Copper Canyon, deep in the Sierra Madre Mountains, is a land of magnificent, wild ravines and stony, forested highlands. Largely undiscovered, it has received much flattering attention from outdoor writers and naturalists. Join us as we enter a world hidden deep in the rugged Sierras … a world forgotten by time.
COPPER CANYON, MEXICO:
A World Forgotten by Time
Itinerary
(Breakfast – B, Lunch – L, Dinner - D)
Day 1
Arrival in Los Mochis On our arrival at the Los Mochis Airport, we’ll clear customs and immigration, and after collecting our luggage, we’ll be driven to our comfortable lodge in El Fuerte. In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome briefing and dinner on the patio surrounded by flowering plants teeming with hummingbirds. We have a spectacular view of the El Fuerte River and the cobble streets of the 400-year-old town of El Fuerte from the lodge.
Please Note: Our activities on Day 1 and Day 11 of our itinerary may be subject to change, depending on our flight schedule.
o/n RioVista Lodge, El Fuerte (D)
Day 2
El Fuerte Walking Tour
Our first full day in El Fuerte is purposely low key to enable us to catch our breath after a long travel day on Thursday. The town of El Fuerte is situated on the coastal plain before the foothills of the Sierra Madre and was once very important to the Spanish as a principle fort and major source of supplies and manpower for all the expeditions travelling to and from California. It has charming cobblestone streets and handsome colonial mansions and is considered to be the prettiest town in this region. The town's plaza is quaint and handsome, with a 19th-century bandstand surrounded by graceful palms. Activities in the area have planned including a special tour of the town
o/n RioVista Lodge, El Fuerte (B, L,D)
Day 3
El Fuerte River Cruise
After an early breakfast, we’ll set out for a nature walk and boat ride along the El Fuerte River. The river winds slowly among the verdant sub-tropical thorn forest, where among Kapok Trees, Organ Pipe Cactus and Palo Verdes we will hope to find spectacular birds such as Black-throated Magpie Jays, White-fronted Parrots, Elegant Trogons and hopefully Rufous-bellied Chachalacas. Along the river, we’ll keep an eye out for Northern Jacanas and Bare-throated Tiger Herons. During our hike we’ll look for exotic tropical butterflies and will also stop to explore exposed rocks bearing ancient Nahuatl Petroglyphs.
In the evening, after a full day, we’ll relax at our lodge and admire the glorious sunset.
o/n RioVista Lodge, El Fuerte (B, L, D)
Day 4
Chihuahua al Pacific Railway / Urique Canyon
Today we’ll take a train ride along, what is arguably, the most beautiful railway route in the Americas. We’ll find the views become increasingly stunning as we make our way slowly up to 2300m (7000 feet) in the Sierra Tarahumara. After disembarking, our guide, Mario Munoz, a native of Cerocahui, will meet our group and transfer us to his family-run San Isidro Lodge. We’ll be staying here for the next two nights. After settling in, we’ll take a short introductory walk through the aromatic pine-oak forests around the lodge. In the late afternoon, while sipping Margaritas about a campfire, we’ll watch White-eared and Magnificent Hummingbirds dashing about the lodge’s feeders and listen for the calls of late-flying Thick-billed Parrots and Military Macaws.
o/n Porochi Inn, Rancho San Isidro (B, L, D)
Day 5
Urique Canyon and Village
After breakfast, we’ll drive from the pine-filled highlands to the sub-tropical habitat at the bottom of the Urique Canyon – one of the deepest canyons in North America. During our full-day excursion, we’ll take a walk through the lush riparian habitat along the Urique River. Hopefully, our excursion will turn up a displaying Vermillion Flycatcher, a multi-hued Varied Bunting or a soaring Common Black Hawk. Afterwards, we’ll visit a Tarahumara ranch still functioning in the traditional manner. A leisurely lunch in a beautiful, shaded garden will be followed by a stroll through the Hibiscus and Bougainvillea-filled streets of Urique. Small and infrequently visited by tourists, Urique is the municipal centre of the region and still has active mining interests. These have historically involved silver rather than copper. After ascending back to the top of the canyon, we’ll linger at the Gallego Rim and look more than 1600m back down to Urique and the amazing sculpted peaks, buttresses and cliff faces surrounding it.
