The Copper Canyon region of northern Mexico is vast beyond imagination — larger than the Grand Canyon, with four of its canyons even deeper. It is raw. It is rugged. It is profoundly alive.
For more than 500 years, this dramatic landscape has been home to the Rarámuri (often called the Tarahumara) — the “running people.” Legendary endurance athletes, they are known to run 200–250 miles in a single session, often barefoot or in traditional deerskin sandals. But what defines them even more than their physical stamina is their resilience, humility, and deep spiritual connection to this land.
In the past, I offered the classic Copper Canyon tour — beautiful hotels, scenic viewpoints, the famous train ride, and the standard itinerary most guides follow. It was wonderful… but I always felt something was missing.
I wanted depth.
I wanted relationship.
I wanted to understand the people who truly live in the canyons.
In 2026, we do exactly that: Wednesday, October 21 to Monday, November 2.
This reimagined journey is three days longer — because we are no longer skimming the surface. We are descending into the canyons. Slowing down. Spending time in Rarámuri communities. Listening. Learning. Sharing meals. Walking ancient paths.
Yes, we will experience the iconic vistas.
But we will also sit quietly at sunrise as canyon walls glow copper.
We will stay in remote areas few travelers ever see.
We will engage with people whose lives are shaped by this land in ways most of us cannot imagine.
This is not a “check-the-box” tourist trip.
This is immersion.
It is wild Mexico — dramatic, remote, untamed — yet we travel safely, with exceptional local drivers and trusted guides. We will be comfortable. We will be cared for. And we will be deeply moved.
If you are seeking:
• Authentic cultural connection
• Extraordinary landscapes
• Adventure with purpose
• Community with like-minded travelers
• A journey that changes you
Then Copper Canyon 2026 may be calling you.
This is the trip I have always wanted to offer.
And now, it’s ready...
For more than 500 years, this dramatic landscape has been home to the Rarámuri (often called the Tarahumara) — the “running people.” Legendary endurance athletes, they are known to run 200–250 miles in a single session, often barefoot or in traditional deerskin sandals. But what defines them even more than their physical stamina is their resilience, humility, and deep spiritual connection to this land.
In the past, I offered the classic Copper Canyon tour — beautiful hotels, scenic viewpoints, the famous train ride, and the standard itinerary most guides follow. It was wonderful… but I always felt something was missing.
I wanted depth.
I wanted relationship.
I wanted to understand the people who truly live in the canyons.
In 2026, we do exactly that: Wednesday, October 21 to Monday, November 2.
This reimagined journey is three days longer — because we are no longer skimming the surface. We are descending into the canyons. Slowing down. Spending time in Rarámuri communities. Listening. Learning. Sharing meals. Walking ancient paths.
Yes, we will experience the iconic vistas.
But we will also sit quietly at sunrise as canyon walls glow copper.
We will stay in remote areas few travelers ever see.
We will engage with people whose lives are shaped by this land in ways most of us cannot imagine.
This is not a “check-the-box” tourist trip.
This is immersion.
It is wild Mexico — dramatic, remote, untamed — yet we travel safely, with exceptional local drivers and trusted guides. We will be comfortable. We will be cared for. And we will be deeply moved.
If you are seeking:
• Authentic cultural connection
• Extraordinary landscapes
• Adventure with purpose
• Community with like-minded travelers
• A journey that changes you
Then Copper Canyon 2026 may be calling you.
This is the trip I have always wanted to offer.
And now, it’s ready...
THE JOURNEY BEGINS...
We will start in the coastal town of Los Mochis, where there is a convenient airport for arrivals. We’ll gather at our hotel for cocktails and dinner — reconnecting, meeting new adventurers, and setting our intention for the days ahead.
Early the next morning, the real magic begins.
We board the legendary Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico, affectionately known as El Chepe. It is the only long-distance passenger train still operating in Mexico (aside from the recently inaugurated Tren Maya in the southeast) — and it is widely considered the most scenic train ride in North America.
