Copper Canyon: Ancient Culture and Nature’s Grandeur

Day

1

Independent arrival in Chihuahua. Transfer to hotel.

Location: Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Stay: Hotel Chihuahua San Francisco

Activity Note

In Transit. Transfer from airport to hotel: driving time 0.5 hr. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Arrivals at the Chihuahua City Airport (CUU) may be in the afternoon or evening. Due to possible late arrivals, orientation and the welcome dinner will take place on Day 2.

Afternoon:

Arrivals are independent at Chihuahua International Airport (CUU). After passing through immigration and collecting your luggage, please look for the Road Scholar sign as you exit the arrivals area to meet your Group Leader, who will assist with your transfer to the centrally located hotel. Upon arrival, your Group Leader will help with check-in and offer suggestions for dinner. The state of Chihuahua, Mexico’s largest, is known for its vast deserts, rugged forested mountains, and deep canyons. Its capital, Chihuahua City, sits at the heart of the region, blending colonial heritage with elegant architecture and lively plazas. An important center of political, cultural, and revolutionary history, the city features museums, historic mansions, and monuments that tell the story of northern Mexico, while also serving as a welcoming gateway to the state’s diverse landscapes.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own due to probable late arrivals.

Evening:

At leisure. For late arrivals, meet your Group Leader at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day

2

Orientation, City exploration, Landmarks, Welcome dinner.

Location: Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Hotel Chihuahua San Francisco

Activity Note

Getting on/off minibuses, driving 5 miles, 0.5 driving. Walking 2 miles throughout the day. Standing and walking at a slow pace up to 1 hour per activity; 3 hrs. total. One flight of stairs plus steps, no handrails.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We’ll review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader for most field trips and deliver educational content unless specified otherwise. Transportation will be via private motorcoach and minibuses, ChePe train and one local flight. For meals that offer a choice of dishes, we’ll circulate a form in advance to note each person’s preferences and save time ordering. While in Mexico, purified water will always be available on the motorcoach and minibuses, at the hotels, and in restaurants. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances / conditions. In the event of changes, we’ll alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for understanding. We will set out on a walking exploration led by our Group Leader. The Plaza de Armas is dominated by the imposing Baroque Cathedral, built with the wealth generated from the region’s historic silver mines. The cathedral features marble imported from Carrara and glass chandeliers from Murano, Italy. At the center of the plaza stands a wrought-iron gazebo brought from France. Chihuahua is also proud of its stately Government Palace, adorned with remarkable murals. The Group Leader will interpret these works, which illustrate the important role of the city and state throughout Mexican history, particularly during the Revolution. An altar dedicated to Miguel Hidalgo, considered the Father of Mexico, commemorates his execution, which took place behind the palace.

Lunch:

In a local restaurant

Afternoon:

After lunch, we will board our transportation to visit Quinta Gameros. Built in the early 20th century, this iconic mansion is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture in northern Mexico. We will explore its elegant interiors, including ornate stained glass, finely carved woodwork, and period furnishings that reflect the opulence of the Porfirian era. We will then continue to the former home of Pancho Villa, now a museum dedicated to the famed and controversial leader of the Mexican Revolution. Finally, we will return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before setting out on foot for our welcome dinner at an elegant restaurant housed in a historic mansion.

Dinner:

In an ex-colonial mansion restaurant.

Evening:

The city offers a true Mexican atmosphere. You may stroll through the plaza before returning to the hotel. Prepare for check-out the next morning.

Day

3

Mennonites, The Sierra Madre

Location: Divisadero, Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Posada Mirador

Activity Note

Getting on/off minibuses; driving about 180 miles, approximately 5 hours, partly on mountain roads. Short walks throughout the day 0.5 mi total. Standing 1 hour at Mennonite Museum. One flight of stairs without handrails.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Hotel check out in the morning. We will then board our private transportation and depart for the canyons. As we ride, the Group Leader will lecture on the state of Chihuahua providing an overview of its natural and cultural wonders. We will take a short detour into a Mennonite Colony to learn about the complex history and to witness the rigid lifestyle of these hard-working migrant German farmers. Lunch is in the home of a Mennonite family to taste an array of homemade products.

