We had a wonderful trip with the El Chepe Express from El Fuerte till Divisadero. From there til Creel by car the next afternoon. And then, two days later, all the way back to Los Mochis by El Chepe. Good local guides with a reasonable english. Everybody showed up at the appointed time and Whats App worked fine as a daily “life line” with Amapa Tours.
Though bevare of very agressive biting/stinging small flies or moskitos at El Fuerte, especially at the station. There you have to wait almost 1 hour for the train. Make sure you are well coved by clothes. It may be a seasonal problem. We visited in mid April.
We never found out how to get the included soft drinks with the first class lunch at the train. We were billed for ours, and there was not enough knowledge of english to find out why. Be smarter than us :-). Otherwise a very fantastic tour both through nature and seeing how people lived in the mountains and also in the poor outskirts of Los Mochis . Something to think about. Very happy, that we took the trip booth directions! Just do it!!!

The tour from Baja California to the Copper Canyon organized by Amapá Tours was unique. We have been traveling alone in our motorhome through North America for 10 months and we were able to incorporate this component of this agency tour very well. The people and the country are unique, we highly recommend it to everyone. Many thanks again to the organization.

In March 2024 we took a trip with AMAPA-Tours on the Chepe train through the copper canyons of northern Mexico. It is a journey of indescribable beauty from Creel to El Fuerte. AMAPA planned the tour for us and visited the sights at the different locations with several very experienced guides. Everything was perfectly planned from the beginning. The appointment to pick us up at the airport also went perfectly despite the flight delay. We want to thank Amapatours, the guides and Amalia, whom we had the opportunity to meet personally in Los Mochis, for this indescribable and wonderful organization and tour.

Excellent organisation. Knowledgable english-speaking guides. Hotels as described. Reliable and on-time pickups. Because the Chepe Express timetable had changed the tour itinerary had to be amended. This was done efficently and we were offered several options to fit in with our flights.

We felt very well looked after with your organisation during the tour in Baja California and Copper Canyon. The notifications received every day via What’s up always worked promptly. The guides all spoke good English and were helpful and considerate, especially Jonathan in La Paz.
The intervention about the room in Creel was also very helpful and unexpectedly prompt, thank you. Overall, the hotels we booked were fine.
We can highly recommend Amapatours. Baja California and especially Copper Canyon are definitely worth a trip.

I would like to thank Ampara Tours for the very good service.

They did a great job managing all the changes and made me feel safe as a customer.

Thank you very much again.
With kind regards

We started our trip from the North, in Ciudad Juarez, and after crossing the countryside passing through Paquime, Chihuahua, Creel, seeing completely different landscapes, wonderful cities, beautiful mountains and lakes. Thanks to Amapa Tours, we had the feeling that we were being hosted and looked after by wonderful people who solved for us any personal problem that arose. Both the agency and Ivan and Gustavo deserve a big thank you!!! I hope to meet again, we have a lot more to explore in this so beautiful and strange area!

Hello Mrs Navarrete,

we will gladly inform you  that our train journey with the Chepe Express, the overnight in El Fuerte, Cerocahui, Divisadero and Creel was wonderful. Everything was well organised and worked very good. We really enjoyed the train ride with the Chepe Express and our  private tours by car.

The guides were able to share their knowledge well. The wonderful Canyons on the one hand and the different, fascinating rock formations in the “valleys”, which  also are used agriculturally by the Tarahumara, make a great combination. We are very happy that we saw this region in Chihuahua. Not to forget the waterfall in Cusarare and the lake “Arareko”.

The hotels were Mexican, typical and also original, the food was also delicious! Your restaurant tips in Creel we gladly followed!

All in all, our expectations were fully met and we will remember this trip for a long time.

Train journey with Chepe Express.

“This specialist agency can organize itineraries outside the traditional routes of Mexico, mainly in the Copper Canyon region; a perfect combination for an extraordinary vacation. All the guides had a lot of knowledge about each area to visit and they followed their schedules ”

Dear Amalia:

Thank you very much for organizing our trip to Chihuahua and La Paz.

