The Copper Canyon Expedition October 1st to October 13th 2007.
Mexico is a remarkable country, vibrant, fun, clean, and it contains some of the best "Adventure Riding in the world". It is does not deserve the reputation that it has garnered from the bawdy border towns that so many Americans associate with the country.
We have created a remarkable itinerary for your riding enjoyment. This trip takes you through parts of the country that no other adventure company travels, and this trip showcases the remarkable diversity of Mexico. You will see Baja and the desert, You will find Los Mochis to be a balmy sub tropical area, and Creel, our final stop is high in the timber country. You need to know that while we have traveled these routes on prior trips, 80% of our travels will be on dirt roads, and many things can happen that create change. Deviations to the itinerary will be based on things out of our control. Weather, road conditions, ferry crossing delays, illness, and accidents are some but not all of the things that could impact our schedule. Please allow some time in your personal planning for delays. One of the things that make a trip like this an "adventure" is not to having every detail so thoroughly documented that nothing is left to chance. Anything can happen... It is Mexico! In order for this trip to be a true adventure, there must be elements of uncertainty. You need to understand that such uncertainties simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of what make it an adventure.
So, here are the details of what I am positive you will look upon as one of the great adventures of your lives.
Pricing:
The cost of this trip is $3499, Included in that price is the following.
- All camping fees and Hotel stays.
- Sweep vehicle, to take luggage, tents, and gear. Sweep vehicle will be stocked at all times with snacks, first aid, water and soft drinks. It also can carry a couple of motorcycles in case of breakdown, illness or other circumstances. And it has room for two passengers.
- Breakfast and dinner each day that we are "on the road" (Creel excepted - day 11 and 12 you will probably find a pleasant break to dine in a small group or alone.) Lunch will be provided each day that we are in the "back country".
- Paramedic that will ride with us the full length of Baja.
- Satellite communications Both the Guide and Sweep vehicles will have Satellite communications. Cellular phones don't work in many of the areas that we are spending time; although if you have a GSM phone you will find many areas that do have service.
- Route planning navigation and logistics
- Entry into the Horizons unlimited meeting
- A complete set of Maps, and GPS software & tracks for those who wish to have it.
That is the complete list of "covered items" – any expenses incurred beyond what is listed above is your individual responsibility. Below are the items that are not covered in the fee for the trip.
- Hotel rooms are booked double occupancy, Single supplement applies.
- A Mexican "tourist card" $30
- A temporary import certificate for your motorcycle.
- Fuel $ 30 per day
- Personal and motorcycle insurance $90 – 200 depending on full coverage, or liability only.
- Ferry ride to Los Mochis. Motorcycles cost about 60$ and the same for personal transit. $120 total.
***The reason that these expenses are not included in the overall trip price is that #1 Its impossible to organize fuel in a group setting and pay for everyone's gas as they need it, and all the other referenced items constitute legal documents which must be paid for personally by you. These documents form a legal contract between you and the Mexican Government. We cannot assume liability for your insurance, motorcycle documents, and entry or exit into or from "tourist corridors" Mexico.
The Riding:
We have an absolutely spectacular itinerary for our trip, but like with everything in Mexico, there will be some uncertainty about various legs of the journey. For a couple of the days that we are in Baja, Kurt our "Baja Guide" will organize two groups either an "A Group" (aggressive) or a "B Group" (relaxed). We will poll each of you to determine what you are "up" for each day and put you into the appropriate group. We have listed the details for each days ride below.
Day 1 - Enter Mexico at Tecate-25 miles east of San Diego at approximately noon.
Organize paperwork at the border (vehicle importation paperwork, and tourist card. Then we head for "Rancho Santa Veronica". RSV is a motorcycle landmark in Baja, and the point that the Tecate 250 off road race is launched from. We will enjoy a genuine & authentic Mexican welcome dinner at the ranch, and a good nites sleep because tomorrow the adventure begins & it's a rugged day of riding. Accommodations tonight will be – Camping at RSV.
Day 2 - Rancho Santa Veronica to San Felipe. 180 miles.
The Day begins with about 60 miles of typical Baja dirt riding. Fantastic, scenic & unpredictable roads, ruts, sand washes and more. Fun but demanding, thus when San Felipe and our hotel loom on the horizon we will be more than happy to settle in by the pool and enjoy a margarita. Accomodations will be here - http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/business/el_cortez/
Day 3 - San Felipe to Bahia De Gonzaga. 190 miles.
San Felipe is a lovely beach town, and unique sunrise opportunity is provided by the fact that the sun rises over the Sea of Cortez and is spectacular. Todays ride is absolutely "Epic scenery" imagine 190 miles of "Adventure riding" along the coastline of the Sea of Cortez. Tonight we will camp on the waters edge of the Sea of Cortez. We will leave time in the day for a dip in the balmy waters of the gulf. The bay of Gonzaga is one of the most picturesque places on the entire trip. Ocean breezes and starlit skies by the camp.
Day 4 - Gonzaga to San Ignacio. 250 miles
After an unbelievable sunrise, we will leave our home by the bay, and head for "CoCo's corner" a Baja landmark. CoCo is a local legend, and featured in the movie "dust to glory", his beer can palace is a very memorable place. From there its not far to the pavement, where we can relax after 2 bumpy days in the dirt. San Ignacio is our destination, and after another 4 hours of widely varying Mexican terrain, we will find our home for the evening at the lovely oasis of San Ignacio. A hundred thousand graceful palm trees line a fresh water lagoon, and we will spend a great evening in the hands of our Canadian hosts at the "San Ignacio Bed and Breakfast" Dinner tonite will be at another landmark in Baja, "Rice and Beans" is the best restaurant in town, not to mention the fact that the food is fantastic.
