Diana Acosta of Agave Lindo Tours at a Travel Trade show in New York.

Agave Lindo Tours

One of our most essential partners for Copper Canyon trips is the crew at Agave Lindo Tours in Casas Grandes. When our small groups arrive Diana Acosta and her team roll out the red carpet and deliver 2-3 days of hospitality, guide work, food, and friendship that make our stay there perfect

The Agave Lindo team

Diana Acosta is the owner and the heart and soul of this skilled group. Her expertise, passion for the culture and connection to every aspect of the local scene make her a favorite with every Copper Canyon group

Alma Nunez is an expert on Paquime, a skilled guide for all areas around Casas, and also a delightful host at Casa de Nopal. Alma and her husband are also skilled folk dancers and sometime entertain us with a bit of local dance.

Casa de Nopal

The Agave Lindo office is at the little lodge, Casa de Nopal, not far from the square in Casas Grandes. The six rooms at Casa are each unique and give our Authentic Copper Canyon guests a taste of local culture. The rooms are lovely, quiet, comfortable, and filled with art and local artifacts. Perfect.

Actually this hacienda type 100 year old adobe hotel is just a stones throw from Paquime and just a few kilometers from Mata Ortiz pottery.

Location

Casas Grandes is easy to reach from Arizona or Texas and is close enough to the border to make a good first or last stop (or both) for a Copper Canyon trip. Cross at Agua Prietas and head to Janos, or Polomas to Janos, or St Teresa to Janos then south 40 minutes to Nuevo Casas Grandes. Casas Grandes is just 10 minutes west of Nuevo. Follow the signs when you arrive in Casas.

Contact for Agave Lindo Tours

You can easily call Diana or Alma at (520) 838-9729 or email dianahsd@gmail.com. That phone is a US line and both of them speak English.

Here are some basics:

• Usually we enter and exit through El Paso. This maximizes your time in the canyons and on the train. It also allows us to fully experience not only Copper Canyon but also Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Paquime and the Mennonite areas.
• We usually include the heart of the train line twice- in two different lights.
• One option with our Copper Canyon trips is to leave the country through Baja- a delightful way to end the journey.

Here is a typical itinerary from a recent journey:

Mar 3- Arrive in El Paso. The airport is a good place to get pesos. Use the Travelex near the spot where you turn right to go to the baggage area. Meet our van and we head for Santa Teresa NM (20 minutes) to cross into Mexico. We are off toward the big apple- Chihuahua City. Dinner together and perhaps an evening view of the gigantic cathedral in the central plaza. We check into the historic boutique hotel, the San Felipe el Real. Stroll the historic district and the vast market.

The journey- We get an introduction to Norteño food as we travel south through the high elevation of the Chihuahua Desert. Burritos and other delicious street foods will be ours to choose from in the little towns north of Chihuahua.

Chihuahua City- This bustling hub for commerce has its roots as a mining and ranching center. Several fascinating museums (including the Pancho Villa home) gather around the towering 1700s cathedral. The food here is a bit eclectic and reflects the melting pot that Chihuahua has become.

Mar 4- time for breakfast and look around town- then off to San Juanito by van through Mennonite country. Winding our way into the Sierra Madre, we drop into several little villages and then arrive at the relaxing wooded Noritari near San Juanito- a unique cabin style solar hotel with a gourmet cook. A great night to enjoy dinner, chat with the chef, and take a stroll along the stream through the mountains.

Noritari- This unique 80 hectare site is dotted with cabins with fireplaces, private baths, solar lighting- the nearby stream flows and the pines whisper.

Mar 5– We will relax or take a hike or perhaps van over to Creel for the morning- cool museum here. Then board the train late morning and head through the mountains to Cerocahui and the little San Ysidro lodge

Cerocahui- This quiet little town sits in a beautiful valley and is a great place to overnight. We will stay above town nearer to the majestic Gallego overlook.

