Travis Audubon Society
3710 Cedar St.
Box 5
Austin, Texas 78705
512.300.BIRD (2473)
info@travisaudubon.org
3710 Cedar St.
Box 5
Austin, Texas 78705
512.300.BIRD (2473)
info@travisaudubon.org
| May 23 – 31, 2008 |
MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON
A trip to Barrancas del Cobre, Mexico’s Copper Canyon, offers something for
everyone: spectacular scenery, Mexican history, indigenous population, an
incredible train ride known for its challenging engineering feat as well as
amazing vistas, and of course, great birds.
The canyons are home to 290 recorded bird species, including the Military
Macaw, Thick-billed Parrot, Russet-crowned Motmot, Rufous-bellied
Chachalaca, Sinaloa Wren, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Eared Trogon, Red-
faced Warbler and numerous flycatchers, trogons, and hummingbirds. Your
Copper Canyon birding guide, Carlos Granados, is a native of the region and
while there are no guarantees to what you will see, he looks forward to
welcoming you to his hometown and showing you around.
This area is called Copper Canyon not for mining copper, but for the copper-
colored reflection on the canyons as the sun hits them. It is larger and deeper
than the Grand Canyon and covers approximately 25,000 square miles of the
high sierras, with a series of deep, narrow, river canyons, most measuring
around 2500 meters deep. The landscape is rugged and you can almost
picture Pancho Villa and his men hiding out behind various rock formations
during the time of the Revolution.
The journey on the great Chihuahua al PacificoTrain climbs from sea level to
7700 feet elevation, exploring diverse habitats of the Chihuahuan desert,
grasslands, tropical and subtropical forests, and coniferous forests of the
Sierra Madre Mountains.
Your participation in this trip will contribute to the Travis Audubon Society as
well as Sierra Madre Alliance, a local NGO who support a network of Mexican
and international partners in pursuing Bio-Cultural Conservation in the Sierra
Madre Occidental. We have arranged for TAS to meet members and
participant groups of the Alliance during this trip to facilitate an international
exchange of ideas. As well you will have the chance to meet members of the
Tarahumaras Indian Tribe, people renown for their running, and crafts of pine-
needle baskets, pottery drums and carvings.
May 23 – 31, 2008
Day 01- May 23, Friday - Arrive Los Mochis and transfer to your
hotel for welcome meal, meet your guide, and overnight. (D)
Day 02 - May 24, Saturday – After breakfast you will take a boat trip
in Topolobampo Bay, in order to spot pelagics. Afterwards, transfer
by van to the village of El Fuerte. Your guide will take you around
the plaza, giving some history and ether this afternoon or the next
day, you will walk along the El Fuerte River for birding. Overnight in
El Fuerte (B, L, D)
El Fuerte, founded in 1564, is a lovely old Colonial town. It was an
important mining center in the last century and the wealth of the
region can still be seen in former mansions now turned into
boutique hotels. The town features a quaint central plaza,
cathedral, and lush vegetation. Many of the buildings date back to
the 1600s.
Day 03 - May 25, Sunday – Today includes a visit to the Miguel
Hidalgo Dam to look for water birds. Overnight in El Fuerte (B, L, D)
Day 04 - May 26, Monday - After breakfast you will transfer to train
station and board El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain to Bahuichivo.
This is a very scenic and rugged part of the mountains and you
should enjoy the awesome vistas. When you arrive, you will
transfer by van to your hotel, a ride that offers picturesque glimpses
of everyday life in very small town Mexico. After lunch at the hotel
there is time for bird watching in the afternoon. Overnight in
Cerocahui. (B, L, D)
Construction on El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain, El Chepe, began in
1898 and was finally completed in1961. The 408 mile route is
regarded as one of the great train rides of the world and a
masterpiece of engineering. The ride takes you through canyons,
along cliffs, beside waterfalls, passing over 37 bridges and through
86 tunnels on three different levels of tracks.
Day 05 - May 27, Tuesday – Today you will visit Cerro del Gallego
and Urique Canyon overlook, the deepest of the canyons. The road
is a rough one but the view from Urique is spectacular. You’ll be
birding along the way and enjoy a picnic lunch on the rim of Urique
Canyon. This table has the best view! The group may decide to
hike to the waterfall (depending on the water level). Overnight in
Cerocahui. (B, L, D)
During your stay in Cerocahui, you will meet with representatives of
Sierra Madre Alliance, a network of local and international groups
working in the area to help with critical habitat and creating
awareness for local people. They hope to introduce Travis
Audubon to a group of high school students and teachers as well
as indigenous peoples who participated in a 2007 Habitat, Bird
and Conservation workshop.
