A number of tour operators and packagers offer trips to the Copper Canyon. You can purchase your package through a travel agency; those that do frequent business with Copper Canyon trips have better knowledge of what's out there. Keep in mind that the travel agent may try to steer you toward one package over another because it pays a higher commission.
The industry breaks down into the following categories:
Bus Tours -- Some outfits run buses from El Paso to Chihuahua or Tucson to Los Mochis, then put their customers on the train. The usual length of stay in the Sierra is 2 nights before returning by bus to the U.S. These tours involve a lot of sitting on a bus or train, but they are the least expensive.
Train Tours -- Sierra Madre Express, P.O. Box 26381, Tucson, AZ 85726 (tel. 800/666-0346 in the U.S.), runs its own deluxe trains, complete with dining and Pullman cars, through the canyon. The trip takes a week, with 2 nights in the canyon. Tauck Tours (tel. 800/468-2825 in the U.S.) uses this train.
Standard Packages -- This option merely bundles airfare, train tickets, and lodging. Hotels in the canyon send drivers to meet the train, so getting to your hotel is not hard once you're in the canyon. With these tours, you can have more time in the canyon, but once you're there, it's up to you to line up activities.
Custom Tour Operators -- These outfits sell fixed package tours through travel agents only because it simplifies the agent's job. If you eliminate the middle person and call any of the outfits directly, you might be able to arrange a custom trip. Travel through these companies generally allows you more time in the canyon and a better experience. Some assemble small groups with a guide; some allow you to travel by yourself and supply you with contacts in different locations. As the number of people visiting the Sierra increases, these companies are taking people deeper into the mountains to get away from the effects of mass tourism. The best of the bunch is Canyon Travel (formerly Columbus), 900 Ridge Creek Lane, Bulverde, TX 78163-2872 (tel. 800/843-1060 in the U.S. and Canada, or 830/885-2000; www.canyontravel.com). Canyon Travel is pretty much in a class by itself. It has lined up some beautiful small lodges in the canyons and in El Fuerte and staffed them with talented local guides. It also offers a lot of flexibility, and it responds quickly to problems.
Other operators that provide good service are The California Native, 6701 W. 87th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (tel. 800/926-1140 in the U.S.; www.calnative.com), and Native Trails, 613 Querétaro, El Paso, TX 79912-2210 (tel. 800/884-3107 in the U.S.; www.nativetrails.com).