Lunch:

In a Mennonite home

Afternoon:

We will now venture into the imposing Sierra Tarahumara, the dramatic section of the Sierra Madre inhabited by the Tarahumara (Raramuri) indigenous people and crisscrossed by a network of eleven canyons that are deeper and four times larger than the Grand Canyon. As we travel, we will learn about the geological formation of this vast canyon system and gain insight into the culture of the reserved and resilient Tarahumara communities. The exploration begins in Divisadero set on the canyon rim. The hotel for the next two nights is perched on a cliff at an altitude of 7,200 feet, offering spectacular views from each private balcony over 3 canyons: Copper, Urique and Tararequa. We will re-gather in the evening for dinner in the panoramic dining room. The hotel is full pension.

Dinner:

At the hotel

Evening:

You may wish to gather with fellow Road Scholar participants in the bar or relax on the spacious balcony, taking in the silence and the vastness of the canyon.

Day

4

Canyon Rim, The Tarahumaras

Location: Divisadero, Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Posada Mirador

Activity Note

Getting in/out of minibuses; drive 8 mi, 0.5 driving; slow walking with stops 2 miles on gravel and stone paths mostly flat but uneven with irregular steps. No handrails

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Today is devoted to the majestic canyon and its native inhabitants, the Tarahumara. Accompanied by our Group Leader, we will board a transfer vehicle for a short drive along the rim to one of its most scenic stretches. We will begin with a gondola ride to a peak in the middle of the canyon, surrounded by dramatic mountain vistas. Back at the rim, we will continue on foot along a trail leading to spectacular viewpoints, offering a deeper appreciation of the canyons’ beauty and grandeur. Along the way, we may stand on glass-floored platforms for a thrilling view of its steep walls. We will also encounter the Tarahumara (Rarámuri). Approximately 50,000 live throughout the Copper Canyon region, many maintaining their traditional way of life. Some women, dressed in vibrant attire, gather in visitor areas to sell their handmade crafts, often working while caring for their children. We may also spot their simple homes and cave dwellings scattered along the canyon walls and plateaus. Re-board the vehicle and return to the hotel for lunch.

Lunch:

At the hotel.

Afternoon:

We will have some free time to take advantage of the hotel’s exceptional location, relaxing and taking in the sweeping canyon views. If you wish, you may join a walk to Tarahumara cave dwellings located on the cliffs below the hotel. In the late afternoon, we will gather in a private room for a deeper cultural experience. Tarahumara women will join us to demonstrate their traditional basket weaving, using pine needles and sotol (desert spoon) fibers. Participants will have the opportunity to try their hand making them while our Group Leader discusses the Tarahumaras’ semi-nomadic lifestyle, social structure, and enduring traditions. Known as the Rarámuri, “those who run”, they are renowned for their extraordinary long-distance running abilities, historically used in hunting deers until the animal falls from exhaustion. Due to their relative isolation and strong cultural ties, they are often considered among the least acculturated Indigenous groups in the Americas, with a way of life deeply rooted in community, sharing, and mutual support.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. You may enjoy the “sobremesa” — lingering at the table to chat after dinner — as is customary in Mexico. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day

5

Home Cave, Waterfall, Steep Descent, Canyon Floor

Location: Batopilas Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Riverside Lodge

Activity Note

Getting on/off minibuses; Driving on winding steep mountain roads 110 miles, 4.5 hours. Short portion on graded road 0.5 mi. Walking up to 1.5 mile on mostly flat but uneven gravel path with some irregular steps, no handrails. One flight of stairs.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Today we set out for an adventurous journey to tropical Batopilas. From the canyon rim we descend over 6,700 feet to the floor of Batopilas Canyon, one of the deepest and most spectacular. The drive is memorable. Our first stop offers the opportunity to enter a cave dwelling and meet its inhabitants. At Ejido Cusarare, ejido meaning communal land, we detour along a riverbed then continue on foot through a rich pine and oak forest to reach the 100 feet Cusarare Waterfall. Simple Tarahumara homes and caves, each with a milpa (a small family plot) dot the landscape. A lunch stop is in a cozy secluded restaurant hosted by Tarahumaras.

