FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are there any physical requirements?
You should be in good physical shape. You will have to sustain hiking for up to 8 hours a day. You might think it is easy going downhill, but it is much tougher on your body, particularly the knees. After lunch the first day of the Urique Canyon hike, the trail is steeper, there are more loose rocks, the temperature rises as it is later in the day and at a lower elevation, and by now you're a little tired. IT IS NOT A RACE, but you have to keep moving to get to water located at camp 2500 feet below. Most other trails on most of our other trips have less dramatic elevation changes.
To get in shape, you might consider descending 300 flights of stairs. That's usually not practical, but you get the idea. To really get the idea, now dump rocks and rubble, sized from softballs to birdshot, on the stairs. Now go up and down the stairs with 2 gallons of water in your daypack! Muy loco, no?
People in flat country can at least find a highrise building or stadium and regularly workout on the stairs with a packed (1.5 to 2 gallons of water) daypack. You're trying to achieve a steady sustainable rhythm up, and develop your quads going down.

What is included in the burro trips?
More appropriately, what is not included are visas (or tourist card, $23 USD, valid for up to 180 days and obtained at your point of entry), sleeping bag and pad; Pesos for incidental drinks and snacks, crafts, and tips. Typically, you'll want to change about $150 USD into pesos. (We suggest a $35-$50 USD tip per client to be divided by the the Mexican crew).
See "What to Bring" for a complete gear list.

How do I get a visa?
IF WE DRIVE you, we will walk you through the procedures at the border crossing, insure you get the stamp at the bank; and get the cancellation upon leaving.
IF YOU DRIVE visas are obtained at the border or the checkpoint where you get the temporary vehicle importation hologram. For the visa you need a passport or copy of a birth certificate. At some checkpoints, you'll be required to pay $23 at a separate bank window or building before you go any further. Other checkpoints allow you to find a bank on your own to pay the $23 in order to validate your visa.
IF YOU FLY across the border, you'll be given a form to fill out for your visa. You will have to find a bank in the airport.
WHEN YOU LEAVE turn in your visa and get a stamp out of Mexico in your passport. An entry stamp without an exit stamp will cause problems with future Mexico border crossings.
Call or write for more details and options on driving, flying, and taking public transportation in Mexico.

What is a temporary vehicle importation hologram?
A temporary vehicle importation hologram is required to drive beyond the economic or "free" zone into the country (typically 20 miles). This is to insure you do not sell or abandon the vehicle in Mexico. You can only have one vehicle in your name, and you need to be present in the vehicle. You will need current vehicle registration, a current drivers license, and a credit card which will be charged $30 USD.
The hologram paperwork will be scrutinized against the VIN at various checkpoints; much more often than visas.

Do I need extra car insurance?
Yes. United States car insurance is not valid in Mexico, and is not required to enter Mexico. Mexican insurance is easy to buy online, and can be obtained for about $8.00 USD/day. Try Sanborns for example. Mexican car insurance can also be obtained at most border crossings.

What is included in the backpacking trips?
You need your own backpack, tent (optional), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and if it's hot a cotton or silk sleeping bag liner is comfortable; as well as clothes and essentials. We provide kitchen tarps, food, some snacks, good coffee, and treated water
See "What to Bring" for a complete gear list.

Where do I get information on the area?
See our reading list, or look on the peoplesguide.com website for access to maps. Most of these books, and topographic maps at 1:50000 or 1:250000 scale are available at the Mission Store in Creel. Coming from the coast (Los Mochis or El Fuerte), Creel is NOT on the itinerary. If you find a book you like, but can't buy it where you live, we'll look for it at the Mission Store when we transport the gear to the trailhead. The Urique trip is on 1:50000 scale (equivalent to a 7.5 minute topo) G13A21: San Jose Guacayvo and G13A31: San Rafael. We're only on about 2 inches of both maps. It's also on the 1:250000 G13-4:San Juanito. Cost is $10 each.