o/n Porochi Inn, Rancho San Isidro (B, L, D)
Days 6 – 7
Jesuit Mission / Cerocahui / Uno Lodge
Following our optional early morning bird walk and breakfast, we’ll drive down from San Isidro to Cerocahui. Here we’ll visit a 17th century, gold-domed Jesuit Mission Church and then take a stroll around town. Afterwards, we’ll re-board the train for a short ride to the bustling little town of San Rafael. On our arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to Uno Lodge, an inn that is owned and operated by the Tarahumara. Located at the end of a 9km private road, Uno Lodge is located in pristine wilderness. Every room has a view that has to be seen to be believed. As we take our introductory walk through the pines and oaks unique to this biologically rich, high-altitude region, we will no doubt hear the whining calls of arguing Acorn Woodpeckers.
The next day at Uno, a moderately strenuous outing will take us down into a canyon with more spectacular views, Apache Pines and Sotol plants used by Tarahumara artisans and maybe a flock of Mexican Jays. An easier walk will take us through the pine-oak woodlands to a remote Tarahumara Rancheria. Evenings will offer spectacular night skies free from electric lights, as the lodge is solar powered. Throughout our stay, we’ll have many casual encounters with the placid Tarahumara and their independent lifestyle.
o/n Uno Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 8
Cusarare
After breakfast, we’ll reluctantly leave Uno’s beautiful surroundings and make our way up-slope to Creel – a bustling timber and tourist town. We’ll continue on for a walk along the shores of beautiful Lake Arareco where we’ll be on the look out for Yellow-eyed Juncoes, Mexican Chickadees and over-wintering waterfowl. After lunch, we’ll carry on to Sierra Lodge, another Tarahumara-run establishment. We’ll be staying here for the next two nights. During the afternoon, we’ll take an introductory stroll along the Rio Cusarare which tumbles through the area’s conifer-dominated landscape. With luck, we’ll encounter a Williamson’s Sapsucker or even an Eared Quetzal. Later, with Western Bluebirds foraging in the understory around us, we will relax on the hotel porch and watch the colourfully dressed Tarahumara artisans at work. We’ll end the day with dinner at the lodge and entertainment by a local guitar trio.
o/n Sierra Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 9
Cusarare Falls / Jesuit Mission
This morning, we’ll hike from the lodge along the fragrant pine and fir-clad shoreline of the Rio Cusarare towards the spectacular Cusarare Falls. Dawn choristers such as Greater Pewees or a Mountain Trogon should still be singing and we’ll keep our eyes open for groups of Red-faced Warblers. The many rocks in the river will offer us the opportunity to see an American Dipper. After lingering at the falls for photographs, we’ll stroll past Tarahumara artisans at trailside and then drive back to the lodge. After lunch, we’ll drive to the nearby Tarahumara village and visit its active Mission Church. An intriguing art gallery is next door – the brainchild of the late Fr. Luis Verplancken S.J., a great friend of the Tarahumara. We will spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the tranquil surroundings of Sierra Lodge.
o/n Sierra Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 10
Creel / Train to El Fuerte
Before breakfast, we’ll have our final, optional high-altitude bird walk and then drive to Creel in order to wait for El Chepe, our train. In Creel, we’ll have scheduled time to visit the Tarahumara Mission Craft Store, a nearby artisans’ museum and to wander about the central part of town. Once aboard El Chepe, we’ll travel through endless spectacular panoramas until we arrive back in the lowlands and El Fuerte. During our farewell dinner at Rio Vista, we can share and celebrate some of the many highlights of our trip.
o/n RioVista Lodge, El Fuerte (B, L, D)
Day 11
Departure Day
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport in time to catch our flights home
. (B)
