Mexico’s Copper Canyon: October 12 – 21, 2012
The Sierra Madre region is often overlooked by travelers to Mexico, but on this 10 day photo tour through the famous Copper Canyon we’ll have an opportunity to photograph the breathtaking scenery from “El Chepe,” the only passenger train in all of Mexico.
We’ll not only ride El Chepe in both directions along one of the most scenic portions of the Copper Canyon, we’ll also have a chance to get to know the shy but friendly Tarahumara people, also known as the “running people” because of their long distance running ability (they’re famously known for their stamina in running down deer). The crafts the Tarahumara women make, from intricate woven baskets to dolls and embroidered goods, are always for sale, and we’ll even have an opportunity to see inside their humble homes, often fashioned out of no more than caves and cliff overhangs.
Needless to say, the photo opportunities are virtually endless as we explore from just above sea level, in the canyon village of Batopilas to the high altitudes towns of Creel and Divisadero. There will also be plenty of time to hike along the numerous canyon trails, jump on the Teleferico, or cable car, to incredible viewpoints within the Copper Canyon, which, is actually deeper and bigger than the Grand Canyon in the U.S.
About El Chepe and the Copper Canyon
The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, better known as El Chepe, is one of the great train rides of the world and it winds through Barrancas del Cobre (the Copper Canyon), one of Mexico’s many natural wonders.
The canyon gets its name from the copper color of some of its 3,000-plus foot walls, which can be seen in all their glory from many vantage points along the route (not because of copper mining in the region, as some people claim). Often compared to the Grand Canyon in the United States, Copper Canyon is more of a cross between the sheer cliff walls and alpine vegetation of Yosemite National Park and the deep and layered gorges of the Grand Canyon, but with a convenient train ride between them.
Each day El Chepe’s complete route in the northwest of Mexico travels from Los Mochis, in the neighboring state of Sinaloa, to the capital city of Chihuahua, in Chihuahua state (a second train does the reverse route).
Often referred to as the most scenic part of the journey, on this photo tour we’ll be experiencing the Copper Canyon from El Fuerte, near Los Mochis, all the way up the canyon to approximately 8,000 above sea level in Divisadero and Creel, considered the gateway to the Copper Canyon. For a second chance to shoot the canyon from another direction, we’ll then ride El Chepe in the opposite direction, ending up in Los Mochis.
Some facts about this remarkable railway journey include:
o 86 tunnels
o 37 bridges
o Complete length: approximately 400 miles (660 km)
o Maximum altitude: 7,900 feet (2,400 meters) at Divisadero
o Construction started circa 1900
o Completed: 1961
Day 1 (Oct 12): Arrive in Los Mochis, a coastal city in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. You’ll be picked up at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the magic town of El Fuerte. (Some may opt to fly in a day early, and have a free day in El Fuerte, where a local tour will be available). Spend the night in El Fuerte.
Day 2: This morning, guests will be transferred to the El Fuerte train station, where we’ll board “El Chepe” and be treated to a hot Norteño Mexican breakfast onboard. You are about to journey on the most exciting train ride along this famous route aboard the one and only passenger train in all of Mexico. We’ll travel by train for five hours through the Copper Canyon, ending up in Divisadero where we’ll have an incredible lunch on the canyon rim. There we’ll enjoy a marvelous feast, have plenty of time to stretch our legs, walk around the area before we transfer to the beautiful Best Western Lodge at Creel. The lodge is built with wood timbers which give it true mountain lodge feel. We’ll spend the night in Creel.
Day 3: After breakfast we’ll visit San Ignacio, a Tarahumara village, where you can learn the way of the Tarahumara people, with their unique homes built of logs, adobe and even cliff overhangs and caves. These welcoming people, master craftsmen and women, although shy, are open to having their photos taken and will even allow us to see inside their humble homes. We’ll also photograph the interesting rock formations that take the shape of monks, frogs and even mushrooms. We’ll also visit the Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio, finally ending up at Arareko Lake, where there may be time for a rowboat tour. We’ll spend the night in Creel.
Day 4: After a full breakfast, we’ll have an optional walking tour to the Cusarare waterfall, approximately 16 km. driving distance from the hotel. The waterfall, at almost 100 feet high, is a 3 km. hike, and home to various Tarahumara people. There’ll be time to explore and photograph this special indigenous group of people and understand their unique way of living. We’ll spend the night in Creel.
Day 5: We’ll start the day with a healthy buffet breakfast and continue the trip by driving down to the old mining town of Batopilas. This drive has breathtaking views along numerous switchbacks, and there’ll be several opportunities to stop for photographs and to stretch our legs. Upon arrival, we’ll check-in at hotel in Batopilas, a town at 1600 feet above sea level with semi-tropical weather. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore this mining town with its old houses along the river. We’ll spend the night in Batopilas.
Day 6: After breakfast we’ll explore the area around Batopilas at the bottom of the canyon. We’ll follow the river about 5 miles to visit the Satevo Mission. Those who would like, can walk one way of the roundtrip. We can also visit the Palacio de Santo Domingo or the Hacienda San Miguel. We’ll spend the night in Batopilas.