Day 5 - San Ignacio to Lapaz 390 miles.
Tonite we will stay in at Hotel Marina, http://www.trybaja.com/hotelmarina/marinabroch.html Today is basically a long but beautiful street ride. A hundred miles along the shoreline of the gulf. If we leave early we can get to La Paz with plenty of time to stroll around before dinner.
Day 6 - layover day in La Paz.
We each need to organize our ferry ride to Los Mochis tomorrow. Hotel tonight, same as last nite. You have many options for today. Your guide will take those of you that are interested on a tour through the Grand Canyon of Baja. The luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas is only 2 hours away. Or you can stay for a relaxing morning; take a half day fishing charter? Swim? Or just take it easy. Dinner tonite is at the amazing "Bufalo" restaurant. Clearly the best restaurant in La Paz the steaks are amazing, and tonight we choose to treat ourselves to the best that La Paz has to offer.
Day 7 - La Paz to Los Mochis.
Today we need to check out of the Hotel by 11 AM, and go to the ferry dock. The California Star which is a brand new luxury boat operated by "Baja Ferries" will take us to Los Mochis. We are scheduled to depart at 3 PM, We have to be at the ferry terminal 3 hours before sailing. Thus since the boat sails at 3 PM, we need to be at the ferry at noon. It is a five hour ride to the mainland. Arrive at Los Mochis at 8:00PM. 20 kilometers to town from the terminal. We will be met at the dock by our new guides Ivan and Salvadore. These guys are truly two colorful "Characters" but they do know the areas that we be riding through for the next few days.
Day 8 - Los Mochis to rio Fuerte.
Today's ride takes us toward the Grand Canyon of Mexico; Barranca de Cobre (copper canyon) . We depart Los Mochis and ride via the colonial town of "El Fuerte" to our campsite near the river Fuerte. It will be a rugged days ride. Nothing but backcountry dirt roads and trails that become rougher as we leave the civilized coastal area behind us. Our local guides Ivan and Salvadore will be taking us on to Batapilas. If you would like to know more about Ivan and Salvadore click here because they are two of the "three amigos" http://the3amigoscanyonexpeditions.com Today and tomorrow are the most uncertain days of our trip. And for sure they are the most difficult days of the trip. Ivan likes to use the word "intense". The road to Batapilas is a "trail" even by Mexican standards. It is passable by 4wd trucks and is a bit of work even if you are on a dirt bike. So for us on "Big Bikes" it will be "work"... and its also possible if the rains have been heavy in weeks before our arrival, that we won't be able to cross the rivers ahead. Our guide will know. We may redirect ourselves to "Cerocahaui" and be forced to bypass Batapilas. If that is the case we will ride on to Creel, and get there a day early. Frankly it's a little fun to have some uncertainty.... As we said earlier, if it was totally planned and predictable – it would not be an "Adventure". Either way it will be fun and challenging.
Day 9 - River Fuerte to Batapilas 30 miles.
Today's ride is only about 30 miles, but if the word "intense" means anything to you, it will be a challenging day. With luck we will arrive in Batapilas just after lunch. Batapilas is town worth exploring.
Day 10 - Batapilas to Creel.
If we have been successful in our endeavors of the last 2 days, get ready to ride the most notorious road in the Copper Canyon area, the road up out of the canyon from Batapilas is unbelievable. It will take at least an hour and a half to climb up out of the "pit" from Batapilas.... To the rim of the canyon. Then it's a gorgeous ride into Creel from there...Twisties galore and an hours ride and we are in the rugged lumber town of Creel.
Day 11 - Creel & the Horizons Unlimited meeting.
Take time and relax with 200 other "Adventurers" and enjoy the slide shows, and the camaraderie that can only exist with this type of a crowd. Creel is fascinating... somewhat rustic on one hand but wonderfully connected to the value of tourism... clean, great food, unusual restaurants, and the people of creel have a special pride in their town... I think that you will come home with a totally different perspective of "Mexico" as a result of this trip. It's a great time for you all to make some new friends. Don't just hang out with the group that you rode in with... expand your horizons... meet and spend some time with the unusual group that is at the meeting with you. You will meet people in the middle of a "round the world trip" hailing from Russia, Asia, Europe and other places...
Day 12 - Last full day in Creel.
Ride to Divisadero if you have not yet done so. Ask, and we will show you the way. The views are stunning beyond most imagination. And the ride itself is spectacular.
Day 13 - We depart from Creel today
Early morning... and we thunder for the Border. We will cross at Douglas, AZ with the goal of getting to Bisbee, Our home for the night will be the famous Bisbee Hotel. This magnificent old hotel is a perfectly restored old Victorian Mining Town Hotel. A beautiful remnant of the historic past of this area, and a fitting place to end the trip. I'm sure we'll all be glad to be back in the good old USA.
Day 14 - The trip is officially over this morning!
We begin to split up... The RawHyde team will be heading back to LA. We plan to go all the way back today...so from this point we are all on our own. Many of our crew will be from parts other than California, but obviously anyone from So-Cal that would like to ride back with us is certainly welcome to do so.
So... Reluctantly we say "Vaya con Dios, Amigos"... The Adventurers hat gets hung up on its peg in the hallway for another time, & and we go back to our normal lives...
