ABOUT US & FAQs
Our Story
About Copper Canyon Adventures
For nearly three decades, since 1999, Copper Canyon Adventures has been more than a tour company—we have been a growing family connected by a shared passion for the Copper Canyon region, its people, and its remarkable landscapes.
Our story began with founder Les Mahoney and his fascination with the natural & human history of the region. Along with the engineering marvel of the Chepe Railway and the incredible journey it takes through Mexico's Copper Canyon. Along the way, Les met the love of his life, Tammy Ridenour, an experienced adventure tour operator who had spent years leading traveler’s through Guatemala with Maya Expeditions. Together, they shared a vision of creating meaningful travel experiences that connected visitors with the authentic spirit of the region.
Les and Tammy made that vision a reality by establishing their home in El Fuerte, where they lived for more than a decade while building Copper Canyon Adventures from the ground up. Their success was made possible in large part by the support of their adopted family and neighbours, the Piña family, who continue to manage our El Fuerte and Los Mochis operations today. Through their dedication, Copper Canyon Adventures has helped create stable, multi-generational employment opportunities for local families and communities.
Over the past three years, Les and Tammy have transitioned into retirement, passing the reins to the next generation: Les's son Brendan and daughter-in-law Sarah. Together, they have traveled to more than 100 countries and speak five languages between them. As passionate explorers and experienced traveler’s, they bring a global perspective while remaining deeply connected to the Copper Canyon. Their love for the region is rooted in its extraordinary hiking opportunities, breathtaking landscapes, and, most importantly, its rich Indigenous heritage.
At Copper Canyon Adventures, we understand that we are more than a tour operator. Responsible tourism plays a vital role in supporting the local economy, and we recognize our responsibility to help ensure that tourism benefits the people who call this region home. We are committed to sustainable and eco-conscious travel practices while maintaining deep respect for the Indigenous Rarámuri communities with whom we work.
Community-based tourism is at the heart of everything we do. By creating authentic cultural connections, supporting local businesses, and fostering meaningful employment opportunities, we strive to ensure that every journey contributes positively to the future of Copper Canyon and its people.
When you travel with Copper Canyon Adventures, you're not simply visiting a destination—you're becoming part of a story that has been growing for nearly 30 years.
Multi-generational Family Business operating out of El Fuerte, Sinaloa since 1999.
Our Team
Les Mahoney
Founder & DirectorThe visionary who first set out to bring the concept to life. A 20-year veteran in his field, he holds an MBA and is widely recognized as a community builder and long-time resident of El Fuerte. For nearly three decades, Leslie has been deeply engaged with the natural and human history of the Sierra Tarahumara.
What began as a passion for adventure hiking and trekking evolved into a mission-driven effort to introduce more people to this remote and extraordinary region of Mexico through immersive travel experiences. His leadership and commitment to both community and place have been central to shaping CCA into what it is today.
Tammy Ridenour
DirectorTammy is an adventure travel entrepreneur and the driving force behind our reservations. She has lived and worked across Latin America for nearly four decades, including founding Guatemala’s very first white-water rafting company.
Her deep knowledge and extensive experience are foundational to CCA’s success.
A passionate admirer of ancient Maya cultures and a devoted student of anthropological history, Tammy is always ready to embrace the next great adventure.
Sarah Lale Bilsel
Sales, Customer Service & MarketingMarketer, graphic designer & customer service specialist who handles all of our client communications.
Lover of all things sustainable tourism, hiking and the natural world. Sarah is passionate about the socio-economic development of the local communities within the Sierra.
Brendan Mahoney
Reservations, Logistics & AccountsThe legendary communications man who is the glue of CCA. After many years nomadically traveling the globe and working as a Spanish interpreter, Brendan has become a natural community builder and organiser for CCA.
His is current roles include reservations, logistics, relationship & account management.
