The Copper Canyon region - larger, and four of the canyons in it are deeper than the Grand Canyon in the U.S. has been inhabited by the indigenous Tarahumara, "the running people", for over 500 years. They are extraordinary endurance athletes, and routinely run 200-250 miles in one session, barefoot, or in their deerskin sandals.
We could spend months exploring this vast area, it is so mesmerizing, but we can get a very good idea of it on this adventure, concentrating, as usual on Nature, and developing community - a perfect place to do so! This is not a tourist trip, rather we will spend most of our time right in the middle of Tarahumara (or Rarámuri, as they call themselves) country and interacting and experiencing the culture in a way few ever have the opportunity to do. For years, I have done the more commercial Copper Canyon tour that most guides do. We stayed in the best hotels (there are really only two choices when you do the commercial tour, cheap and expensive, not much of anything in between) but, I always wanted more. I longed to communicate and get to know people that really lived in the canyons; to understand the culture more. Our adventure in 2026 will be that.
I have taken bits I loved from previous trips, and added more authenticity with people I now know. It is three days longer than the trip I have done over the years, because this time we are diving deep into the canyons, and getting to know the people who live there. We will not be just checking off sites usually visited (although those will also be included); we will move more slowly, absorbing the beauty and learning the traditions that exist here. This is wild Mexicio....but we will be safe, have incredible drivers and guides, and be comfortable.
We could spend months exploring this vast area, it is so mesmerizing, but we can get a very good idea of it on this adventure, concentrating, as usual on Nature, and developing community - a perfect place to do so! This is not a tourist trip, rather we will spend most of our time right in the middle of Tarahumara (or Rarámuri, as they call themselves) country and interacting and experiencing the culture in a way few ever have the opportunity to do. For years, I have done the more commercial Copper Canyon tour that most guides do. We stayed in the best hotels (there are really only two choices when you do the commercial tour, cheap and expensive, not much of anything in between) but, I always wanted more. I longed to communicate and get to know people that really lived in the canyons; to understand the culture more. Our adventure in 2026 will be that.
I have taken bits I loved from previous trips, and added more authenticity with people I now know. It is three days longer than the trip I have done over the years, because this time we are diving deep into the canyons, and getting to know the people who live there. We will not be just checking off sites usually visited (although those will also be included); we will move more slowly, absorbing the beauty and learning the traditions that exist here. This is wild Mexicio....but we will be safe, have incredible drivers and guides, and be comfortable.
We begin in the town of Los Mochis (where there is an airport) and meet at our hotel for cocktails and dinner. Early the next morning, we'll take the famous Ferrocarril Chihuahua-Pacifíco (called "El Chepe"), the only passenger train still operating in Mexico (except for the new Mayan train that just runs from Campeche to Cancun as of December 2023) and considered the most scenic train ride in North America.
El Chepe is an engineering marvel; it crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental - the mountains we call the Rockies in the U.S. There is no road crossing these mountains in Mexico. The tracks pass over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 7,900 ft above sea level near Divisadero (the Continental Divide, a popular lookout spot over the canyons.) Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also crosses over itself to gain elevation. It was completed in 1961 after many years of delays due to difficulty building in such rough terrain.
We'll stop at the frontier town of Bahuichivo, where our friend, Mario, will meet us and take us to his inn, about 40 minutes away, near the village of Cerocahui. Mario is like the character, Radar, in the old series, MASH - he knows everything in the Sierra Tarahumara, and is part Tarahumara, himself. His lodge is in the middle of the mountains (see photo to the left) and although rustic, it has everything we need, including great homemade meals (his sister is the cook)! We will spend three nights here and have the great good fortune of being involved in an annual Tarahumara running event.
The Tarahumara are the traditional inhabitants of the Copper Canyon. They were never overtaken by the Spanish, but retreated to these canyons in the early 1500's when their lands were invaded. They start training early to run as their existence relies on being able to traverse up and down steep mountain trails - the majority of these people live in places with no roads. Their survival strategies have been to occupy areas that are too remote for city people, way off-the-beaten-path, to remain isolated and independent, so as to avoid losing their culture.
