Begin your tour at the airport in Los Mochis, Sinaloa (Airport code: LMM). You will be met by your Copper Canyon tour guide for your transfer to the hotel in El Fuerte. 

Relax and Enjoy the tropical atmosphere with a cool coconut drink, expertly opened with a machete before your eyes, or sip a margarita prepared from local oranges.

At 7 am, we leave coastal plains around El Fuerte for the rim of Copper Canyon at almost 8000 feet above sea level. The complete rail journey to Ciudad Chihuahua is enhanced by 86 tunnels and 37 bridges. Posada Barrancas, our arrival point in mid-afternoon, is cool and temperate in an extensive pine forest on a high mesa.

We'll be met at the Estación Divisadero train station for our transfer to the anachronistic castle: Mansion Tarahumara. Late lunch provided after check-in.

Toward sunset, take a walk to the canyon rim. It will take your breath away, not just the scenery, but the lack of air. The optional "canyon rim rendezvous" begins with a night at Esmeralda's guesthouse for those arriving independently. 

Meet your local guides and arrieros (Spanish for burro drivers) and begin a 3500-foot descent to camp with a possible day hike side trip as time allows. Notice the life zone changes as we leave the coniferous Mesa and descend through the Apachean-Madrean woodland bioregion.

Local homesteads perch precariously on exposed ledges, with nearly sideways-slanted cornfields.

A scenic rocky outcrop offers photo opportunities and a good spot for lunch.

A 1200 foot descent is a great way to loosen those tight leg muscles after a tough descent.

Take the rest of the day to relax at our spacious beach camp. Tonight's campsite is under a brilliant canopy of stars, next to the gently burbling Rio Urique.

Proceed for a full day hike to get to know the area means we must get an early start.

Utilize old Tarahumaran trails on a traverse to a warm waterfall.

A small dry bag (12-20 litres) is recommended for valuables for the return hike and enjoy 3 river crossings. Two are definite swimmers!  Sure-footed river shoes and a dry sweater for the other side are recommended. This hike features an active low tech mining operation, Tarahumaran ruins, the art of tracking, and birding opportunities.

Head out for a half-day hike around our campsite highlights Tarahumaran life. This hike features a riverside beach with deep pools and smooth water, a functioning Tarahumaran Rancho including animal husbandry and terraforming, and an abandoned gold mine.

Listen for the bells to find where the burros have strayed. The arrieros rein them in and we hike up for a night in the outskirts of a Tarahumaran village.

Ascend 450m (1500ft) to a hot spring pool and the first night's camp.

Depending on the season, visit with the owner of a remote Tarahumaran Rancho.

Ascend 3500 feet as we return on our outbound trail.

Local ranchos with tiny cornfields and stone fruit orchards blend seamlessly with the surrounding hills.

Back at the guesthouse, hot showers and cold drinks await us. 

Have breakfast and get the transfer for the coastbound train to El Fuerte, departing about 12:30.

You have the option to finish in Ciudad Chihuahua with several bus departures, or the 2:30 pm train.

You will be met at the El Fuerte train station for transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Airport in Los Mochis.