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Copper Canyon
Great Day
Hiking in the
Copper Canyon
At the
Wakajipare overlook
"The number of people
in a wilderness area diminishes in proportion to the square of the distance and
the cube of the elevation from the nearest road."
Professor
Hildebrand "Hawaiian Hiking Trails"
Copper
Canyon corollary: "The number of visitors that you meet in the Copper Canyon
diminishes in proportion to the square of the distance from the nearest train
station and the cube of the elevation from the nearest hotel."
Maestro Lemenos "In the
Copper Canyon"
While you do
not have to hike to enjoy the Copper Canyon, it sure is a great place to take a
walk!
This itinerary highlights three great places for day hiking, with a variety of
trail options at each location--from easy to strenuous--however YOU want it.
Next scheduled trips:
October 2008
(Dates to be determined)
OR, you let us know when you want to go--it is as simple as that.
To make a reservation or for
more information on a trip of your own:
This trip is a keeper. Glen
and I will try to bring another group on another trip to the Copper
Canyon.
Joanne
from
Medicine Hat, Alberta (about a recent "Great Day Hiking"
trip)
Copper Canyon Adventures
Great Day Hiking
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You will be met at Los
Mochis by an English-speaking representative of Copper Canyon Adventures and
driven to colonial El Fuerte, about 1 1/2 hours away.
There you will settle in at the Hotel El Fuerte, a lovely and historic hotel
very close to the central plaza. Welcome!
Overnight (ON) @ Hotel
El Fuerte
Meals included: Dinner.
NOTE: CAN ALSO BE
MODIFIED TO START AND END IN EL PASO OR CHIHUAHUA, IF DESIRED! PLEASE INQUIRE
FOR MORE DETAILS AND PRICING
Day 2: The
world-famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train
First-class train to
Posada Barrancas, featuring the most spectacular portion of the train ride,
including the Septentrion Gorge and the loops at
Temoris. Enjoy lunch on the
train, with some of the best rail scenery in the world outside your window.
Chihuahua al Pacifico train in the Septentrion Gorge
On arrival, transfer to
the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara, right on the canyon rim—a great location
for scenic walks and exploration. A nearby spot to visit is the “Cueva del
Chino” a cave dwelling still in use by Raramuri Indians.
ON @ Mansion
Tarahumara.
BLD
Day 3: Hiking on
the rim!
You
have a variety of hiking options available in the “Three Canyons” area today,
from mild to strenuous:
Easy/Divisadero: Hike
along the rim northwest, visiting great overlooks at Las Escaleras and Piedra
Volada before arriving at Divisadero, perhaps the most famous of all the
overlooks in the Copper Canyon. To spice this hike up, go to the “Cueva del
Diablo” (Devil’s Cave) and crawl around for awhile! (3-5 hours,
4 miles)
Moderate/El Puerto:
Follow the rim southeast past Raramuri dwellings and fields before arriving at
El Puerto, a little-known but fabulous overlook that makes a great place for
lunch. From there, explore further along the rim, including
the breathtaking Guateivo overlook, before returning to the hotel.
(4-5 hours, 6 miles)
One of several trails to Wakajipare
Strenuous/
Wakajipare:
Descend about halfway down the canyon to the small Raramuri village of
Wakajipare, a world far removed from the canyon rim. If you really want a
workout today, descend to the village, then ascend to the Wakajipare overlook,
above the village—this makes for a full day, and an elevation change of about
3800’/1250m! (6-9 hours,
7-9 miles depending on route chosen)
ON @ Mansion
Tarahumara.
BLD
Day 4:
Three Canyons vehicle
tour and on to Creel and Cusarare
AM: If you like, enjoy
a vehicle excursion featuring great overlooks and Raramuri handicrafts shopping
at Piedra Volada, Las Escaleras and
Divisadero.
PM:
Private transfer to have some free
time in Creel, then on to the Sierra Lodge, rustic luxury in the center of great
hiking around Cusarare. Note: the lodge does NOT have electricity, but we do not
think you will miss it, with the great ambiance of kerosene lamps, fireplaces,
wood stoves--and plenty of hot water!
ON @Sierra Lodge.
BLD
Day 5: Hiking
Cusarare
Cusarare is blessed
with a great variety trails that allow access to not only natural beauty, but a
chance to better see the lifestyles of the Raramuri who live in this area. As
such, you will have a better chance to have “real” (non-touristic) interactions
with Raramuri than is possible for those who don’t leave the beaten path.
