Experience Mexico's Copper Canyon with Canyon Travel, as an "Untourist!"
Copper Canyon is actually one of many canyons found in the Sierra Madre Mountain range stretching south from Arizona into Northwestern Mexico.  Their vast, breathtaking beauty canyons attracts visitors from every part of the world. The most well known, Copper Canyon,  is just 300 miles from the U.S. border.  It was named for the coppery color made by the rust/green lichen clinging to the sheer walls.  Spanning 25,000 square miles, the canyon system of the Sierra Madres occupies nearly four times the volume than that of the Grand Canyon in the United States! The unimaginable scope and depth of the canyons make development difficult.  The sparse population and difficulty to traverse the steep and rugged terrain allows numerous endemic species to flourish creating tremendous biodiversity.  From the highest rims peering down to the canyon floor, one sees magnificent pine forests, cascading waterfalls and sheer walls melting into wavy hills and lush tropical farmlands.   It’s advised one venture into the remote canyons only under the direction of those with experience and local knowledge of the region.  It would be difficult to find any individual more familiar with the canyons and its' native people, the Tarahumaran Indians, than Emilio Kifuri.   Kifuri rejects the practices of mass tourism and over-development.  Rather, his operation is committed to providing travelers with an authentic, quality experience for a fair price.  Kifuri and staff guides find tremendous joy in leading travelers to one of planet earth's most unspoiled places.  Once you embark on a journey with Canyon Travel as an “un-tourist,” you’ll never consider traveling as a "tourist" again!

As tourism interest in Mexico's Copper Canyon grows  so does the list of operators and guides leading expeditions into this amazing biosystem.  Naturally, the quality, duration, and  rates of tours vary.  Perhaps most significant to the thoughtful traveler, there are different philosophies guiding the tour operations as well.  Authentic, exclusive, flexible, eco-conscious aren’t mere buzz words to sprinkle throughout Canyon Travel sales literature.  Canyon Travel’s private lodges are prime examples of sustainable tourism in action!  Built in partnership with local families and village officials, economic opportunities were created in isolated settings where in the past the residents' chances of financial success were remote.  Preferring not to be the sole investor of money and muscle, Canyon Travel enlisted locals to share in the outlay of resources and ultimately be responsible to manage the lodges.   It's a winning situation for everyone involved.  Founder and owner of Canyon Travel, Emilio Kifuri, finds great joy in sharing the obvious majesty and hidden wonders of the canyons. The goal for Kifuri and his native guides is for visitors to experience the same awe they do each time they step into the canyon.  Canyon Travel is the only tour leader to establish a community and tourism partnership with the indigenous Tarahumara Indians. Their relationship baased on mutual interests and respect allows Canyon Travel guides and guests access to little-known spots of breathtaking beauty.  Kifuri and his company are held in the highest regard by the natives who consider him an ally and a friend.

Canyon Travel's Eco- Lodges come with inviting beds decked out in fine linens and private tiled baths The distant retreats were allowed to be built on land closed to commercial development offering only Canyon Travel guests coveted privacy away from mass tourism settings and commanding the most glorious views in the mountains. 

The Uno Lodge

Guests are wrapped in plush terrry cloth robes and wondorous views in the Tarahumar owned lodge.  Literally perched on the edge of Copper Canyon.  One can see a mile below - a breathtaking vista of forest, rock and river.  Built with government funding and operated by Canyon travel, Uno Lodge guests enjoy ultimate privacy and comfort on high.

 The Rio Vista Lodge

A joint project between Canyon Travel and a local family, the Rio Vista Lodge is a historic property that was reconstructed from stables of the original fort. Overlooking the Fuerte River and located on the highest hill in El Feurte, the historic jewel is not as remote as its' sister lodge.  Yet, guests are still afforded the same privacy and outstanding service at each of the lodges.  Rio Vista guests experience a lush, exotic getaway.

