Crossing the Canyon del Cobre Adventure

Day 1 : Chihuahua

Mexican History in Chihuahua

Arrive at Chihuahua airport and transfer to your hotel. Then take a city tour of Chihuahua.

Chihuahua is the cradle of the Mexican Revolution and is surrounded by mountains. The city of Chihuahua holds so much of modern Mexico’s history. Miguel Hidalgo, often considered the ‘father of Mexico’, was held prisoner and then executed in Chihuahua in 1811 by the Spaniards. If you have some free time in the city center, don’t miss the majestic Cathedral in the delightful Plaza de Armas, impressive Revolution Park and its great museums.

Spend your evening at leisure in this beautiful city.

Note: Admission prices are not included (count between 50 cents and 1 dollar per admission).

Note: The city tour program may be rescheduled according to your arrival time. Option included: English speaking local guide. Overnight stay at the hotel Plaza Chihuahua.

Day 2 : Chihuahua

Surprises in Cuauhtémoc

After breakfast, departure in private transportation towards Cuauhtemoc  Here, 3 different cultures coexist peacfully: the Tarahumaras, Mestizos and Mennonites. You’ll meet with a Mennonite community known for their production of organic products, particularly cheese. Visit of the Mennonite Museum (not included) and the church.

Then, we head to Creel a city with far west vibes.

End of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at The Lodge Creel. Standard

Day 3 : Creel

Today is dedicated to visiting the surroundings of Creel and encountering some of the local communities. Head to the Cusasare waterfalls where the Raramuri women weave the straw to make traditional objects. The silence and fresh air of the surrounding mountains invite you to meditate and simple be. Continue your trip in the Tarahumara territory and stop by Lake Arareko to enjoy the view. After, visit the Jesuit mission of San Ignacio, dating from the XVIIth century. Stop in the Valle de los Monjes, to observe an amazing landscape formed of rocks shaped like chimneys and frogs. Finally, meet the Raramuri people at the San Sebastian cave. Be invited into their homes to observe their handicraft.

Return to Creel at the end of the day.

Note: the site’s entrance fees have to be paid on the day. Overnight stay at The Lodge Creel. Standard

Day 4 : Creel

All Aboard!

Have breakfast at the hotel before departing for the train station in Creel. Today El Chepe will take you to Posada Barrancas , known as the town on the edge of the canyon. You will travel through the mountains of the Sierra Tarahumara, gradually rising from gorges to passes, crossing lakes and rivers, torrents and waterfalls to a point known as the Divisadero (the divide).

Arrive in the afternoon in Posada Barrancas train station and transfer to your hotel. Tonight you will stay in the Hotel Mirador. Known as the most beautiful hotel of all Copper Canyon, it offers its guests some of the most beautiful sights of Copper Canyon! Enjoy from your terrace an award-winning terrace view.

Here there is the option to take a walking tour of the surroundings of the hotel and visit a Tarahumara Cave. Option included: Ticket train CHEPE REGIONAL Creel – El Fuerte

Meals and beverage not included.

Note: Departures Monday – Thursdays – Saturday

Three stops are allowed during the trip.

Schedule:

Creel – El Fuerte: 11:47 AM – 7:19 PM Option included: Transfer to your hotel with a stunning view of the Canyon.

Overnight stay at the Mirador hotel.

Day 5 : Posada Barrancas

Afternoon Journey to El Fuerte

Take some time to relax in the surroundings of Posada Barrancas this morning before departing for El Fuerte in the afternoon. If you’re feeling active you can put on your walking shoes and follow the trails traveled by Mexican indigenous populations that will guide you along a pleasant 2-3 hours walk. Stop at the watchtower ‘Piedra Volada’.

Depart on El Chepe in first class at approximately 1 PM. Enjoy the incredible view as the train crosses through canyons and forests and over suspended bridges.

Arrive in El Fuerte at approximately 7PMtransfer to the hotel. Option included : Welcome at the train station and transfer to the hotel (pool on site).

Overnight stay at hotel Posada Hidalgo.

Day 6 : El Fuerte

Enchanting El Fuerte

Free visit in the morning of El Fuerte, beautiful colonial town which has preserved the particular colonial houses and its church. It was a mining town on the site of San Juan de Carapoa’s built in 1564 by Francisco de Ibarra. But, it was destroyed by the Indians, and was renamed El Fuerte when the Spanish built a fort near the river.