Easy/Cusarare Mission:
Ramble thru Raramuri country following Cusarare stream before arriving at the
Cusarare Mission, one of the oldest in the area, with fascinating architecture
and decorations, a bell tower you can actually climb, and perhaps the best
museum in the area, exhibiting an impressive collection of 17th and
18th century religious paintings. After visiting the mission swing by
the “Cueva Pintada” (Painted Cave) and see enigmatic cave paintings of unknown
origin and age. (3-4 hours plus time at the museum, 3.5 miles)
Cusarare
Waterfall with rainbow
Moderate/Cusarare
Waterfall: There are a variety of routes to see the beautiful waterfalls at
Cusarare—the shortest track takes only 45 minutes from the hotel, but this can
be extended by returning via a nearby mesa. In addition, you will probably want
to take a picnic lunch with you to enjoy at the base of the falls—a lovely place
to linger. (3-5 hours, 4.5 miles)
Strenuous/Basirecota
Hot Springs: A classic hike in Raramuri country, this walk takes your over a
nearby mesa before descending steeply in a side canyon to arrive at the
wonderful hot springs at Basirecota. Enjoy the waters, have lunch and explore
nearby cave dwellings before returning to the lodge via the Cusarare waterfall.
A hike of great diversity and relaxation! (8-10 hours,
11 miles includes soak time!)
ON @Sierra Lodge.
BLD
Day 6:
By train to Bahuichivo
AM/PM: Relax and enjoy
a wonderful breakfast at the Sierra Lodge before leaving in mid-morning for
Creel, where you will catch the westbound first-class train to Bahuichivo. There
you will be met and taken to the Hotel Paraiso del Oso, a fine lodge situated in
a picturesque mountain valley.
Time permitting, take a
short hike to the
“Cave of the Crosses” an interesting and anthropologically
significant former Raramuri cave dwelling.
ON@ Oso.
BLD
Day 7: Hiking
the Cerocahui region
Easy/Las Tortugas or Los
Jinetes: Either one of these hikes is a gentle walk following mountain streams
that pass by current and former Raramuri homesteads. (3-4 hours,
3 miles)
Moderate/The Cave Tour: A
fascinating hike visiting four former Raramuri Cave dwellings—the Cave of the
Crosses, the Cave of the Skull, Hidden Cave and the unnamed cave. (4-6 hours,
5 miles)
Moderate/El Cajon to Rancho
Victoriano and Durazno: A great hike that leads to the box canyon at El Cajon,
then climbs steeply for a great overlook of Rancho Victoriano before dropping
down to Durazno, home to Don Ildefonso and Dona Virginia, Raramuri friends of
ours. After a visit with them, enjoy the walk back to the hotel following rock
faces and ridgelines. A very satisfying day! (5-6 hours,
5 miles)
Rock face trail near Durazno
Moderate-Strenuous/Cerro Gallegos to
Oso: This hike has it all—from epic canyon views at the start, to wanderings
thru Raramuri villages, to tranquil mountain streams…long, but worth it! (7-8
hours, 9 miles)
ON @ Oso.
BLD
Day 8:
AM: Free to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, with
time after to perhaps hike up nearby rock formations.. PM: First-class train to
El Fuerte.
ON @ Hotel El Fuerte.
BLD
Day 9: Transfer to
Los Mochis airport, where you will be assisted in checking in.
B
Trip price includes:
The services of a
bilingual guide throughout your trip,
Round-trip
first-class travel on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, considered one of the
most scenic rail journeys in the world,
All lodging,
All meals, as noted,
All excursions and hiking (including the full-day hike to Wakajipare, the Three
Canyons cultural and canyon rim tour at Areponápuchi, the
half-day cultural and
canyon rim tour of Cerocahui and Cerro Gallegos,
and hiking around both
the Sierra Lodge and the Paraiso del Oso),
All airport/train station/hotel
transfers upon your arrival in Los Mochis, and
A detailed trip information package with maps and supporting documentation.
Trip Prices:
Accompanied by a personal bilingual guide throughout the trip:
For one person: $2750, single occupancy.
Two persons: $1825
per person, double occupancy.
Three persons: $1625 per person, triple occupancy.
Four persons: $1525 per person, double occupancy.
Six persons: $1425 per person, double
occupancy.
(discounts are available for groups larger than
six persons--please inquire)
Not included in trip price:
Airfare to and from Los Mochis, Mexico (airport code LMM),
where the trip begins,
(our US representative, Total
Travel Tours (ask for
Earl Fox) can often find you some great deals—we recommend calling him at
1-800-732-3023 (during normal business hours, mountain standard time).
(if doing your own booking
to Los Mochis, it is best to book the round-trip from your home airport to
either Los Angeles, Phoenix or Tucson. Then, make a SEPARATE booking from
one of those three US airports to Los Mochis, making sure all the connection
times work with the first booking. Booking separately like this will often
save you upwards of $200 per person on your flight to travel with us!
(Try this airline link for flights to Los Mochis from
Tucson, Phoenix or LA)
http://www.aeromexico.com/ingles/home.html
for AeroMexico)
Tips for trip guide, baggage handling, hotel
staff, drivers, musicians, dancers,
etc. (can be included
at your request for
convenience sake)
Personal
purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages.
Mexico tourist
card ($22 per person; normally added into the price of your airline ticket).
To make a reservation or for
more information:
Happy
Hiking!
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Copper
Canyon Adventures
