We have been developing this Copper Canyon train tour and all of the specialty trips as well over the past five years. The focus has been authenticity and providing ways for our guests to have dynamic, personal, spontaneous, discovery experiences in the Sierra Madres along the copper Canyon train.

Now people from other localities are noticing what we have done- not just with the trips but also with the ways we are giving back. Other tour providers and tourism officials from other parts of Mexico like our “Friends of Copper Canyon” and the sustainable projects like the Copper Canyon Running Tour and the Copper Canyon Chicken Project. They notice our work in Juarez, sticking our nose out to make the point that YES, it is safe to travel throughout Chihuahua.

So now there is some opportunity and demand for us to start developing in others areas of Mexico.

Fir the freshest in wood stove cooking hit Estelas in Creel for any meal of the day. This is the type of places our guests love in Chihuahua.

My experience at Tianguis Touristico 2013 in Puebla

Last month I traveled to Puebla courtesy of the Mexico Tourism Board (the great team in Chicago)to the huge travel show in Mexico know as “Tianguis”- this year in Puebla. It was indeed a huge show and though it is not really aimed at the US market as it might be. This does not put me off–as a matter of fact it confirms that there is a desperate need for people like me who will “interpret” the interior destinations of this grand country and offer tour experiences there that actually fit with the US traveler’s interests.

You know what I did alot during the show? Wandered around and listened for someone who was listening. Looking for the person who would ask a question and listen. Notice when someone spoke English and was curious as to how to reach the huge US market.

You see there was a whole convention center full of vendors ready to tell me about their tours or hotels or wonderful destination. But there were precious few who “looking for the gringo” with the dumb little smile and a desire to actually impact the US traveling market.

They offered city tours and nice receptions and these were very nice and informative. But what I wanted to know is where the markets were–I found the local one close to my hotel and went 5 times to get local foods, catch the vibe and meet the people. I scoped out hotel areas–places my groups would like to wake up to and walked the streets at all hours. I hopped local buses and got the lay of the land. Fun.

So here we come…

About 24 hours before my departure time I opted out of the charter flight back to Chicago and jumped in a van with some strangers from a little place called Tlatlauquitepec north of Puebla city. For 5 days I rambled around the jungle areas and Tlatla and Cuetzalan and realized what a treasure this place is. I constantly had to tel my hosts–no, I would like to see this. And I kept asking when market day was and when the best day of the week was to be here or there.

Plan is to open tours to Puebla with a pilot tour in June, 2013 and then to explore a bit in both Chiapis and Oaxaca in Juky and then have all three locales functioning with operating tours in September, 2013.

From the plaza in Tlatlauquitepec. Just behind me is a little antique local bar and an eatery with food to die for.

The upsides are that there are these Mexican and Tarahumara celebrations happening so you can hear the drums, see the Judas dances, and perhaps sample some tesguino. Also if you are catholic, there are special services. Also if your kids are on vacation and you are off as well (everything in Mexico closes for 4 days) then it is a great time to get away.

The downsides are that it is crowded- very crowded. The Copper Canyon train is filled to the gills. So you lose a bit of the Copper Canyon charm. Also I find some of the Tarahumara presentations a bit put on. One other deal is that you have to plan because banks, restaurants, buses–almost everything is closed.

Personally I recommend that of people want to travel in this season, just go the week before semana santa. You still get a bit of the Tarahumara schtick and you avoid the downsides above

We will keep you updated on this new venture aimed at making a difference in this majestic land.

There will be any projects we tackle. Two examples are The Copper Canyon Chicken Project and another is The Copper Canyon Running Tour. We will also do direct aid when there are funds and there is a need.

We aim to repopulate chicken roosts like his one with chickens through The Copper Canyon Chicken Project.

]]> http://coppercanyon.org/2013/02/18/our-new-not-for-profit/feed/ 0 http://coppercanyon.org/2013/01/04/copper-canyon-faqs/ http://coppercanyon.org/2013/01/04/copper-canyon-faqs/#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:34:13 +0000 Copper Canyon Guy http://coppercanyon.org/?p=357 Here are some common questions and answers that people have who come on our Copper Canyon train trips:

FAQs for Authentic Copper Canyon Trips:

When are trips scheduled in 2013?

