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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