The train travels from sea level into the high Sierra Madre, crossing 37 bridges and passing through 86 tunnels as the landscape transforms before our eyes. Desert gives way to forest. Cliffs rise dramatically. Canyon walls begin to deepen and widen. We'll experience some of it our first day, and later, we'll return from the high Sierra on the train back to Los Mochis.
This is not simply transportation.
It is a gradual initiation.
From the comfort of the train, we watch the terrain become wilder and more remote — entering a world where the Rarámuri have lived for centuries. By the time we step off, we are no longer just visitors. We have crossed into canyon country.
And the real immersion begins.
We will start in the coastal town of Los Mochis, where there is a convenient airport for arrivals. We’ll gather at our hotel for cocktails and dinner — reconnecting, meeting new adventurers, and setting our intention for the days ahead.
Early the next morning, the real magic begins.
We board the legendary Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico, affectionately known as El Chepe. It is the only long-distance passenger train still operating in Mexico (aside from the recently inaugurated Tren Maya in the southeast) — and it is widely considered the most scenic train ride in North America.
The train travels from sea level into the high Sierra Madre, crossing 37 bridges and passing through 86 tunnels as the landscape transforms before our eyes. Desert gives way to forest. Cliffs rise dramatically. Canyon walls begin to deepen and widen. We'll experience some of it our first day, and later, we'll return from the high Sierra on the train back to Los Mochis.
This is not simply transportation.
It is a gradual initiation.
From the comfort of the train, we watch the terrain become wilder and more remote — entering a world where the Rarámuri have lived for centuries. By the time we step off, we are no longer just visitors. We have crossed into canyon country.
And the real immersion begins.
INTO THE SIERRA
We disembark in the frontier town of Bahuichivo, where our friend Mario will be waiting.
From there, we travel about 40 minutes by vehicle into the mountains, near the tiny village of Cerocahui — and into a different rhythm of life.
Mario is a bit like Radar from the old series M*A*S*H — he knows everything and everyone in the Sierra Tarahumara. He is deeply connected here, and part Rarámuri himself. When we travel with Mario, doors open that would otherwise remain closed.
His mountain inn sits quietly among pines and dramatic ridgelines (see photo above). It is rustic, authentic, and completely welcoming. While simple in style, it has everything we need — warm beds, hot showers, and the kind of hospitality that feels like family. His sister prepares the meals, and they are abundant, homemade, and deeply satisfying after a day outdoors.
We will spend three nights here — long enough to settle in, exhale, and truly connect.
And during our stay, we will have the extraordinary good fortune of being present for an annual Rarámuri running event.
This is not a performance for tourists.
It is community. Tradition. Continuity.
To witness — and respectfully experience — this gathering is a rare privilege. The Rarámuri are legendary for their endurance, but what you feel when you watch them run is not spectacle… it is spirit. Running here is celebration, ceremony, and identity woven together.
We won’t just observe.
We will be welcomed.
This is where the journey shifts from beautiful travel… to something unforgettable.
We disembark in the frontier town of Bahuichivo, where our friend Mario will be waiting.
From there, we travel about 40 minutes by vehicle into the mountains, near the tiny village of Cerocahui — and into a different rhythm of life.
Mario is a bit like Radar from the old series M*A*S*H — he knows everything and everyone in the Sierra Tarahumara. He is deeply connected here, and part Rarámuri himself. When we travel with Mario, doors open that would otherwise remain closed.
His mountain inn sits quietly among pines and dramatic ridgelines (see photo above). It is rustic, authentic, and completely welcoming. While simple in style, it has everything we need — warm beds, hot showers, and the kind of hospitality that feels like family. His sister prepares the meals, and they are abundant, homemade, and deeply satisfying after a day outdoors.
We will spend three nights here — long enough to settle in, exhale, and truly connect.
And during our stay, we will have the extraordinary good fortune of being present for an annual Rarámuri running event.
This is not a performance for tourists.
It is community. Tradition. Continuity.