We enjoyed the holidays as much as we could in the days of the Coronavirus. The uncertainty we had was whether we would be able to finish the trip in La Paz, since our trip was during the days when the access of European tourists to the city was limited. That affected a little our mood. We were almost the last foreign tourists to arrive in La Paz and therefore seemed quite unwanted. But, of course, that had nothing to do with Amapa Tours.

We were enthusiastic about the organisation, the response time to our questions, We had the feeling that someone was mentally accompanying us from Germany.

Also the punctuality of the guides was incredible. We had never experienced that in Mexico before. The quality of the guides was great. We felt that we were in very good hands at all times.
One or two things could be changed for our next trip:
We recommend all tourists to include as many stops during  the trip as possible to travel on the Chepe Express train. We drove with the regional train and could not see the most spectacular section of the whole route because the train was two or three hours late. That was, of course, a big disappointment.
From Hotel Misión we were taken too early to the station and had to wait almost two hours in the cold and rain.
A suggestion for the Parque de Aventuras: They should emphasize more to the families about the weight limits for activities in the park (45kg). We had great expectations and could only take the cable car ride because our daughters are too young. Unfortunately, there was also not possibility to do a tandem trip with the ziplines as is usual somewhere else . But this is only a recommendation for the future.
We highly recommend Amapa Tours at all times!
Thank you very much, Amalia!
Best regards

Amapa Tours Team:

We want to thank you for the coordination of our trip with Chepe Train to Copper Canyon.

Our trip  was  very nice and interesting with many experiences. The hotel accommodation was very well selected with very good quality meals also on board the Chepe train.

The Chepe train service was very good, but the train was not on time. The excursions and visits during each stay were interesting and informative. We liked the local guides Gustavo and Carlos, both of them were very competent.

Unfortunately there were some maintenance works in the park and we could not take the cable car. However we enjoyed the Copper Canyon trip.

Thanks a lot.

“Thank you for the detailed travel program you provided us, I always knew when it was important to have the camera ready, especially when we traveled aboard the Chepe train.” 

Dear Mrs. Navarrete:

Thank you for your support and organization of the trip to Copper Canyon and Oaxaca.

Your answer to my questions for the preparation of the trip in the Copper Canyon was very helpful to me.

The drivers and tour guides on site were competent and personable. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Such a positive way of communicating from all Mexicans.

The Copper Canyon is worth seeing and is more spectacular if one walks along the edge of the canyon. The experience in Zip-lining “deepens” these impressions.

The hotels reserved were excellent, especially the Hotel Mansión Tarahumara located on the edge of the canyon in Barrancas Inn.

The tour to the Barrancas de Batopilas was particularly interesting due to the route, the different climate and, course, due to local history.

Thanks for everything, I will gladly recommend you.

Best regards.

Of course I had heard of the “Copper Canyon” in northern Mexico, but being in the region surprised me even more.

I was hearing that northern Mexico was supposed to be dangerous. So I got on the plane with a strange feeling. As I had already been to the Yucatan peninsula half a year ago and I loved it, I learned to love more Mexico in these last 10 days, I was very anxious about the trip to Chihuahua, and it did not disappoint.

The trip was from Mexico City with a domestic flight to Chihuahua. I had no idea about the city, but I didn’t expect it to be a true mecca for cowboys. Every third man walks around town in a cowboy hat and boots. There are whole neighborhoods with horse riding shops. After a first tour of the city, I was calm because I did not feel unsafe. The people were nice and warm, I was happy that the tourists were finally interested in “their” Mexico.

We continue to Creel, a small town near the Copper Canyon in the Sierra Tarahumara. Creel is called “Pueblo Mágico”, towns that have been recognized as particularly worth seeing due to their typical and well-kept character. Creel is a small western town with an “El Chepe” train station. The place itself is very small and is characterized by tourism with beautiful destinations in the area. We did a short hike to the “Cusárare” waterfall, which unfortunately had very little water. April is very dry. However, you must have a spectacular view during the rainy season or soon after. The region around Creel is also known for its rock formations that look like mushrooms and frogs.

