Mountain Bike into the Copper Canyon
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Chihuahua City. A single group transfer will be provided from Chihuahua Airport to the group hotel in the late evening. KE Land Only services begin with overnight accommodation in the group hotel.
Day 2: Driving south to the small town of Creel, we check in at our lodge accommodation and reassemble our bikes. After lunch, we ride the La Onza and Cristo Rey race routes. Ride distance 15 km (9 miles).
Day 3: A big day of singletrack riding, on a high trail to Lago Arareco and onwards through the Valley of the Monks to a lunch stop beside the the Rio Conchos. Afternoon trail riding options and return to overnight in Creel. Ride distance 40 km (25 miles).
Day 4: Rocky backroads and forest singletrack take us to the Tararecua Canyon. A great mix of riding, combined with magnificent canyon scenery. We return to overnight in Creel. Ride distance 40 km (25 miles).
Day 5: We drive to La Casita and have gravel road or singletrack options to a lunch stop at Kirare above the Batopilas Canyon. After lunch, we make the monster 1800 metre descent to La Bufa and our guesthouse accommodation. Ride distance 45 km (28 miles).
Day 6: Pleasant biking through the canyon to sub-tropical Batopilas (500m), where we check in at a hotel. In the late afternoon we make the return ride to the picturesque Jesuit mission of San Miguel de Satevo. Ride distance 40 km (25 miles).
Day 7: Today, we will ride a mix of dirt roads and singletrack in the Cerro Colorado area, with the chance to take a refreshing dip in one of the rivers. We return to spend a second night in Batopilas. Ride distance 30 km (19 miles).
Day 8: Today is all about choices. For the brave there is the Copper Canyon Challenge - a 2300 metre climb back up to La Casita! Easier options are available. Tonight we stay at the idyllic and very atmospheric Sierra Lodge. Ride distance (longest option) 60 km (38 miles).
Day 9: We take it easy in the morning, exploring the painted caves and a nearby old mission. After lunch it's singletrack and slickrock time as we head back towards Creel. Ride distance 40 km (25 miles).
Day 10: A rarely-used dirt road leads to the town of Carachic, where the rolling terrain holds exciting singletrack options en route to the El Salto Gorge and its waterfalls. Overnight at a refugio near a spectacular river chasm. Ride distance 30 km (19 miles).
Day 11: Another dirt road ride takes us to Sisoguichi and its sleepy mission. Passing through small towns and villages, we have several climbs to tackle before a long downhill to end our Copper Canyon ride on a high note in Carachic. Overnight in rustic cabins. Ride distance 60 km (38 miles).
Day 12: A leisurely morning, during which we will pack our bikes for the journey home. Then drive to the group hotel in Chihuahua, with time to explore. We celebrate with a banquet in town.
Day 13: KE Land Only services end after breakfast. In the late morning, a group transfer to Chihuahua Airport is provided.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude.
