One of the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes, the Copper Canyon is home to the Tarahuamara (Raramuris) indigenous community and the Ferrocarril Chiahuahua al Pacficifo ‘El Chepe’ train trip. Â It’s the largest canyon in North America, nearly four times the volume of the Grand Canyon! Hiking trips can vary in levels of difficulty and other activities include mountain biking and trips down the Rio El Fuerte. Wildlife viewing is also fascinating with colorful parrots, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, foxes, eagles, and various domesticated animals sightings.
Journey Mexico crafts private, custom made itineraries for sophisticated travelers, please inquire here for pricing and more information.
Itineraries
The Copper Canyon Family Experience is a multiple-day itinerary ideal for active families who enjoy a combination of outdoor and cultural immersion. Highlights include visiting local, indigenous villages of the remote Tarahumara, frontier mining towns, and colonial cities. The family will also enjoy a train ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains and stop at several points for panoramic views of the canyon.
Highlights
- Magical Towns of El Fuerte and Creel
- World famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe) train trip
- Bahuichivo
- Urique Canyon, Cerro de Gallejo
- Lake Araeko and Valley of the Monks & Mushrooms
- Hotel Mirador Posada Barrancas
- Fertility Rock, Oteros Canyon and Adventure Park
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
Highlights
- Magical Towns of El Fuerte, Creel, and Batopilas
- World famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe) train trip
- Lost Cathedral of Satevo
- Ex-Hacienda Sheppard Ruins
- Chihuahua
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
highlights
- Magical Towns of El Fuerte and Creel
- World famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe) train trip
- Posada Rancho Cabins Areponapuchi
- San Rafael, indigenous village of San Alonoso, and Guitayvo Hike
- Huemachi Hike and Camp
- Urique Canyon and Chiruhuerabo Hike
- Naranjo and Cerocahui Hike
- Chihuahua
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
Our Guides
Journey Mexico’s expert private guides are the very best; it is not uncommon for them to hold degrees in art history, archeology, anthropology or biological sciences. Of course, our guides are also charming and personable; undoubtedly you will consider them your friend by the time you leave us! We understand the demanding service that luxury travelers require.
Testimonials
-Melissa Santa Cruz, March 2012
– Mark Jones, February 2015
Day 1
Arrival to Los Mochis and El Fuerte
Transfer to the charming colonial gateway to the Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. Check in to our beautiful historic lodge and then roam the cobble stone streets for a taste of old Mexico. Relax and wander this quaint and historical city. Overnight: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo or equivalent.
Day 2
Chihuahua al Pacifico El Fuerte / Bahuchivo
All aboard the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe) train trip into the Sierra Madre Mountains (170 km). This comfortable first class train leads us through dozens of tunnels and over countless bridges with exceptional opportunities for taking pictures or just enjoying the view. We arrive in the early afternoon to Bahuchivo. There will be time for walks around and enjoy the countryside. Later this evening a Mexican dinner awaits. Overnight: Hotel Mision (B,D).
Day 3
Cerro del Gallego
After breakfast, we will have a chance to further explore and enjoy the rugged canyon terrain with a private tour to Cerro del Gallego for an amazing overlook of the Copper Canyon. Overnight: Hotel Mision (B,L,D)
Day 4
Bahuchivo and Creel
Back onto the train and on to Creel (120 Km), the frontier logging and mining town turned tourism center of the Copper Canyon. Check into our cozy lodging at Best Western the Lodge at Creel Hotel & Spa. Afternoon arrival will give you time to wander the many gift shops; make sure to try and buy directly from the Tarahumara indigenous people who are usually selling their crafts on the main plaza. Alternately, the crafts cooperative contributes to the local communities. Overnight: Best Western Lodge at Creel (B)
Day 5
Creel Private Tour to Valley of Monks and Posada Barrancas
After a hearty breakfast and hotel check out, meet your guide to explore by vehicle the Lake Arareko, Valleys of the Monks & Mushrooms. At Arrival settle into your lovely hotel and admire amazing views of the canyon. The late afternoon is free for relaxing or exploring the canyon terrain around the property, to later enjoy dinner on property. Overnight: Hotel Mirador (B,D)
Day 6
Fertility Rock, Oteros Canyon and Adventure Park
