Copper Canyon, Mexico

5-day Independent Trip

On this adventure you’ll enjoy spectacular vistas from Divisadero, visit Tarahumara caves and Indian schools at Creel, and ride the famous Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad. It can begin in either Los Mochis or Chihuahua. The following itinerary is an example of a trip beginning in Los Mochis.

1st Day: You’ll transfer from Los Mochis to the small colonial city of El Fuerte, where you’ll spend the night at a charming hotel.

2nd Day: In the morning you’ll board the Copper Canyon train and travel up into the Sierra Madre Mountains, passing through 86 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges. This is one of the most spectacular train rides in the Western Hemisphere. In the afternoon you’ll arrive at Divisadero and stay at a picturesque lodge located right on the edge of the canyon. Here you’ll make your first contacts with the cave-dwelling Tarahumara Indians. You can hike along the canyon rim or just relax at the hotel—either way you’ll enjoy magnificent views.

3rd Day: After lunch you will board the train for the short ride to Creel, a lumber town high in the Sierra Madre Mountains. On an afternoon tour you’ll explore the countryside, Tarahumara Indian caves and missions, and Cusarare Falls. A good place to buy Tarahumara Indian crafts is at the Mission Store in Creel. The profits go toward running the hospital built by Father Luis Verplancken for the Indian children.

4th Day: You will board the train for the return trip to El Fuerte. You’ll be met at the train station and driven to the hotel to spend a final night.

5th Day: Today you’ll leave Copper Canyon, but you’ll take along wonderful memories of this remote area and the people who make it their home.

The trip includes accommodations: two nights in El Fuerte or Chihuahua, one night in Divisadero, and one night in Creel; 7 meals; train tickets; transfers from train to hotels; tour of Creel; transportation between Los Mochis and El Fuerte (when trip begins in Los Mochis).

Price per person: