Where is Copper Canyon and why is it considered a tour of a lifetime?
The Copper Canyon, or Barranca del Cobre in Spanish, is a system of canyons located in the (Sierra Tarahumara) southwest portion of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It was formed some 40-80 million years ago and it covers about 28,000 sq. miles of amazing gorges and incredible ravines.
The Copper Canyon is located 350 km (217 miles) from Chihuahua and 250 km (150 miles) from Los Mochis, in the state of Sinaloa. The Copper Canyon is almost four times the volume of the Grand Canyon and offers a multitude of hiking trips and other activities including mountain biking and white water rafting. Wildlife viewing includes many species of mammals, birds and reptiles.
Four of the main canyons in the area are:
- Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon): 5,770 ft. deep
- Barranca del Sinforosa: 5,904 ft. deep
- Barranca del Batopilas: 6,002 ft. deep
- Barranca del Urique: 6,136 ft. deep
The only way to reach this beautiful place from the city of Los Mochis is on an 8-hour train ride. From Chihuahua you can travel by train, car or bus.
If you take the train, you will make several stops that include Ciudad Cuahutemoc. This area thrives on the apple industry and is home to the largest Mennonite community in the country. Another stop is at Creel, a town in the Sierra Tarahumara. Divisadero is only 36 miles from Creel and it has the best known view of the 3 canyons together: Copper Canyon, Urique and Tararecua. Also nearby are the Basaseachic Falls, the second highest waterfall in Mexico with a drop of 246 meters (812 feet). Adventure Park Copper Canyon, a national park, is the most popular attraction in the area and has the second largest zip line in the world.
The train route delivers wonderful viewpoints, valleys, cliffs and waterfalls, as well as dozen of tunnels and bridges.
Have we intrigued you enough with this wonderful area? Here are 5 amazing Copper Canyon tours that will sure take you on a tour of a lifetime.
Copper Canyon Railroad Adventure
This trip is ideal for travelers wanting to combine the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train journey from the Sea Cortes up into the Sierra Tarahumara, with visits to local towns and villages very much off the beaten path.
The rail journey whisks you over 36 bridges and through 87 tunnels along its 405 miles length. Explore the rugged paths down into the Batopilas Canyon, and hike through the beautiful Copper Canyon and La Bufa Canyon.
One of the highlights of this trip includes a visit to the small village of Satevo, about four miles from Batopilas. The “Lost Cathedral” of Satevo, sometimes referred to as “Templo de Nuestra Senora de Satevo,” is said to have been built in the early 1600.
Discover Baja and the Copper Canyon Tour
This adventurous trip is designed for those who wish to enjoy a number of different activities during their visit to Mexico. It runs for 17 days, and travelers will enjoy amazing hiking in the Copper Canyon; a spectacular train journey through the mountains; trips into the pristine Pacific whale lagoons for opportunities to see, photograph, and even touch friendly Gray whales; and a unique kayak trip through a incredible wilderness area in the Sea of Cortez. This trip is a classic adventure taking in three different areas of Northern Mexico. It is ideal for active travelers wanting to combine remote hiking and paddling in unforgettable wilderness settings and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities with visits to local villages and towns very much off the beaten path.
This trip includes the Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad journey through the canyon. This train ride is a highlight in itself and this spectacular trip is a natural transition between the cold, arid canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara and the dazzling Sea of Cortez.
Ideal for active travelers seeking adventure, this Copper Canyon hiking tour is a 9 day expedition through the canyons of Northern Mexico.
On this tour we’ll visit wild campsites near remote indigenous family compounds perched on canyon walls. Access to these sites is only available by mule and walking.
This tour also includes the spectacular train ride through the canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara.
Copper Canyon Semana Santa Trek
This unique 10 day trip is operated during the Semana Santa Holy Week. We will delve into remote Tarahumara villages and experience the preparation and culmination of the processions, dances, and rituals that mark this incredible amalgam of native Raramuri creation myth and Catholic tradition in the High and Low Sierra Tarahumara. Visits to logging outposts, frontier mining towns, and colonial cities are peppered with nights in traditional Tarahumara villages and rancherias. Our rugged hike culminates in the town of Munerachi on the walls of the Batopilas Canyon, where we will participate in the most intense night of celebration in one of the most traditional Tarahumara villages.
This trip is an excellent way to discover the beauty and excitement of the northern Mexico area. The highlight of this trip is the train-ride through the Copper Canyon, referred to as “The Train in the Sky”, and voted “Most Exciting Train Journey in the World.” Not only would you be able to explore this amazing canyon, but you would have the opportunity to experience the culture, traditions, and history of several colonial towns in Northern Mexico.
If you are looking for a truly unique vacation, the Copper Canyon might just be what you’re looking for.
