Burro-assisted Hiking on the Rio Urique- the actual Barranca del Cobre! |
| 10 Days with 5 camping nights; $2300 per person, double occupancy. Canyon rim rendezvous: 7 nights...$1575 pp/do |
Day 3 elevation loss: 4000 ft, 5 miles, 7 hours | Day 4 elevation loss: 1000 ft, 1.5 miles, 2 hours. | Day 5 Optional Day Hike: elevation gain: 2000 ft, 6 miles, 8+ hours, 3 river crossings. | Day 6 Optional Day Hike: elevation gain: Negligible, 2 miles, 2 hours, 3 river crossings. | Day 7 elevation gain: 3000 ft, 4 miles, 6 hours. | Day 8 Hike Out: elevation gain: 2000 ft, 3 miles, 5 hours. |
For most people, their first view of the Rio Urique is from the train stop in Divisadero. Vendors hawk their wares and kids scurry around begging sweets. Tantalizing aromas from sizzling cookstoves beckon hungry travellers. Visitors depart the train and walk the gauntlet of stalls to crowd around the Barrancas Hotel railing to get a tiny glimpse of the river more than a vertical mile below. Awesome!; and overwhelming. Our departures won't deprive you of this experience, but we'll also give you the opportunity to descend to the bottom of the Urique Canyon in the very heart of the Barranca del Cobre for a bit more tranquil transition. You'll probably meet some Tarahumarans on the way, because they use the same trails to get around. For more options, check out the Rio Oteros.
Day One: Arrival by Air
Our recommended itinerary begins at the airport in Los Mochis, Sinaloa(Airport code: LMM). You will be met by your guide for your transfer to the hotel in El Fuerte. Relax and Enjoy the tropical atmosphere with a cool coconut drink, expertly opened with a machete before your eyes, or sip a margarita prepared from local oranges. Ask about an optional second night in El Fuerte, a colonial town founded in 1564 by Don Francisco de Ibarra, steeped in history. You can take a day to enjoy a river trip that highlights local birds or ancient petroglyphs.
Alternatively, you can begin your trip independently in Chihuahua, Chihuahua (Airport code: CHH); the town so nice, they named it twice. From there, you can bus (5 hrs) or train (8 hrs) to the trailhead, and join the Hiking Only portion of the trip. Chihuahua highlights include the church plaza, and the Pancho Villa museum in the Quinta Luz mansion. A group of 8 or more, booking a trip together, may change the recommended itinerary, and be met at the Chihuahua airport. You'll be escorted by your guide when you leave the next day for the trailhead by bus. This option allows some exposure to the Mennonite communities around Cuauhtemoc, the apple basket of Mexico.
Day Two
We leave El Fuerte to begin the ascent from sea level to over 8000 feet on the famous Chihuahua al Pacifico (CHEPE) train. This ride is rated one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world! In fact the Society of International Railway Travelers included it in their "25 Best Loved Railway Journeys" book published in 2007. Notice the life zone changes as we ascend. We leave the humid tropics passing through banana and citrus orchards. The Sonoran desertscape offers a wide variety of cactus and other succulents that contrast starkly with the coconut and date palms near the coast. As we gain elevation, waterfalls appear in the faraway cliffs, and the overwhelming shades of green plants dazzle the eyes. Look sharp; the train transits the Temoris Valley three times in an attempt to gain elevation.The Apachean Madrean woodland soon makes its appearance, with over 100 species of oak. The complete rail journey is punctuated by 88 tunnels and 39 bridges. Posada Barrancas, our departure point in mid afternoon, is located in a extensive pine forest on a high mesa.
We'll be met at the Posada Barrancas train station by our host for our transfer to a rustic guesthouse. We can relax after we check into Lola's, before enjoying a late lunch. Toward sunset we'll entice her son Memo, a third-generation Mancinas family member involved in tourism, to take us to the canyon rim for a walk. It will take your breath away; not just the scenery, but the lack of air at 7000 feet above sea level. The optional "canyon rim rendezvous" begins here with a night at Lola's.
Day Three
We meet our local guides and arrieros (Spanish for burro drivers) after a hearty breakfast.
The following description is for the Rio Urique burro-assisted hike. The Rio Oteros is the lesser known western drainage of the ridge the Chepe train ascends on its way to Chihuahua. Not to be underestimated, it is a wonderful opportunity to (. . . more).
A long descent takes us from the pine forest to the Apachean Madrean woodland. Local homesteads perch precariously on exposed ledges. A rocky overlook offers photo opportunities and a good spot for lunch.
Then it's steeply downhill for another couple of hours (or three or four). Cinch up those bootlaces to avoid blisters. Tonight's campsite is under a brilliant canopy of stars, next to a spring where refreshing water emerges from the living rock.
Day Four
We start hiking after a leisurely breakfast. A pleasantly short day ends at the Rio Urique. Time to relax and swim, read, or massage those tired muscles. Even in the dead of winter, this is a great spot to swim. The next three nights are at this camp, time enough to get a sense of the place and the people who call it home.
Day Five
A relatively strenous all-day hike up to a hot spring is on the agenda. It's a great way to loosen those tight leg muscles after a tough two day descent. A small drybag is recommended for valuables for the return hike where we
"enjoy" 3 river crossings, one where the water may be up to your chin.
Day Six
A leisurely hike upstream is today's only planned sidetrip, but again with three river crossings.
These crossings aren't as deep as yesterday, and we plan to be back in camp for lunch.
Day Seven
Listen for the bells to find where the burros have strayed. The arrieros rein them in and we hike up for a night in the outskirts of a Tarahumaran village.
Day Eight
Corn fields and fruit orchards dot this tight little valley. We have the option to visit an archeological site on our way to the rim. Back at the guesthouse, hot showers and cold drinks await us!!!
Day Nine
Breakfast and transfers for the coastbound train to El Fuerte, departing about 12:30. You'll be met there for transfer to the hotel.
Day Ten
Breakfast included at hotel. Transfer to Airport in Los Mochis.