Giovanni & Jose Luis Piña
El Fuerte + Los Mochis Transportation and Tour Services
The Piñas brothers have been supporting Copper Canyon Adventures since the beginning. Our adopted brothers & neighbours who offer our exclusive River Float experience along the Fuerte River. They will also be your local drivers while you are in town.
Martha & Jose Luis Piña
El Fuerte + Los Mochis Transportation and Tour Services
Martha & Jose Luis Piña are our kind and generous partners who help maintain all the inner workings of our operations out of El Fuerte & Los Mochis.
They have been friends with Les & Tammy for more then 20 years, helping to provide employment for their extended family.
Also fantastic cooks! Who host our Riverside BBQ Lunch in El Fuerte.
Our CCA Local Bilingual Guides
Our local guides are the key ingredient to your Copper Canyon Experience. We value our relationships with all of local guides as they are the experts of the region. Born & raised in Los Mochis, El Fuerte & Chihuahua, these are people who will take your trip to the next level.
Be sure to ask us about our Fully Guided Trips.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About visiting the Sierra Tarahumara & the Copper Canyon Region
I’ve heard a lot of bad news about Mexico, is it safe to travel to Mexico?
We understand your concern, this is an issue we have to address regularly, because of the consistent dreambeat of negative reporting and posting, often by people who do not even know the area!
First off, there is no documentation i can send you showing how the CC is safe. I mean, who writes stories about safe places? That does not happen much.
We will tell you that we have been organizing trips for coming on 26 years, and have never had a client have any issues., The only traveler, a guy backpacking on his own, who had problems, was in an area well off the beaten path, and same say who might have been engaged in questionable activities.
On a more recent note, we have been very busy the last three months and, of course, none of our clients have had any problems, to include a couple who drove down from Arizona in their camper.
To be honest, the capitol of Sinaloa, Culiacan, does have cartels fighting for supremacy there. However, it is a four-hour/200 mile drive from El Fuerte.
Finally, the US government is doing a disservice to tourism here with their “travel advisories” saying that the CC, and El Fuerte, are unsafe. When we contacted the US Embassy in Mexico City, the origin of the travel advisories, about why they put this area on the hot list, they would not give a reason, nor a justification.
It is clearly a “cover your ass” system, and has no accountability to the people it purports to serve.
Are there issues in some places in Mexico? Yes. Are there issues in El Fuerte and the Copper Canyon? No.
Of course, crime can happen anywhere, this is not a utopia! : )
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When is the best time to travel to the copper canyon?
The general consensus is that October / November is the best time to travel here, however personally we think late Summer is the prettiest time of year here--everything is a lovely green, the waterfalls are booming, and the afternoon showers cool things off (although the higher elevations are very comfortable, temperature wise--although El Fuerte and other low-elevation destinations can be darn hot!).
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What is the difference between Tourist & first class on the chepe express Train?
First-class:
Dome dining car, the menu for food tends to be Mexican / Western fusion, versus traditional, cuisine
Terrace observation/luxury bar car with wraparound windows
Upgraded seats
Checked luggage service
Tourist-class
Regular dining car with traditional cuisine
Access to regular bar car with comfy seating and regular windows
Regular seats (comfy, but older)
Luggage must be hand carried onto your car on boarding (guides/porters can help)
Approx $200 to $300 per person less than First-class, depending on route and prevailing exchange rate
(FYI, there is a mid-range class called Executive, but it does not offer as much as First-class, only an upgraded seat, but the price point is still much higher than Tourist-class, so we do not recommend it)
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We will send you a full packing list before your trip in your Additional Information Packet.
Please only bring a small luggage, best to pack light.
The Canyon is a casual area, you will only need hiking and active wear type clothing, no formal attire required.
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Yes of course! Our 2 preferred hotels are the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara (4 Star) & El Mirador Hotel (5 Star) both right on the rim of the canyon for spectacular views! especially at sunrise! Please let us know if you have a certain preference and we will add this to your custom itinerary.
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Totally fine, please just give us as much information prior to the trip, so we can inform our hotels and suppliers of your needs.