Copper Canyon

The Sierra Tarahumara of Chihuahua, where you'll see one of the largest (four times larger than the Gran Canyon of Colorado) and deepest canyons in the world, is known as Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon) and it's one of Mexico's most awe-inspiring regions. To visit this area of Raramuri Indian culture, we recommend that you climb aboard the Chihuahua-Pacifico train, also known as the CHEPE. The route begins in Chihuahua and stops first in Chauhtemoc, where you'll see various Mennonite colonies. The train continues along the Sierra de Creel, a mountain range that lies 2,400 meters (7,920 feet) above sea level. It runs the Divisadero station and descends through canyons, tunnels and ravines that border the edges of the majestic Copper Canyon and the Tararecua and Urique canyons. Along the route, the train crosses 37 bridges and goes through 86 tunnels before arriving at Los Mochis, in the state of Sinaloa.

The Ferrocarrril Chihuahua al Pacifico operates two trains: first class (primera express) which cost more but makes fewer stops and the cheaper and slower second class (clase económica). It takes at least 14 hours to make the one-way trip on the first class at least two hours longer with the second class, which stops frequently along the way. The majority of the good views are on the right side of carriage heading inland (east), while the left side is best for trips going to the coast (west). Wherever your seat, it's fun to congregate in the vestibules between cars, where the windows open and you can take unobstructed photos and feel the fresh mountain air whoosh past your face.

Many travellers prefer to visit the Copper Canyon in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are not too hot (summer) at the bottom of the canyon, or too cold at the top (winter). A particularly good time to come is late September and October (after the summer rains), when the vegetation is still green.

Getting there and away

The Los Mochis Airport is about 12km southwest of the city. There are also direct flights to Chihuahua, Hermosillo, La Paz, Los Cabos and Mazatlan. Ferries go from nearby Topolobampo to La Paz, Baja California Sur. Tickets are sold by Baja Ferries www.bajaferries.com.mx.

From Los Mochis to Chihuahua

The train starts daily at 6am. Between Los Mochis and El Fuerte, the train passes through flat, gray farmland. Shortly after, it begins to climb through fog-shrouded hills speckled with dark pillars of cacti. It passes over the long Río Fuerte bridge and through the first of 87 tunnels about three hours after leaving Los Mochis. The train climbs higher and higher through the mountains of the Sierra Tarahumara. The first highlight will be in Divisadero. Here the train stops for 15 minutes and you will have the chance to see into the canyon. But be prepared to budget your time more carefully, as the place is also a Tarahumaran market. Women, dressed in colourful skirts and blouses and carrying infants on their back selling handmade baskets, carvings and other crafts.

Creel, one of the next stops is a great base for exploring the rest of the Barranca del Cobre. You can visit the Basaseachic River, the second-highest waterfall in Mexico or make a trip to the nearby Lago Arareko. There are tours to the bottom of the Barranca de Urique, to the Mennonite settlements in Cuauhtémoc or Batopilas, a wonderful canyon village, which descends from an altitude of 2338m at Creel, to 495m, via a winding dirt road.

Next stop is Chihuahua, the state capital. In the City centre you will find a lot of colonial buildings and the main attractions are Pancho Villa?s old house and the museum of the Mexican Revolution.

Contact