fire, and comfortable lodge await you at the end of the day.
Full-day hike of 6-8 hours. Altitude gain/loss: 132/3,826 ft.
Enjoy beautiful vistas and the Cerocahui Mission on your way to Creel. 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. Settle in for the evening at the cozy hotel and enjoy dinner.
Continue north from Creel towards Chihuahua and stop for lunch on the way. Arrive to Chihuahua and settle into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the parks, plazas, impressive cathedral, and museums of this important historic, regional capital. Tonight is a farewell dinner and fiesta with your guide!
Day 10: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to return home or to your next destination in Mexico.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.