The Copper Canyon is larger than the Grand Canyon in the United States. To be honest, I thought: a canyon is a canyon. But this is definitely not the case here! To be honest, my visit to the Grand Canyon was disappointing. I imagined it more spectacular, unique and, above all, less touristy. The Copper Canyon in difference offers that and much more.

Taking the longest zip line in the world over the canyons? It is definitely worth it to overcome fear and live this unique experience that is offered in the adventure park. I had done canopy before, but 2,530m and speeds between 80 and 135 km / h are special. We spent the night near the park and the next Chepe train stop with a spectacular view. The rooms at the “Hotel Mirador” have a balcony overlooking the canyon. Not only a great view during the day, but also at night with the starry sky is just amazing, almost as incredible as the sunrise the next day. It is worth getting up early.

The journey continued by train. So we sat in El Chepe, a train that leaves from Chihuahua to the Pacific. What is really special are the great views and stunning scenery throughout the tour. I spent most of my time in the train lobbies to take great photos.

The trip continued to El Fuerte, a beautiful colonial town. In the center of the city there is a typical square, as it is known from Latin America, and here life also takes place during the day. The city itself is typically Mexican, colorful and lively, with a kiosk in the center. A great view of the city can be seen from the walls of the old fortress “El Fuerte”.

I spent the last two days at the largest tourist fair in Mexico, Tianguis Turístico in Mazatlán, to find new travel ideas and make contacts.

My concerns about security in this region were completely unfounded because I always felt very safe and welcome. I was impressed by the diversity of this great country, which has much more to offer than the famous Mayan ruins and fantastic beaches. But one thing was the same everywhere in Mexico: the joy of living and the excellent friendliness of its residents.

Our tour of northern Mexico – Travel report.

After a day trip by plane from Puerto Vallarta via Mexico City to Los Mochis (The plane landed half an hour earlier than planned!) We were picked up from the airport for transfer to our hotel in El Fuerte. the welcome already made me feel at home.

When we arrived at the Hotel Posada del Hidalgo, the best dinner of the trip, grilled freshwater lobsters was waiting, we finished the day very satisfied. After 10:00 p.m. a local guide took us on a walk through the small colonial town of El Fuerte, which was a very good idea, since the next day we had to leave the hotel around 8:00 in the morning. to start the journey with the CHEPE train – The only remaining railway line in Mexico that goes from Los Mochis to Chihuaha.

The special thing about this route is the difference in altitude from 200 to more than 2500 meters above sea level. On the first day, the train ride took us from the plain around El Fuerte through many bridges and countless tunnels, past impressive ravines and waterfalls, until we reached the Copper Canyon.

We arrive in Bahuichivo around noon. Bahuichivo is a town that is in the middle of mountains where the inhabitants live from tourism and agriculture. Tonight we stay at the Mission hotel in Cerocahui.

The next day our visit to Cerro del Gallego, the main attraction of the day, had to be canceled due to a tremendous rain. However, the driver took us to see some viewpoints that offer a wonderful view. Instead of enjoy the view towards the Urique Canyon viewpoint we have received a very detailed talk about the history of the Barrancas, the traditions of the Rarámuris and the Caballo Blanco ultramarathon.

The Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon became famous in 2003 with the help of Micah True. Micha True also called Horse White for the Rarámuris indigenous people, he was a runner who participated in the ultramarathon.

Later they took us to the train station in Bahuichivo. The train was only 15 minutes late, which is normal for this train route. We arrived at Posada Barrancas where we spent the night at the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara located at the edge of the canyon.