Monthly. Special trips can be arranged for groups or occasions. Usually our groups have 4-10 people

Where does my trip start and end?

El Paso, TX- except for Baja trips which begin in Chihuahua and end in Cabo San Lucas. We can also start trips from Los Mochis or El Fuerte

Is this a hiking trip where I sleep on the ground?

No. We stay each night in local hotels or cabanas. There is no sleeping on the train.You will have the opportunity to hike around and explore if you want. As far as minimum fitness, you need to be able to get on and off the train with your luggage and to be able to walk moderate distances comfortably.

What are the hotels and cabanas like?

They are all clean and have comfortable beds. Each has hot water showers and towels provided. Most of all, they are in out of the way places with charm and some cultural or historical interest.

How much luggage can I bring?

Basically the maximum you are allowed to carry on an airline is what is recommended- a small piece of luggage and then another small bag or day pack. We have a recommended packing list for you.

Can I drink the water?

Yes…there is bottled water available almost everywhere along the trip including aboard the train.

Is Mexico safe?
Quite safe. Actually, our guests often feel more secure on our trips than they do in American cities. I recommend that you use common sense and go out with someone else.

Does Mexico have our kind of electricity?

Yes…so bring your camera charger or whatever essential small device you may need.

What about telephones in Mexico?

You can buy a phone card at one of the little stores and use it at a card telephone on the street. US cell phones get poor coverage and are expensive to use unless you have an international plan.

What is the train like?

The trains are roomy, clean, and secure. You will have a reserved seat, but you are free to get up and roam around to gaze out the open windows between the cars (my favorite place), visit with others, or stop into the dining car. You will receive a kilometer referenced guide so that you can keep track of the sites, bridges, and tunnels along this incredible journey.

Will I have free time to explore?

Absolutely. I recommend you take off in pairs.

What about the elevation?

The train does pass through 8000 ft elevation, but our evenings are lower than this…like 7000 ft max.

Are all Authentic trips the same?

They vary month by month to include history/architecture, nature/photography, hiking/horseback riding, etc. We can always design a trip for you if you have a group of 4 or more.

What does the trip cost?

The 8-10 day trip is usually $1600-1700, and discounts are available for groups and families.

What is included when I book my trip?

All expenses (transport, guide, food, lodging) once you arrive and until you depart Mexico, except 4 meals in country. You also pay a small tourist tax at the border.

So…how do I get started?

You can simply respond on this site, call Dave at 267.880.6542 or email davehensleigh@gmail.com.

“Stay Adventurous” is one of the best handles for a travel blog I have run across. And its writer, Craig Zabransky, is one of the most articulate in the business. Craig was recently with us on a trip filled with writers and travel professionals to Copper Canyon. It was a cool trip – always nice to travel with people who know travel and revel in new and truly local places.

Craig on the left at a potters home in Mata Ortiz

 Copper Canyon Train

Craig wrote a very good piece on the train in Copper Canyon compete with lots of pics. It starts like this:

Mexico surprises. After each and every visit I return home wanting more.  My recent trip to the Mexican border state of Chihuahua proved no different. The seven nights in the state will always be remembered for the warmth of its people, the taste of its cuisine and the beauty of its landscapes. It was an absolute adventure. And if there was highlight, it might select Chihuahua Pacifico Train through Copper Canyon, el Chepe.

I love train travel…

This has to be one of the best traveler tips on the planet- and I needed it yesterday.Usually I am so organized but I left my Blackberry charger in a hotel in Mexico. Not sure how it happened but when I arrived in El Paso, it was not with me. I envisioned getting to some store and buying another, but with no wheels and not wanting to spend $20, it was a bit of a challenge.

