Ride or Hike and Raft the Canyon
A
summer trip for serious adventurers. Ride or hike to the bottom of the Copper
Canyon where horses are exchanged for rafts and a thrilling white water descent
60 km to the remote pueblo of Tubares. Hikers have no need for the horse
training their trip begins on day 2 and is less expensive.
Day 1: Horse riders arrive today for afternoon transfer from the Bahuichivo
train station to Rancho del Oso in time for a welcome cocktail.
Day 2: Time to meet your horse, learn saddling techniques from our wranglers and
head off on an exploration of ancient burial caves and steep mountain trails.
During the ride, you learn techniques of mountain riding and how to work with
your horse. Afternoon free for packing, or relaxation. Evening get-acquainted
party to meet new arrivals who will hike to the bottom of the canyon.
Day 3: Morning rafting orientation teaches paddling together as a team and
develops skills necessary for your white-water adventure. The preliminaries
over, an afternoon ride or hike to Rancho del Durazno starts your adventure.
Camp in a high mountain valley surrounded by Tarahumara ranches with visits to
our Indian neighbors in their homes. See their primitive farming techniques,
help grind nixtamal on a stone metate, then settle back with a fresh Margarita
in your hand as you watch dramatic afternoon thunderstorms.
Day 4: Leaving the ranch, riders continue the 1400-foot climb to Pass of the
Cross. Soon they begin descending steep mountain trails to the isolated pueblo
of Naranjo. Camp beneath citrus trees frequently visited by colorful parrots and
fruit-eating bats. Share an outdoor barbecue and fresh hand-made tortillas with
our hosts, the Meleton Mancinas family.
Day 5: Awaken surrounded by towering canyon walls before continuing the
mile-deep descent into the Urique Canyon where rafts await you for the short run
to Urique. Here the river rates Class II to II+, good training for the following
days. Celebrate your lunch with a cold beer before heading to the hotel for free
time with dinner on your own. You will want to sort through your gear today as
the river demands severe weight and bulk restrictions.
Day 6: Things get interesting as you climb into your raft and immediately enter
Class III water. From here on it will be 60 km of whitewater broken by short
sections of fast moving water with small waves. It is so sporting and thrilling
that a truck parallels the rafts the first 10 km, just in case the river is too
challenging for some. Two and a half hours into the trip you enter a class IV+
rapid, here most people go ashore as staff members skillfully negotiate the
tricky rapid or portage, depending on water levels. During quiet periods on the
river, look up and admire lofty canyon walls and magnificent mountain scenery. A
lunch stop at a cool clear arroyo provides a welcome relief from the rapids and
a chance for a refreshing soak before continuing on to Carrizal where we stay
with a local family for the night and take advantage of the last store on the
river.
Day 7: Off to another fast start as rafts soon hit class III rapids. The rapids
continue throughout the day, gradually diminishing in force as the canyon opens.
A lunch stop with a friendly family in Cuesta Colorado provides a welcome break
and a chance to socialize before continuing to our final camp with a friendly
family living near the river.
Day 8: With the whitewater mostly behind us, today is an easy half-day float as
the Urique joins the wide Rio Fuerte on its way to our final destination,
Tubares, about noon. Crossing the 500-ft suspension bridge, rafters can explore
the 17th
century pueblo and remains of its famous church, once an important mission. The
truck ride back to the Oso is nearly as exciting as the raft trip with dramatic
mountain scenery, much of it overlooking the fertile valley. Margaritas on the
house tonight to celebrate your successful completion of this varied adventure.
Day 9: Morning free for individual activities, afternoon transfer to the train.
Ride:
Ride and Raft the Canyon
Min/Max: 4-12
Days/nights: 9/8
Dates:
July 28 to Aug 6, Aug 18 to 26, Sept 8 to 16—Hikers start one day later
Included:
Accommodations, meals, 4 riding days, hikers have 3 hiking days, both have 3
rafting days
Per
Person for Horse Riders: $1190 Double, $1265 Single
Per
Person for Hikers: $1020 Double, $1095 Single,
Small
group surcharge (2-4): $150
Taxes:
Included
Gratuities: 10% suggested
Transfer
included from Bahuichivo Train Station
Note:
This is a true wilderness adventure, be prepared for changes in schedule,
primitive camping, and helping out with both camp and rafting chores. Minimum
age is 16.