To witness — and respectfully experience — this gathering is a rare privilege. The Rarámuri are legendary for their endurance, but what you feel when you watch them run is not spectacle… it is spirit. Running here is celebration, ceremony, and identity woven together.
We won’t just observe.
We will be welcomed.
This is where the journey shifts from beautiful travel… to something unforgettable.
The Rarámuri — often called the Tarahumara — are the original inhabitants of the Copper Canyon. When Spanish forces moved into northern Mexico in the 1500s, they were never fully conquered. Instead, they withdrew deeper into the vast canyon system, choosing remoteness over surrender.
To this day, many Rarámuri families live in areas without roads. Steep mountain trails are their pathways. Movement is not recreation — it is life.
Children begin running almost as soon as they can walk. Not because it is sport, but because it is survival. To visit neighbors, tend animals, reach schools, attend celebrations — one must traverse dramatic elevation changes across rugged terrain. Endurance is woven into daily existence.
Their strategy for cultural survival has always been simple and profound: live where others will not.
During our time in the Sierra, we will volunteer with Michael Miller, author of Run Like a Raramuri, and his wife Kimberley. We will help with the children’s race held before the larger marathon festivities. The little ones begin running at age three — and yes, we can run alongside them, cheer them on, and help distribute awards and prizes.
The entire weekend is a celebration — joyful, communal, deeply rooted in tradition.
We may also have the opportunity to meet some of the legendary runners who have brought global attention to this culture. One of them is Arnulfo Quimare, who famously defeated elite international ultrarunners and was featured in the New York Times bestseller Born to Run. The photograph above was taken at his ranch high above Batopilas, deep in the canyon system — near where we ourselves will stay several nights later in the journey.
On Monday morning, the half marathon begins.
We will witness part of it as we begin our own descent toward the remote canyon village of Urique — moving slowly down switchbacks into one of the deepest canyon systems in North America.
By now, this is no longer simply a trip.
It is shared experience.
It is participation.
It is relationship.
And it is very, very rare.
To this day, many Rarámuri families live in areas without roads. Steep mountain trails are their pathways. Movement is not recreation — it is life.
Children begin running almost as soon as they can walk. Not because it is sport, but because it is survival. To visit neighbors, tend animals, reach schools, attend celebrations — one must traverse dramatic elevation changes across rugged terrain. Endurance is woven into daily existence.
Their strategy for cultural survival has always been simple and profound: live where others will not.
During our time in the Sierra, we will volunteer with Michael Miller, author of Run Like a Raramuri, and his wife Kimberley. We will help with the children’s race held before the larger marathon festivities. The little ones begin running at age three — and yes, we can run alongside them, cheer them on, and help distribute awards and prizes.
The entire weekend is a celebration — joyful, communal, deeply rooted in tradition.
We may also have the opportunity to meet some of the legendary runners who have brought global attention to this culture. One of them is Arnulfo Quimare, who famously defeated elite international ultrarunners and was featured in the New York Times bestseller Born to Run. The photograph above was taken at his ranch high above Batopilas, deep in the canyon system — near where we ourselves will stay several nights later in the journey.
On Monday morning, the half marathon begins.
We will witness part of it as we begin our own descent toward the remote canyon village of Urique — moving slowly down switchbacks into one of the deepest canyon systems in North America.
By now, this is no longer simply a trip.
It is shared experience.
It is participation.
It is relationship.
And it is very, very rare.
From the high pine forests, we descend along a rugged mountain road — watching the landscape shift dramatically as we drop from cool alpine air into subtropical warmth.
Our destination is the remote canyon town of Urique, tucked deep at the bottom of one of the great barrancas.
Here, we stay three nights at a serene retreat owned by friends we first met at Mario’s lodge — relationships woven together through years of connection in the Sierra. Their property is surrounded by hiking trails, orchards heavy with fruit, and a clear mountain stream perfect for a refreshing swim after a warm afternoon.
The setting feels almost hidden from time.
Simple. Peaceful. Magical.
