The Copper Canyon is a hikers dream,

and our "Great Day Hiking" itinerary is a hit!

Nine days WITH some of the best hiking

in the Copper Canyon

Click here for our complete calendar of scheduled trips (or choose your own dates)

(trip must start on a sunday or Friday to Match with the New Express train schedule, note: during May and June can only start on a Friday due to limited train schedule)

Thanks so much for a wonderful experience, you have a beautiful country. 

Pam, after a recent Great Day Hiking trip

Features

* Roundtrip Tourist-class passage on Chihuahua al Pacifico Express train, to see the best part of the rail scenery--twice!

(Learn more about the new Chepe Express train here)

* Two nights on the canyon rim at Areponapuchic

* Time at the "Copper Canyon Adventure Park"

* The village of Creel, featuring the mission church and the Raramuri (Tarahumara) museum, historic San Ignacio Mission and natural sites around Creel

* The Cusárare Waterfall

* Full day guided hikes around Areponapuchic, Cusarare and Cerocahui

* Two nights in Cusárare 

* The overlook at Cerro Gallegos, considered by many the best vantage point in the Copper Canyon

* The village of Cerocahui, featuring the mission church and the Raramuri (aka Tarahumara) boarding school

* Two nights in Colonial El Fuerte

* Available either fully guided or as an independent journey

"Great Day Hiking"
An exclusive Copper Canyon Adventures Itinerary 

Sunday or Friday, Day 1: Arrival – El Fuerte

Arrival to Los Mochis airport (code LMM) and transfer to colonial El Fuerte

You will be met at the airport in Los Mochis by a representative of CCA and driven to colonial El Fuerte, about an hour and a half away.

El Fuerte, our adopted hometown, is a charming, historical city, and was founded in 1564 as El Fuerte de los Montesclaros. It is a designated “Pueblo Mágico” (Magic Town) for it’s lovely architecture, aesthetics and friendly people.

There you will settle in at the Hotel Mansion El Serrano, an old El Fuerte family hotel within walking distance to the historic central plaza, the spiritual and cultural “soul” of any Mexican town. Welcome!   
Overnight (ON) @ Hotel Mansion El Serrano.

Meals included: None

Monday or Saturday, Day 2: The world-famous Chihuahua al Pacifico Express train – Divisadero and Areponapuchic

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 are cash only on the train.

On arrival, about 4:15PM transfer to the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara, right on the canyon rim for great walks and exploration.

ON @ Hotel Mansion Tarahumara – Rim Rooms Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner (BD)

Tuesday or Sunday, Day 3:  Hike Three Canyons Area (horseback riding available for additional charge)

You have a variety of hiking options available in the “Three Canyons” area today, from mild to strenuous:

Easy/Divisadero: Hike along the rim northwest, visiting great overlooks at the Copper Canyon Adventure Park at Piedra Volada before arriving at Divisadero, perhaps the most famous of all the overlooks in the Copper Canyon. To spice this hike up, go to the “Cueva del Diablo” (Devil’s Cave) and crawl around for a while! (3-5 hours) NOTE: you can take the tram across the canyon on this hike.
Note: Can take the tram across the canyon on this hike.  

Moderate/El Puerto: Follow the rim southeast past Raramuri dwellings and fields before arriving at El Puerto, a little-known but fabulous overlook that makes a great place for lunch. From there, explore further along the rim before returning to the hotel. (4-5 hours) (this can also be done on horseback)

Strenuous/ Bacajipare (also known as Wakajipare):  Descend about halfway down the canyon to the small Raramuri village of Bacajipare, a world far removed from the canyon rim. If you really want a workout today, descend to the village, then ascend to the Bacajipare overlook, above the village—this makes for a full day, and an elevation change of about 2400’/750m! (6-9 hours) NOTE: You may return walking the same way you came or hike up to the tram and return by tram to the adventure park and hike back from there to the hotel (about 2 miles).

ON @ Mansion Tarahumara - Rim Rooms
Meals included: BLD

Wednesday or Monday, Day 4: Three Canyons/Adventure Park vehicle excursion –Van to Creel and Cusárare – The Bosques en Cusárare (formerly called Sierra Lodge)

You will enjoy a vehicle excursion to the Copper Canyon Adventure Park and great vistas of three canyons-Urique, Copper and Tararecua-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.

