TOUR ONE: THE MAGUARÍCHI RIDE (R-B)

Waterfall, ancient rock paintings, a Copper Canyon, old mission, Tarahumara, hot springs, old gold mine, mountain-top village, swimming.

4 nights in hotels; 3 nights camping; 6 days riding

Day 1 - Arrive Creel and Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero late afternoon. Meet guide, Norberto Padilla at El Aventurero stables. Group meeting with Norberto in the lodge after dinner.

Day 2 - Shake-down ride along Rio Ignacio and Tararecua Canyon to Rukiráso Waterfall. Return to Creel to prepare for pack trip.

Day 3 - Early departure for pack trip. All gear needs to be at stable by 7:00 a.m. Ride out past Repechique, Bellavista, and lovely old mission at San José Guacayvo. Ride takes us into Canyon Otero, home to isolated Tarahumara settlements. Stop at Tarahumara cabin for a drink of "tepache" near San Jose de Guacayvo; camp near Aguaje where a small spring and a few Tarahumara dwellings provide the landscape for our first night out on trail.

Day 4 - Ride out from Aguaje, pass through Guitaborachi, El Trigo and Eroja Viachi, camping at Jallepuchi.

Day 5 - Ride trough San Isidro, tighten our cinches, and climb up out of the canyon to Maguaríchi, an old mining village perched on canyon's edge, and quiet as a ghost town. Take up lodging at cabins or guesthouse, visit church and old mine, swim in town pool (season permitting), eat at Señora Rosa's kitchen.

Day 7 - After a filling breakfast at our campsite in Cienega de Guacayvo, we ride along a Tarahumara trail that leads us back to Creel and Cabaña Del Aventurero in time for dinner.

Day 8 - After breakfast, depart Creel by train or auto.

COST: $1150.00 Double Occupancy

Two different hot springs, mission, spectacular rock formations, waterfalls, canyons, rivers, Tarahumara settlements, town shopping, exploring.

5 hotel nights; 2 camping nights; 5 days of riding

Day 1 - Arrive Creel late afternoon; check in at Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero; meet guide Norberto Padilla at El Aventurero stables.

Day 2 - Ride out to San Ignacio Mission, Valley of the Mushrooms, and Lake Araréko. Picnic at lake; swim or hike. Return Creel. Prepare gear for pack trip.

Day 3 - Depart for pack trip to Huicorachic, traditional Tarahumara Indian settlement. Ride takes us through the mystical Valley of the Monks. Pass along Rio Concho. Soak in the lush hot springs of Yepó. Camp near Huicorachic.

Day 4 - Ride out from Huicorachic to to Cusárare Waterfall. Visit old mission and spectacular museum of 15th Century mission art.

* Riders may choose plush lodging at lodge $75 per person.

Day 5 - Ride from Cusárare to Recohuata Hot Springs. Camp along river at hot springs. Bathe in thermal waters under the stars.

Day 6 - Ride along Rio Ignacio and Tararecua Canyon back to Creel. Stop at Rukiráso Waterfall. Ride back to Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 7 - Free day in Creel to visit museum, Tarahumara Mission Store, plaza shops; or take optional van tour to Divisidero for spectacular view of Urique Canyon. Farewell dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 8 - Tour ends. Guests depart by auto or Chepe.

COST: $1050.00 Double Occupancy*

*$75 per person - lodging at Copper Canyon Lodge.

Day 1 - Arrive Creel late afternoon, check into Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero; meet guide Norberto Padilla at El Aventurero stables.

Day 2 - Early ride around Araréko Lake; stop at San Ignacio Mission, Gonogochi and Tarahumara Indian Boarding School, return through Valley of the Monks and Saddle Valley.

Day 3 - Depart by van to Batopilas. Stop at La Bufa for swim. Check into hotel. Free time to explore the town. Dinner together as group.

Day 4 - Hike (drive option) to Satevo, visit the Lost Mission. Swim in Rio Batopilas, Visit old Shepherd Hacienda; learn the history of this remarkable town that lies deep in the bottom of Copper Canyon. Dinner on patio near swinging bridge (no longer swings!)

