TOUR ONE: THE EKARINA HOT SPRINGS (R-A)

Day 2 - Horseback ride to Lake Arareko, San Ignacio Mission, and Valley of the Monks. Picnic along the shores of Arareko Lake.

Day 3 - Prepare for pack trip to Ekarina Hot Springs. Saddle up, head out into the forested trails that wind along the rim of Tararecua Canyon and arrive at thermals mid-afternoon. Set up camp under sycamores near the river; soak in the hot springs under the stars.

Day 4 - More languishing in the hot springs before riding out of the canyon to return to Creel. Afternoon leisure time for museum, Tarahumara Mission Store, Rudi's Rug Shop, and other delightful shops along the plaza and Lopez Mateos.

Day 5 - After breakfast, tour ends and guests return by train or auto.

COST: $800.00 Double Occupancy or $860 Single Occupancy

TOUR TWO: THE LOS VALLES RIDE (R-A)

Large lake, enormous rock formations, old mission, swimming, waterfalls, ancient pictographs, Tarahumara cave dwellers, museum, shopping.

4 nights hotel; 3 days riding

Day 1 - Arrive Creel late afternoon by Chepe or auto; drive to Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero and stables of El Aventurero to meet our guide and horseman, Norberto Padilla.

Day 3 - Ride the entire perimeter of Arareko Lake; visit Gonogochi and Tarahumara Indian Boarding School; ride into mystical Valley of the Monks; spend time at ceremonial center of the natural "arena" surrounded by the granite pinnacles; follow Saddle Valley back to Creel.

Day 4 - Ride along Rio Ignacio into Tararecua Canyon to Rukiraso Waterfall; hike to petroglyphs. Picnic at rim before return ride to Creel. Afternoon shopping, museum, Tarahumara Mission Store, Rudi's Rug Shop.

Day 5 - After breakfast, depart for home by train or auto.

COST: $800.00 Double Occupancy

TOUR THREE: THE SISOGUICHI* (R-A)

Tarahumara Ejido, lake, fantastic rock formations, earliest mission, rivers, hot springs. With time and interest, we will ride to Sojahiachi to meet a renowned Tarahumara shaman.

2 nights hotel; 2 nights camping; 4 days riding

Day 1 - Arrive Creel mid-afternoon; check into Cabaña Del Aventurero; meet guide and horseman Norberto Padilla at his stables. Dinner at hotel; group meeting.

Day 2 - Ride through Ejido San Ignacio; visit mission, Valley of the Frogs; Valley of the Mushrooms. Pass by Arareko Lake on trail to Rio Concho. Make camp near the river, languish under the stars in our own private hot springs known locally as Yepó. Unsaddle horses and see to their comfort; set up tents (if needed); chow down and muse around the campfire while stories from other trails are told. Be alert to embellishments!

Day 3 - Break camp after big breakfast; saddle up and ride along Rio Retuchi as well as the rancho by the same name as we ride to Sisoguichi. Visit one of the first Jesuit missions established in Tarahumara land in 1676 by Padre Oreña. Ride to the waterfalls of Okimoba and El Salto. Visit the Chomachi caves. Camp near the village. Dinner and campfire with the customary song and pony show, laughter, and hot chocolate before settling in to our bedrolls for the night.

Day 4 - Break camp after breakfast and ride out for an alternate trail back to Creel; one that takes us through another region of the sierras with scenery unlike any other. Keep cameras poised between your horse's ears. Ride back to the corrals of El Aventurero, unsaddle the horses, thank your mount - kiss him if you feel like it - and head for the hot showers and comfortable room. Farewell dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 5 - Breakfast in Cabaña Del Aventurero lodge; farewells and the train ride or auto departure for home.

* this tour can include one additional day for visiting the town of Creel, the archaeological museum, Tarahumara Mission store, and other fine shops. Cost for meals and lodging for this extra day is $145.00

COST: $710.00 Double Occupancy

Day 1 - Arrive at Cabaña Del Aventurero and stables of El Aventurero to meet guide and horseman, Norberto Padilla.

Day 2 - Ride to San Ignacio Mission for first of the Semana Santa ceremonies performed by local Tarahumara. Ride through Valley of the Monks and camp near Bicorachic.

Day 3 - Ride from Bicorachic to the waterfalls of Cusárare, where we will camp out or, for $100 extra, sleep at Copper Canyon Lodge, situated along the river. Warm terrycloth bathrobes, margaritas served at fireside in the lodge dining room, and sumptuous meals renew spirits and camaraderie. The all-night ceremonies of the Tarahumara begin late in the evening and last until dawn. Photos are generally prohibited, and respectful observance of this religious ceremony is expected.

Day 4 - We yawningly ride back to Creel via the ejido San Ignacio and forest trails. Rest or tour Creel's plaza and shop district before our farewell dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero.

Day 5 - Breakfast; depart by auto or train.

COST: $750.00 Double Occupancy

TOUR FIVE: THE OTÉROS (R-A)

Spectacular rock formations, old missions, one of the Copper Canyons.

3 nights in hotel; 1 night camping; 3 days riding

Day 1 - Arrive at Creel mid-afternoon; check into hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero; meet guide and horseman Norberto Padilla at his El Aventurero stables and corral. Meet for dinner at hotel lodge, followed by group meeting.

Day 2 - Ride into Ejido San Ignacio to visit Valley of the Monks and San Ignacio Mission. Lunch along the trail. Plenty of time for photos. Ride back to corrals and have time to stroll into town for sightseeing and buying from local artisans. Dinner at Cabaña Del Aventurero. Pack personal belongings into saddle packs, keeping in mind weight limitations and balance of the side bags

Photo by Christian Abselsen

Day 3 - Ride out of town past the railroad tracks and into the mouth of Otéros Canyon. Our ride takes us along Rio Otéros, past Repechique, Bellavista and to the lovely old mission at San José Guacayvo. Camp a little way beyond San José Guacayvo at Aguaja, home of a Tarahumara family. Sample local brew, "tepache", fermented in aged clay ollas. Campfire after dinner and plenty of stars overhead to keep the rider awake all night if that's his druthers.

Photo by Christian Abselsen

Day 4 - Breakfast of fresh eggs gathered by our host and plenty of good cowboy coffee. Break camp, saddle up and hook up with Tarahumara foot trail for our ride back up the canyon to Pitorreal where we will meet up with the truck and horse trailer for our drive back to Creel. Time for hot showers before our farewell dinner in Cabaña Del Aventurero lodge.

Day 5 - Big breakfast at Hotel Cabaña Del Aventurero, farewells and time to depart Creel by train or auto.

[This tour allows for one or two additional day for shopping in Creel, visiting the archaeological museum and Tarahumara Mission store; and/or a day ride into Tararecua Canyon, Rukiraso Waterfall, and ancient pictographs. $145 per day]

COST: $850.00 Double Occupancy