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
charming, historical city where
you can still see old Mexico at every turn.
The Hotel 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. This hotel is uniquely located for exploring our
adopted "hometown".
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.
To complement this wonderful hotel, take a
stroll to the "Plazuela" of El Fuerte, a short distance away. This
wonderfully maintained central plaza is indicative of both the pride of El
Fuerte's citizens and the richness of their history.
Welcome to
Mexico-Enjoy!
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 Chihuahua
al Pacifico Railroad
You have reserved seats on the
Copper Canyon train after breakfast today, enjoying
tremendous views from one of the most scenic train rides in the world. The
three-level loop at Temoris is especially photogenic-so be sure to bring
lots of film!
In the Temoris valley
You will arrive at Posada Barrancas, the
station serving the small community of Areponapuchi.
Close to Divisadero and located just below the
canyon rim, Areponapuchi is ideally situated for great excursions and unique
views. At 7200' (2200m), take your time until you get acclimated to the
higher elevation.
Your lodging tonight is the Mansion
Tarahumara, a small hotel nestled in the trees
right on the
canyon rim! Quiet and natural, the Mansion is a wonderful place to stay in a
beautiful area.
BLD
Day 3:
Three Canyons and
by train to Creel
You can spend this morning enjoying great
vistas of three canyons-Urique, Copper and Tararecua-from a variety of
overlooks. These overlooks are part of a vehicular excursion that includes:
A visit to the "Piedra Volada" (Flying Rock),
with its spectacular overlook and moving stone,
Atop Piedra Volada (courtesy Janet Whitaker)
"Lago Pilares" (Pillar lake), a beautiful
alpine lake nestled in the woods,
"Las Escaleras" (The ladders), a unique vista
overlooking a trail which leads down to the bottom of the canyon, and
Divisadero, the halfway point of the
Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, and home to an
open-air Raramuri Indian artisan's market.
You have reserved seats on the
Copper Canyon train after lunch today for the short trip
to Creel,
where you will stay at the Posada de Creel/Best Western, a fine hotel located in
the center of town.
You will have some time free to wander through
town at your leisure—you will find it to be the "urban" center of the
Raramuri Indians. If you are interested, let us show you the best place to
buy Raramuri Indian handicrafts--where the proceeds of every sale go to
improve medical care for the tribe.
BL
Day 4: Creel to Batopilas
After a stop to
view the beautiful Cusarare Waterfall, you will start your private journey to Batopilas, an old silver town considered by some to be one
of the most remote towns in North America.
After five hours on an incredibly scenic road, you will
probably agree!
Entering the Batopilas
Canyon area
You will stay at the Hotel Real de Minas in
Batopilas, a quaint colonial hotel in the center of town.
BD
Day 5:
Exploring
Batopilas and beyond
Today you explore and enjoy the atmosphere and
history of Batopilas. Some included options include a vehicle trip
to the Cathedral at
Satevo, a nice walk to the home of silver magnate Alexander Shepherd or
a more rigorous hike to the El
Peñasquito
mine, formerly one of the most prosperous silver mines in the world--or
maybe all three trips in one day--the choice is yours!.
BLD
Inside the Shepherd Hacienda
Day 6:
Return to Creel and by
train to Bahuichivo
You return to Creel today after your Batopilas
adventure, arriving early enough to catch your train to Bahuichivo.
You will arrive at Bahuichivo (5400’/1645m), the
station serving Cerocahui and the Paraiso del Oso
Ranch, your hosts tonight. Members of the ranch will meet you at the
station.
Tranquil and refreshing, I am sure you will
enjoy the warm, comfortable rooms at the Paraiso del
Oso-with kerosene lamps, plush comforters and pillows, you will certainly
feel pampered.
If you are interested, this afternoon you will
have time for a short hike to the "Cave of the Crosses", once the home of
Raramuri (Raramuri ) Indians. Well-preserved and striking, this cave will
give you an idea of one way the indigenous peoples of this area live.
Dinner will be an ideal setting for enjoying
both the mountain atmosphere and great hospitality of your hosts, Doug and
Ana Rhodes. In addition, if you like stargazing, this is a great place for
it, and the ranch has a professional telescope at your disposal.
