Family Spring Break: Copper Canyon & Baja

Go on an inspirational family spring break to the Copper Canyon and Baja California, enjoying unforgettable adventures and deep cultural immersion.

Begin this luxurious 15-day vacation with a scenic train ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains and reach remote indigenous villages and frontier mining towns during Easter’s Holy Week celebrations.

Also, accompany expert guides on an incredible hiking trip, visiting various lookout points for breathtaking views of the Copper Canyon.

Then, after flying to La Paz, take the family on an exploration of the Baja California peninsula. Come face to face with its incredible animal inhabitants, including snorkeling experiences with sea lions and whale sharks. Also, snorkel, swim, and kayak to pristine bays and virgin beaches and enjoy some family beach time at Los Cabos.

HIGHLIGHTS

Chihuahua al Pacífico – Enjoy a first-class train ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains aboard the world-famous El Chepe

Copper Canyon – Hike the rugged and wild Copper Canyon region to enjoy outstanding vistas

Semana Santa – Witness the traditional dances and processions that mark Semana Santa, Holy Week, in a remote community

Espiritu Santo Island – Snorkel with sea lions and beautiful reef fish, kayak around the turquoise waters, and discover virgin beaches

Whale sharks – Venture to the shores near La Paz to swim and snorkel with docile whale sharks

Day 1: Arrive in Los Mochis

After arriving at Los Mochis International Airport, enjoy a private transfer to El Fuerte, the charming colonial gateway town to the Copper Canyon. Check in to a historic lodge and then enjoy some free time roaming the cobblestone streets for a taste of old Mexico.

Overnight: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo

Day 2: El Fuerte Hotel Private Transfer to El Fuerte Train Station

All aboard the world-famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (El Chepe) 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. We arrive in the early afternoon to Bahuichivo. There will be time for walks around and enjoy the countryside. Later this evening a Mexican dinner awaits.

Overnight: Hotel Mision

Day 3: Cerocahui Private Experience to Cerro del Gallego

After breakfast, you will be driven to Cerro de Gallego in Urique (1 hour). Cerro de Gallego is one of the highest miradors in the world standing at 2,286 meters (7,500 feet), with a view that casts wide over the Copper Canyon, the Urique Canyon, which is the deepest of the canyons. Your guide will point out the town of Urique, a mining town that is nestled along the river below and you will have a chance to take photos of the view.

Upon completion of your visit, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Misión

Day 4: Copper Canyon Railroad First Class Experience Bahuichivo to Creel Station

Return to El Chepe to journey to Creel, 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: The Lodge at Creel

Day 5: Private Experience to Valley of the Monks, Mushrooms, and Arareko Lake

After a hearty breakfast and hotel check out, meet your guide to explore by vehicle the Lake Arareko, Valleys of the Monks & Mushrooms. Your journey continues towards Norogachic, at arrival enjoy an afternoon orientation with your expert guide to learn more about the town, culture, festivities and meet friends of this community.

Discover the local culture with the community festivities and traditions, this afternoon and evening, we will witness the traditional dancing and processions that mark the Semana Santa Holy Week.

Overnight: Norogachi Community Lodging

Day 6: Norogachi Private Transfer to Hotel Mirador

Today after breakfast and a chance to explore we will say good bay to our new friends and set out driving through the rolling hills of the high sierra to our destination at Hotel Mirador, stopping en route to see some impressive viewpoints. The late afternoon is free for relaxing before enjoying a lovely dinner on property.

Overnight: Hotel Mirador

Day 7: Otero Canyon, Fertility Rock and Evening Experience to Piedra Volada

Today after breakfast you will meet with your private guide to explore the Copper Canyon Adventure Park where you will have the option of zip lining, rappelling, taking a cable car ride or exploring by bicycle or quad bike (activities additional cost).

Your heart racing, you’ll then head to the panoramic zone of the Piedra Volada, for great vistas of the Canyons and a spectacular overlook form this Flying Rock.

Upon completion of your visit you will be driven back to your hotel and enjoy time to rest and relax before meeting your guide for your evening experience.

Later this evening after time to rest and refresh you will meet again with your private bilingual guide and driven to the lookout point of the Otero Canyon that is 1520 meters deep. You will have the opportunity to visit a Tarahumara cave house before heading to Fertility Rock, which is a distinctly phallic stone, revered for its fertility-giving properties.

Your visit to the area will also include the chance to head to one of two miradors (The Table of the Stars or the Table of the Heavens) to look out over the vast landscape.

Upon completion of your visit, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Mirador

Day 8: Hotel Mirador Private Transfer to Divisadero Train Station

Back onto the train and on to El Fuerte 217 Km your departure will be at 9:55 and arrive early in the evening around 15:35, 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 de Hidalgo

Day 9: Hotel Private Transfer to Los Mochis Airport / Private Walking Exploration of La Paz

After breakfast, meet a bilingual driver for a private transfer to Los Mochis Airport for a flight to La Paz.