Spend your morning in the Magic Town of El Fuerte. When visiting this enchanting town, you have to explore Tehuoco (one of seven ceremonial centers), Iglesia de Dolores, the ruins of an old Jesuit temple, the observation point, or the Miguel Ángel Morales Ibarra Community Museum, where the robes, masks and instruments that were used during the traditional dances are displayed, as well as objects of the daily life of the Yoreme people.

Private transfer at the end of the day to Topolobampo from where we will take the Ferry for the second part of our trip. Ferry from Topolobampo to La Paz

Today depart for the ferry port for your trip to La Paz.

Ferry Schedule:

Monday to Friday: Departure of the ferry at 11:59PM to La Paz. Night crossing and approximate arrival in La Paz around 6:00AM.

Saturday: No ferry services available.

Sunday: Departure of the ferry at 23:00 to La Paz. Night crossing and approximate arrival in La Paz around 05:00A.

Overnight on board the ferry. A cabin is reserved for you during the crossing (a cabin for 1 to 4 people). Option included: Standard cabin for four people.

Day 7 : La Paz

Arrival at Loreto Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. Free Day in La Paz

Spend a day exploring the beautiful city of La Paz. It is the perfect place to enjoy beaches, landscapes, water activities, adventure and promenades almost exclusively, thanks to its tranquility and unique features that make it a place away from the hustle and bustle.

Don’t miss the beautiful sunset!

Note: Transport is not included on this day. Overnight stay at hotel Catedral La Paz.

Day 8 : La Paz

In the morning, taxi (not included) to the Hertz car rental agency in the center of La Paz. Delivery of your vehicle. They offer several insurance options, be careful as some of these are very expensive.

Swimming on the Way to Loreto

Depart in the morning for Loreto, a charming little town wedged between the mountains and the sea. The road crosses the reddish colored mountains of the Sierra La Giganta before reaching the lowlands.

Here, there is the possibility to swim in the sea of Cortes , with its exceptional ocean floor, sanctuary of sea lions, giant turtles and hammerhead sharks.

Arrive in Loreto in the late afternoon. Car rental Dodge Attitude or equivalent with partial inclusive insurance.

– 7 passengers
– 2 Large pieces of luggage
– Automatic transmission
– Air Conditioning
– Double Airbag
– ABS
– 11 Kilometers per liter

Overnight stay at hotel Hacienda Suites. Standard

Day 9 : Loreto

Boat trip to Isla Coronado

This morning, board a lancha for a day trip to ”Isla Coronados”. This island is located in the the Sea of Cortés, which was called “the world’s aquarium” by French oceanographer and writer Jacques Cousteau. This volcanic area is home to an incredibly rich and varied marine wildlife. You will get to see dolphins, and if you’re lucky perhaps even a blue whale!

For the most courageous, swimming with sea lions is a once in a lifetime experience. Give it a try, this activity is perfectly safe! The island is also a bird sanctuary for many species that live there during the winter months.

Visit a little beach and swim in its transparent waters, ideal to enjoy a snorkeling session (mask and snorkel not included, possibility to rent on site).

Picnic break on the beach (included).

Return to Loreto in the early afternoon. Overnight stay at hotel Hacienda Suites. Standard

Day 10 : Loreto

This morning, depart for Baja California. The road crosses between the ochre and reddish mountains of the Sierra La Giganta before reaching the land of the plains.

Whale watching in Bahia Magdalena

Continue to the great Bahia Magdalena , considered as the Mecca for the observation of the beautiful grey whale. Observing this mammal is one of the most powerful experiences you can have in Mexico and the most popular attraction of the winter period. Thousands of grey whales come to mate and give birth to small calves between January and April, before heading north for the summer.

Peaceful Puerto San Carlos

Arrive in the late afternoon in the village of Puerto San Carlos . There is the possibility to carry out a whale watching tour at sunset (1 or 2 hours, to be paid on site). The lagoon is peaceful at the end of the day and whales approach more easily when there are fewer boats. Overnight stay at the hotel Brennan.

Day 11 : Puerto San Carlos

Departure to La Paz . Option included: Collective boat tour in Puerto Lopez Mateos. Overnight stay at hotel Catedral La Paz.

Day 12 : La Paz

Leave the hotel 3 hours before scheduled departure time.

Drop-off your vehicle to the rental company counter.