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Ride a private railcar with an open deck attached to the rear of the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad as it traverses the transition of the Neartic and the Neotropical biomes. View 11 miles of tunneling and 2.25 miles of bridging as the railway serpentines thru some of the most outstanding habitats on the planet. Descend the deepest and the third deepest canyons in North America and observe many endemic birds and plants. Meet Mayo and Tarahumara residents and observe them in their daily life and in presentations of their traditional dances.

DAY 01 Arrive Los Mochis Airport - El Fuerte

You will be transferred from the Los Mochis airport to the 16th Century, cobbled-street, colonial town of El Fuerte and the Rio Vista Lodge for 2 nights. Your El Fuerte native guide is Eleazar Gamez. From your panoramic hilltop setting, view the Fuerte River with a constant display of birds and the garden feeders teeming with hummingbirds. Enjoy alfresco patio refreshments and appetizers, listening to live regional music surrounded by gardens and an impressive array of giant, native cacti. Stroll through the quintessential colonial plaza with its towering palms; browse the colorful local market; and view ornate architecture while learning of the past and present significance of this historic fort on the old "Camino Real." All of the Spanish expeditions that colonized California and Arizona journeyed through El Fuerte and recruited local residents. Many of the earliest residents of these states were former El Fuerte natives who were knowledgable in mining and ore smelting and they contributed greatly to development of California's mining boom. Dinner in the air-conditioned dining room or on the patio features the regional specialty of garlic grilled fresh-water bass and shrimp, with wine or cerveza.

DAY 02 El Fuerte

Experience the diverse bird life amid the verdant tropical forest on a tranquil Fuerte River cruise. You are on the river by dawn with side treks to view great birding sites including the famous "Motmot alley" and to explore ancient Nahuatl Petroglyphs. More than 60 species of birds are frequently spotted from the boat including: Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Crane Hawk, Crested Caracara, Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Elegant Quail, Northern Jacana, Green Parakeet, Mexican Parrotlet, Squirrel Cuckoo, Lesser Roadrunner, Plain-caped Starthroat, Elegant Trogan, Russet-crowned Motmot, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, and Black-throated Magpie-Jay. The exotic flora seen includes: Tree Morning Glory, Tree Senna, Tree Coral Bean, Tree Ocotillo, Kapok Tree, Amapa, Palo Verde, Elephant Tree, Feather Tree, Cottonwood, Sycamore, Cypress, Strangling Fig, Ures Palm, Barrel, Hecho, Cardon and Organ-pipe Cacti. Later observe the traditional Mayo Indian "Dance of the Deer" ceremony with water drum accompaniment on trip to their village. The village women are adept at practicing the traditional healing practice of "sobadoras", a kind of healing massage. They offer their healing to all in exchange for a modest tip. Late afternoon birding to several thorn forest sites using our special open air trailer with seating in an attempt to observe some endemic species like Sinaloa Crow, Happy and Sinaloa Wren, and Black-capped Gnatcatcher. This evening you can observe nightjars flying overhead at the lodge.

DAY 03 El Fuerte - Cerocahui 

The Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad traverses some of the most scenic wilderness on Earth and the open deck design of the railcar allows the traveler to truly experience this spectacular railway.  From the Sonoran-Sinaloan transition tropical forest, the railroad climbs 8,000 ft. into the Western Sierra Madre and skirts the Copper Canyon, before terminating in the Chihuahua Desert. This railway engineering achievement required 37 principle bridges, the longest is 1,638 ft. and the highest is 335 ft. and 87 tunnels, one tunnel 5,965 ft. long and one tunnel with a 180 degree turn followed by a bridge with a 90 degree turn. The railway, with nearly 11 miles of tunneling and 2.25 miles of bridging, serpentines through some of the most biologically outstanding and diverse habitats on the planet, listed in the world's 200 most crucial areas for conservation. This morning's departure (8:30AM - 12:27PM) into the Sierra Madre provides optimum viewing on the most spectacular segment of railway. On arrival at the depot our exclusive resident guide, Mario Munoz a native of Cerocahui, will meet you and transfer you to the community owned San Isidro Cabins for 2 nights. Hike to overlooks and visit Tarahumara family dwellings close to the lodge.

DAY 04 Cerocahui - Urique Canyon Descent

The Gallego rim overlooks the Urique Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America. From here, take in the majesty of the canyon and view Urique Village, your destination, over a mile below. Choose your descent by guided hike (4-miles) or ride in the van.  Urique Village was totally isolated until connected by a switchback mountain road in 1975. The riparian habitat features Organpipe and Cardon cacti, Kapok, Pink and Yellow Amapa, Tree Morning Glory and Trumpet Bush as well as, ficus, cypress, bamboo, palms, sycamore and other exotic flora. The abundant bird species include: Squirrel Cuckoo, Black-throated Magpie-Jay, White-striped Woodcreeper, Military Macaw, Elegant Trogon and White-eared Hummingbird as well flycatchers, gnat catchers, hawks and wrens. View traditional Tarahumara farming and observe them plowing with oxen and a wooden plow made of oak.  Today's birding trek includes a hike to La Mescalara and a 200-year old orchard where is it possible to see flocks of the endemic Lilac-crowned Parrot feeding on the immature fruit. The hike is 3 miles roundtrip but any distance on this route will yield many birds. A picnic lunch will be cooked in the field and served on table linens.  Late afternoon return to your lodge.