After breakfast today, meet your expert guide to learn more about the canyon and enjoy amazing views such as the Otero Canyon – 1520 meters depth, and the Fertility Rock. Later today experience the crossing of the canyon in a spectacular cable car ride (one of the highest in the world) to a breathtaking viewpoint from where you can marvel at three of the main canyons, including the Copper Canyon itself – affording magnificent views of Tarahumara Indian ranchos in this expansive canyon system. You may also experience an amazing Zip line excursion, with spectacular overviews of the canyon, and other optional activity.Overnight: Hotel Mirador
Day 7
Hotel Mirador and El Fuerte
You start the day with breakfast and a chance for a final walk or souvenir shopping with the local crafts vendors before your early-afternoon transfer to train station, back onto the train and on to El Fuerte, the charming colonial gateway to the Copper Canyon, check into your cozy lodging at Posada del Hidalgo.This evening you are free to roam the cobble stone streets for a taste of old Mexico exploring the charming town of El Fuerte on your own. Overnight: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo or equivalent. (B)
Day 8
Departure Day
Transfer from El Fuerte to Los Mochis Airport (1:45 hour) for onward flights home. (B)
Day 1
Arrival to El Fuerte
Transfer to the charming colonial gateway to the Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. Check in to our beautiful historic lodge and then roam the cobble stone streets for a taste of old Mexico. Relax and wander this quaint and historical city.
Overnight: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo
Day 2
Chihuahua al Pacific El Chepe Train
All aboard the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train trip into the Sierra Madre Mountains. This comfortable first class train leads us through dozens of tunnels and over countless bridges with exceptional opportunities for taking pictures or just enjoying the view. It’s a short 15 minute transfer to this incredible hotel, the only hotel that offers sweeping views of the canyon from each and every room. In the afternoon, there will be time for walks around the countryside to enjoy the rugged canyon terrain. A Mexican dinner awaits and then you are free to enjoy your comfortable en-suite lodge accommodation.
Overnight: Hotel Mirador
Day 3
Creel
Back onto the train and on to Creel, the frontier logging and mining town turned tourism center of the Copper Canyon. Check into our cozy lodging at Creel. Afternoon arrival will give you time to wander the many gift shops; make sure to try and buy directly from the Tarahumara indigenous people who are usually selling their crafts on the main plaza. Alternately, the crafts cooperative contributes to the local communities.
Overnight: Best Western Lodge at Creel
Day 4
Batopilas
Today, we descend the rugged switchbacks into the depths of the Batopilas Canyon passing through the Copper and La Bufa Canyons. We come to know first hand why the road to Batopilas was only completed at the end of the 20th Century! Arriving at Batopilas, we check into our gorgeous Hacienda, a perfect place to explore this historic mining outpost. Our rooms look out onto the Batopilas River, and we can walk into town to have a look at the ruins of the Sheppard Hacienda, admire the vestiges of colonial architecture, or perhaps a beer with the locals at the Swinging Bridge Bar.
Overnight: Rivierside Lodge
Day 5
Batopilas
Today, we have a full day to enjoy this incredible town. Soaking in the history of an era lost in time, we can laze by the river, choose from a number of day hikes, or take a trip to visit the “Lost Cathedral of Satevo.” Its grandeur and magnitude attest to the importance of this town and the riches that it produced at the turn of the 20th century. Return to the tranquility of our comfortable hacienda for a lovely dinner.
Overnight: Rivierside Lodge
Day 6
Batopilas to Creel
After an early breakfast, we find ourselves setting out on the incredible climb, by van, out of the Batopilas Canyon up a spectacular array of switchbacks back to Creel, where we will have the afternoon free to relax or explore town. You may choose to visit the local crafts cooperative or an optional visit to the nearby hot springs. Optional tours to Lake Arareko or the Cusarare Mision are also possible. You spend the night in this frontier logging outpost turned tourism center of the Copper Canyon.
Overnight: Best Western Lodge at Creel
Day 7
Chihuahua
We start the day with breakfast and a chance for souvenir shopping in the local crafts shops before our mid-morning transfer to Chihuahua, where we will check into our comfortable accommodation. The afternoon is free for relaxing or site seeing at the interesting museums and historical sites of this important cultural and economic center of Northwestern Mexico. You’ll spend the rest of evening on your own.