Lunch:

At a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

Continuing our descent, a series of switchbacks winds along the canyon walls, reveal breathtaking views at every turn. As we travel, we will observe the gradual transition in vegetation—from pine and oak forests to lush subtropical growth, including papayas, mangos, oranges, and avocados. We will pause at the La Bufa overlook before completing the final descent into Batopilas, dropping 4,265 feet over 22 miles. Along the way, we may spot Tarahumara residents living and working in the area, some men still wearing traditional attire. Upon arrival in tropical Batopilas, we will check into a restored 19th-century hacienda, now a charming and distinctive hotel. After time to freshen up, we will head out for dinner at a local family-run restaurant.

Dinner:

At a local home restaurant

Evening:

We’ll leisurely stroll back to the hotel enjoying the peacefulness of the small town

Day

6

Tropical Canyon Floor

Location: Batopilas Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Riverside Lodge

Activity Note

Getting in/out of minibuses. Drive 10 miles on flat graded road, 1 hour driving. Walk up to 2 miles with slight downhills. Stand 1 hour total. Cross a hanging bridge – optional. One flight of stairs without handrails

Breakfast:

In a private home

Morning:

Located more than 6,000 feet below the canyon rim, Batopilas was established in the 16th century by silver miners and Jesuit missionaries. Silver made the town rich and famous, the second Mexican town to have electricity. The 300 exploited veins of nearby La Bufa gained worldwide fame, producing an estimated 300 million ounces of silver. Transport was a formidable challenge—silver bars, machinery, construction materials, and furnishings for grand haciendas were all carried up and down the steep canyon trails by mule trains of up to 100 animals. Nicknamed “the town that glitters like a jewel,” Batopilas is often called the “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” for its remarkable history, which we will expand during a visit to a museum led by a local historian. Stepping back in time, we will stroll along cobblestone streets, past unchanged mansions and through charming plazuelas. An excursion by minibus along the Batopilas River will take us to the Jesuit mission of Satevó, known as the “Lost Mission” due to the absence of historical records documenting its existence. We will also visit the remains of the once-grand Shepherd Mansion. After being exiled from the United States, Alexander Shepherd settled in Batopilas, founded the successful Batopilas Mining Company, and became known as the “Silver Magnate.” Our exploration continues along an old aqueduct that remains in use today. Lunch is on a plaza facing a restaurant.

Lunch:

At a local home restaurant.

Afternoon:

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration. In the late afternoon, we will regroup at the hotel, where a local resident will share the building’s intricate history. We will then enjoy a pre-dinner toast, followed by a presentation from our Group Leader on agave-based Mexican spirits—tequila, mezcal, and the locally made lechuguilla—along with a tasting to appreciate their distinct flavors. Salud! We will then walk to a home restaurant for dinner.

Dinner:

At a local home restaurant

Evening:

At leisure. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the remote setting. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day

7

The High Plateau, Pastoral Life, Trading & Logging Town

Location: Creel, Chihuahua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Lodge at Creel

Activity Note

Getting in/out of minibuses, Drive on winding steep mountain roads 80 miles, 3.5 hours. Walk 1 mile on mostly flat but uneven terrain and on sidewalks. Some steps, no handrails. Stand 1 hour

Breakfast:

In a private home.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel and begin our return drive to the high Sierra, enjoying the majestic scenery from a new perspective as we drive uphill. Along the way, we will stop at tranquil Lake Arareko, where azure waters are framed by boulders and a pine forest. Here, we will stretch our legs on a short walk, observe Tarahumara women creating and displaying their crafts, and find a scenic spot to sit and enjoy our box lunch.

Lunch:

Box lunch.