At the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, you may take an impressive aerial tram over the canyon, experience one of the longest and most thrilling zip lines in the world, the fastest “Zip-Rider” and/or a unique vertical obstacle course known as the "Via Ferrata" (Iron Way).  Each of these features of the park are at additional expense. (The park accepts credit cards)  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/

After lunch, you will transfer to Cusárare, taking time to see the Raramuri (Tarahumara) Museum, Raramuri cave dwellings, Valley of the Mushrooms, Valley of the Frogs, lovely Lake Arareko, and the historic San Ignacio Mission, one of the oldest in the Sierra.  

You will stay at Bosques en Cusárare.   The Lodge features rustic luxury in the center of great hiking around Cusárare. NOTE: the lodge does NOT have electricity, but we do not think you will miss it, with the great ambiance of kerosene lamps, fireplaces wood stoves, plenty of hot water--and wonderful food!
 
ON @ Bosques en Cusárare
Meals included: BLD

Thursday or Tuesday, Day 5: Hiking Cusárare  
You will walk right from our hotel after breakfast to begin the hike around Cusárare. Cusárare is blessed with a great variety of trails that allow access to not only natural beauty, but a chance to better see the lifestyles of the Raramuri who live in this area. As such, you will have a better chance to have “real” (non-touristy) interactions with Raramuri than is possible for those who don’t leave the beaten path. You choose one of the following:

Easy/Cusárare Mission: Ramble thru Raramuri country following Cusárare stream before arriving at the Cusárare Mission, one of the oldest in the area, with fascinating architecture and decorations, a bell tower you can actually climb, and perhaps the best museum in the area, Loyola Religious Art Museum, exhibiting an impressive collection of 17th and 18th century religious paintings. After visiting the mission swing by the “Cueva Pintada” (Painted Cave) and see enigmatic cave paintings of unknown origin and age. (3-4 hours plus time at the museum)

Moderate/Cusárare Waterfall: There are a variety of routes to see the beautiful waterfalls at Cusárare—the shortest track takes only 45 minutes from Cusárare, but returning via a nearby mesa can extend this. In addition, you will probably want to take a picnic lunch with you to enjoy at the base of the falls—a lovely place to linger. (3-5 hours)

Strenuous/Basirecota Hot Springs: A classic hike in Raramuri country, this walk talks your over a nearby mesa before descending steeply in a side canyon to arrive at the wonderful hot springs at Basirecota. Enjoy the waters, have lunch and explore nearby cave dwellings before returning to the lodge via the Cusárare waterfall. A hike of great diversity and relaxation! (7-9 hours walking, includes soak time!)

ON @ Bosques en Cusárare
Meals included:  BLD

Friday or Wednesday, Day 6: Private Van Transfer to Cerocahui - San Isidro

After breakfast, board your private transfer to Cerocahui and the San Isidro Lodge, a unique local family owned accommodation located in a picturesque side canyon.   The ride there allows you a brief stop in Creel at the Mission Store, where all the proceeds support Tarahumara health care programs, and to see the Oteros canyon overlook.   

After setting in at the hotel, enjoy lunch and there will be time for a short hike in the afternoon, to help you get to know the local area.

ON @ San Isidro Lodge
Meals included: BLD

Saturday or Thursday, Day 7: Hiking around San Isidro

You have a variety of hiking options available in the San Isidro area today, from mild to strenuous, one of which you can choose:

Easy/Huicochi Waterfall, Option 1 (from Cerocahui):

You start by being driven to the town of Cerocahui, where you start the hike. You will cross the stream various times before you enter into woods, and have a little bit of uphill and downhill before you reach the beautiful waterfall of Huicochi. At the end we drive you back to the hotel. (2 hours total including transfer)

Easy/Huicochi Waterfall, Option 2 (from the hotel):

You start off from the lodge, hiking on a marked trail, from the high Mesa down to the waterfall. This is a great scenic hike, where one needs to cross the stream three or four times (2-3 hours to the waterfall) At the end we meet you and drive you to town and back to the hotel.

