This Mexico tour explores the Copper Canyon, the largest canyon in North America. Board the El Chepe train on the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway for a scenic train trip through the Copper Canyon as you travel from El Fuerte to the canyon's rim at Posada Barranca. Visit Tarahumara villages with your local guide to learn about the traditional culture and life in this beautiful and isolated region.
Warning: Due to sporadic train service this tour may not yet be operational in 2023
Highlights
Journey through the Sierra Madre's on a scenic six hour train ride
Boat the El Fuerte river in search of wildlife and petroglyphs
Visit Creel to learn about its history as a railroad and logging town
Book excursions in the canyon such as hiking, ziplining and via ferrata
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive to Los Mochis airport where you will be greeted and transferred to the gateway of Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. In the afternoon meet the guide for an orientation of El Fuerte and take a walking tour and streetcar ride of this cobble-stoned, colonial city.
Your bilingual guide will meet you at your hotel to head to the river to start your boat trip along El Fuerte River. As you cruise along the water, you will see tropical forest all around that is home to an abundance of wildlife. Your guide will point out local flora and fauna and explain all about the important of the river. Along the shores of the river, you will observe the ancient petroglyphs, which are believed to be over 4,000 years old and depict sun gods and shamans.
Upon completion of your visit, return to shore and drive back to your hotel, followed by an historic tour of El Fuerte city with a short visit to the town's eclectic museum with its collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern artifacts, including items once belonging to outlaw Pancho Villa. Your afternoon is free for lunch and to independently explore El Fuerte.
All aboard the world famous, first-class El Chepe train of the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway for the six hour journey into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Considered one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys and an engineering marvel, the train crosses 36 bridges and passes 87 tunnels along its 655 km route from Mexico’s interior to the Pacific coast.
Arrive to Posada Barrancas after lunch (on your own in the restaurant car) and be greeted at the station and transferred to the hotel. Meet the guide, your host for the next three days, who will give you an orientation and discuss the options for the next day's activities. The evening is free to take a short walk to explore the grounds, or relax on your private balcony that overlooks the canyon before dinner.
Today's activities are completely customized based on your preferences and interests, and the guide and a vehicle are at your disposal. Visit a Tarahumara village or the Copper Canyon's most spectacular view points at Oteviachi, Barranca de Laja, or Urique. Light walking excursions or more extensive day hikes can also be arranged, and ziplining and via ferrata (rock climbing/ropes course combination) are options with an additional cost for any thrill-seekers.
Lunch and dinner provided at the hotel, and the spectacular views are complimentary!
Spend the morning free to explore on your own. In the afternoon travel to Creel with stops along the way at Piedra Volada, the tallest waterfall in Mexico. Next, visit the Valley of the Mushrooms, known for its namesake-shaped rocks, and Lake Arareko with unusual rock formations and surrounding pine forest.
Creel's history as a railroad and logging town and its picturesque location among the pine forest makes it an interesting stopover. Spend some time visiting the main plaza or the arts and crafts cooperative that contributes directly to the Tarahumara community. Settle in for the evening at the cozy lodge.
Continue north from Creel towards Chihuahua and stop en-route for lunch and to visit a "Menonita" community near Cuauhtemoc. After arriving to Chihuahua and settling into your hotel, you are free to explore the parks, plazas, impressive cathedral, and museums of this important historic, regional capital.
Day 7: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to return home or to your next destination in Mexico.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Very responsive to questions. Helpful with all arrangements
Roz
1 day ago
The ship company they sent us on was perfect in every detail
lisa wegener
2 days ago
I’m so glad we found AdventureLife. Jess, our planner, was such a pleasure to work with. She readily shared her extensive knowledge about Panama, she offered good suggestions and creative ideas, kept everything organized and handled the details each step of the way.
Tim King
3 days ago
Jessica was wonderful! She made every effort to ensure our trip was just what we wanted.
Celine Krafft
3 days ago
Erin was easy to work with and very helpful. She was patient and helped us figure out the adventure tour we were hoping for in Belize. Can’t wait to go on this trip!