Afternoon:

We will then explore the Indigenous ejido of San Ignacio, a scenic valley enclosed by cliffs. Simple wooden Tarahumara dwellings and cave homes are scattered throughout the landscape, and women in colorful traditional dress can often be seen going about their daily activities. A small mission serves as a community center where the Tarahumaras gather for celebrations. Here, the Group Leader will discuss how Catholicism has been uniquely adapted to blend with the Tarahumaras’ nature-based beliefs. We will also visit the nearby Indigenous boarding school, where the headmaster will guide us through the facilities, including the dormitories and kitchen. Classes are taught in both Spanish and Rarámuri, the native language. We will conclude our visit with a walk among amusing rock formations resembling frogs and mushrooms that dot the valley. We then continue to Creel, the largest town in the canyon region. Founded in the early 20th century as a logging center, Creel is now a busy town where Tarahumaras from across the region come to trade their crafts—traditionally through barter, though cash is now increasingly used. We will drive through town for an overview before checking in at our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure; you may wish to visit the Tarahumara Museum before regrouping at the hotel for dinner.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day

8

Chepe Train, Farewell to the Sierra, Colonial Town

Location: El Fuerte, Sinaloa

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Posada Hidalgo

Activity Note

Getting on/off a train and walking through train cars while in motion; Train time 7.5 hours. Walk 1 mile on cobblestone sidewalks. Stand 0.5 hours

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Early morning hotel check-out. We transfer to the station to board the train for what is often called “the ride in the sky.” The Chihuahua al Pacífico (ChePe) railway is a remarkable engineering feat, crossing 37 bridges and passing through 85 tunnels including Conceived by Albert Owen as a route linking the agricultural hub of Los Mochis with the central United States, the project took nearly 80 years to complete. With the morning sun illuminating the cliffs, we experience the most dramatic stretch of the journey as the train descends nearly 8,000 feet over 170 miles between Creel and El Fuerte. Along the way, the train winds through the breathtaking Septentrion Canyon, crossing bridges and weaving through tunnels and snaking along 360-degree switchbacks. Train personnel will share information about the sights along the route, while onboard amenities—including a bar, an open-air car, and a panoramic restaurant—enhance the experience as we take in the spectacular scenery.

Lunch:

In the train restaurant

Afternoon:

The train journey continues. Upon arrival, we will transfer to a charming, historic hotel in El Fuerte, surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation. This colonial town served as a major commercial and agricultural hub of northwestern Mexico for over three centuries. Its namesake fort stands on a hilltop overlooking the rushing El Fuerte River. Our Group Leader will guide us on a walking tour of the town, interpreting the murals in City Hall and sharing important events from its rich history.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. Take time to wander through our historic hotel, a designated colonial monument proud to have hosted many notable guests over the years. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day

9

Indigenous People, Los Mochis, Flight to TIJ, To San Diego

Location: San Diego, California

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station

Activity Note

Getting in/out of a motorcoach; Drive 85 miles, 2.5 hours. Flight 2 hours. Walk 400 feet with your luggage across the International Bridge (Carts available). Please note that due to time changes of the domestic flight, today's activities may be altered. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Hotel check-out. The surrounding region is home to the Mayo Indigenous people, whose traditions have been remarkably preserved over time. We will visit one of their communities and meet a local family. Our Group Leader will introduce us to their way of life, including modest adobe homes with mesquite roofs and outdoor living spaces featuring a traditional wood-burning kitchen, sink, and communal dining area. We will learn about the community’s cultural traditions, expressed through music and dance, and witness a moving performance of the remarkable Deer Dance. Before departing, we will join our hosts in preparing handmade tortillas. Later, we transfer to Los Mochis Airport for our flight to Tijuana.

Lunch:

Box lunch on the road

Afternoon:

Upon arrival at the Tijuana Airport, we will cross the CBX International Bridge into the United States. Private transportation will meet us at the exit of the Tijuana U.S. Terminal. We will head to a restaurant in the San Diego Gaslamp District for a farewell dinner where we’ll share favorite memories and experiences with our Road Scholar companions. Our final stop will be the hotel for an overnight stay.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day

10

Program Concludes

Location: San Diego, California

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check-out by 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel provides complementary shuttle service for the short distance to the San Diego International Airport – SAN. The Group Leader will be present for farewells and to help us with departures from the hotel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!