Copper Canyon
Raramuri Easter Adventure
March
17-24, 2008
The
celebration begins...
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is the most exciting fiesta in the Copper Canyon
region. Thousands of Raramuri Indians leave remote ranchitos (small villages
and settlements) to walk hours, even days, to isolated religious centers
where they participate in ceremonies that originated with Jesuit priests
over three centuries ago.
This very special
trip, a CCA exclusive, gives you the opportunity to both
experience and participate in this incredible cultural event.
Going far from where visitors normally
view Easter festivities guarantees you a more traditional and authentic
experience of these amazing events. Not only that, but this trip is
planned so that you end each night in a comfortable hotel! (For a
hiking and camping adventure at Easter, please see our
'Raramuri Easter
Trek" itinerary.)
Please note that
these celebrations are an authentic expression of faith for the Raramuri
--few, if any, other outsiders will be present, and we ask that all visitors
be properly respectful of the Raramuri and their beliefs.
Copper
Canyon Adventures
Raramuri Easter Adventure
March
17-24, 2008
Itinerary
March 17/Day 1:
Arrival
You will be met at the airport in
Los Mochis by your bilingual
Copper Canyon Adventures guide and taken to colonial El Fuerte, a
historic city
we are proud to call our hometown.
The Sacred Heart Church in El Fuerte
On arrival in El Fuerte, you will
settle in at the Hotel El Fuerte, a charming hotel known for its personal
service and great food. Located less than a block
from the town square, this hotel is perfectly
located for exploring.
Following dinner, you will enjoy a folkloric
dance show highlighting Sinaloan dance, including the
Yaqui/Mayo Indian "Deer Dance", and dances from other
regions of Mexico. This
will be your first, but not your last, exposure to the importance of dance
in this culturally diverse region.
Mayo Indian Deer Dancer
Welcome to Mexico-enjoy
your trip to the center of Easter faith in the Copper Canyon.
Meals included:
Dinner
March 18/Day
2: The Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad
You ride the
Copper Canyon train after breakfast today, enjoying tremendous views from
one of the most scenic train rides in the world.
You will take the first-class
train to Creel today, featuring the most
spectacular portion of the train ride, including the Septentrion Gorge and
the loops at Temoris, not to mention the famous overlook
at Divisadero. On arrival in Creel,
you will be taken
to the Sierra Lodge, your
lodging
tonight.
Tranquil and
refreshing, I am sure you will enjoy the warm, comfortable rooms at the
Sierra Lodge—with kerosene lamps, plush comforters
and pillows, you will certainly feel pampered.
There is no electricity at the Lodge, but with a very welcoming ambiance,
great food, and plenty of hot water, we do not think you will miss it!
Overnight at: Sierra Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (BLD)
March 19/Day 3: Cusarare
to Batopilas
After breakfast we will
travel to the nearby Cusarare ("Place of the eagles") waterfall
before continuing in private transportation to Batopilas, an old silver town considered by some to be one
of the most remote towns in North America.
The drive down, and the views all around, are
spectacular!
At a great lunch spot, entering the Batopilas
Canyon
You will stay at the Hotel Real de Minas in
Batopilas, a restored colonial
home turned hotel, in the center of town.
Meals included:
BLD
March 20/Day 4: Exploring
Batopilas
Today we have a full day to
explore around Batopilas, including such historical and cultural landmarks
as the cathedral at Satevo, the Shepherd "Silver Magnate" Hacienda, and the
Porfirio Diaz tunnel, amongst others. Most people believe that Batopilas is
an historical town frozen in time, and today you will see why.
Once again you will stay at
the Hotel Real de Minas.
Meals included:
BLD
March 21/GOOD
FRIDAY/Day 5: Raramuri
Easter Ceremonies at Munerachi
Into the backcountry of the
Copper Canyon we go today, to the Raramuri village of Munerachi.
While we can drive to this ceremonial center on rough roads, Munerachi is
far enough away from Batopilas that the only visitors we will likely meet here
will be those hiking in on our
Raramuri Easter Trek.
Because of this
isolation, Munerachi is a great place to observe, and take part in if you
wish, the extensive Easter ceremonies of the Raramuri. Featuring
special dances, body paint, music and symbolism, these mock battles between
good (represented by soldados/soldiers of God) and evil (fariseos/Pharisees)
are a cornerstone of Raramuri belief, and are unforgettable to observe.
"Fariseos" at the church
Today we have a full day at
Munerachi, so you will
have ample opportunity to experience this unique cultural event.
Overnight at the
Hotel Real de Minas.
Meals included:
BLD
March 22/HOLY
SATURDAY/Day 6: Batopilas
and on to Creel
We will have a
leisurely breakfast this morning before leaving beautiful Batopilas Canyon
enroute to Creel, where you will have a chance to see the Tarahumara Museum,
and the Mission Store, where the profits of all purchases go to support the
Raramuri tribe.
Your lodging
tonight will be the Parador de la Montana, and we
will likely have dinner at "Veronica's", our favorite restaurant in town,
and home of great shrimp soup and "chocoflan", a wonderful mix of chocolate
cake and old-fashioned Mexican flan. Yum!
Meals
included: BLD
March 23/EASTER
SUNDAY/Day 7: A
second ride on the famous CHEPE train to El Fuerte
If interested,
you will have time to attend Easter Sunday mass before we leave on the
first-class Chihuahua al Pacifico train back to El Fuerte. En route, we will
have a 15 minute stop at Divisadero, for one last look at the central canyon
area. After our exploration of the Copper Canyon's back roads, I am
sure you will think this view, while beautiful, to be pretty tame in
comparison!
On arrival, we
will be met and taken to the Hotel El Fuerte, your home away from home in
the Copper Canyon region. Enjoy a special farewell banquet tonight, with a
mix of all the regional specialties is famous for. More yum!
Meals
included: BLD
The loops at Temoris
March 24/Day 8: Departure
We live for the
Mochis airport this morning with plenty of time to check in for your flight
and say our goodbyes--all good things must come to an end, and this is the
day you leave the beauty and cultural majesty of the Copper Canyon for your
trip home. We hope you had a great and memorable time during your
Raramuri Easter Adventure, and look forward to staying in touch!
Meals
included: B
Trip price includes:
The services of a personal
bilingual guide for the entire 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 (BLD),
All excursions (including the Three Canyons
canyon rim and cultural excursion in
Areponapuchi, guided exploration in Batopilas and our
exclusive trip to Munerachi),
All airport/train/hotel transfers upon your arrival in Los Mochis
(including the private transfer to and from Batopilas), and
A detailed trip information package with maps and supporting documentation.
Copper
Canyon Adventures