Mar 6- We have time to go over to Gallego and perhaps down to Urique if we want. . Then we reboard the train for the unsurpassed journey toward our evening destination, El Fuerte. Tunnels, bridges, canyons, mountains…have your cameras ready! Lunch on the train on your own. Arrive in El Fuerte for dinner…this place is known for incredible food! (B,D)
El Fuerte- A small town with a quaint (and delicious!) market and lots of colonial architecture. History, Indian culture, bird watching, and a palm lined plaza make this place a favorite.
Mar 7 – A full day of exploring the area- the wonderful colonial town with lots of opportunities for food and photography. A morning trip to the river for bird watching as we float and a walk through the local petro glyph site. Lunch on your own. The visit to the market here is a must, then dinner in a local home with our host Evangelina. (B,D)

Evangelina- This lovely lady with her brother and extended family live in one of the historic mansions off the square in El Fuerte. We often dine with them and get a full taste of some genuine Copper Canyon hospitality.

Mar 8 - Board the train in the morning headed northeast for Areponapuchi (Posada Barrancas station). Lunch on your own on the train and we arrive at this tiny town and a local lodge- above the canyon- Mansion Tarahumara. Dinner, relax as well as perhaps watch the sunset over the vast reaches of Copper Canyon. “Arepo”as we call it, is officially “nowhere Mexico”. The area around Arepo gives us a good long look at Copper Canyon, and we have plenty of time to look around.
Areponapuchi- Just call it Arepo and don’t expect the big city. This tiny place sits near the rim of some of the best views of Copper Canyon. The new gondola and ziplines are a scenic thrill, and you can walk or ride horses in and around the great canyon. Also a good place to pick up local souvenirs.Horses are available here- huge views!

Mar 9– All day to enjoy ziplines, gondola, hiking, etc….and relax!

Mar 10 – Sunrise at the edge of Copper anyone? Breakfast and a walk down through a Tarahumara cave dwelling. Some last views of the canyon, then we catch our van to head for Casas Grandes As the evening cools a walk through the ancient Indian ruins at Paquime. Our home this evening is the lovely hacienda, Casa de Nopal.

Casas Grandes- Right on the edge of Casas are the Paquime Indian archaeological ruins- a UNESCO World Heritage site- and nearby is the tiny village of Mata Ortiz. The pottery from this area is very special and known around the world for its intricacy and character.

Food in the Casas area- This is the high desert area and truly ranch country. We will eat at an historic hacienda and savor the local restaurants.

Mar 11 – Plenty of time to explore the Paquime ruins, Mata Ortiz pottery, etc.

Mar 12-  Relax as we finish what we may have missed. Leave Casas by 2 or 3p and drop into Janos on the way and get a warm welcome and tour with Celso and Emma at Don Cuco sotol. Sotol is THE drink of Chihuahua and is somewhat like tequila- but better…bring some home!

Sotol- This stop at Don Cuco will give you a full introduction (including a few sips) to this fine spirit from the enchanting Chihuahua area.

Mar 13- fly home

• Price for this trip is $1680 USD per person. Single room, add $300.

• This includes all guides, transport, food, and hotels in Mexico except your visa, 4 meals, gondola and zipline, and alcohol. I will supply an overview of expected personal expenses.

• Deposit is $500 per  person.

The answer to this question that I often get is easy to answer: whenever you want to go. Each season has its positive aspects and you just need to be aware of what they are and have your itinerary reflect that season.

I usually recommend avoiding June (it is both hot and dry), but any other season is good.

My favorite time of year for a Copper Canyon trip?

Hard to say. But I would say probably August or the holiday season. August is so fresh and green because the rains have started. It is hot at lower elevations, but at upper areas the almost daily showers freshen the environment.

The period from Thanks giving through New Years is neat for two reasons. One is that the Mexicans celebrate in such an inclusive way- its fun. There is nothing like Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) or New Years Eve (Dia Ultima) in Arepo or El Fuerte.

Also the lower elevations are so enjoyable at this time of year. The mornings are crisp and the days warm…so nice!

