A Copper Canyon budget itinerary
When? When you want it!
The world-famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train enters the Septentrion Gorge
We pride ourselves on creating great trips to experience the Copper Canyon for all age ranges, activity levels and budget preferences.
This itinerary is our way to offer the best of the Copper Canyon for the budget-minded. It has a great price, but still has confirmed train tickets, lodging, and LOTS of great experiences too. The hotels are all budget hotels, small and sparse yet clean and sufficient. If you wish to upgrade hotels contact us for a revised price.
And, plenty of options so you can have exactly the trip you are looking for, at a budget you can afford.
This itinerary is available year-round, and can start any Wednesday of the year, subject to hotel and train availability.
It was a fantastic trip. We enjoyed it so very much. Denise and Roger
The magnificent central plaza in colonial El Fuerte, a designated "Pueblo Mágico" (Magic Town)
Day 1(WEDNESDAY): Your arrival to “Pueblo Mágico” (Magic Town) El Fuerte
The least expensive way to arrive El Fuerte from Los Mochis is by the frequent buses departing from the central bus terminal in Los Mochis. Buses leave about every half hour during the day, and cost about 90 pesos (at current exchange rate $5 USD)
The trip takes about two hours to El Fuerte. Arriving at the main bus stop, your hotel, the Herradura, is about three blocks away, one block from the central plaza. (we will give you directions).
If by chance you are driving to El Fuerte, we can give you directions, and arrange for secure parking of your car during your trip with us for a nominal additional fee.
Overnight (ON) @ Hotel Herradura
Meals included: None (but we can give you recommendations for great food here!)
OPTION: Spend extra days in El Fuerte before your trip to the Copper Canyon and enjoy the many opportunities here: river floats, hiking, birding, history tours, and great food, to mention just a few.
The "Chepe" enroute
Day 2 (THURSDAY): The world-famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (Chepe) train – Areponapuchi
Today you will take the unforgettable Chihuahua al Pacifico (CHEPE) Tourist-Class Express train to the Divisadero station, featuring the most spectacular portion of the train ride, including the dramatic Septentrion Gorge and the three-level loops at Temoris.
As you cross 37 bridges and pass through 86 tunnels in dramatic mountain scenery, you will see for yourself why CHEPE has been named one of the top rail journeys in the world.
The new Tourist-class Express includes access to the original restaurant car, but NO access to the terrace or Urike dome car. Passengers are no longer allowed to stand in vestibules between cars for photography. Please contact us if you would like to upgrade your Tourist-class service to either Executive (20% more) or First-class (almost twice as much) train service.
Meals or drinks are cash only on the train. (Learn more about the new Chepe Express train here)
On arrival, about 4:15PM transfer to the Hotel Cabañas Copper Canyon Trailhead Inn, a family-owned and comfortable hotel, and a 15 minute walk from the Canyon Rim. No kitchen so you would have to go to restaurants close by, another hotel for meals or buy from nearby stores there to get coffee, yogurt, fruit, cookies etc…
ON @ Cabañas Copper Canyon Trailhead Inn
Meals included: none (you can also purchase tasty home-cooked breakfast from Rogelio and Monica, owners of the hotel)
Day 3 (FRIDAY): Day free to explore the canyon rim (and the Copper Canyon Adventure park)
Enjoy your day on the rim, there are an abundance of great hikes and places to explore.
If you wish, we can arrange for a vehicle tour of the “Three Canyons” area, that is, the confluence of the Urique, Copper and Tararecua Canyons, from overlooks at "Piedra Volada" (Flying Rock), with its spectacular overlook and moving stone, and Divisadero, an amazing overlook, the halfway point of the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, and home to an open-air Raramuri Indian artisan's market.
This excursion will also give you the chance to enjoy the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, where there are tram rides, zip lines and even a vertical obstacle course (the "Via Ferrata" or Iron Trail).
NOTE:The park is now accepting same day reservations, however you need to get there early to make sure you can do the activities you want as they are prescheduled at certain time. Or you can reserve in advance and pay with credit card online, filling out all the waiver forms online if you know what you want to do at the park, which, enables you to know for sure you can do the activity you want at the time you want. https://parquebarrancas.com/
ON @ Cabanas Copper Canyon Trailhead Inn
Meals included: None
OPTION: Spend more days in Areponapuchic for more canyon rim exploration, hiking, horseback riding and cultural and history tours to Creel and Cusarare. In addition, traveling to Cerocahui, gateway to the overlook at Cerro Gallegos, is also a great addition if you have more time.
Sunset View from near the canyon rim, Areponapuchic
Day 4 (SATURDAY): Regional Train to El Fuerte
After breakfast and lunch(on your own), at 1:20PM you will be transported to Divisadero to take the Regional train at 1:42PM to El Fuerte, enjoying the best part of the train ride which, should provide some great photo opportunities, as you will be seeing the most dramatic part of the trip in the late-afternoon sun. You may stand in the vestibules to get the best photos.
Once in El Fuerte, about 6:18PM, you will settle in at the Hotel Herradura, one block from the central plaza, the spiritual and cultural soul of any Mexican town.
You will be able to walk around the central plaza to admire the various colonial buildings and the Spanish style of plaza activities as the plaza is one block from your hotel.
Overnight (ON) @ Herradura
Meals included: None
Note: If you wish to go again to the adventure park or simply hike around, we suggest you establish, with Rogelio, the exact time for the transfer to the train.
Day 5 (SUNDAY): Departure
Depart at your leisure. Please let us know if you need any tips for onward transportation, etc.
Meals included: none
Thanks for experiencing the Copper Canyon with us! We look forward to staying in touch.
The CCA team is here to make sure you have the best travel experience possible
Trip price includes:
One-way-trip travel on the Express Tourist-class train of the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, and One-way-trip travel on the Regional train of the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world,
All lodging,
All train station transfers, and
A detailed trip information package with train tickets, trip vouchers and supporting documentation.
Trip Price per person for the five-day/four-night package (all prices are in US Dollars)
Where we take care of all the arrangements, but do not accompany you on the trip:
One person, single occupancy: $680
Two persons, double occupancy (per person): $490
Three persons, triple occupancy (per person): $465
Four persons in double occupancy (per person): $435
Four persons, quad occupancy (per person) $420
Six persons in double occupancy (per person): $400
Not included in trip price:
Transportation to and from El Fuerte, where the trip begins and ends (but can be arranged for additional cost, if desired).
Personal purchases such as meals and other food, souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages.
Optional excursions and activities in Copper Canyon Adventure Park: tram, zip-line or via Ferrata. (if you choose to go there)
Trip Insurance
Mexico tourist card (about $32-35 per person; added into the price of your international airline ticket, or purchased at immi5gration checkpoints).
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK!