When is the best time of year to go?
Most tour books recommend NOT going in the summer. This is the time of the monsoons. The storms are spectacular, and the humidity saps your strength. Any trips need to take advantage of bridges or vados to cross the rivers. There's also the chance of landslides blocking routes or traintracks. Spring and fall offer good climate on the rim, but the canyon bottom tends to get hot. Winter on the rim can bring freezing temperatures and hailstorms, but it's still possible to swim in the canyon. That being said, it's all just a matter of what you like.

What else is there to do in Chihuahua?
Chihuahua is the largest state in Mexico. If there was a home for the "Marlboro Man", this would be it. There are cowboys, horses, tack shops, and cattle all over the sierras. There are cowboy boots made of ostritch, ant-eater, eel, frog, iguana, caiman, rattlesnake, turtle, and even cowhide; most available with matching belts, and available in more than 64 colors! Be forewarned: Boots made from endangered species will not be allowed past US Customs. There are Mennonite communities making cheese, and guilds (campos) making everything from farm implements and machinery to swingsets and solar hot water heaters. They are also responsible for the apple crop, rivaling the Yakima valley of Washington state. Mexico's highest and 3rd highest waterfall are in the Barranca Candamena. Viewpoints for Cascada Basaseachi are an easy walk from the pavement, but it's best to have a guide for Piedra Volada. Ruins of cliff dwellings comparable to Mesa Verde, and of "ancient puebloans" comparable to Chaco Canyon are available to those with sufficient time to get off the pavement. Start with Cuarenta Casas near Madera or Paquime near Neuva Casas Grandes. Most others are "unimproved". Horse rides, rafting, climbing, canyoneering, singletrack biking, and "motocross" in the sierras vie with more refined city pleasures. The minimum time required for an unrivaled holiday featuring Chihuahua with the CHEPE train and a visit via ferry to the Gran Desierto of Baja requires 2 weeks. The pottery of Mata Ortiz is world famous, and is now included in the collections of several museums. All this, and we haven't mentioned the socio-ethnic allure (or the impressive physical endurance) of the Tarahumaran indians, and lesser known tribes, or the twenty some churches and missions of the Jesuits who were expelled in 1767! ...ah! Chihuahua.

What kind of insurance should I carry?
Evacuation insurance and travel insurance are strongly recommended.

What innoculations should I get?
Shots for Hepatitis A and tetanus are standard. The CDC includes this part of Mexico for Malaria and Typhoid protection. See the CDC website for more information. Allow 4-6 weeks for vaccinations to become effective.

Why should I choose Copper Canyon Trails over others?
Besides our experience, rigorous First Aid training, and years of presence in the area, is our commitment to help the natives and our respect of their culture. We are taking you there to see the area from their point of view. When opportunities arise we respectfully get you into contact with the locals.

How many people are in your groups?
Burro trips can take groups from four to 12 people. Every trip has two English speaking guides, and a local Spanish speaking guide, and a local cook. Large groups have additional arrieros. A full trip may use 18 burros!
Hiking trips are generally limited to six people, which could be 8 or 9 total with guides.

Do you solicit donations? Currently, we're accepting cloth in 3 meter lengths or greater; and coats and jackets, especially small sizes. We pack these into remote villages where we leave them with the local governor, priest or curandero. He usually distributes them to the locals when they get together for fiestas, typically Easter. We've also had requests for used prescription or reading glasses. These help the elderly women with the detailed work required for crafts and sewing. Toothbrushes and toothpaste in sample sizes, while not popular, are distributed.
We also accept cash donations to offset our costs of the above items.

Tipping
We suggest a $35-$50 USD tip per client to be divided by the Mexican crew on the burro portion of the 10 day trip.

Are you a tax exempt organization?
No, we are not a 501.3.c or any form of tax exempt corporation.

Escorted Hikes and Burro Expeditions in Mexico's Copper Canyon