Copper Canyon has been called Mexico’s Grand Canyon. Its been on our list for some time so when we learned of a Gate 1 Travel tour, we booked the October 11, 2023 tour. We planned to combine this trip with an RV trip to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. After some health issues over the Summer we were ready to travel in late September.

Our tour participants gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in Tucson Arizona. The group totaled 30 people led by Manuel Jurado, a native of Chihuahua state in Mexico. His English was good and his knowledge incredible. The first day was a long bus ride crossing the border at Palomas with lunch there at the Pink Store, a place we had visited many times. At Casas Grandes, Chihuahua we visited the Pacquime Archeological Site, a UNESCO world heritage site. These Mogollon people developed fine pottery skills without the use of a wheel. This tradition is carried on today in the village of Mata Ortiz. We experienced a demonstration of these skills with a local family. The ruins of this major trading center have been somewhat excavated to reveal a large city. Their trade network extended north to Chaco Canyon in present day New Mexico, south to Guatemala and to the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

At Cuauhtemoc Chihuahua the next day we learned of the 3 cultures in this part of Mexico. They are the Mexicans of course, the Mennonite and the Tarahumara. The Mennonites immigrated from Canada when they were given land, an exemption from military duty and from swearing allegiance to the country. This was an opportunity to raise the standard of living with improved farming techniques. This region is one of the largest apple growing regions in North America. Today more than 100,000 Mennonites still live in Mexico. The Tarahumara are the second largest indigenous group in North America. Today more than 60,000 still live in mostly in primitive conditions. Their real name is Raramuri meaning foot runners. They are famous for running down deer and other prey barefoot in the mountains.

Barrancas del Cobre is the Mexican name for Copper Canyon. Our Hotel Mirador sat on the rim of the canyon with balcony rooms overlooking sunrise and beautiful sunsets. We discovered a large assortment of hummingbird species on the patio. The next day we rode an aerial tram into the canyon for more great views and a number of indigenous craft vendors. The people were all nice and friendly.

The Sierra Tarahumaa (Copper Canyons) are are the highest and most rugged sections of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. 25000 square miles of these mountains are designated by the Mexican government as a natural park. The centerpiece of our tour was the train ride through these Copper Canyons.  We boarded the train at Posada Barrancas and worked our way south and west over 32 trestles and 86 tunnels over the 420 mile journey to El Fuerte.  It was all day with a nice lunch served. 

After the train ride we visited another indigenous people, the Mayo.  There we learned about native herbal remedies these people developed in this area, Sinaloa’s spikey forest. It seems this is one of the places on earth with the most medicinal plants.  We also watched a deer dance and ate homemade tortillas.

The next day we toured the old colonial town of El Fuerte. Then we had lunch in Navajoa before arriving in Alamos to stay in a 400 year old hacienda turned hotel.  Alamos is a charming town favored by many celebrities including Carrol O’Connor.  It is the best preserved colonial town of northern Mexico.

The journey to San Carlos took us through the land of the Yaqui Republic. This is another indigenous group who have preserved their idea of communal land ownership and refuse allegiance to anyone. Our last night in Mexico was at a fancy resort hotel in San Carlos.  San Carlos would be another Cabo if it had an airport.  We enjoyed a great Mariachi band and boat ride on the Sea of Cortez.  

Our Copper Canyon trip exceeded our expectations mostly due to our fabulous guide Manuel.  It was so much more than a train ride and scenery.  The tour was mostly about Mexico, its cultures and people.  We learned a lot.  Most people in our group had taken more than one Gate 1 tours.  By the end of the trip we could see why.  We’ll be back.