Overnight: Quality Inn Chihuahua San Francisco
Day 8
Departure Day
Transfer to the airport for onward flights home.
Day 1
Arrival Day to Los Mochis/El Fuerte
Transfer to the charming colonial gateway to the Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. Check in to our beautiful historic lodge and then roam the cobble stone streets for a taste of old Mexico. Relax and wander this quaint and historical city. Meet guide at 9:00 PM in hotel lobby for details on next day’s departure. Overnight: Hotel El Fuerte or equivalent.
Day 2
Chihuahua al Pacifico
All aboard the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train trip into the SierraMadreMountains. This comfortable first class train leads us through dozens of tunnels and over countless bridges with exceptional opportunities for taking pictures or just enjoying the view. Lunch is on your own at the restaurant car. We arrive in the early afternoon to Posada Rancho (7,260 ft.). It’s a short 15 minute transfer to the rustic and comfortable community cabins in Areponapuchi where we will spend the night. We will take a short hike around the area depending on our arrival time. Overnight: Community Cabins Areponapuchi. B,D
Day 3
Day 1 Hike – San Rafael and Guitayvo
After breakfast we load up the vehicles and transfer to the trail head in San Rafael (7,425 ft). We then load up the mules and begin our walk through the rolling hills of the high sierra. We come to a school and a church in the indigenous village of San Alonso and follow the rolling hills of the high Sierra Tarahumara. We arrive to Guitayvo 7,590 ft.) in the mid-afternoon. We arrive to the community eco-cabins in Guitayvo. We will spend the night in this simple yet charming shelter. Full day hike-4.5-6 hours. Elevation gain/loss: 1,716ft/1,320 ft. Overnight: Eco-cabins Guitayvo. B,L,D,S
Day 4
Day 2 Hike
Today we will begin our hiking adventure. We continue navigating around the mesa of Guitayvo and we drop down through an arroyo (river bed) and then we climb gradually up the side of a canyon. The mystical tranquility of this alpine region is reinforced by the wind whistling through the pine needles. We arrive to the small ranch of Huemachi (6,620 ft.) in the late afternoon. Full day hike- 6-8 hours. Elevation gain/loss: 690ft/1650ft. Overnight: Wild Camping. B,L,D,S
Day 5
Day 3 Hike
Today our descent continues as we connect with the Urique Canyon. Our trail affords us stupendous views and we really hit our stride as we walk along the ridge that spills down into the incredible Copper Canyon. We arrive to the small ranch of Chiruhuerabo (7,720 ft) in the late afternoon. Full day hike- 6-8 hours. Elevation gain/loss: 1320ft/142ft. Overnight: Wild Camping. B,L,D,S
Day 6
Day 4 Hike
We now enter the Urique Canyon proper through a side canyon. The views from the ridge looking down are spectacular and we carefully navigate the steep descent with plenty of stops to observe the quickly changing vegetation. We make our way towards Naranjo (3,894 ft), where we are greeted by the friendly people that live there. After some time to chat with the locals, we will load our gear into the vehicle and head down to the town of Urique with time to check out this wildwest mining outpost. In the afternoon, we will climb out of the town of Urique by vehicle up impressive switchback road to the high sierra and our own private lodge at Cerocahui where our clean clothes and a hot fire are waiting for us! Full day hike- 6-8 hours. Elevation gain/loss: 132/3,826ft. Overnight: Cerocahui Hiking Lodge. B,L,D
Day 7
Cerocahui and Creel
After breakfast we will to our destination at Creel by road stopping to see the Cerocahui Mission, and some of the most impressive view points along the road from Cerocahui to Creel. You will eat lunch along the way before arriving to the frontier logging outpost turned tourist center for the Copper Canyon, Creel. Diner in our cozy hotel. Overnight: Plaza Mexicana. B,L,D
Day 8
Creel and Chihuahua
Start today with breakfast and a chance for to explore a bit more before our mid-morning transfer to Chihuahua where we will check into our comfortable accommodation. The late afternoon is free for relaxing or site seeing at the interesting museums and historical sites of this important cultural and economic center of Northwestern Mexico. Night on the town for our farewell fiesta. Overnight: Hotel San Francisco. B,L,D
Day 9
Departure from Chihuahua
Transfer to Chihuahua Airport for onward flights. (No meals)