With its understated ambiance and natural beauty, this is the perfect place to recharge — body and spirit — after the exhilaration of the marathon weekend and our canyon descent.
Right outside our door, there are options for hiking, biking, running, and yoga. We will also have the opportunity to experience a traditional temezcal (sweat lodge), a powerful and grounding ritual practiced for centuries in Mexico.
Meals are prepared with care, many ingredients coming directly from their organic garden and orchards — fresh, vibrant, nourishing.
This is canyon living at its most authentic — immersed in nature, surrounded by community, and grounded in simplicity.
Here, we slow down.
And in the slowing down, something shifts.
Our destination is the remote canyon town of Urique, tucked deep at the bottom of one of the great barrancas.
Here, we stay three nights at a serene retreat owned by friends we first met at Mario’s lodge — relationships woven together through years of connection in the Sierra. Their property is surrounded by hiking trails, orchards heavy with fruit, and a clear mountain stream perfect for a refreshing swim after a warm afternoon.
The setting feels almost hidden from time.
Simple. Peaceful. Magical.
With its understated ambiance and natural beauty, this is the perfect place to recharge — body and spirit — after the exhilaration of the marathon weekend and our canyon descent.
Right outside our door, there are options for hiking, biking, running, and yoga. We will also have the opportunity to experience a traditional temezcal (sweat lodge), a powerful and grounding ritual practiced for centuries in Mexico.
Meals are prepared with care, many ingredients coming directly from their organic garden and orchards — fresh, vibrant, nourishing.
This is canyon living at its most authentic — immersed in nature, surrounded by community, and grounded in simplicity.
Here, we slow down.
And in the slowing down, something shifts.
BATOPILAS - AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
As we begin our ascent back to the rim of the canyons, we travel another rugged mountain road toward the storied town of Batopilas.
Reaching Batopilas feels like arriving at the edge of the world.
From the early 1700s until the mid-20th century, this remote canyon settlement was a thriving silver-mining center — wealthy, elegant, and surprisingly cosmopolitan given its isolation. Today, it remains one of the most atmospheric towns in northern Mexico.
We will spend two nights in a magnificent 19th-century mansion that occupies an entire block — filled with antiques, shaded by private gardens, and steeped in history. Each room features a deep claw-foot tub — perfect for soaking away the canyon dust before we wander through the soft evening light of the plaza to a charming local restaurant for dinner.
In the late 1800s, the silver mines here were operated by Alexander Shepherd, a powerful American figure sometimes called the “Silver King of Batopilas.” We will walk along the river to the evocative ruins of his former estate — a reminder of the boom years that once transformed this isolated canyon into an international hub.
A few miles farther downriver stands one of the most exquisite and mysterious churches in northern Mexico: the “Lost Mission” of Satevó — Misión Santo Ángel Custodio de Satevó — built around 1760 and considered the first church constructed in the state of Chihuahua.
It is called the Lost Mission because the original church records were destroyed in a fire, leaving its exact founding date unknown. Rising unexpectedly from the canyon floor, surrounded by desert and silence, it feels almost otherworldly — a testament to endurance, faith, and time.
Standing there, in that vast quiet, you feel how layered this land truly is.
Indigenous resilience.
Colonial ambition.
Silver fortunes.
Endless sky.
And then — slowly — we climb back out of the canyon, changed.
As we begin our ascent back to the rim of the canyons, we travel another rugged mountain road toward the storied town of Batopilas.
Reaching Batopilas feels like arriving at the edge of the world.
From the early 1700s until the mid-20th century, this remote canyon settlement was a thriving silver-mining center — wealthy, elegant, and surprisingly cosmopolitan given its isolation. Today, it remains one of the most atmospheric towns in northern Mexico.
We will spend two nights in a magnificent 19th-century mansion that occupies an entire block — filled with antiques, shaded by private gardens, and steeped in history. Each room features a deep claw-foot tub — perfect for soaking away the canyon dust before we wander through the soft evening light of the plaza to a charming local restaurant for dinner.
