Journey Mexico Copper Canyon Hiking Tour

This Copper Canyon hiking 9 day expedition is a rugged adventure through the awesome canyons of Northern Mexico. It is ideal for active travelers wanting to combine remote Copper Canyon hiking in pristine wilderness settings and wildlife viewing opportunities with visits to local villages and towns very much off the beaten path.

Highlights

Hiking through the deepest section of the biggest canyon of the immense Copper Canyon network.
Wild campsites near remote indigenous family compounds perched on canyon walls with mule and walking access only.
Visits to remote settlements of native Tarahumara and sharing the canyon trails with indigenous farmers and ranchers.
Overnights in the 200 years old frontier settlements of Creel and Cerocahui.
Train journey on the famous Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad. This train ride is a highlight in itself and this spectacular trip is a natural transition between the dazzling Sea of Cortez and the arid canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara.

Prices

2 clients at $3,597 per client /pax 3 clients at $2,890 per client /pax 4-6 clients at $2,390 per client /pax 7-12 clients at $2,260 per client /pax Single Supplement = $360/pax (if single room is requested or forced)

Dates

2011-2012 Departure Dates (9 Days)
October 22 2011
November 19 2011
December 17 2011
January 28 2012
February 11 2012
April 24 2012
October 20 2012
November 17 2012
December 15 2012

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Day: Home/Los Mochis, Mexico/El Fuerte. Transfer to the charming colonial gateway to the Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. Check in to our beautiful historic lodge and then roam the cobble stone streets for a taste of old Mexico. Relax and wander this quaint and historical city. (no meals) Meet guide at 9:00 PM in hotel lobby for details on next day’s departure. (Overnight Hotel El Fuerte or equivalent)

Day 2

El Fuerte / CHEPE / Areponapuchic. All aboard the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train trip into the Sierra Madre Mountains. This comfortable first class train leads us through dozens of tunnels and over countless bridges with exceptional opportunities for taking pictures or just enjoying the view. Lunch is on your own at the restaurant car. We arrive in the early afternoon to Posada Rancho (7,260 ft.). It’s a short 15 minute transfer to the rustic and comfortable community cabins in Areponapuchic where we will spend the night. We will take a short hike around the area depending on our arrival time. B,D (Overnight: Community Cabins Areponapuchic)

Day 3

(Trek Day One): Areponapuchic / San Rafael / Guitayvo. After breakfast we load up the vehicles and transfer to the trail head in San Rafael (7,425 ft). We then load up the mules and begin our walk through the rolling hills of the high sierra. We come to a school and a church in the indigenous village of San Alonso and follow the rolling hills of the high Sierra Tarahumara. We arrive to Guitayvo 7,590 ft.) in the mid-afternoon. We arrive to the community eco-cabins in Guitayvo. We will spend the night in this simple yet charming shelter. B,Snacks,L,D (Overnight: Eco-cabins Guitayvo) Full day hike (4.5-6 hours) Altitude gain / loss: 1,716 /1320 ft.

Day 4

(Trek Day Two) Today we will begin our hiking adventure. We continue navigating around the mesa of Guitayvo and we drop down through an arroyo (river bed) and then we climb gradually up the side of a canyon. The mystical tranquility of this alpine region is reinforced by the wind whistling through the pine needles. We arrive to the small ranch of Huemachi (6,620 ft.) in the late aftrernoon. B,Snacks,L,D (Overnight: Wild Camping) Full day hike (6-8 hours) Altitude gain / loss: 690 /1650 ft.

Day 5

(Trek Day Three)Today our descent continues as we connect with the Urique Canyon. Our trail affords us stupendous views and we really hit our stride as we walk along the ridge that spills down into the incredible Copper Canyon. We arrive to the small ranch of Chiruhuerabo (7,720 ft.) in the late aftrernoon. B,Snacks,L,D (Overnight: Wild Camping) Full day hike (6-8 hours) Altitude gain / loss: 1320 /142 ft.

Day 6

(Trek Day Four)We now enter the Urique canyon proper through a side canyon. The views from the ridge looking down are spectacular and we carefully navigate the steep descent with plenty of stops to observe the quickly changing vegetation. We make our way towards Naranjo (3,894 ft.), where we are greeted by the friendly people that live there. After some time to chat with the locals, we will load our gear into the vehicle and head down to the town of Urique with time to check out this wildwest mining outpost. In the afternoon, we will climb out of the town of Urique by vehicle up impressive switchback road to the high sierra and our own private lodge at Cerocahui where our clean clothes and a hot fire are waiting for us! B,L,D (Overnight: Cerocahui Hiking Lodge) Full day hike (6-8 hours) Altitude gain / loss: 132/ 3,826 ft.

Day 7

Cerocahui/Creel. After breakfast we will to our destination at Creel by road stopping to see the Cerocahui Mission, and some of the most impressive view points along the road from Cerocahui to Creel. You will eat lunch along the way before arriving to the frontier logging outpost turned tourist center for the Copper Canyon, Creel. Diner in our cozy hotel. B,L,D (Overnight Plaza Mexicana)

Day 8

Creel/Chihuahua. Breakfast and a chance for to explore a bit more before our mid-morning transfer to Chihuahua where we will check into our comfortable accommodation. The late afternoon is free for relaxing or site seeing at the interesting museums and historical sites of this important cultural and economic center of Northwestern Mexico. Night on the town for our farewell fiesta. B,L,D (Overnight Hotel San Francisco)

Day 9

Departure: Chihuahua Mexico/Home. Transfer to Airport for onward flights. (No meals)

Do you have people signed up for the 2/2012 trip interested in this trip would like to know cost at this time. If no one is signed up yet how many people do you usually get.

By Stephanie Dubyk on 2011 08 21

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