The next day, we were also able to enjoy the impressive view of the Barranca, because the sun shone again even though we only had a few degrees. It was February and in the Sierra it is also winter. With Guadalupe, our guide that day, we went on an excursion to the “Barrancas del Cobre” National Park to Piedra Volada, we enjoyed the senational views towards the three Urique, Cobre and Tararecua canyons. We also visit a Rarámuri family that lives in a cave on the edge of the Barrancas.

(The Raramuris do not live in large towns or cities, but still live in small family groups scattered across mountains, caves or adobe houses). Instead of an exciting cable car ride, we decided to enjoy a rich coffee and good company. Lupe informed us many technical details about the construction of the cable car, the only one in Mexico without intermediate towers.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m., the CHEPE train whistled again from the train station in Posada Barrancas to announce its departure to Creel. Before reaching Creel, the train reaches the highest point of the route after making a big curve of 360 °.

On the fifth day of our train trip, we visited Lake Arareco in Creel. There the winter time also means dry season, the lake level was very low. We also liked to visit the valley of the “Monks” with its strange rock formations.

On the way back we visit a Rarámuri, who works and lives in a rural community in Mission San Ignacio.

In the afternoon we continue the last stage of the trip to Chihuahua, arriving around 9:30 p.m., thanks to the good restaurant on board the train, we did not arrive hungry.

As planned, we were picked up promptly at the train station in Chihuahua to take us directly to the Plaza hotel. We wanted to end this part of the trip by toasting with a glass of wine or water. To our surprise the bars were already closed and the city seemed half empty. Luckily they recommended a place to one side of the cathedral, where we finally toasted with a glass of red wine for our excellent trip. We wanted to find out because the city was so lonely but we did not receive a satisfactory answer.

We end our trip through northern Mexico with a historical tour of the city of Chihuahua. The next day we flew to Cancun.

The people of the Sierra are very relaxed and laugh a lot, unfortunately my Spanish was too poor, to be able to

have more detailed conversations.

This trip aboard the train CHEPE – CHIHUAHUA – PACIFICO – was perfectly organized and we liked it very much, I would like to do it again, with an additional stay of 4 days in Barrancas del Cobre, to be able to do some walks, hiking, take the zip line and do rappelling on the via Ferrata.

Congratulations to Ms. Gonser – all trip planning including key points on the tour, support and

Coordination of services of the Amapa-Tours team, it was very good, everything went as we expected. The hotels were very well chosen.

The trip through Mexico City to Cancun and our individual tour from Cancun – Mérida – Campeche –

Palenque – Chetumal – Tulum was hassle free, exciting, sometimes adventurous.

Equipped with address lists, route suggestions, maps and the navigation system, we have traveled very confidently and safely.

A small suggestion, a Chevrolet Matiz is not suitable for an individual tour in this region. We decided to exchange it for a bigger vehicle and we were lucky. Europ-Car Cancun was able to get us a suitable car without making us wait long.

In general I was very surprised by the punctuality of all the transfer services, I would not have expected it that way.

Vielen Dank und Viele Grüße

Hi Amalia,

We want to thank you for the organized trip to: Baja California – Chepe Express – Copper Canyon.

Thanks to you we really enjoyed the trip, because everything went wonderfully. All bus and train trips worked very good.

The hotels were very well located near the stations but in the center, so we could go for a walk around the night. And if we needed help, everything could be clarified on WhatsApp.

Whale watching in San Ignacio will remain in our memory forever, an unforgettable experience. Too the train ride with the Chepe Express and the splendid views of the Copper Canyon were great.

We take a lot of photos, which we will put in an album, so that when we look at it, it always reminds us of the wonderful trip we had.

Thank you very much, we will recommend you to our friends.

Best regards,

Dear Amapa Tours Team:

We would like to thank all of the staff involved in the tour for the great organization. In particular the guides Guadalupe and Raul who catered to our special requests. This part of our Mexico trip was a special experience that we would like to do again and then with more time for the tour. Especially because we unfortunately had one of the few rainy days on Cerro de Gallego. Nevertheless, your guide drove us over the almost slippery slope, which was also worth an experience.