For Copper Canyon tours its not the time of year, its the itinerary!

So enjoy Copper Canyon trips any time of year. Just make sure your itinerary is planned to fit with the time of year. Many companies cookie cutter Copper Canyon tours- offering the same itinerary year round. They cram people on huge buses for those loooooooong rides down and back with the same stops in September as in February. Usually the time on the train is minimal, the little towns are avoided, and the experience is generic.

We take a different approach. Each of our Copper Canyon train trips is designed for the interests of the guests as well as the season- and even local holidays!

Welcome aboard!

I always try to take along a good book to Copper Canyon...for that quiet moment on the train or by a fire- like here in Cuiteco.

1. The Rarámuri or Tarahumara- they inhabit the canyons, they are the only Indians to really survive the Spanish, and they are the infamous barefoot runners of “Born to Run”.

My little friend “Once” from Carichic- one of the some 70,000 Raramuri in the Sierra Nevadas- truly a “people apart”.

2. The train through Copper Canyon- CHEPE is one of the world’s great railways- it took nearly 100 years to complete.

The Copper Canyon train approaching the colonial town of El Fuerte.

This amazing railway stretches across the rugged Copper Canyon and includes 37 bridges and 86 tunnels.

3. The little towns – the real flavor of rural Chihuahua and Mexico .

Janos is one of the towns that many miss- the old mission there reeks with history!

4. The history and lore is enchanting in Copper Canyon.

Hand weaving near Cusarare.

5. Adventure travel options abound in Copper Canyon.

We can include trips that cruise the remote islands of Baja.

6. The food in Chihuahua is unique- very different from other parts of Mexico.

Chihuahua is the original home of flour tortillas.

7. The Mata Ortiz pottery…incredible treasures from this tiny village!

One of the pots from a vendor on the street in Mata Ortiz.

And one more thing….the view from those ridges in Copper Canyon is beyond belief!

The views go on forever in this amazing place.

Our team of local Mexican guides there can give you the best in a Copper Canyon tour.

Alfredo Murillo…the fave of many of our Copper Canyon guests.

So join us soon in this majestic place!

Call Dave today at 217.369.9897 or email davehensleigh@gmail.com to get on board.

There is hardly a bad seat at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.

The Sun Bowl is on New Years Eve each year and out excursions let you enjoy the game and then leave the next morning for about five days in the incredible Copper Canyon.

<click here for this year’s Sun Bowl trip.

Call Dave at 217.369.9897 for full details or email davehensleigh@gmail.com .

The train in Copper Canyon- a great way to cap off your Sun Bowl experience.

Here are current blogs on it

http://authenticcoppercanyon.com/category/check-out-our-blog-for-current-copper-canyon-info/

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

And the press release…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <<<PRESS CONFERENCE, 5p, FRI AUG 19, RAMADA IN JUAREZ>>>

Contact: Dave Hensleigh, 217-369-9897

davehensleigh@gmail.com

“One Solitary Gringo” to “Walk across Juarez”

August 18-21, 2011

Walk Across What???

Juarez seems to be the LAST place any sane person would chose to even go to, let alone walk across. Most people assume that my body will end up filled with bullets, decapitated, and hung from some bridge with a scrawled cartel note tied to it.

But the actual situation and threat to US citizens is actually much different than what we expect based on most US press reports. I will walk across this border city from the Rio Grande to the south neighborhoods and simply report what I see moment by moment…and let the results speak some reality into the situation.

Who I am:

I am just “one solitary gringo” walking across Juarez.

I am also the owner and lead guide of Authentic Copper Canyon, the premier supplier of culturally rich small group experiences on the train through Copper Canyon, deeper and more vast than our Grand Canyon and 4 hrs south of Juarez.

I have a deep love and respect for the people and land of Mexico. Our groups often travel through the border in the Juarez/St Teresa area, and I am pursuing this walk as a small step in bringing understanding and connection across the border.

