Copper Canyon Hiking & Biking

Buried in the heart of northern Mexico lies the treasure of the Sierra Madre mountains … the remote Copper Canyon. Deeper and more than four times the size of the Grand Canyon, this rugged wilderness is an awesome backcountry paradise. Board the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train for the journey from El Fuerte to Divisadero passing by spectacular high desert scenery and towering canyon walls.Stretch your legs on a short hike before continuing onto Creel. Jump on your mountain bike and cycle past sparkling lakes, waterfalls, pueblos and cave dwellings. Breathtaking vistas open at every turn on your exhilarating pedal down into the Canyon itself.  Enjoy several days of hiking from the charming village of Batopilas located on the subtropical Canyon floor and known as the “most remote town in North America”. Hike to the Lost Cathedral of Satevo, walk the canyon trails of the Tarahumara Indians. Comfortable lodging, good conversation, typical Mexican cuisine with cold cervesas and the black skies of the Copper Canyon await you each evening.  Return home from Chihuahua.

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.

Copper Canyon Hiking and Biking Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Los Mochis, Mexico. Arrive in Los Mochis by 1:30 p.m. and take a taxi to the Santa Anita Hotel in the downtown area (20 minutes). Your REI Adventures guide will meet the entire group in the lobby of the hotel at 3:00 p.m. We will then transfer by private vehicle to the colonial town of El Fuerte (a two hour drive). Enjoy an evening of comfort at a beautiful colonial mansion built in 1890. You have time to relax or explore this quaint town before our evening dinner and general trip orientation. Your exact air itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  Early morning board the first-class train to Divisadero, the Chihuahua al Pacifico. “El Chepe” is an awe-inspiring rail journey through incredible scenery. In less than 180 miles, we gain nearly 8,000 feet while passing through coastal shrub, pine forest, and high desert. As we loop our way up, the route crosses dozens of high ravines and tunnels through the mountains. Catch your first glimpse of the canyons, climbing up the switchbacks at Estacion Temoris and then later at Divisadero, where we will enjoy stretching our legs on a 2 hour afternoon hike along the rim of the Copper Canyon overlooking the nearby Tararecua Canyon and the great bend of the Rio Urique. Following our return to the Divisadero station, we transfer by vehicle to Creel (7668’), the “Gateway to the Copper Canyon.” Here we check into our simple log-cabin lodging for the next two evenings, enjoy a Mexican meal in a Wild West mountain town atmosphere. Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch on the train on your own.

• Day 3

  Today we get on our mountain bikes to explore the breathtaking countryside of this high plateau. The riding is delightful. Highlights include: a dramatic landscape of wind-sculpted rocks and sparkling streams known as the Valley of the Monks. We visit an old Spanish mission and Tarahumara cave dwellings. The Tarahumara are a fascinating culture and the second largest Indian tribe in North America (the largest being the Navajo).  In large part, because they live in isolated groups throughout the canyons, they have been able to maintain much of their tradition. A short hike takes us to an awesome overlook of the Rio Conchos and our picnic lunch site. We overnight in Creel. Cycling: 18-22 miles. Terrain: Dirt roads, some single track. All meals included.

• Day 4

  After breakfast, we board our van for a scenic drive (2 hours) to the jumping off spot for our exhilarating descent into the Copper Canyon.  There are a few challenging uphill sections to get our hearts pumping before the downhill. This is the kind of ride we dream of … our descent of nearly 3000’ offers incredible views with every twist and turn in the road. The scale of the landscape here is mind-boggling, even surreal. Our ride ends at La Bufa, a historical mining town, for a picnic lunch. After relaxing and taking in the views, we continue by van to the bottom of the canyon (2 hours), to the charming village of Batopilas. Our lodging is a lovely, refurbished Mexican lodge with all the amenities. Cycling: 25-30 miles. All meals included.

• Day 5

  Batopilas (1640’) may well be the most remote town in North America. The road connecting it to the rim arrived only 25 years ago! It once was one of the richest towns in Mexico, with tons of silver hauled out on burro trains. Today it is a tranquil, riverside town and home to only 800 people. The surrounding area is the canyon home to the reclusive Tarahumara Indians, renowned as long distance runners. We hike to the “Lost Cathedral of Satevo”, built nearly four hundred years ago by the Jesuits. We take time for exploring side canyons and a swim in the sparkling pools of the Rio Batopilas. We overnight again in Batopilas. Hiking: 8+ miles. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.

