Copper Canyon's Tarahumara Indians of San Alonso, who own more than 60,000 acres in the Western Sierra Madre wilderness of Chihuahua, Mexico, are working with Canyon Travel to develop a model for eco-tourism, with community-owned facilities and private enterprise. The partnership provides the only outlet in Copper Canyon for private eco-lodges and naturalist-trained native guides who offer remote, intimate adventures.

This photo shows one of many caves near Canyon Travel's Uno Lodge in Mexico's Western Sierra Madre wilderness. Cooperation between Canyon Travel and Tarahumara Indians of San Alonso offers for private eco-lodges, naturalist-trained native guides, riverboats, mountain bikes, and active and less-active itineraries to explore Copper Canyon.

Working with natives, Canyon Travel also operates eco-lodges near Urique Canyon and overlooking the El Fuerte and Batopilas rivers. For information, see www.canyontravel.com
or call 800-843-1060.

The alliance began with approval from Baja Tarahumara Governor Nicolas Moreno, who recognized de-forestation threats and the need for profitable eco-tourism to protect Mexico's natural wonders. "Mexico is one of the world's most bio-diverse countries," says Canyon Travel President Emilio Kifuri. "Given Mexico's variety of fauna and flora, there is economic potential through eco-tourism that could exceed the logging and mining industries, and the mass-tourism beach resort business."

Previously inaccessible areas held by the community of Tarahumara are now the location of upgraded lodges, "Uno y Dos," owned by these Tarahumara people and operated by Canyon Travel.

Originally built in 1999 with Chihuahua State funding, the structures were meant to develop community involvement in tourism and be a sustainable alternative to logging. Due to lack of tourism expertise and operating capital, the efforts had limited success and needed help.

Enter eco-tourism operator Canyon Travel, for whom working with local communities was not new.

"Canyon Travel's experience in eco-tourism includes our work with the indigenous Porochi community near Urique Canyon, where together we built the small upscale Cerocahui Wilderness Lodge," said Kifuri, "The cooperative project is profitable for both the company and the local Porochi community, who own the rugged pristine land on which that lodge is located. The innovative agreement offers employment, as well as income from the land lease, and provides them with the option to become partners in lodge ownership."

Following renovations made to the Uno y Dos lodges, Kifuri forecasts similar success with the San Alonso collective venture. In the eco-tourism partnership, Canyon Travel works with Copper Canyon's native residents, teaching them English and training them as naturalist guides to provide in-depth experiences for travelers. Naturalist-trained resident guides can describe and lead guests through various habitats, and know where to find rare and endemic birds. They carry spotting scopes on tripods, binoculars and field reference books to share with guests.

Canyon Travel is the only Copper Canyon operator with private eco-lodges, naturalist-trained native guides, active itineraries, riverboats, mountain bikes and vans. Canyon Travel also offers less-active adventures like tranquil river cruises and canyon descents in late-model vans, plus connections to local cultures.

Honored to be part of Mexico's eco-tourism market, Canyon Travel also helps the native residents of Copper Canyon through its community service initiatives. Examples include support for a local children's hospital and area schools; help with medical missions to transport doctors; and assistance with conservation projects. In one case, Canyon Travel was instrumental in airing an environmental alert on more than 50 TV stations, which helped stop the World Bank's project to clear cut forests in the region.

Besides Uno y Dos and the Cerocahui lodges, Canyon Travel operates eco-lodges overlooking the El Fuerte and Batopilas rivers. Canyon Travel has offices in Creel and El Fuerte, and an affiliate in Texas, and offers 24-hour Mexico to US toll-free access. For information, call Canyon Travel at 800-843-1060, or visit www.canyontravel.com