All departures will operate with the Open Deck Rail Car on day 3.

DAY 05 Cerocahui - Copper Canyon Rim

This morning take a birding trek along a nearby canyon rim before your departure to visit the mountain town of Cerocahui and the 17th Century gold domed Jesuit Mission church. Visit a Tarahumara boarding school. Transfer to the depot for a brief train ride today (12:27PM - 1:20PM). You will be met by our exclusive resident guide, and graduate of the University of Chihuahua, for your transfer on the one hour drive (or you may hike) over a 6-mile road of breathtaking scenery traversing the spine of the sierra! Arrive at the Tarahumara owned Uno Lodge for 2 nights in a private pristine natural setting with a view like few on the planet. From its lofty precipice, the Uno features the most panoramic lodge overlook with endless sierra landscapes of jagged erosion and the only canyon lodge view of the meandering river below. Take an orientation trek around the lodge and visit with nearby Tarahumara families, cooperative owners of 65,000 wilderness acres and the lodge. This evening relax around an outdoor fire and under starlit skies miles away from electric lighting - lodge is solar powered and observe Tarahumara dance ceremonies accompanied by their violin playing.

DAY 06 Copper Canyon Rim

The tripod mounted powerful spotting scope is a very popular attraction in the dining area of the lodge. Participate in a walk to a nearby waterfall and study the biological richness of this major ecosystem, ranking high in biodiversity, including the worlds most varied species of pines, oaks and agaves and its unique endemism of species found no where else. Active travelers can take guided day hikes into the canyon depths or along the rim to large caves with Mogollan influenced archaeological ruins. All levels of physical activity can be accommodated. Our guide will arrange activities that will suit your level of physical ability and birding interests, and accompany you personally or arrange for his English speaking assistant guides to accompany you.

DAY 07 Copper Canyon Rim - Cusarare

Depart early morning to the Divisadero area and visit an open-air market and observe local Indians weaving their aromatic pine-needle baskets in a myriad of design. Continue on to the Cusarare area stopping for a picnic near Lake Arareco. After lunch arrive to the Copper Canyon Sierra Lodge for 1 night. The lodge is set on Tarahumara lands, about 14 miles away from the town of Creel offering direct access to Tarahumara cave dwellings and rancherias. Your guide, a native of Creel, will accompany you on a moderate trek to the 300-year-old Cusarare Mission with its predominantly Indian-motif interior and the recently opened Loyola Museum with its collection of religious art.

DAY 08 Cusarae - Batopilas

This morning begin the daylong journey to Batopilas, over a dramatic 75-mile drive descending the old silver mining route. The ride, along a rugged unpaved road, begins in dense forests, descends into the canyons past waterfalls and spectacular blue pools strewn with enormous boulders, and eventually terminates in tropical flora at the bottom of the canyon. Arrive to the Riverside Hacienda for 2 nights.

DAY 09   BATOPILAS

Hiking opportunities abound and range from easy nearby walks to moderately difficult half and full day treks, e.g., embark on a full day of trekking to Cerro Colorado, or on a shorter hike to Camuchin, a lovely shady oasis reached by a 2 hour trek up the surrounding cliffs. Excellent birding is available along the Rio Batopilas. Or, simply relax in the plaza and observe farmers from remote ranchos, traditionally attired Tarahumara Indians from the surrounding canyons and local residents with children playing basketball.  Activities include a drive along the Rio Batopilas to the 17th Century Lost Cathedral of Satevo with a picnic lunch. Also explore of the ruins of Hacienda San Miguel, the historic business headquarters and family residence of American expatriate and silver baron, Alexander Shepherd.

DAY 10   BATOPILAS - CUSARARE

Mid-morning departure for your return journey to Cusarare and the Sierra Lodge for 1 night.

DAY 11   CUSARARE - EL FUERTE

Morning transfer to Creel where you will have time to browse the selection of difficult-to-find books, photographs and music tapes at the Mission Store - proceeds benefit Father Luis Verplancken's Tarahumara Children's Hospital. Transfer to the depot for your final train ride (11:15am - 6:10pm) back to the colonial town of El Fuerte. Dinner waits at the Rio Vista lodge where you return to spend the final night of your itinerary.

DAY 12   DEPART EL FUERTE/ LOS MOCHIS

Breakfast and at the appropriate time transfer to the Los Mochis airport for your return flight.

Pricing includes: bilingual naturalist guides; private lodges*; extensive birding sightseeing in vans and/or guided day hikes; a river cruise; live musical and regional dance presentations; 1st class express rail service; all meals** featuring regional cuisine prepared from fresh ingredients; all beverages; all transfers; table linens; fine bed and bath linens with terry cloth robes; spotting scopes on tripods; field reference books; assistance from our two local field offices; satellite phone; 24 hr. U. S. emergency phone and detailed trip documents including: A 110 page guidebook, Pullout Satellite & 3 Dimensional Canyon Map, Flora & Fauna lists and Rail & Sierra Maps. The only items that are not included are gratuities and airfares. (*Occasionally we use other select small inns, where we enjoy special privileges and have exclusive use of the establishment or of the best rooms, which we upgrade with our fine bed and bath linens, prepare all meals, include our beverages, use our table linens, china, and silverware. Services are further enhanced by our bilingual staff and our vans for in-depth sightseeing with gourmet picnic lunches and guided hikes.) (**In Chihuahua City, breakfast and limited drinks only)

Trip is limited to a maximum of 12 persons.