BLD
Day 7:
Cerocahui and Cerro Gallegos
After breakfast you will travel to Cerocahui,
one of the oldest mountain communities in the Sierra. Cerocahui is also home
to one of the oldest (and prettiest) churches in the region—a church with a
surprising Asian connection. There is also a lovely Raramuri children’s
boarding school that you can visit while there.
The Church at Cerocahui (courtesy Wendy Spangler)
From Cerocahui, you will travel past the Mesa
del Arturo before enjoying great views of both the
Palestine and Urique Canyons, and Raramuri homesteads
from Cerro Gallegos. The views of the Urique canyon from Cerro Gallegos are
truly epic and justifiably famous—most consider them the best views in the
Copper Canyon.
Cerro Gallegos
After enjoying your morning in the canyon
atmosphere you will return to the Oso for lunch and
to get back on the train for the return trip
to El Fuerte.
The timing of your return trip should provide
some great photo opportunities, as you will be seeing the most dramatic part
of the trip in the late-afternoon sun.
Your lodging will be at the Hotel El Fuerte,
your home away from home in the Copper
Canyon region.
BLD
Day 8:
Departure
You will be transferred to the airport in
Los Mochis for your flight, and there
assisted with checking in.
Thanks for coming! We look forward to staying
in touch.
B
I will admit to having a number of concerns about
signing up for the Copper Canyon Adventures "Two BIG
Canyons trip." My wife and I are independent travelers. We
drive a small camper-van when we travel. We travel of expand our knowledge
of birds, music, local geology, and archeology. This was to be our first
"tour" of any magnitude. And we speak muy poco Spanish.
The primary concern centered around our ability
to participate fully with a group. My wife and I are in our mid-70's and I
at least have begun to feel those years. We agreed between us that I would
simply have to sit out any long walks whenever my knee gave me trouble.
However, as a result of the health survey we were asked to complete, our
group was made up of people with similar restrictions -- all of the men
had knee problems! A masterful job of matching-up participants! Our guide
tailored our activities from the first evening to our limitations, always
giving us options as to how far and how rough a trail we wanted to take.
(As an aside, we did encounter a second Copper Canyon Adventures
group composed entirely of hikers! We were amazed at a program with such
flexibility!)
While on the tour itself, as a group, we saw
dancers, heard music, visited an Indian village, etc. In addition, our
guide took the time to point out birds to my wife, discuss geology with
me, and constantly help us add to our Spanish vocabulary. And he spent
similar "special interest" time with the others. I am certain that
everyone in our group would agree that our interests were catered to very
nicely.
As an aside, my concern for the safety of my car
which had to be left in El Fuerte was unnecessary. A driver was waiting
for us when we arrived and helped us store the vehicle behind locked and
guarded gates. In addition, getting us and our car on the ferry to Baja
was handled in advance very efficiently by the Copper Canyon
Adventures staff.
Of course, the train trip is magnificent, the hotel
accommodations are adequate and unique. And the food interesting. Our
guide was an amazing young man, gifted in language, knowledgeable in many
subjects, and who seemed to know everyone we met along the tour
Do it aging? You bet! Or perhaps Guatemala.....if I
can figure out how to drive.
Walt & Jane, talking about our Two Big
Canyons Itinerary, from
Virginia Beach, VA
Trip Price Includes:
The services of a personal
bilingual guide for the entire trip,
Round-trip first-class travel on multiple segments of 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, the visit to the waterfall at Cusarare, guided exploration in Batopilas and the
Cerocahui and the Cerro Gallegos history and canyon rim excursion),
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.
Trip Price (based on final group
size):
Accompanied by a personal bilingual guide throughout the trip
For one person: $2495, single occupancy
(includes single supplement)
Two persons: $1745
per person, double occupancy.
Three persons: $1535 per person, triple occupancy.
Four persons: $1465 per person, double occupancy.
Six persons: $1365 per person, double
occupancy.
(discounts are available for larger
groups--please inquire)
Single supplement, if you want your own
room during the trip: $255
Independent (unguided) trips also
available on request
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)
Personal purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and
alcoholic beverages,
Mexico tourist card ($22 per person; normally included in the price of your
airline ticket),
Tips for trip guide, baggage handling, hotel
staff, drivers, musicians, dancers,
etc. (can be included
at your request for
convenience sake)
Email us if you have any questions, or to book your
trip
We look
forward to showing you the Batopilas and Urique Canyons soon!
Copper
Canyon Adventures