In the late 1800s, the silver mines here were operated by Alexander Shepherd, a powerful American figure sometimes called the “Silver King of Batopilas.” We will walk along the river to the evocative ruins of his former estate — a reminder of the boom years that once transformed this isolated canyon into an international hub.
A few miles farther downriver stands one of the most exquisite and mysterious churches in northern Mexico: the “Lost Mission” of Satevó — Misión Santo Ángel Custodio de Satevó — built around 1760 and considered the first church constructed in the state of Chihuahua.
It is called the Lost Mission because the original church records were destroyed in a fire, leaving its exact founding date unknown. Rising unexpectedly from the canyon floor, surrounded by desert and silence, it feels almost otherworldly — a testament to endurance, faith, and time.
Standing there, in that vast quiet, you feel how layered this land truly is.
Indigenous resilience.
Colonial ambition.
Silver fortunes.
Endless sky.
And then — slowly — we climb back out of the canyon, changed.
CLIMBING BACK TO THE RIM
After two nights in Batopilas, we wind our way back up to the canyon rim.
Years ago, the road from Batopilas (1,800 feet) to Creel (7,700 feet) was rough and dramatic. It has since been paved and fitted with guardrails — but it remains the same spectacular route. I have traveled it many times. We go slowly. It truly is fine — and breathtaking.
For our final two nights, we stay at a hotel perched directly on the rim of the canyons. I have often sat here for hours, watching as night descends and tiny fires flicker far below — lit by Rarámuri families living miles from any road, tucked deep within the labyrinth of the canyon walls.
From our hotel, it is a short walk or drive to the rim park — home to one of the longest zip lines in the world, soaring out over the canyon itself. For those who prefer something gentler, a sturdy cable car offers sweeping views that stretch for miles. Or we can simply walk the rim trail, absorbing the immensity of it all.
After two nights in Batopilas, we wind our way back up to the canyon rim.
Years ago, the road from Batopilas (1,800 feet) to Creel (7,700 feet) was rough and dramatic. It has since been paved and fitted with guardrails — but it remains the same spectacular route. I have traveled it many times. We go slowly. It truly is fine — and breathtaking.
For our final two nights, we stay at a hotel perched directly on the rim of the canyons. I have often sat here for hours, watching as night descends and tiny fires flicker far below — lit by Rarámuri families living miles from any road, tucked deep within the labyrinth of the canyon walls.
From our hotel, it is a short walk or drive to the rim park — home to one of the longest zip lines in the world, soaring out over the canyon itself. For those who prefer something gentler, a sturdy cable car offers sweeping views that stretch for miles. Or we can simply walk the rim trail, absorbing the immensity of it all.
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On our final full day in the canyon, we board First Class on Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico for our return journey to Los Mochis. From the comfort of our seats, we watch the Sierra Madre unfold in reverse — cliffs, tunnels, bridges, and the immense canyon walls slowly giving way to open plains.
It is a time to reflect.
To exhale.
To absorb what we have experienced.
That evening, we gather for one final dinner together — stories already growing into legend, laughter echoing a little louder, connections forged by shared adventure.
We say “Adiós” the following morning, Monday, November 2 — but the canyon tends to travel home with you.
It is a time to reflect.
To exhale.
To absorb what we have experienced.
That evening, we gather for one final dinner together — stories already growing into legend, laughter echoing a little louder, connections forged by shared adventure.
We say “Adiós” the following morning, Monday, November 2 — but the canyon tends to travel home with you.
Details: This is not a strenuous hiking expedition, though there are several beginning to intermediate hikes woven into the journey. Age is not a limiting factor — many ages thrive here — but a solid level of physical fitness is important for your safety and for the well-being of the group as a whole. Overall, I would rate this excursion Intermediate level of physical ability necessary.
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. Alumni price (those guests who have been on 2 or more of our adventures in the past): $2750 per person/double occupancy. 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. Alumni price (those guests who have been on 2 or more of our adventures in the past): $2750 per person/double occupancy. 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]