Day 06 - May 28, Wednesday – After breakfast and birding around
the hotel, you head back to Bahuichivo, to reboard train for Copper
Canyon. You’ll stay at the rimside! This afternoon Carlos will take
you on a walk to nearby Tarahumara dwellings. Overnight in
Copper Canyon. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - May 29, Thursday - A morning hike will take you to the
different lookout points of the canyon. In the afternoon you return to
the station to re-board the train and continue to Creel. Arrival is
about mid-afternoon, when you drive to your charming Lodge for
dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - May 30, Friday - Early this morning you will take a hike to
the 100-foot Cusarare waterfall for birding. After lunch and check
out, your group will travel by van to Chihuahua. At the farewell
dinner you will have the chance to meet with some other members
of Sierra Madre Alliance, who have their office in Chihuahua and
can tell you more about the area and their projects. Overnight in
Chihuahua. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - May 31, Saturday - Transfer to airport in Chihuahua
YOUR GUIDE: Carlos Granados was born in Los Mochis in state
of Sinaloa in Mexico but moved to Cd. Juarez when he was young.
Carlos was educated in Texas schools and studied biology at the
University of Texas at El Paso. He returned to Sinaloa in the mid
1980’s to work in agriculture industry. Eventually he began working
as a tour guide for one of the local hotels in Los Mochis and found
himself in a new career. He is a licensed and certified tour-guide;
a self taught birder well versed in the history of the Sinaloa and
architecture. He guides with some of the major birding companies
in the world.
Luggage: A note about traveling on El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain,
‘El Chepe’: Each person will be responsible for his/her own
luggage and getting it on/off the train. Stops at the stations are
quick. You should travel with one suitcase or duffle each, preferably
small, and one carry-on such as a backpack.
Due to the change of elevation, you should prepare for warm and
possibly muggy weather in the lowlands and cool weather in
highlands. A jacket is recommended as well as shorts. Otherwise
this is a very casual trip. Comfortable walking shoes are needed
but not necessarily hiking boots. A hat and sunscreen are a must.
PRICE: Price per person in double room: $1875
Price per person in guaranteed single room: $275
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Lodging for 8 nights with taxes and gratuities
• All meals
• Local transportation including Chihuahua al Pacifico train
from El Fuerte to Creel, and boat ride in Topolobampo Bay
• Guide services of certified local tour guide with experience
guiding birders
• Escort from TAS
• Dinner and presentation with representatives of Sierra Madre
Alliance
• Meeting with students attending Sierra Madre Alliance 2007
Bird Conservation workshop
• Basic gratuities for lodge staff and guide
• Travel Guard Group Insurance Protection Plan
• Tax deductible donation to Travis Audubon Society
• Donation to Sierra Madre Alliance
• Checklist to the birds of Copper Canyon
• Trip limited to 11participants (plus the TAS escort)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
• Airfare and air taxes*
• Mexico Departure taxes of US $38(as of printing), to be paid at
departure from Mexico (usually included with your international
ticket)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Special gratuities
• Phone calls, laundry, any other items of a personal nature
THESE FEES ARE BASED ON MINIMUM 11 PASSENGERS
* Airfare is being researched and will be reported to you soon. If
looking into flights on your own or using frequent flyer mileage, the
tour begins in Los Mochis (LMM) on May 23 and departs
Chihuahua (CUU) on May 31.
JB Journeys,LLC™
PO Box 2388, Austin, TX 78768-2388
Tel: 512-217-4836 or 217-4814
panamaboutique@yahoo.com
REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO ENTER MEXICO
• U.S. Passport must be valid 6 months from date of departure,
with at least one blank visa page
• Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
• Tourist Card issued by airline carrier at departure from the
USA
Citizens of other countries must contact their embassy for any travel
requirements.
Sierra Madre Alliance supports a network of Mexican and
international partners in pursuing Bio-Cultural Conservation priority
goals in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua. Their program
objectives and the activities of the network are designed to
preserve the bio-cultural diversity, health and functioning of the
forested ecosystems of the Sierra and the people who live there.
The BioCultural Conservation Program objectives include:
• Protection of remaining old-growth pine–oak forests,
• Restoration of watersheds and riparian areas,
• Protection of endangered specie such as Thick-billed parrot,
Golden trout, and medicinal plants
• Conservation of neotropical migratory birds,
• Preservation of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and
Practices,
• Restoration of Ethno-ecological Fire Management.
Tarahumara Indians or Rarámuri… They call themselves
"Rarámuri" roughly translated as The Runners, and they are known
for their endurance. The Tarahumara is the second largest Indian
tribe in North America; only the Navajo nation is larger. Because of
the vast size of their homeland, they are also one of the most
isolated indigenous groups, a fact that has enabled them to
maintain many of their tribal customs and traditions. They regard
corn as the center of their ceremonial lives and practice a ritual
known as tesgüinada, the consumption of a mild beer made from
corn. They have historically practiced a form of subsistence
agricultural, supplemented by hunting and gathering, which is now
under attack by outside forces. They are well known for their crafts
of pine-needle baskets, pottery drums & carvings, which the
women sell at train stops and in the hotels.
everyone: spectacular scenery, Mexican history, indigenous population, an
incredible train ride known for its challenging engineering feat as well as
amazing vistas, and of course, great birds.