Many greetings from the edge of the Alps
U. Boehnert
p. s. this was my four-legged companion in Barrancas… .. also very early in the morning…. And my favorite tree

Our trip was very pleasant and interesting with many experiences that we really enjoyed, especially the delicious food.

We liked the excursions with Guadalupe a lot, we felt her enthusiasm for nature and her way of share your knowledge with us.

The coordination of the guides in each place was very well organized, they always complied with the planned schedules. The Tours were very informative and the guide honored our special requests. We did a lot of exercise (hiking, cycling, swimming …)

The walk to Cerro del Gallego we did not like so much. The view there was excellent, the information was good, but we would have liked if we could have combined it with a hike. Linguistically it was also a challenge because we were in a group of 8 people and the tour guide could not answer us immediately like Guadalupe did in Barrancas.

The quality of the meals everywhere was very good, especially on board the Chepe train and the food at the Hotel Mission in Cerocahui was first class.

Thank you so much for everything.

Our vacations in Copper Canyon were very interesting. The special thing was that we could move a lot in the nature. The excursions were varied and very informative. (Biking, hiking, visiting caves, etc.) Especially the first part privately, our guide was also very receptive to us; always well organized, punctual, uncomplicated, competent, personable and patient. Especially with Guadalupe you could feel the joy in his job. He was very attentive, he organized a cake and music for my partner on her birthday so that she could surprise her.

The tours with him were very exciting. We were able to learn a lot about the history and the Tarahumara. The walk to the Hill del Gallego was interesting and informative. The view is breathtaking. We wish we could take a short walk through the surroundings of the place.

The accommodation in the hotels was varied! Each hotel was special in its own way! I really liked the variety and all the Meals were delicious!

I was surprised by the train. I thought it would be a bit late, but no, it arrived very on time.

They were great days that I will remember for a long time!

Thanks for organizing!

Individual trip 

“We were very well attended and the guides shared their knowledge with us. The trip was organized according to our wishes. We were traveling as a couple from La Paz to Mexico City and we practically had a private tour. ”

Hi Amalia.

Thank you very much for the great organization and the good tour guides.

Chihauhua is a beautiful region with very friendly people. We had no problems on our vacation.

Good guides, his partner Daniel in Los Mochis and Lupe in the Copper Canyon are excellent! Lupe has a good knowledge of the history of Mexico, especially of the indigenous Tarahumara.

Our trip was fantastic. We will send you some photos.

This tour continues for months! It was a wonderful and impressive time from start to finish with a harmonious small group

“I’m just incredibly grateful that I was able to get to know such a wonderful country – with the best and most competent tour guide and the nicest group that you can imagine.”

“My group trip with you was just fantastic! I still rave about the time in April.”

Hello Amalia, we want to thank you for the one-day walk that you recommended and organized in the Copper Canyon. Your suggestion was really good, the day was beautiful and our guide Gustavo, perfect!

He went out of his way to show us a lot and also gave us quite a bit of time. His English is very good.

We loved meeting you during the trip, thank you for introducing yourself to us and especially for your suggestions.

We wish you all the best and greetings from Tirol, Austria.

individual trip in April 2017

Dear Amalia.

That you return from a well motivated trip is without a doubt the best thing that can happen to you. This trip has had a good effect for months! It was a wonderful and impressive moment from start to finish in a very harmonious small group, where we had the opportunity to bring us a memory of traditional Mexican crafts.

I think what fascinated me the most is that, on the one hand, I was captivated by the stations that I already knew and, on the other hand, that every day we did something totally new. They were completely different experiences.

Our tour from Los Mochis to Chihuahua with a detour to Casas Grandes was planned in a varied way: We visited many impressive places, some interesting towns and buildings (all the hotels were very special too!), We got a glimpse of the indigenous and Mexican world of today and ancient cultures in archaeological sites.

We were invited by families who taught us how to bake tortillas or the old technique of painting on ceramics, we were even allowed to try both for ourselves.