Day 6 - Early afternoon ride to Recohuata Hot Springs. Camp along river; bathe in hot springs under the stars.

Day 7 - Ride out from Recohuata Hot Springs, view Tararecua Canyon and Rukiraso Waterfall; follow Rio Ignacio back to Creel. Farewell dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 8 - After breakfast, depart for Arizona.

COST: $1200.00 Double Occupancy

Spectacular rock formations, mission, Tarahumara caves,lake, painted rocks, waterfalls, canyon panoramas, pool, Jacuzzi, hiking, town exploring and shopping.

7 nights in hotels; 3 days riding; 2 days short hiking

Day 1 - Arrive Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero in Creel; meet guide Norberto Padilla at El Aventurero stables.

Day 2 - Ride to Valley of the Frogs, Valley of the Mushrooms, Sebastian's Cave and San Ignacio Mission. Lunch on the shores of Araréko Lake. Return to Cabaña Del Aventurero and dinner.

Day 3 - Ride the full perimeter of Araréko Lake, stop to swim or hike; visit Gonogochi and Tarahumara Indian Boarding School; stop at mystical Valley of the Monks; return through Saddle Valley. Dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 4 - Tour Creel; information and suggestions offered for shopping at the Tarahumara Mission Store, Rudi's rug shop and other delightful businesses. Visit Paleontology Museum; hike out to cemetery; visit herbal remedies shop; explore the back streets.

Day 5 - Ride out early to Tararecua Canyon to view the waterfalls and hike down to ancient pictographs inside the canyon walls. Picnic along the way. Return to Cabaña Del Aventurero and evening meal.

Day 6 - Van tour to Cusarare Waterfall. Hike to falls for picnic. Lodge tonight in the lovely and rustic Copper Canyon Lodge overlooking the river. Slumber to the sound of the river's voices laughing over the rocks, a chorus blending to the bends in the river as it dances down to the cascades below.

Day 7 - Van tour to Divisidero; hike along trail to Tarahumara cave dwellings; explore spectacular views from El Mirador at Areponapuchi. Languish in the pool or Jacuzzi at Mansion Tara humara, have a margarita and sleep tonight at this fabulous hotel also owned by Jaavier Barriga of Cabaña Del Aventurero. Farewell dinner at Mansion Tarahumara.

Day 8 - Leave by train from Areponauchi, or drive back with us to Creel and then leave from Creel by train or auto.

COST: $1050.00 Double Occupancy

Waterfalls, canyons, spectacular rock formations, mission, Tarahumara cave, panoramic vistas, town exploring and shopping.

5 hotel nights; 2 nights camping; 5 days riding; 1 day hiking

Day 1 - Arrive Creel; check into Cabaña Del Aventurero; meet guide and horseman Norberto Padilla. Dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero. Group meeting with Norberto around the fireplace in the lodge of Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 2 - Ride out into the ejido of San Ignacio. Visit the old mission, Valley of the Mushrooms, Valley of the Frogs, and picnic along the shores of Araréko Lake. Visit a Tarahumara family still living in Sebastian's Cave.

Day 3 - Get acquainted with your horse; pack up your personal gear for Day 4 ride. Leave by van to Cusárare Waterfall. Hike to waterfall, nearby village, and pictographs. Return to luxurious but rustic Copper Canyon Lodge, perched at the edge of the river; relax, take a hot shower, have a margarita by the fireplace, and dine in the lodge dining room surrounded by antiques, old photographs, and hand-crafted furniture.

Day 4 - Breakfast at lodge, saddle up and ride towards Pamachi. Sleep tonight under a canopy of beautiful stars, near Tejabán

Day 5 - After breakfast, we ride to Cebollin. Campfire and camping tonight will be either near Pamachi or in the canyon depths. Here we can gaze into the campfire, swap lies and share fish stories, study the constellations, and sleep soundly in our bedrolls.

Day 7 - Horses are transported by trailer back to Creel with all of us in tow. A day of decompression in Creel, shopping, snoozing, visiting the archaeological museum, and wishing our time was not so near its closing. Farewell dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 8 - After breakfast, depart Creel by train or auto.