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A traveler crossing a bridge over Copper Canyon.

Into the Canyon

Example 8 Day Tour
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Come along on this 8-day Copper Canyon trip exploring the canyon rims and floors, with full-day hikes and stays at lodges for active travelers who prefer not to camp. Begin with a scenic train trip on the El Chepe train on the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway. Descend 6,000 feet from the high alpine rim of the Copper Canyon to the canyon floor and the riverside village of Batopilas. Hike and explore this remote and historic area and visit local villages with your guide. Customize the itinerary for non-hikers with a leisurely lodge-stay on the canyon floor.
Spectacular canyon viewsCopper Canyon TrainScale the cliff sides with ease using the equipment provided.Copper Canyon suspension bridgeCopper Canyon TrekkingCrossing a BridgeCusarare Waterfall, an easy hike from the Copper Canyon Sierra LodgeRide the Copper Canyon and enjoy a view from up high.A traveler crossing a bridge over Copper Canyon.
Highlights
  • Wander the plaza and arts cooperative of Creel
  • Hike three miles round-trip to Cusarare Falls, standing 90 feet tall
  • Visit the silver mining town, Batopilas, located on the canyon floor
  • Trek through Batopilas Canyon for spectacular views
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Los Mochis | Transfer to El Fuerte

Arrive to Los Mochis airport where you are 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, an optional half-day excursion can be arranged to visit the pre-Columbian petroglyphs and a boat trip on the El Fuerte River with good opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife-viewing.

Day 2: Copper Canyon Railroad

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
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 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 three days, who will give you an orientation and discuss the options for tomorrow's activities. The evening is free to take a short walk to explore the grounds or relax on your private balcony that overlooks the canyon before dinner.

Day 3: Travel to Creel | Hike to Cusarare Falls

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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. Settle in at your charming hotel located in town. After some time in Creel, head outside of town to the Tarahumara village of Cusarere and enjoy a 3-mile round-trip hike to the 90 foot Cusarare Falls before returning for dinner.

Day 4: Batopilas and the Canyon Floor

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
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.

Day 5: Copper Canyon Hiking in Batopilas

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Enjoy a full-day of hiking in the Batopilas Canyon today. Your guide helps you select a hiking option based on your group's preferred duration and intensity level.

Option 1: A 5-hour round-trip flat hike to the Lost Cathedral of Satevo, a spectacular structure dating back to the 1760s.

Option 2: A 5-hour round-trip 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 9-hour-hike with 4 hours of climbing to the Mesa de San Jose. Enjoy breathtaking views of Batopilas Canyon and the neighboring Urique Canyon.

Day 6: Creel

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

Day 7: From Creel to Chihuahua

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Continue north from Creel towards Chihuahua and stop en-route for lunch and to visit a "Menonita" community near Cuauhtemoc. 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.

Day 8: Return Home

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

Accommodations

Hotel Posada del Hidalgo

Hotel Posada del Hidalgo
Hotel Posada del Hidalgo
Hotel Posada del Hidalgo

Hotel Mirador

Hotel Mirador
Hotel Mirador
Hotel Mirador

Copper Canyon Riverside Lodge

Copper Canyon Riverside Lodge
Copper Canyon Riverside Lodge
Copper Canyon Riverside Lodge

Quality Inn Chihuahua

Comfortable rooms at the Quality Inn
Comfortable lodging
Comfortable rooms at the Quality Inn

Creel - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Notes

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Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • 1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Airport Departure Tax

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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