In some places there were additional excursions that undoubtedly, they would have been worth visiting on an even longer trip. For the time we had available, the places were selected perfectly and the length of our stay in some places was adequate. We were able to start the day calmly, rejoicing knowing that we would do a different activity from the day before. (Without having to go back to the bus after some photos). Although sometimes we travel long distances, there was no stress of travel or in the train or in the car, the landscapes that we traveled from on board the vehicle were very beautiful, as if to get bored. We also feel very safe on all trips. Not only did our drivers have a very pleasant driving style, they were also very open, flexible, helpful and knowledgeable on various topics.

Conclusion: Amapa Tours through its many years of experience and its direct contacts has created an excellent

tourist product to various destinations in Chihuahua that will leave you fascinated!

Group trip 

Dear Amalia.

My trip from the city of Los Mochis to Chihuahua was almost two months ago, but the impressions are still so vivid!

I am incredibly grateful to have been able to experience such a wonderful country, with the best and most competent tour guide and the most pleasant group one can imagine.

Mexico – Impressions: a great landscape, beautiful and varied

– Super hospitable, open and very happy people- we obtained an extremely enriching knowledge

about the culture of the indigenous peoples – and, of course, the famous Mexican food, a thousand times more delicious than in any Mexican restaurant in Germany! – especially if you have prepared the tortillas yourself under the guidance of a local expert… a journey for all the senses, both for the heart and for the soul.

Zipline ride over deep ravines, sunrises with unforgettable views, magnificent waterfalls … these are just some of the many, many photos that I will always have in my heart.

The beauty and wealth of the country itself are unique.

– To be taken to particularly attractive and impressive places. I take off my hat and I make you a caravan

Amalia, for this well organized trip where you can relax and enjoy. All questions were answered, all special requests fulfilled, if necessary, spontaneously improvised… and all in a totally relaxed and happy atmosphere. I have traveled a lot, but I have never lived in such beautiful hotels with a special charm and character. Also with all the people who have given us a little piece of the country in one way or another, be it Guadalupe as an additional guide to the Copper Canyon or the dancers and musicians of the Yoreme-Mayo indigenous people, I always had the feeling that they were characters specially selected because they were authentic, competent ambassadors and interesting to show the richness of your wonderful country.

It is easy for me to say thank you for a trip that will always remain in my memory. I can fully recommend Amapa Tours and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know and love Mexico. Copper Canyon Experts – They really live up to their name. Many thanks!

Group trip

We have just returned to El Fuerte and we cannot stop thinking about the wonderful trip and experiences we had the last 3 days. The 7-station zipline tour was the highlight of the day (January 27, 2017). Our third day we did an excursion which was perfectly organized and the guides were very competent, especially Guadalupe.

At the Hotel Mansión Tarahumara we had the best room with a view of the canyons. We will remember this part of our journey for a long time. Thank you so much for everything.

PS. We have seen the Amapa tree!

Individual trip 

Yesterday we were very happy and satisfied to return home from our trip to Chihuahua which was wonderful!

Thanks for the excellent organization, everything went perfectly.

We really liked El Fuerte, we barely recognized Bahuichivo and Cerocahui, both have grown, as well as the Mission, only that There used to be apple trees, now it is a wine growing region. One used to go to bed with a candle, now there is electric light. Again we were very impressed by the Barranca de Urique, spectacular!

Without a doubt, we really liked the Posada Barrancas hotel, there are many activities to do, especially if you combine them with rest and relaxation, we would have loved to stay one more night.

We found the visit to Creel interesting, since we still did not know it, however we would not return. The train ride to Chihuahua takes a long time, but the wagons are very comfortable.

Miguel Ángel in El Fuerte, Raúl in Cerocahui and Guadalupe in Barrancas and Creel, all the guides are extraordinary, in addition of excellent people.

This trip stays with us. Thank you Amalia for the excellent work, we will definitely recommend Amapa Tours and their offer. All the best for 2017!

Individual trip