Moderate/Pueblo de Porochi:

You leave from the lodge and hike on trails through Raramuri villages called caserios. The trails are easy and comfortable with lots of hiking variety. You will visit some of our friends who live in the village of Porochi. This experience combines culture and joining with the lives of our Raramuri friends. (4 - 6 hours there and back)

Strenous/Sendero curvas de Maria: (3 1/2 to 5 hours)

You leave from the lodge and hike on Raramuri trails up and down in steep, narrow trails against the Canyon wall, eventually hiking along the rim of the Urique Canyon. You end the hike at a cabin owned by friends of ours that faces the dramatic canyon. You will enjoy lunch here and be driven back to the lodge, stopping at the Cerro Gallego's overlook, perhaps the finest overlook in the Copper Canyon--the panoramic views are amazing! (4-6 hours)

ON @ Hotel San Isidrio Lodge
Meals included: BLD

NOTE: A Temescal, a mix of Mexican, Raramuri and Native American sweat lodge, is available here to sooth your muscles after your hike. The cost ranges from $13-$18 per person. You need to request this the day before, so they can prepare the herbs and hot rocks for the sweat.

Sunday or Friday, Day 8: Early morning – Morning in Cerocahui – return Express train to El Fuerte - Walking tour of El Fuerte

After breakfast, on the way to the train station, you will visit the historic church at Cerocahui, considered by many the prettiest church in the Sierra.

Construction of the gold-domed church at Cerocahui began shortly after the arrival of the Jesuits in 1679, but after the order was expelled by the Spanish King in 1767, the church fell into disrepair and ruin. It was not until 1939 that rebuilding of the church began, and it now is one of the most dramatic churches in the Copper Canyon region. The stained glass there is particularly interesting, as it has an unusual Asian connection that your guide will explain to you.

You will be transported to Bahuichivo to take the 11:25am Express train 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-morning and early-afternoon sun. You will again be in the Tourist-class section of the train.

On arrival about 2:35pm, transfer to the Hotel Mansion Serrano, your home away from home in the Copper Canyon.

After a rest, you will take a walking culture and history tour of colonial El Fuerte—460 years young. (available with the fully guided trip only) Some of the places you will visit: The El Fuerte museum, the murals in the Palacio(government building), the Hidalgo hotel and the historic central plaza, which is surrounded by buildings built in the 1800’s and the wonderful river walk, where you can spot various types of both regional and migratory birds.

ON @ Hotel Mansion El Serrano.
Meals included: B

Monday or Saturday, Day 9:  Depart
Transfer to Los Mochis airport for your departure. We will schedule your pick up to leave to 3 hours before your scheduled departure as the airport is 1 ½ hours away and you will need 1- 1 1/2 hours before an international departure. The airport is small and easy.

Meals included: B

We look forward to hiking with you!

Trip price includes:

The services of a bilingual guide throughout your trip,

Round-trip travel on the Tourist-class (upgrades to First-class upon request) Express Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world,

All lodging,

Most meals, as noted,

All excursions and hiking (including the guided hike around the Three Canyons, the Half-day Three Canyons cultural and canyon rim tour within the Copper Canyon Adventures Park at Areponapuchic, the private transfer to Creel and Sierra Lodge with visits of the area, the full day guided hike around Cusárare , the cultural tour of Cerocahui, the tour of Cerro Gallegos, the full-day hiking around the Cerocahui, and the walking tour of the Colonial town of El Fuerte),

Your Copper Canyon Adventure Park Entrance ticket,

Private vehicle transfer from hotel in Cusárare to hotel in Cerocahui,

All train station/airport/hotel transfers upon your arrival and departure in Los Mochis

A detailed trip information package with maps and supporting documentation.

Trip Prices for Great Day Hiking:  (based on final group size, arriving and departing on the same flight): all prices are in US Dollars 

Accompanied by a personal bilingual guide throughout the trip:

One person:  upon request, single occupancy.   

Two persons:  $2950 per person, double occupancy.   

Three persons: $2465 per person,, triple occupancy.   

Four persons:  $2240 per person, double occupancy.   

Six persons:  $2060 per person, double occupancy.  

Eight persons:  $1915 per person, double occupancy.

(Single supplement; $441)

(discounts are available for larger groups--please inquire)

 
Not included in trip price:

Air transportation to and from Los Mochis, where the trip begins and ends (but we can help you with airfare tips), 

Optional activities in Copper Canyon Adventure Park: tram, zip-line or via Ferrata,

Temescal in San Isidrio, if you choose to experience it,

Tips for excursion guides, drivers, servers, and hotel staff, etc.,

Tip for bilingual guide,

Travel insurance (recommended for everything outside our control and liability such as airline/train schedule changes and cancellations, sickness/medical evacuation, lost/stolen/delayed baggage, and acts of God),

Personal purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages, 

Mexico tourist card ($32-35 per person; added into the price of your commercial airline ticket).

Click here for our Calendar for scheduled dates (or choose your own).