Day 7: After breakfast, we’ll take drive back up to Divisadero, making several stops for photos along the way. After having been immersed in the Sierra Madre at 500 mts. above sea level in Batopilas, check-in and free afternoon at your leisure to re-acclimate to the high altitude in Divisadero (approximately 7900 feet above sea level). We’ll spend the night in Divisadero.
Day 8: We’ll get away from town a bit to explore the massive limestone caves and cultural legacy of the Tarahumara once again. A hiking trail along the canyon rim will be the highlight of this part of the trip, and we may also ride the cable car We’ll spend the night in Divisidero.
Day 9: We’ll relax and enjoy the morning with time to walk around. We may view a show put on by a group of Tarahumara for our group. Dancers and singers, and a demonstration of their unique ball game, will be exhibited, giving the visitor more insight into the Tarahumara culture and traditions. An early lunch is served before taking El Chepe (our train) back to Los Mochis, where our estimated time of arrival is 9:30 pm. We’ll have dinner on the train. Spend the night in Los Mochis.
Day 10 (Oct 21): Transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Ralph Velasco
Jim Cline Photo Tours is pleased to welcome award-winning photographer Ralph Velasco to the team. Ralph is an international tour guide who has led cultural photo tours to Egypt, Eastern Europe, and throughout the United States, and he’s participated in several humanitarian trips to Cuba. He’s travelled more than 40 countries on six continents.
Ralph will be leading our upcoming photo tour to Mexico’s Copper Canyon. His experience shooting on assignment in numerous locations throughout Mexico, including the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, makes him more than qualified to lead this tour. In addition, Ralph is fluent in Spanish and has lived in Mexico City where he received his MBA in International Business.
He’s just released his first app for iPhone and iPod touch called “My Shot Lists for Travel” and is the author of: “Ralph Velasco On Travel Photography: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye & More.” Additionally, Ralph is an award-winning blogger who regularly contributes to popular photography websites including Lightstalking.com, Digital-Photography-School.com, PhotographyTalk.com and the Travel Photographers Network.
For two years running he was awarded “Open Photographer of the Year” by the Professional Photographers of Orange County and he belongs to the Circumnavigators Club, an exclusive group of travelers whose charter requires that its members have traveled around the world, in a single journey, having crossed every one of earth’s meridians.
We’re excited to have him on board!
Dates: October 12 – 21, 2012
Costs: $3575
The cost is based on double occupancy. A single supplement of $475 applies.
Trip Leader: Ralph Velasco – The trip will be limited to 10 participants
Cost includes: Airport transfers from Los Mochis airport, all 9 nights hotel accommodations, all ground transport including the world-famous El Chepe train ride round-trip from El Fuerte to Divisadero, local English-speaking guides, entrances, all breakfast & dinners, 3 lunches, and hotel tips for baggage handlers & restaurant staff.
Cost does not include: international flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, vaccinations and medical cover/treatment, and personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, internet access fees, laundry fees etc.
*All prices subject to change without notice, owing to the variable nature of international currency exchange rates and sudden changes in local costs
Deposit and Final Payment
A deposit of $600 per person is required at time of booking. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation
- On cancellations more than 120 days prior to departure, all monies are refunded less a $275 administrative fee.
- Less than 120 but at least 90 days prior, total deposit amount is forfeited.
- Less than 90 but at least 75 days prior, 50% of trip price is forfeited.
- Less than 75 days prior to departure, 100% is forfeited.
Notification by phone or email is acceptable, but please follow with written notice. In the unlikely event we have to cancel a tour, a full refund will be given.
Responsibility
Jim Cline Photography, and their agents act only in the capacity as agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, and are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury to person or property resulting from a defect in any vehicle, or the actions of any persons who provide services for this tour or for the action or inaction of any third party. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, to decline any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time. All prices are based on current rates of exchange and, while every effort will be made to hold them firm, they are subject to change.
Health
It is the responsibility of each tour member to inform the tour operator of any possible health problems or handicaps upon registration. By forwarding a signed reservation form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.
Trip Insurance
To allow for any unexpected contingencies, all participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Itinerary
While Jim Cline Photography endeavors to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate schedule of activities rather than a rigid schedule of events. Trip itineraries are subject to revision due to weather, ocean or trail conditions, government restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. The tour leader has the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever in his sole judgment conditions warrant, or if he deems it necessary for the comfort or safety of the tour.
Health Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Money: Currency exchange rates
Electricity in Mexico: Adapters Recommended
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR with lenses offering a focal length from wide (24mm or wider) to telephoto (100mm or longer), laptop or netbook computer running image viewing software such as Breeze Browser, bridge or Photo Mechanic and an image editing program such as Adobe Photoshop, or a combintation software program similar to Lightroom. Additionally we strongly recommend a back-up device such as external hard drive.
An award-winning photographer based in San Diego, California, Jim especially enjoys exploring and photographing less-traveled areas, avoiding the typical tourist destinations. He takes particular interest in the indigenous peoples and traditional and tribal cultures of developing nations, and in documenting these disappearingcultures.
Karl is a humanitarian photojournalist specializing in the photographic documentation of relief efforts and development work of NGOs worldwide. Over the last ten years, Karl has worked in over 50 countries, covering stories from the Indian Ocean Tsunami, to HIV/AIDS, malaria and Micro-Finance.