rhintransit - 11-11-2007 at 11:54 AM
am trying to get info on a possible trip to Copper Canyon and all the sites I find start in El Paso or Mexican cities on the eastern end...anyone know
anything about a package starting in Sonora area? or advice on do it yourself? thanks
Natalie Ann - 11-11-2007 at 11:55 AM
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=27824#pid2729...
doesn't deal with package tours... but you might find the discussion helpful.
Nena
[Edited on 11-11-2007 by Natalie Ann]
BMG - 11-11-2007 at 11:58 AM
A couple we know that used to have their boat on our dock just did a trip report on a visit to the Copper Canyon. You might find some helpful links,
pics, tips, etc on their blog and website: http://raptordance.blogspot.com/
rhintransit - 11-11-2007 at 12:02 PM
thank you thank you for those prompt responses. sorry to clutter up site with 'old' topic but the search engine here is, as most of you know, not
real helpful.
bajajudy - 11-11-2007 at 03:31 PM
We got our tix and hotel reservations through American Express in San Jose del Cabo.
just reread your question
We flew from here to Los mochis. you can take the train from there to El Fuerte, a very nice town that might warrant a day to explore, then on to
whatever strikes your fancy. We stayed at Mision, Mirador and the one in El Fuerte. We did a turn around, but I dont recommend that. I do
recommend at least a day in Chihuahua then fly back to Baja. I am assuming that you are in Loreto.
There is plenty of information on Creel in another thread.
[Edited on 11-12-2007 by bajajudy]
Barry A. - 11-11-2007 at 03:58 PM
Several years ago, we went on a Copper Canyon tour put on by "CALIFORNIA NATIVE" out of LA, and it was wonderful. They limit participants to about 14
people, and the trip was about 11 days.
check out CALIFORNIA NATIVE web site (which I don't have at me finger tips)
Neal Johns - 11-11-2007 at 07:16 PM
Here you go:
http://www.calnative.com/coppercanyon/
Mango - 11-11-2007 at 10:35 PM
Many of the better hotels in Los Mochis also feature a travel agency in house that can book tickets for the train and hotels in the canyon.
Getting a train ticket is as easy as going to the station the day before, or buying one from a hotel in town. It will be MUCH cheaper this way than
it will be by getting a package. You might not have all the veiwing/dining cars like the fancy tours, etc..; but, the best seat is actually standing
between the cars anyways unless you want to take photos though glass. (no thanks) I am almost positive they won't sell out if you buy the day before;
they will just add an extra car if they need more space. A ticket on 1st class was only about $60 a few years back(round trip from mochis to creel or
all the way one way) I took second class years ago, while interesting.. time does seem to move backwards and arrive at eternity on that train.
We were able to book a room at a very nice place overlooking the canyon rim near Divisadero only 1 day before we departed Los Mochis last time I was
there.. So, if you want to save money and can be a little flexible you can do it yourself and save a bundle.
Barry A. - 11-11-2007 at 11:49 PM
What Mango says is entirely true, but from experience I can tell you that the CA NATIVE tour gets you into all aspects of the rim, the train, and the
interior of the canyons, spending days at each place, in neat places to stay and eat, and you are constantly "on the go"----------I think it was worth
every penny.
And, thanks Neal for finding that web site for us.
Barry
Mango - 11-12-2007 at 10:34 AM
Barry A., you make a good point. Sometimes it is nice to have a tour if you are not sure where to go, what to do, or just simply want to relax and
not hassle with logistics. Having someone with local knowledge and contacts can be very valuable.
I've taken at least 2 tours in and around Creel. The first time I went to Creel I joined a tour from the Margarita's hotel/hostel for a day and it
was a great way to see things around Creel I might have missed otherwise. The last time with my father we just hired a cab to take us around; because
I already knew where to go from my first visit.
So if you want to do a hybrid tour/self travel it is possible. There are so many tours available out of Creel these days it's pretty easy just to
show up and sign up for what sounds interesting and leave the rest. If you don't like what one tour has to offer, just walk down the street and find
a better one. You can hire an SUV (with a seat on the roof) to drive you to Batopillas, hire a helicopter to fly you over the canyon, rent a horse or
bike... all right there on the spot in Creel.
It's a pretty huge place like Berry A. said, so getting around and seeing "everything" can be difficult, tour or no tour. Whatever path you take check
out the canyons from top to bottom and as much in between as you can. Don't worry, you won't have enough time, you will miss plenty, and will want
to go back.
You should find some good information here: http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/copper-canyon/1ccindex.html
Leo - 11-12-2007 at 10:09 PM
Rintransit, Baja Judy has some very good facts in her response. We did it the same way. Alternetly, you can take the ferry from la Paz. Make sure to
go down to Batapilas and spend a day there. That's different. Creel is a bit of dump and manly tourist trap.
Mango - 11-13-2007 at 10:31 AM
Leo, I agree with you about Creel being a tourist trap. It changed a lot since the first time I went there. Still there is much to see or do right
around there that can be squeezed into a day or so. It is a convenient place to get off the train and start exploring the canyons.
I second Leo's suggestion of going to Batopillas. Great little town, and while there hike or hitch a ride down to the lost mission. You can also
hire a guide to lead you to a Raramuri village nearby, and explore the ruins of an old silver mine barons estate there in town.