Copper Canyon trip

I had just returned from a great train trip through Copper Canyon with a group of writers and travel agents/ tour operators that lasted 8 days. It was a wonderful serendipitous trip along the Copper Canyon train and we all arrive back in the USA smiling and refreshed by the hospitality and sense of safety in Chihuahua- it happens on every Copper Canyon tour we take.

Anyway, I expected to lay over a day in El Paso and return to Chihuahua to visit with our team of barefoot runners and experience Day of the Dead in Porochi ejido. While in El Paso I would use my gringo cell phone- but my Blackberry charger was missing!

On the way to the hotel I told Rick the driver that I needed to find a charger and he said quietly that he could help me. He dropped me at the door and said he would go to his office and be right back. Several minutes later he drove up and handed me a used cell charger out the window.

And duh! It hit me that hotels have tons of cell chargers because people like me leave them in rooms all the time.

How to replace a lost cellphone charger

Just ask at the desk at your next hotel. Usually they will have several in a drawer at the counter or the cleaning/ transport staff will have them in their storage area. Or ask the concierge– someone will have one. You may need an iPhone charger or a Blackberry charger or whatever. But just ask. It beats buying one and gives you a good chance to generously tip the staff and saves you time.

On the plaza in Juarez...this place is alive and well!

I just received this on one of our sites and want to share it with you…and yes I had a fine time in Juarez and it was lifechanging.

Hi Dave-
Just wanted to thank you for having had the guts (yes) and the insight to do this walk across Cd. Juárez. I just stumbled across your account of it, so I know this comment comes kind of late, but I wanted to make it nevertheless.
If I can be so bold as to say that I speak in the name of all Mexicans, I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Yes, we ARE going through a VERY rough patch (I live in Monterrey), but I thank you for seeing and putting out to your readers ALL that is good and kind and beautiful about our dear Mexico. Thank you for helping others see BEYOND the grisly, graphic photos to the warmth, the kindness, the humor, the RESILIENCE, the JOY that real Mexicans carry in their hearts. Our beautiful country not only boasts natural resources and beauty aplenty, but more importantly, it boasts a people who (as you know) will open their homes and hearts to everyone. But if WE say it, they think that can’t be, that we’re biased, deluded, blind. Thank you for being a “gringo” voice speaking the truth, thank you for having faith, thank you for appreciating us. Please just add your prayers to ours for the nightmare to end.
Mil gracias y saludos,
Vicky Treviño

• Our guides are local, skilled, personal, and a barrel of fun
• Our itineraries are flex and custom made to fit your interests
• Our groups are small- do you have two people- we call that a group
• We include a full experience in the enchanting Casas Grandes area- including walking the streets of Mata Ortiz
• Other options include Batopilas, Baja, Cuiteco, Temoris. Basasiachi, Rancho Uno and many more out of the way places
• We offer specialty trips including “The Blue Corn Express”, the premier culinary trip to the Sierras
• Another specialty trip is our running trip where you can traverse the rugged Sierras with the barefoot running Raramuri
• Our itineraries are efficient to avoid early mornings, dead time on the train, etc
• Itineraries vary with the season to avoid weather difficulties
• We are inexpensive while delivering the best in food, hotels and experience

Most of all we listen to you and plan your Copper Canyon experience to fit with your interests. Call Dave today at 217.369.9897 or email davehensleigh@gmail.com for more info.

Last February Authentic Copper Canyon represented Copper Canyon with the Mexico Tourism Board at the Boston Globe Travel Show at the Seaport Convention Center. It was not only good to be in Boston- we ate some great seafood, hit a couple of cool Irish bars, and strolled along the waterfront- but this is one of the best travel shows on the planet.

Our Experience

What makes the Boston Travel Show one of the best is:

- Over 24,000 people walk through the doors. The pay to enter and they are travelers…not just tourists.

- The show spans three days, not just two and the crowds fill the days.

- The Seaport venue is good and it is fairly close to downtown.

- We always seem to come back to the office with a good pack of names to add to our database.

The 2013 Boston Travel Show

The Seaport World Trade Center will again be the venue for this show and the days are February 8-10. We look forward to it and expect to see many of our friends we are making in the traveling community in Boston.