A 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.
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.
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.
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
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 | 182 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 182 reviews on
3 hours ago
Easiest trip to plan ever. We received quick answers and Mary was very knowledgeable about different areas of the world that we had questions about.
We have book 2 trips, FABULOUS trip to Antartica which we have already taken and just booked for a future trip to Africa.
Michelle
8 hours ago
Planning service is personal. people actually listening to you and using that information constructively to help you plan a great trip. They have extensive travel knowledge and experience in the area they cover. The planning is detailed and comprehensive in meeting your needs. It makes a difference!
Allison Wynn
18 hours ago
The pre-planning and execution of the plan was excellent. They were even able to help get glasses returned when a member or our party left them in a hotel.
Roger
1 day ago
What made our Costa Rica experience great was the wonderful places we stayed and transportation to get to our different areas to visit was excellent! The white water rafting and the snorkeling & dolphin watching were really fun!
Michell Murphy
2 days ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!