Upon arrival, take a private transfer to a hotel in downtown La Paz.

After setting up at your hotel, it is time to explore La Paz on a private walking experience, you´ll get a taste of the local history and culture of La Paz city as you explore on foot with your private guide.

You´ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to begin at the downtown boardwalk. Strolling alongside the beautiful Sea of Cortez, your guide will tell you all about the history of the city, it´s foundation, and the influences that have formed the current day culture and economy.

Heading into the city, you´ll pass through stalls, shops and markets with goods that are typical of the local culture and nod to the history of La Paz. Along the way, you´ll meet some true paceños and stop to taste a few local delicacies. You´ll also take a look at Mi Ciudad Mural Project and discuss interpretations of the mural paintings.

Upon conclusion, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Baja Club Hotel

Day 10: La Paz Private Experience to Espíritu Santo Island

On this full day experience, you´ll visit Espíritu Santo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of natural life.

Take a skiff out of La Paz Bay with your private naturalist guide, who will brief you on the natural history of the island, home to turquoise waters, a sea lion colony, numerous fish species and marine birds. After navigating the waters around Espíritu Santo, you´ll arrive at the native sea lion colony. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll have plenty of time to swim, snorkel and interact with the playful sea lions*.

Afterwards, your guide will seek out a secluded beach for a tasty picnic lunch. You’ll have time to relax, swim, walk, and learn more about the natural and cultural history of this unique place before heading back to La Paz.

*During the sea lion mating period (June 1st through August 31st), sea lion observation takes place from onboard the boats. After observing the sea lions from the boat, you will travel to a snorkeling site away from the rookery to snorkel with tropical fish.

Overnight: Baja Club Hotel

Day 11: Balandra Beach Private Whale shark Snorkelling

Snorkeling with Whale Sharks: Access to the whale shark observation and snorkeling zone is strictly regulated by the local authorities, allowing a maximum of 14 boats at any given time. In some instances, your boat might not be granted access due to overcapacity in the observation and snorkeling zone. In those rare instances you will be provided with alternative options to ensure a pleasant marine adventure in La Paz. Please reserve as far in advance as possible.

Take the awe-inspiring opportunity to snorkel alongside graceful whale sharks before relaxing at Balandra Beach.

Known as the ¨gentle giants¨ of the ocean, these amazing creatures return annually to the coast just off La Paz. Enjoy a short boat ride to the observation zone where the whale sharks come to feed. Along the way, your private naturalist guide will brief you on whale shark ecology as well as regulations for snorkeling with the largest fish in the world! Get ready for an adventure and grab your snorkel gear to slip in the water with your guide. Take in the breathtaking sight of the whale sharks up close as they glide through the water.

You´ll make a stop at San Rafaelito, a small outcrop of rock teeming with marine life including juvenile sea lions. Here, you can jump into the water to snorkel with the pups*, accompanied by your naturalist guide, before continuing to Balandra Bay.

Arriving to the beach, enjoy a tasty picnic lunch in stunning surroundings, relax in the sand, explore the nature trails, and snorkel in the crystal water before returning to La Paz by boat.

*During the sea lion mating period, from June 1st through August 31st, sea lion observation takes place from onboard our boats. After observing the sea lions from the boat, you will travel to a snorkeling site away from the rookery to snorkel with tropical fish.

Overnight: Baja Club Hotel

Day 12: La Paz Private Transfer to Los Cabos

Your private driver will meet you in La Paz and you will be driven the 195km (2 hours15inutes) to Los Cabos.

Overnight: One and Only Palmilla

Day 13: Turtle Release Private Experience

Witness the momentous journey of newborn sea turtles as they make their way to the salty waters for the very first time.

With an expert naturalist as your guide, learn all about the life cycles of these magnificent creatures as you set baby turtles free, and watch them clumsily flap their way towards the ocean.

Not only is this an awe-inspiring and emotional visit, but also an important one. The experience forms part of vital wildlife conservation programs, aimed at preserving these celebrated animals for future generations.

Overnight: One and Only Palmilla

Day 14: Day at leisure in Los Cabos

Enjoy the delights of Los Cabos at leisure, either relaxing at the beautiful resort or enjoying the local white-sand beaches.

Alternatively, speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who can help organize additional activities, including kayaking and snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo, hiking to a waterfall, or visiting a local organic farm.

Overnight: One and Only Palmilla

Day 15: Private transfer to Los Cabos Airport

After breakfast and check-out, take a private transfer to Los Cabos airport for an onwards flight home.

Dates

This trip can be customized for a private holiday during and around Holy Week celebrations in Mexico.

Prices

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel ideas and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.