Mexico´s Copper Canyon, by Mexico Adventures LTD

These are the cities, villages and towns you can visit on the packages offered by Mexico Adventures.

You will be pleased to know that there are a number of stopovers from which to choose from. Extra nights are available at all stops on the Copper Canyon route.

Chihuahua is the starting point for trips originating in El Paso, Tucson or Dallas. As were many Mexican settlements, Chihuahua city was founded as a mining and cattle center. Since its founding in 1709, the state of Chihuahua has become home to approximately 4 millions people. Chihuahua city is filled with colonial buildings and plazas mixed with fine Residential districts. The Cathedral, the museum and the 230 years old aqueduct that still supplied water to the city and to farms for irrigation are popular attractions. Chihuahua is also the turnaround for passengers originating in Los Mochis.

Casas Grandes is the largest and most impressive archaeology site in Northern Mexico. You will not only see where the High Priest and Governors lived, like in most sites, but you will also admire where the peasant lived, and worked, Both the Mesoamerican and Pueblo Indian influences are evident in the buildings, ceremonial monuments, and the large ballcourt. Casas Grandes is also the home of a large Mormon and Mennonite community that still preserve their traditional and religious customs.

Located on the outer rim of the Canyon is the village of Creel, originally established as a mining and lumber town. Tours are available through the lodges that include the vast forest, mountain lakes, waterfalls and caves that are still inhabited by Tarahumara Indians. The Tarahumara Indians still maintain traditional rites, laws and customs including rain dances. They are shy and elusive most of the time, avoiding human contact as they migrate up and down the canyons with the seasons. Very few of the Tarahumara speak Spanish as they have their own dialect passed through generations. In part because of their unsociable nature, many still live in instead caves of villages. Points of interest include travel by vehicle and horseback to Cusarare, Batopilas, Indian cave dwellings and the Valley of the Monks are available.

The word Madera means "lumber". Before Mexico´s revolution, Madera was the headquarters for the famous Newspaper Magnate "William Randolph Hearst," who at that time, was the owner of one million acres of land in this part of Mexico. Remains of the old company homes may still seen.

Madera City is located in the high sierra among peaceful lakes, deep canyons and river rapids where the locals fish for rainbow trout.

Translated, literally means the Dividing and is located in the center of the canyon, twenty-eight miles Southwest of Creel. Visitors experience breathtaking views and rustic, spacious accommodations. Popular excursions include hiking or horseback rides around the Canyon rims or through the Sierra Tarahumara Village. You can visit Indian caves and dwellings where you can watch women making native artifacts which are available for purchase.

A day trip to Batopilas Canyon from Creel takes visitors through the mining towns of La Bufa and Batopilas at the bottom of the canyon. Batopilas thrived between 1880 and 1910 and was the second town in Mexico to receive electricity after Mexico City. Ruins of the Hacienda de San Miguel provide evidence of the grandeur and mystery of this Colonial mining village hidden in one of North America's deepest canyons. Four miles beyond Batopilas at Satevo is the Lost Cathedral, a solid red brick church built in 1750, whose padres ministered to the groups of indigenous people and settlers working in the mining communities through 1910.

Another popular stop in the heart of the Canyon is the small settlement of Bahuichivo cradled in a picturesque valley surrounded by the mountains of Copper Canyon. About twelve miles east of Bahuichivo is the village of Cerocahui (population 600) and a mission dating back to 1690 that has been converted into a warm and friendly 30-room hotel, Hotel Mision, specially for canyon visitors. the half hour van ride from Bahuichivo takes you along a scenic mountain road past unusual rock formations and crystal clear streams.

Cobblestone streets line with mansions, churches and plazas provide a country view to the colonial Charm of El Fuerte. The town was named by the Spanish in 1610 when they constructed a fort 46 years after the founding of El Fuerte. The pride of this tranquil town includes the Municipal Palace del Hidalgo. The converted mansion built in the early 1900s, Hotel Posada Hidalgo, features tropical gardens, antique displays and fantastic murals.

This Southwest gateway to the Copper Canyon is the starting point for all visitors flying in from Los Angeles, Tucson or Tijuana, and a pleasant overnight stay for passengers originating in Chihuahua. Translated from Spanish "Los Mochis" literally means "THE TURTLES". The city is a growing port and is a famous for its fresh and delicious sea food. Topolobampo, a fishing village a short distance from Los Mochis, offers scenic bay cruises of the area where sightings of porpoises are common occurrence.

Spaniards settled la Paz in the early nineteenth century enjoying the area´s rich pearl beds. Here you´ll enjoy spectacular sunsets illuminating colonial architecture, world class sport fishing and shopping. A long sandbar El Magote, protects La Paz´s many beaches making them some of the most peaceful in the Sea of Cortez.

Cobblestone streets, restored 16th Century Spanish Andalusian Haciendas, a profusion of flowers... Alamos is an oasis of tranquillity and beauty. Located only 2-3 hours drive from Mochis or El Fuerte. This region is a Mecca for botanists, bird watchers, historians artists and photographers.

Planed stopovers along the route are recommended to fully enjoy the beauty of the canyon. All accommodations can be arranged through Mexico Adventures. These is a wealth of opportunity to enjoy the gracious, cordial reception you will receive from the local people at each one of the points of origination and stops along your trip. Excursions into the canyon can be easily arranged through the hotels / lodges at each stop.