Copper Canyon (14 days- all motels), Mexico
This is all motels and no camping!!
One spectacular trip! We explore the canyons of the Sierra Madre Mts. 14 Day Trip Rated 2 ½ - 3 ½.
Our adventure will have 14 nights in lodging (the first in Douglas, AZ).
Our adventure starts as we explore the ruins of “Parquime” at Casas Grandes. Next you will enjoy the peoples hospitality in Mata Ortiz and see the finest thin wall pottery. We will travel to the exceptional “Valley of Caves” for a fascinating experience in the prehistoric Indian caves with dwellings. We will journey the un-mapped routes through the Sierra Madre mountains crossing back and forth over the continental divide. You will pass natural rock arches and cliff dwellings along the route. The route will end up at a nice logging town for the night. Morning brings us to another crossing the continental divide and some fantastic cliff dwellings. One very large cave with dwellings in it has a waterfall over the front of it, with the dwellings behind the falls. The morning brings us to the next stop at the "Basaseachic Falls (almost 1,000 ft. drop). This is the start of the Barrancas del Cobre that make up the area Americans call “Copper Canyon”. We find the dirt again taking us to the town of Creel for two nights of lodging. We will have a rest day from the traveling schedule we have been doing. A day to do shopping, see some fantastic vistas, Tarahumara gifts and local sight seeing.
After a slower day we will awake to a warn breakfast it is into our first of many hair-raising drives from the mountain plateaus. This is our first major descent into one of the many major canyons. We will take the dirt roads following the “El Camino Real” (The Kings Highway). It was silver that first brought Spaniards to this area and the mining. With the Spanish they brought their religion, so we will visit the “Lost Cathedral” at Satevo in this narrow canyon. The only way out is up and we will go up and down many times for the next 225 miles on dirt roads. We will travel further into the distant lands of the Tarahumara. Some of our days will be longer driving then others as we try and make our lodging locations. Our travels will take us through many towns like - Alamos, Bahuichivo, Basaseachi, Batopilas, Cerocahi, Chinipas, Divisadero, El Rodeo, EL Willy, La Junta, Madera, Milipilles, Satevo, Cusarare Temoris, Tejaban Urique and eventually to the rolling hills and ranchos. There is no tourist shopping in this towns, just "astounding beauty". Each of these towns have a story to tell of their reason for being, and we will relish in the flavor of each. The days and nights we spend in the Barrancas of the Sierra Madera Mts. will give you a better understanding of the Tarahumara Indians life. We will eventually will make the culture shock back to civilized town of Alamos. A nice hotel and a shower and a special drink to celebrate the crossing of the many canyons of Copper Canyon. We can relax and take in the local sights or shop, or have time to ourselves pondering all we have done. The village of Alamos is just like being transported back 300 years into Spain. Alas we will take the pavement back to the states crossing at Nogales, AZ.. You will make the memories of this trip a special place in our hearts for as long as you live. It will be hard to retain all that we saw an did so bring plenty of film to refresh those memories.
Important Notes:
This adventure meets in Douglas, Az. Here we will meet and cover last minute information and have a get acquainted dinner. The adventure includes all lodging and 9 meals. This adventure officially leaves from the town of Aqua Prieta, Mexico. at the Mexican Immigration office, (first building over the border). The departure time to get the paper work at the border done is 9:00 AM. (mountain time zone). I generally get to Douglas early and get the paperwork out of the way. If you get there early contact me and we will get this done. The boder crossing is a 24 hour crossing as is the permit office.
Vehicle Equipment: Any stock 4X4 or slightly modified vehicle with a transfer case (no rock crawlers). A vehicle that can maintain highway speeds of 65 MPH, C.B. Radio, 2 Extra 5 Gal. empty gas cans (we will let you know when to fill them), good spare tire, 2 Gallons of drinking water per person, extra oils, cameras, film, and spare batteries, binoculars, snacks, and drinks. A complete servicing of your vehicle prior to departing prevents most problems. Use off- road check list sent after we get your deposit. Important is a spare fuel filter, check before you leave as some newer vehicles are a dealer item only. You will have to get Mexican Insurance as our U.S. companies are not recognized in Mexico. You can buy your Mexican Insurance on line at Bajabound.com if you have not already done so. Bring a extra vehicle key with you. If you need to borrow gas cans or a CB radio let me know with your reservation form.
Weather - We are going at the best time of the year, but we can not control Mother Nature. This adventure covers areas from sea level to over 8,750 ft and from possible freezing to possible 100 degrees in temperature bring clothing for all extremes. It is better to have it and not use it then to need it and not have it.
Fording rivers - This remote adventure will have us fording rivers as there are No Bridges. This is one of the determining factors as to when we go on this adventure. We have had to take long detours when we could not cross the flooded rivers, you can not guarantee what Mother Nature will do and when. As a rule the water crossings are less then 18" deep and from 100' to 300 wide.
To enter and return between U.S. and Mexico -You will need to have for your vehicle and yourself to enter mainland Mexico: Passport, registration to your vehicle(s). If you do not own the vehicle outright, a notarized letter from your Legal Owner to state that they have given you permission to take the vehicle to Mexico for the specified period of the adventure.. The Visa and temporary Vehicle Importation permit have approximate $40.oo charge to be paid only by Visa or MasterCard Credit Card. You will need two photocopies of your Proof of Citizenship, Drivers License, Visa and Vehicle Title. This will cost about $1 at the border.
Personal items - Be sure and bring any medications in the prescription bottle. Some prescriptions can only be prescribed by Physicians and you do not want to be caught with controlled drugs, without a prescription. If you wear glasses or contact lenses bring spares and cleaning items. Though most items are available in the larger cities, small towns just do not have them. Most of the lodging have towels and soap, but no wash cloths or shampoo, so bring your own. Laundry service is very limited, so plan on some hand washing items or bring enough for the14 days. Plan on about 8 to 10 lunches on the road at lunch time. This is a good time to use manifold cooking, We will get you the information as to what you may want to bring. We will use restaurants along the way where available. Bring additional snacks and drinks.
In Douglas, AZ they have a 24 hour Walmart superstore. You should be able to get any overlooked supplies at this time.
The trip includes cost of all rooms. Nine meals are also included also. No adult beverages are included.
Finances - This adventure will be in the remote areas of Mexico. The use of Credit Cards or Travelers Checks can be a problem in some locations. We will have about 4 days where you will be able to use a ATM machine and get Pesos. Even the use of Greenbacks can be a problem and it is best to use the Pesos. This can be taken care of ahead of time through most banks or at Money Exchanges in the U.S. or Mexico. This is a good time to buy a "Safe", fake soda can or gas cap or other container to hide extra moneys check with a locksmith.
You should be sure and bring enough cash to cover all of your expenses, plus some extra as a cushion. The guide of expenses you will incur are listed below. From border to border expense guide - your exact expenses may vary from one half to double depending on your taste.
This is a average of what most clients spend per vehicle with two people:
Fuel & oil - $300
Toll roads - $35
Souvenirs - $200
Insurance - $90 to $175
Ice - $20
Additional food & water - $50 to $125
Restaurants and tips not included in the adventure - $150 to $350
This is our planned itinerary and is subject to change do to: weather or any unforeseen conditions. Western Adventures hopes this will be one adventure you will always cherish. I hope to see you on an adventure real soon.
Thank you,
Western Adventures
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