One of our great partners in Mexico offers an 8 day comprehensive itinerary through the Copper Canyon

Highlights:

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

* One night on the canyon rim at Areponapuchic

* The Cusarare Waterfall

* Descent into the Batopilas Canyon

* Two nights in Batopilas

* The Cathedral at Satevo

* 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

* Time at the "Copper Canyon Adventure Park" (if desired)

* Two nights in Colonial El Fuerte

* Available either fully guided or as an independent journey

Day 1: Arrival

You will be met at the airport in Los Mochis by your bilingual Copper Canyon Adventures guide and taken to colonial El Fuerte, a charming, historical city where you can still see old Mexico at every turn. On arrival in El Fuerte, you will settle in at the Mansion Serrano in El Fuerte, a charming hotel known for its personal service and great food. This hotel is uniquely located for exploring our adopted "hometown". Following dinner, you will enjoy a folkloric dance show highlighting Sinaloan dance, including the Yaqui/Mayo Indian "Deer Dance", and dances from other regions of Mexico. To complement this wonderful hotel, take a stroll to the "Plazuela" of El Fuerte, a short distance away. This wonderfully maintained central plaza is indicative of both the pride of El Fuerte's citizens and the richness of their history.

Day 2: The Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad

You have reserved seats on the Copper Canyon train after breakfast today, enjoying tremendous views from one of the most scenic train rides in the world. The three-level loop at Temoris is especially photogenic. You will arrive at Posada Barrancas, the station serving the small community of Areponapuchic. Close to Divisadero and located just below the canyon rim, Areponapuchic is ideally situated for great excursions and unique views. At 7200' (2200m), take your time until you get acclimated to the higher elevation. Your lodging tonight is the Mansion Tarahumara, a small hotel nestled in the trees right on the canyon rim. Quiet and natural, the Mansion is a wonderful place to stay in a beautiful area.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Piedra Volada "Balancing Rock"

Day 3: Three Canyons and by private transfer to Creel

This morning you enjoy great vistas at the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, 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 can take a tram ride for a bird’s eye view of the canyon and the river below. If you prefer more adventure, the park also has the second longest zip-line in the world. In this half-day excursion you will traverse several side canyons in 7 stations and walk over 2 swinging bridges. With the longest of the lines over a kilometer long with a depth of over 1000 feet, you are sure to never forget this trip! Of course, you are in good hands with specially trained adventure guides and state of the art equipment. (on your own for about $60 including the tram return). Longest zipline in the world, the new “Zip-Rider” is a thrilling zipline, which enables people who don’t want to take the time nor the energy for the 7 stations, to still get a birds eye view of the canyon. You are harnessed into a special seat where you sit overlooking the canyon on a 2,545 meters (8,350 feet) long zipline, lasting 2 minutes and 20 seconds. You reach the velocity of at least 104Km/Hour (64 miles/Hour), the incline is 17% with a descent of 450 meters (1476 feet). At the end you walk up a short distance to take the tram airway back. You will experience thrill and an amazing panoramic view of the canyons. (on your own for $50, including the tram return) In addition, there is the “Via Ferrata”, an obstacle course with rappelling, rock climbing and horizontal traverses that is an amazing test of outdoor skill, once again with the latest in safety equipment. After lunch you will go in a private vehicle transfer for the short trip to Creel, where you will stay at the Hotel Best Western Spa and Lodge at Creel, a fine hotel located in the center of town. You will have some time free to wander through town at your leisure—you will find it to be the "urban" center of the Rarámuri Indians. If you are interested, let us show you the best place to buy Rarámuri Indian handicrafts--where the proceeds of every sale go to improve medical care for the tribe.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

The Batopilas Canyon

Day 4: Creel to Batopilas

You will be met at your hotel for your private transportation to the entrance to the Cusarare Waterfalls. A 20-minute walk will bring you to the falls. After, return to the van for transfer to Batopilas, an old silver town considered by some to be one of the most remote towns in North America. After five hours on an incredibly scenic road, you will probably agree! You will stay at the Hotel Real de Minas in Batopilas, a quaint colonial hotel in the center of town.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Exploring Batopilas and beyond

Today you explore and enjoy the atmosphere and history of Batopilas. Some included options include a vehicle trip to the Cathedral at Satevo, a nice walk to the home of silver magnate Alexander Shepherd or a more rigorous hike to the El Peñasquito mine, formerly one of the most prosperous silver mines in the world--or maybe all three trips in one day--the choice is yours!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Shepherd Hacienda, at one time headquarters of the largest silver mine in the world.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Looking into the Urique Canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon, from near Cerro Gallegos

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8: Departure

You will be transferred to the airport in Los Mochis for your flight, and there assisted with checking in.

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Price Includes:

• The services of a personal bilingual guide for the entire trip,
• Round-trip first-class travel on multiple segments of the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world
• All lodging
• Most meals as noted
• All excursions (including the Three Canyons canyon rim and cultural excursion in Areponapuchi, the visit to the waterfall at Cusarare, guided exploration in Batopilas and the Cerocahui and the Cerro Gallegos history and canyon rim excursion),
• All airport/train/hotel transfers upon your arrival in Los Mochis (including the private transfer to and from Batopilas).
• A detailed trip information package with maps and supporting documentation.

Trip Price Does NOT Include:

• Airfare to and from Los Mochis, Mexico (airport code LMM), where the trip begins,
• Personal purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages,
• Mexico tourist card ($22 per person; normally included in the price of your airline ticket),
• Tips for trip guide, baggage handling, hotel staff, drivers, musicians, dancers, etc. (can be included at your request for convenience sake),
• Trip Insurance