Copper Canyon Adventure Ride
The best 7 days of copper canyon for adventure riders
This 7-day ride through Copper Canyon is custom-crafted for intermediate or advanced riders seeking to conquer challenging dirt roads and embark on breathtaking climbs and descents within the canyon. The journey spans 7 full days of riding, with approximately 40% of the route comprising dirt tracks. As we make our way from Arizona to the canyon, there will be a lot of ground we must cover on pavement. But throughout the adventure, riders will encounter a diverse array of terrain, including hard-packed earth, gravel, and loose rocky paths involving both ascents and descents. An adept level of experience with challenging rocky segments is essential, although the trails are not akin to baby head trails – these are rough roads with minimal, if any, maintenance, further aggravated by annual storm-induced deterioration. An ideal expedition for larger GS motorcycles!
Dates: February 22nd to March 1st 2025
Cost: $3500, covers everything except for temporary vehicle importation permit ($400 returned on our return trip) and tourist permit.
Includes: Lodging in shared room, breakfast and dinner, some lunches, fuel, motorcycle insurance, guide and sweep rider (if 6 or more customers).
Accommodation: Basic to best available hotels provided.
Skill Required: Intermediate or Above, we can accommodate someone with less skill if they have the heart and passion for it.
Please Contact me to Sign up or for more details. Space is Limited
Day 1
First day of Trip is bright and early as we need to get our documentation done at the Mexican Border. It usually takes 30-45 mins but it all depends on morning traffic. You do need to have some formal paper work to be accepted for the TVIP, which is listed here;
· Original Title or Permission slip from finance company allowing you to take vehicle into Mex
· Original Registration not a copy
· Mandatory Mexican Vehicle Insurance – I will provide this and send you copy to print out
· Mexican Tourist Permit – we will get this before the TVIP
· Credit Card for deposit on Vehicle which is refunded on our way out
· Passport Valid for 6 + months from trip date
Once we cross and have all our paperwork done, we have a 240 mile 2 lane highway ride to our first destination. A small hunting lodge in the middle of ranchers paradise! If we get in early enough and have time for a quick ride, we will head west a to a small damn in the region. The road is super twisty and fun!
Total Miles – 270
Day 2
After a great pavement ride down to Sahuaripa, it’s time to tackle our first dirt day! We will head south about 40 miles before we make our first mountain pass to end up in a small town situated in a beautiful valley! This region reminds me a lot of South America as the last time I stayed here in December, it was cold, but you could see all the smoke from the wood fire chimneys in all the houses. Very high country living as this town sits at around 5000 feet in elevation. Don’t worry, we will stay here on our way back north in a few days.
Our first challenging pass will start about 10 miles west of this small valley town, we first will fill up and get some snacks before making the 80 miles pass down to 1500 feet. This short section gives us a total elevation loss of 12,000 feet! So it will be one amazing ride down with a big change in geology. But we aren’t done just yet! We will grab a quick lunch or snack and keep on trekking as our hotel is still 100 miles away. Our final leg is a nice dirt road next to another dam lake and a working mine.
Total Miles – 225
Day 3
Our first day in the Copper Canyon! Today we have quite a ride to get up and over the canyon then onto the base of the river where our hotel is located! Today will be one twisty and dirt filled ride. But the views coming into Urique are just magnificent! The copper canyon is bigger and green compared to the dusty Grand Canyon. While our ride is only about 170 miles, and google maps estimated 9 hours, I think we can do it in 5! There will be many stops and I highly recommend each rider take their time and stop and take as many photos as you can. Just never let the Sweep rider pass you. Hopefully everyone has gotten their canyon legs in, as at dinner we will decide to take a less traveled road down to Batopilas or stick to the main route down. Either or, welcome to las Barrancas del Cobre!
Total Miles – 170
Day 4
After a great night’s rest at what is a pretty Chic hotel, its time to head south towards Batopilas and the famous Mexican Stelvio pass! Pending the route, we take; we will have to ride up the canyon and back down to the base and the famous “Cartel” town of Batopilas. Here hopefully you will experience one of the steepest grade gravel roads out there, so make sure your brakes are in top shape. It was only about 80 miles of canyon dirt riding before we hit Batopilas and trek on towards the other side of the canyon. We will follow the river, cross it, and climb out of the canyon. This IS the Mexican Stelvio, one long climb with many hair-pin tight turns, all paved but do watch out for the rock falls and that small rock in the middle of the road that always seems to be there. I will switch from guide to photographer for this section as getting some sick ride shots is a must! We are still a long way, so we must make haste to our night’s location right on the peak of the canyon. The sunsets here are magical, and the hotel is top class. A suit and tie are not mandatory, but keep one shirt clean for tonight’s dinner!
Total Miles – 202
Day 5
Well, it’s time to say goodbye to the grand Copper Canyon! But its one great goodbye as we get to enjoy some of the best pavement riding you can experience in Mexico. We will also play tourist and stop at a few cool places to get some great shots, our first stop will be Mexico’s Second highest waterfall, Cascada de Basaseachi. Which not surprisingly sits right near Mexico’s tallest! But it’s quite a hike to get to that one so we will make do with 2nd highest. This day will also give us a few changes in scenery, towards the end I swear it feels like you might be in the Serengeti! Or at least the trees look like it to me. Our stop will be in Yecora, the small valley town from day 2.
Total Miles – 200
Day 6
Today we start our way down the valley and out of elevation. Our morning starts with one great 50-mile section of great twisty pavement riding, but as always, watch out for those darn rocks on the road! Most of our day will be taking back dirt roads through ranches while we avoid going the long way on pavement. One or two mountain passes before a straight section towards our hotel on the river town of Banamichi. This town is situated right on the river, so there is a lot of agriculture around so stay alert for wild life. Last year I had a small 30lb bob cat dart across in front of me, first time I had seen a predator in Mexico besides the local coyote. We will spend a night in one great boutique hotel and drink up some margaritas while we exchange our dirt stories for the night. Have a great dinner together and get ready for our trek home in the morning.
Total Miles – 224
Day 7
Well, it’s a bittersweet moment, but it’s time we all head home and towards our next adventure! We have a short 220-mile day, but we must stop and check out our TVIP before we cross over. Sometimes this takes a while so we should expect to be back at Benson by 2pm. This gives everyone a chance to get a head start back home, but if you want to stay the night, let me know and I can book your room for you at the same hotel we stayed at. Ill personally be riding back to San Diego so if you’re on the way, we can ride back together.
Total Miles – 220