 Northwest Mexico supports countless plants, animals and birds and more than 250 species of butterflies including the amazing giant swallowtail. While hiking with the native guides, it's not uncommon for guests to spot pig-like javelinas huddled in the shade or to glimpse speedy roadrunners.  Overhead it's possible to see rare zone-tailed hawks as they search for prey. Whiptails, geckos, rattlesnakes, and other reptiles can be spotted in the shadows of boulders as the sun sets below the mountain tops. Desert pocket gophers and nelson’s kangaroo rats duck into burrows to escape predators.  In the cool night air, desert mule deer, bighorn and pronghorn sheep are on the move in search of food. There are wild species living here that are extremely rare- like the endangered jaguar and Mexican wolf —so rare and shy some natives living here their entire lives here may never see them!  

The many winged creatures found only in this part of the world make it one of the richest endemic bird areas on the planet.  Close to 40 widespread bird species observed here include Lilac-crowned parrots, Military macaws, white-stripped humming birds, lilac-crowned humming birds, and three species of trogons. Forty-one percent (261 of 622) of all terrestrial bird species found in the United States can be seen here during some part of the year!  A birders paradise, The Sonoran desert and The Chihuahuan desert are teeming with birds, especially hummingbirds. Other uncommon bird species living in the canyon are the sanguaro-inhabiting cactus wren, black-tailed gnatcatcher, phainopepla, Gila woodpecker, and the Costa’s hummingbird.

Each Canyon Travels bilingual guide is a native born resident trained by field scientists.  Leading small groups of less than12, guides interpret the area’s natural history and share their personal insights about the local culture and community. Each guide is an avid birder always traveling with a spotting scope. They are well-familiar with the endemic and rare species inhabiting the canyon and know where to find the most elusive birds.

Warm and gracious, the guides delight in introducing travelers to their own families as well as other members of the community.  Rich cultural exchanges tend to unfold naturally during visits to the guides home. Canyon Travel's support and partnerships with local communities often lead to guests receiving invitations to traditional ceremonies, community gatherings or family celebrations.  Ceremonial dances, pottery firings, the plowing of fields with instruments  fashioned from oak limbs, corn grinding, and samples of local foods like delicious corn tortillas hot off the grill are often woven into the itinerary.  At each lodge and location, the Canyon Travel guide is joined by a bilingual  assistant or two to serve and host guests.

 In the 70’s, long before adventure and eco-travel became chic,  Emilio Kifuri operated trips to Copper Canyon on his own. Colleagues and friends questioned  the noted businessman  as to why he operated trips to a destination with few amenities and no nearby population centers. Kifuri told of being fascinated by the Chihuahua Desert since childhood and wanting to share this special place on earth with the world.  His love of the canyons and deserts of NW Mexico led to his doing all in his power to empower the local people and preserve their cultural heritage.  He began his mission by creating an alliance with local families and  government representatives.  His dream became a reality in 1986 when Canyon Travel was born.

 Canyon Travel Mission Statement

 To provide each guest with an enriching travel experience and perform operations based on conserving the biodiversity, preserving the cultural heritage, and empowering the local communities.

Emilio is a board of director member of The Sierra Madre Alliance, a non-profit organization that strives to protect the natural resources and traditional cultures of the region.  He's an honorary member of the Mexican College of Ecotourism and an active member of the following organizations:

American Society of Travel Agents - ASTA

The International Ecotourism Society - TIES

Adventure Travel Trade Association - ATTA

America Outdoors

Skal International

Chihuahua City is about 230 miles from El Paso. To reach Chihuahua City by road from El Paso, take Mexico Highway 45. The road is well marked and resembles a U.S. interstate except that there is almost no shoulder on either side of the road. Expect the trip to take about four hours. There are two toll booths along the way and the total toll each way is about $15. There are several small towns along the way where you can buy gas, drinks and food. Scenery is sparse (as in much of West Texas), but there is a large area of sand dunes known as Samalayuca and a lake called Laguna Encinillas along the way.