Mexico's Copper Canyon Tour Details

Los Mochis km 78, elevation 75 ft

     Los Mochis is the agricultural center of the state of Sinaloa – technical progress and infrastructure combine with excellent soil & weather to produce extensive vegetable, corn, bean, and sugarcane crops in the valley of the Fuerte River. Adventurous travelers will find their visit to Los Mochis exhilarating!

     Near Los Mochis, the Port of Topolobampo (approx. 15 miles from Los Mochis) is one of the most important in the Mexican Pacific, famous for its great fishing activities. It is well known, not only for its superb shrimp but also as a thriving commercial and industrial center.

Tours & Treks

~ Parque Sinaloa: The most complete collection of palm trees in Mexico

~ Museo Regional del Valle del Fuerte: Artifacts, history, & culture of the Valle del Fuerte region

~ Lagoon & Estuary Guided Tour: The natural habitat of the Yellow Crocodile, reaching nearly 40 feet in length, weighing over a ton!

Santa Anita, a modern hotel known for its comfort and elegance, is located in Los Mochis. The hotel has a bar with live music, Enjoy Santa Anita’s fine continental cuisine featuring fresh seafood - and start the day with a tasty Mexican Breakfast Buffet!

El Fuerte km 839, elevation 600 ft

     Located about an hour's drive northeast of Los Mochis, El Fuerte was founded in 1564 by the Spanish conquistador Don Francisco de Ibarra, the first explorer of the lofty western Sierra Madre mountains. El Fuerte was the gateway to the last frontiers of northern Indian territories of Sonora, Arizona and California.

     This quaint village set along the banks of the Rio Fuerte and surrounded by large vegetable farms and orchards, does double duty as an alternative departure point for east bound Copper Canyon visitors, and as a tourist destination for sportsmen.

Tours & Treks

~ Rafting through the Fuerte River: Immerse yourself into the midst of nature – and a variety of birds, flora and fauna

~ Colonial Walking Tour: A detailed Guide with a Map is available at the Posada del Hidalgo Hotel

~ The Tehueco Mayo Indian Mission: Built in 1650, now the center for Mayo religious fiestas

~ Tour of Ancient Petroglyphs: A one-mile hike to 1,500 year old Nahuatl Petroglyphs

~ Bird Island: A boat ride across the River, to a fantastic estuary – home to a wide variety of thousands of birds

Posada del Hidalgo is a beautiful colonial mansion, built in 1890. A charming open air restaurant features Mexican cuisine with house specialties, a popular "Anahuacalli" tortilla soup and Mexican shish kebab. There is a fine selection of Spanish heritage Mexican table wines as well. Beautiful rooms with modern amenities in colonial design, surround the tropical garden and a beautiful ramada.

Barrancas Divisidero The midway point between Los Mochis & Chihuahua

km 622, elevation 7,400 ft

     Divisidero offers some of the Copper Canyon’s best vantage points. Many large natural caves in the region provide habitat for the Tarahumara Indians – some are considered sacred places were ceremonies and festivals are still held. The Tarahumara women weave their baskets in front of the Hotel Mirador, and the best "made on the spot" baskets in the whole canyon system are sold here.

Tours & Treks

~ Tarahumara Indian village: Wander down a path to an inhabited Tarahumara cave dwelling located in the cliffs beneath the hotel

~ La Huerta: A beautiful thermal spring, down the Areponápuchi path

Near the highest point of the canyon, the Mirador Hotel overlooks awe-inspiring scenery from the rim of Copper Canyon. Spacious rooms, each with a fireplace and private terrace, make the most of the spectacular vista. The glass-paneled main foyer, dining area, and cozy bar all overlook the canyon. Decorated in style reflecting the Tarahumara Indian culture, the hotel has a bar, restaurant, conference room, and gift shop. Just 400 yards away, daily bus transportation is provided from the train station to the hotel. Enjoy a Happy Hour Fiesta with live music in the afternoon, followed by dinner.

Creel

km 564, elevation 7,708 ft

     Creel is a frontier village (population 5,000) built to house railroad workers in the early 1900’s. The town has the feeling of a late 19th century

logging town and is set high in the mountains in a valley surrounded by pine forest. Head to the city’s hilltop Mirador for a great view of the valley and surrounding granite rock formations. Two churches flank the city’s small main square next to the rail station. Next door to the Nuestra Señora de Lourdes church is the Mission store, featuring an excellent collection of Tarahumara crafts.

Tours & Treks

~The Village of Cusárare: An easy walk to the spectacular 90 ft tall Cusárare Falls, as well as numerous Indian Cave dwellings, cave paintings, rock pillars with balancing stones, and the Cusárare Jesuit Mission which dates to 1744

~ Lake Arareco: A lovely lake with excellent trail leads around the lake’s shore, near the Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio

~Basaseachic Falls: At 890 feet, this is one of the tallest falls in North America – the waterfall is especially dramatic during fall months

~ Creel Helicopter Tours: View the Copper Canyon from a bird’s eye view – breathtaking!

Hotel Mision, a charming, well-run inn with its own on-site vineyard offers comfortable rooms, lobby-lounge with a cozy fireplace, and fine dining. Enjoy the comfort of home in the landscaped gardens, orchards, and charming courtyard. Spacious rooms with attractive Mexican decor have private baths with wood stoves. Table Wines are produced by the Hotel Vineyard, planted in 1986

Cerocahui

km 669, elevation 5,550 ft

      A wonderful virgin landscape setting in the middle of the mysterious Tarahumara Indian country, the charming village of Cerocahui is located at the edge of Urique Canyon —the deepest canyon in the system, in a valley dotted with apple orchards. Cerocahui is built around a historic old mission church, with rambling unpaved streets. Constructed in the late 1600s, the Church of Cerocahui was renovated in the 1940’s by Padre Andres Lara – the man credited with founding Cerocahui.

Gallego’s Urique Peak

elevation 7,500 ft

Urique Canyon is the deepest canyon in the Sierra Tarahumara. The Cerro del Gallego Peak provides an outstanding  panoramic view, with horizons full of ravines and blue skies. You'll see the Urique River and the mining town of Urique below.