Purpose: To give a clear view of life right now on the streets of Juarez from an outsider’s point of view. People on the US side are filled with negative images only and this will give an actual moment by moment story of what it is actually like on the ground in Juarez.

Plan: Enter Juarez  from El Paso by the Bridge of the Americas on Friday morning and simply walk across the city. I will stay overnight, interact with people, etc. Moment by moment I will send pictures, text, audio and videos via twitter and blog to followers across the USA and the world. Then I will follow with more in-depth articles and videos of the experience.

Rationale: Many of us who work or live in Mexico have been frustrated by the one-sided perspective that most US side folks hold to of everyday life in the border areas.

Of course there are serious problems there. Yet when people travel there, almost all of them are amazed at how tranquil it is. So if it is possible to take a larger number of people there via the internet, perhaps they can understand more accurately that actually, there are not serious concerns with tourist travel to Mexico now. More broadly this little journey may help to replace distrust and negativity with respect and interaction.

Perspective: The idea is not to make a political point, but rather to communicate an accurate, on the ground picture of what life is like. I will not carry signs, make political or policy statements, meet with officials, etc. I will simply walk a path across the city to include busy streets, parks, markets, stores, restaurants, etc, and the message will be whatever I experience.

Interestingly as I have been preparing for this walk, 100 % of the people who know something about Juarez have very strong cautions. On the other hand, 100% of the people who live there or who know it well are very positive. Perhaps my observations will help connect these two groups.

Find Dave at www.AuthenticCopperCanyon.com and follow him on twitter @CopperCanyonGuy.

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

 August 18-21, 2011

Walk Across What???

Juarez seems to be the LAST place any sane person would chose to even go to, let alone walk across. Most people assume that my body will end up filled with bullets, decapitated, and hung from some bridge with a scrawled cartel note tied to it.

But the actual situation and threat to US citizens is actually much different than what we expect based on most US press reports. I will walk across this border city from the Rio Grande to the south neighborhoods and simply report what I see moment by moment…and let the results speak some reality into the situation.

Who I am:

I am just “one solitary gringo” walking across Juarez.

I am also the owner and lead guide of Authentic Copper Canyon, the premier supplier of culturally rich small group experiences on the train through Copper Canyon, deeper and more vast than our Grand Canyon and 4 hrs south of Juarez.

I have a deep love and respect for the people and land of Mexico. Our groups often travel through the border in the Juarez/St Teresa area, and I am pursuing this walk as a small step in bringing understanding and connection across the border.

Purpose: To give a clear view of life right now on the streets of Juarez from an outsider’s point of view. People on the US side are filled with negative images only and this will give an actual moment by moment story of what it is actually like on the ground in Juarez.

Plan: Enter Juarez  from El Paso by the Bridge of the Americas on Friday morning and simply walk across the city. I will stay overnight, interact with people, etc. Moment by moment I will send pictures, text, audio and videos via twitter and blog to followers across the USA and the world. Then I will follow with more in-depth articles and videos of the experience.

Rationale: Many of us who work or live in Mexico have been frustrated by the one-sided perspective that most US side folks hold to of everyday life in the border areas.

Of course there are serious problems there. Yet when people travel there, almost all of them are amazed at how tranquil it is. So if it is possible to take a larger number of people there via the internet, perhaps they can understand more accurately that actually, there are not serious concerns with tourist travel to Mexico now. More broadly this little journey may help to replace distrust and negativity with respect and interaction.

Perspective: The idea is not to make a political point, but rather to communicate an accurate, on the ground picture of what life is like. I will not carry signs, make political or policy statements, meet with officials, etc. I will simply walk a path across the city to include busy streets, parks, markets, stores, restaurants, etc, and the message will be whatever I experience.

Interestingly as I have been preparing for this walk, 100 % of the people who know something about Juarez have very strong cautions. On the other hand, 100% of the people who live there or who know it well are very positive. Perhaps my observations will help connect these two groups.

Find Dave at www.AuthenticCopperCanyon.com and follow him on twitter @CopperCanyonGuy.