The canyons are home to 290 recorded bird species, including the Military
Macaw, Thick-billed Parrot, Russet-crowned Motmot, Rufous-bellied
Chachalaca, Sinaloa Wren, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Eared Trogon, Red-
faced Warbler and numerous flycatchers, trogons, and hummingbirds. Your
Copper Canyon birding guide, Carlos Granados, is a native of the region and
while there are no guarantees to what you will see, he looks forward to
welcoming you to his hometown and showing you around.
This area is called Copper Canyon not for mining copper, but for the copper-
colored reflection on the canyons as the sun hits them. It is larger and deeper
than the Grand Canyon and covers approximately 25,000 square miles of the
high sierras, with a series of deep, narrow, river canyons, most measuring
around 2500 meters deep. The landscape is rugged and you can almost
picture Pancho Villa and his men hiding out behind various rock formations
during the time of the Revolution.
The journey on the great Chihuahua al PacificoTrain climbs from sea level to
7700 feet elevation, exploring diverse habitats of the Chihuahuan desert,
grasslands, tropical and subtropical forests, and coniferous forests of the
Sierra Madre Mountains.
Your participation in this trip will contribute to the Travis Audubon Society as
well as Sierra Madre Alliance, a local NGO who support a network of Mexican
and international partners in pursuing Bio-Cultural Conservation in the Sierra
Madre Occidental. We have arranged for TAS to meet members and
participant groups of the Alliance during this trip to facilitate an international
exchange of ideas. As well you will have the chance to meet members of the
Tarahumaras Indian Tribe, people renown for their running, and crafts of pine-
needle baskets, pottery drums and carvings.
May 23 – 31, 2008
Day 01- May 23, Friday - Arrive Los Mochis and transfer to your
hotel for welcome meal, meet your guide, and overnight. (D)
Day 02 - May 24, Saturday – After breakfast you will take a boat trip
in Topolobampo Bay, in order to spot pelagics. Afterwards, transfer
by van to the village of El Fuerte. Your guide will take you around
the plaza, giving some history and ether this afternoon or the next
day, you will walk along the El Fuerte River for birding. Overnight in
El Fuerte (B, L, D)
El Fuerte, founded in 1564, is a lovely old Colonial town. It was an
important mining center in the last century and the wealth of the
region can still be seen in former mansions now turned into
boutique hotels. The town features a quaint central plaza,
cathedral, and lush vegetation. Many of the buildings date back to
the 1600s.
Day 03 - May 25, Sunday – Today includes a visit to the Miguel
Hidalgo Dam to look for water birds. Overnight in El Fuerte (B, L, D)
Day 04 - May 26, Monday - After breakfast you will transfer to train
station and board El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain to Bahuichivo.
This is a very scenic and rugged part of the mountains and you
should enjoy the awesome vistas. When you arrive, you will
transfer by van to your hotel, a ride that offers picturesque glimpses
of everyday life in very small town Mexico. After lunch at the hotel
there is time for bird watching in the afternoon. Overnight in
Cerocahui. (B, L, D)
Construction on El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain, El Chepe, began in
1898 and was finally completed in1961. The 408 mile route is
regarded as one of the great train rides of the world and a
masterpiece of engineering. The ride takes you through canyons,
along cliffs, beside waterfalls, passing over 37 bridges and through
86 tunnels on three different levels of tracks.
Day 05 - May 27, Tuesday – Today you will visit Cerro del Gallego
and Urique Canyon overlook, the deepest of the canyons. The road
is a rough one but the view from Urique is spectacular. You’ll be
birding along the way and enjoy a picnic lunch on the rim of Urique
Canyon. This table has the best view! The group may decide to
hike to the waterfall (depending on the water level). Overnight in
Cerocahui. (B, L, D)
During your stay in Cerocahui, you will meet with representatives of
Sierra Madre Alliance, a network of local and international groups
working in the area to help with critical habitat and creating
awareness for local people. They hope to introduce Travis
Audubon to a group of high school students and teachers as well
as indigenous peoples who participated in a 2007 Habitat, Bird
and Conservation workshop.