We will be helping with the kid's race before the Marathon - they start running at age three!! We can run with the little ones, and pass out awards and prizes. The whole weekend is a celebration, and, we'll have the opportunity to meet some of the famous indigenous runners. For instance, Arnulfo Quimare, pictured above, who beat the world's greatest endurance runner a few years ago, and is featured in the New York Times bestseller, "Born To Run". This photo was taken at his ranch, above Batopilas, deeper in the canyons. Monday morning, the half marathon begins and we'll experience it as we make our way down to the village of Urique....
We'll be driving from the pine forests into the tropics on a rough road to the town of Urique and our accommodations for the next three nights are owned by some of our friends we met at Mario's. It is surrounded by hiking trails, orchards, and along a stream that is great for a swim. This magical and serene getaway is located at the bottom of one of the canyons. With its simple ambiance, it is the perfect place for recharging and finding peace and tranquility. We will have hiking, biking, running, yoga, a Temezcal (sweat lodge), and more right outside our door! Our meals will be cooked with many ingredients from their organic garden and orchards.
On our way back up to the top of the canyons, we'll stop in the town of Batopilas, which we will reach on another rough road.... From the early 18th century until the mid-20th century, this was a thriving town and it is really is a unique place to visit, virtually at the ends of the earth. We'll stay two nights at a mansion built in the 1800's that covers an entire block, with private gardens, and filled with antiques - each room has a claw foot tub for soaking off the dust of our journey before we walk through the soft light of the Plaza to a quaint restaurant for dinner.
An American, Alexander Shepherd, ran the silver mines in the late 1800's and we'll walk along the river to the ruins of his former mansion. Further down a few miles, is the exquisite "Lost Mission of Satevo", Mison Santo Angel Custodio, built around 1760 - the first church ever built in the state of Chihuahua. It is called the lost mission because all of the church records were lost in a fire, so no one knows exactly when it was built.
An American, Alexander Shepherd, ran the silver mines in the late 1800's and we'll walk along the river to the ruins of his former mansion. Further down a few miles, is the exquisite "Lost Mission of Satevo", Mison Santo Angel Custodio, built around 1760 - the first church ever built in the state of Chihuahua. It is called the lost mission because all of the church records were lost in a fire, so no one knows exactly when it was built.
After two nights in Batopilas, we will wind our way back up to the top of the canyons. Years ago, this photo to the left was of the road from Batopilas (1,800 ft. elevation) at the bottom of the canyons to Creel (7,700 ft. elevation), at the top. It has now been paved and there are guard rails, but it is essentially the same route. We will be using this road - I have done this road many times. We go slow; it really is fine. Our home for two nights will be a hotel perched on the rim of the canyons (photo to the right, below) I have often sat for hours staring into this powerful place, watching as night descends and little fires are built by some of the Tarahumara indigenous people who live miles from any road, tucked deep in the labyrinth of canyons. From our hotel, it is a very short drive or walk to a park along the rim, home of the longest zip line in the world - over the canyons! For those who prefer something a little less thrilling, there is a sturdy cable car ride with views that go for miles. We can also walk along the rim trail, if we like.
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Our last full day in the Canyon, we'll have First Class tickets on El Chepe from our hotel back to Los Mochis, and have dinner together on our last night. We'll say "Adios" the next morning, Monday, November 2..
This adventure is not a hiking trip, however, there are some beginning to intermediate hikes included. Age is not a consideration, however, you should be fairly physically fit for your safety as well as the group as a whole.
Price: $2950 USD per person/double occupancy and includes all lodging, all professional guides, all ground transportation, including First Class train tickets, day tours of the locations we are visiting, more than 1/2 of our meals. Airfare is not included. This trip is limited in size, and is incredibly planning intensive. If you would like to be included, please reserve your space with a $800 USD deposit by clicking the purple button below, which will take you to a secure site. The balance will be due July 20, 2026. Any questions: [email protected]
Price: $2950 USD per person/double occupancy and includes all lodging, all professional guides, all ground transportation, including First Class train tickets, day tours of the locations we are visiting, more than 1/2 of our meals. Airfare is not included. This trip is limited in size, and is incredibly planning intensive. If you would like to be included, please reserve your space with a $800 USD deposit by clicking the purple button below, which will take you to a secure site. The balance will be due July 20, 2026. Any questions: [email protected]