• Day 6

  Today is a long and gorgeous day hike up the canyon on a fairly rugged foot trail toward the small town of Cerro Colorado. We begin on the Camino Real trail following the Rio Batopilas up-river offering great views, side arroyos for explorations and numerous historical points of interest. There are several shallow river crossings that allow for a quick and cooling dip. We pass small pueblos in idyllic settings surrounded by cactus, oak, bougainvilleas and mesquite. We may meet Tarahumarans on the trail carrying corn and beans for trade in town. Today’s journey feels like a step back in time, it’s a privilege to relish. We overnight in Batopilas.  (There is a shorter hike option for those not wanting to hike to Cerro Colorado). Hiking: 14+ miles. All meals included.

• Day 7

  Following breakfast, we leave the lower canyon and begin our return to the forested rim. We arrive at our evening’s lodging in the early afternoon, leaving us time to hike to the lovely Cusarare waterfall and the petroglyphs in a nearby cave. Our beautiful, yet rustic, lodge (7220’) is a great wilderness hideaway located in a pine scented valley near the rushing Cusarare River. There’s no electricity, and no phones or television. The light from kerosene lamps casts a warm ambience on the varnished log walls and tiled floors. Take time to relax and soak this up. A delicious lodge dinner served family style awaits us. Settle into a comfortable chair and enjoy a glass of excellent wine by the roaring fire. We overnight in Cusarare.  Hiking: 3+ miles. All meals included.

• Day 8

  Enjoy a full lodge breakfast after an optional, very early morning hike and head into Creel for any last minute shopping. Late morning we transfer to Chihuahua by private van stopping along the way to visit the Mennonite museum. Once in Chihuahua enjoy a short walking tour of the historical town center before bidding farewell and raising your cold cervezas to your guides at a final Mexican dinner. All meals included.

• Day 9

  Following breakfast, an early morning transfer is provided to the Chihuahua airport. Breakfast included.

Note on Itinerary:

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Price Includes:

All meals as noted in the daily itinerary; all hotel accommodations; bi-lingual guide / leadership; bicycles; private ground transportation; 1^st class train El Fuerte – Divisadero; private transfer Creel to Chihuahua.

Not Included:

Airfare to Los Mochis; lunch on the train on Day 2; dinner on Day 5; cost of insurance of any kind; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages; optional gratuities to your guides and items of a personal nature.

Single Travelers:

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Qualifications:

This trip is rated Moderate [3] and contains a variety of activities including moderate mountain biking and hiking. Participants should have some mountain biking experience and be comfortable riding on uneven dirt roads. Hiking is not difficult, but trails are generally rugged and not maintained. In addition, Batopilas is a very remote location. Everyone must be in good health and physical condition.

Weather:

The canyon area ranges in elevation from 1640’ in Batopilas to 7875’ in Creel … weather and temperature conditions vary accordingly.  Typically, March - April and October - December are excellent months to travel to the Copper Canyon. It will generally be 20° - 25° warmer on the canyon floor than on the rim. Daytime temperatures in Batopilas during these months range in mid-70s to high-80s; in Creel they range from mid-50s to mid-60s. At higher elevations, March can be quite dry leaving some of the streams and waterfalls diminished. December can be quite cool on the rim while very pleasant on the Canyon floor.

General Information:

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The canyon area ranges in elevation from 1640’ in Batopilas to 7875’ in Creel, therefore weather and temperature conditions vary accordingly.  Typically, March - April and October - December are excellent months to travel to the Copper Canyon.  It will generally be 20° - 25° warmer on the canyon floor than on the rim.  Daytime temperatures in Batopilas during these months range in mid-70s to high-80s; in Creel they range from mid-50s to mid-60s.  At higher elevations, March can be quite dry leaving some of the streams and waterfalls diminished. December can be quite cool on the rim while very pleasant on the Canyon floor.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing (including hiking shoes), and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Space for luggage is limited—please pack lightly. Dress is very casual.
• Bike helmets are provided, but consider bringing your own as it may fit better.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet it drains your body heat. Plan on bringing at least one synthetic shirt that maintains its warmth when wet. Examples of synthetic fabrics include Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• A poncho is wonderful for the hiking portion of the trip but cannot be safely used during the biking portion. You will need a rain jacket for the cycling portion.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside layers without binding up.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colors to differentiate the contents. Plastic bags work great for sorting out dirty or wet clothing.
• Feel free to give us a call should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at any of our stores or Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The "Expert Advice" section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.