Day 06 - May 28, Wednesday – After breakfast and birding around
the hotel, you head back to Bahuichivo, to reboard train for Copper
Canyon. You’ll stay at the rimside! This afternoon Carlos will take
you on a walk to nearby Tarahumara dwellings. Overnight in
Copper Canyon. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - May 29, Thursday - A morning hike will take you to the
different lookout points of the canyon. In the afternoon you return to
the station to re-board the train and continue to Creel. Arrival is
about mid-afternoon, when you drive to your charming Lodge for
dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - May 30, Friday - Early this morning you will take a hike to
the 100-foot Cusarare waterfall for birding. After lunch and check
out, your group will travel by van to Chihuahua. At the farewell
dinner you will have the chance to meet with some other members
of Sierra Madre Alliance, who have their office in Chihuahua and
can tell you more about the area and their projects. Overnight in
Chihuahua. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - May 31, Saturday - Transfer to airport in Chihuahua
YOUR GUIDE: Carlos Granados was born in Los Mochis in state
of Sinaloa in Mexico but moved to Cd. Juarez when he was young.
Carlos was educated in Texas schools and studied biology at the
University of Texas at El Paso. He returned to Sinaloa in the mid
1980’s to work in agriculture industry. Eventually he began working
as a tour guide for one of the local hotels in Los Mochis and found
himself in a new career. He is a licensed and certified tour-guide;
a self taught birder well versed in the history of the Sinaloa and
architecture. He guides with some of the major birding companies
in the world.
Luggage: A note about traveling on El Chihuahua al PacificoTrain,
‘El Chepe’: Each person will be responsible for his/her own
luggage and getting it on/off the train. Stops at the stations are
quick. You should travel with one suitcase or duffle each, preferably
small, and one carry-on such as a backpack.
Due to the change of elevation, you should prepare for warm and
possibly muggy weather in the lowlands and cool weather in
highlands. A jacket is recommended as well as shorts. Otherwise
this is a very casual trip. Comfortable walking shoes are needed
but not necessarily hiking boots. A hat and sunscreen are a must.
PRICE: Price per person in double room: $1875
Price per person in guaranteed single room: $275
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Lodging for 8 nights with taxes and gratuities
• All meals
• Local transportation including Chihuahua al Pacifico train
from El Fuerte to Creel, and boat ride in Topolobampo Bay
• Guide services of certified local tour guide with experience
guiding birders
• Escort from TAS
• Dinner and presentation with representatives of Sierra Madre
Alliance
• Meeting with students attending Sierra Madre Alliance 2007
Bird Conservation workshop
• Basic gratuities for lodge staff and guide
• Travel Guard Group Insurance Protection Plan
• Tax deductible donation to Travis Audubon Society
• Donation to Sierra Madre Alliance
• Checklist to the birds of Copper Canyon
• Trip limited to 11participants (plus the TAS escort)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
• Airfare and air taxes*
• Mexico Departure taxes of US $38(as of printing), to be paid at
departure from Mexico (usually included with your international
ticket)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Special gratuities
• Phone calls, laundry, any other items of a personal nature
THESE FEES ARE BASED ON MINIMUM 11 PASSENGERS
* Airfare is being researched and will be reported to you soon. If
looking into flights on your own or using frequent flyer mileage, the
tour begins in Los Mochis (LMM) on May 23 and departs
Chihuahua (CUU) on May 31.
JB Journeys,LLC™
PO Box 2388, Austin, TX 78768-2388
Tel: 512-217-4836 or 217-4814
panamaboutique@yahoo.com
REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO ENTER MEXICO
• U.S. Passport must be valid 6 months from date of departure,
with at least one blank visa page
• Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
• Tourist Card issued by airline carrier at departure from the
USA
Citizens of other countries must contact their embassy for any travel
requirements.
Sierra Madre Alliance supports a network of Mexican and
international partners in pursuing Bio-Cultural Conservation priority
goals in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua. Their program
objectives and the activities of the network are designed to
preserve the bio-cultural diversity, health and functioning of the
forested ecosystems of the Sierra and the people who live there.
The BioCultural Conservation Program objectives include:
• Protection of remaining old-growth pine–oak forests,
• Restoration of watersheds and riparian areas,
• Protection of endangered specie such as Thick-billed parrot,
Golden trout, and medicinal plants
• Conservation of neotropical migratory birds,
• Preservation of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and
Practices,
• Restoration of Ethno-ecological Fire Management.
Tarahumara Indians or Rarámuri… They call themselves
"Rarámuri" roughly translated as The Runners, and they are known
for their endurance. The Tarahumara is the second largest Indian
tribe in North America; only the Navajo nation is larger. Because of
the vast size of their homeland, they are also one of the most
isolated indigenous groups, a fact that has enabled them to
maintain many of their tribal customs and traditions. They regard
corn as the center of their ceremonial lives and practice a ritual
known as tesgüinada, the consumption of a mild beer made from
corn. They have historically practiced a form of subsistence
agricultural, supplemented by hunting and gathering, which is now
under attack by outside forces. They are well known for their crafts
of pine-needle baskets, pottery drums & carvings, which the
women sell at train stops and in the hotels.
REGISTRATION
To register for Mexico's Copper Canyon Trip, download and fill out form HERE |
