Crossing the Canyon del Cobre Adventure

12 Day Travel Itinerary through Copper Canyon in Mexico!

This unique journey takes you to Mexican communities where you can immerse yourself in the traditions and local crafts. Board the Chepe, Mexico’s most famous train, and let yourself be guided through the canyons of the famous Barranca del Cobre before reaching Baja California. Live an unforgettable experience filled with unexpected encounters and breathtaking landscapes.

Length of stay: 12 days

Kind: Authentic and unusual tours

Fix: For all public

Countries visited: Mexico

Chihuahua

Creel

Posada Barrancas

El Fuerte

La Paz

Loreto

Puerto San Carlos

Get your personalized quote.

Did you like this route? Our travel designers will adapt it to your profile and send it to you within 48 hours.

Your customized trip

travelers reviews / 5

Read more

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.

 

Overnight stay at the hotel Plaza Chihuahua.

Read more

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.

 

Overnight stay at The Lodge Creel. Standard

Read more

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.

 

Overnight stay at The Lodge Creel.

Read more

Day 4 : Creel

Train journey – El Chepe

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.

 

Overnight stay at the Mirador hotel.

Read more

Day 5 : Posada Barrancas

An afternoon at 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 7PM.

Overnight stay at hotel Posada Hidalgo.

Read more

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.

 

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

Read more

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!

Overnight stay at hotel Catedral La Paz.

Read more

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.

 

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.

 

Overnight stay at hotel Hacienda Suites. Standard

Read more

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.

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

Read more

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 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.

Read more

Day 11 : Puerto San Carlos

Departure to La Paz.

Overnight stay at hotel Catedral La Paz.

Read more

Day 12 : La Paz

Leave the hotel 3 hours before scheduled departure time.

Drop-off your vehicle to the rental company counter.

Did you like this tour?

Build your customized trip with our team of travel experts.

?