Mexico's Copper Canyon

Tour Highlights:
Cactus garden
Mansions
Train Ride in the Sky
Tarahumara Indians
Paquime

Prices & Dates : Below

Based on per person traveling, Prices are subject to change 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Airport transfers in Phoenix on days 1 and 9
• Twin-bedded rooms in hotels listed or similar, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
• 8 full breakfasts (FB); 7 lunches and 6 three-course dinners (D)
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Private luxury motorcoach with air-conditioning and reclining seats and emergency washroom
• First class train in the Copper Canyon
• Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary
• Inside visits and special features as shown in bold in the tour description including admission charges where applicable

Pricing excludes

• Airport taxes and security charges
• Transfers from airport / hotel /airport
• Meals not specifically identified
• Other personal expenses

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Phoenix Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2: Phoenix/San Carlos Depart for Mexico this morning. Cross the border at Nogales and travel into the Sonoran Desert. After a break in the small town of Santa Ana for lunch, continue on through the modern city of Hermosillo, known for its cathedral and the murals on the Government Palace. Arrive in the resort town of San Carlos in time for sunset, where the desert meets the Sea of Cortez. Relax tonight at your oceanfront resort on the white sands of Algodones (Cotton) Beach. (FB,L,D)

Day 3: San Carlos/Sea of Cortez Cruise/Alamos First this morning, visit a local cactus garden and learn more about these remarkable plants. Then board a private boat for a scenic cruise on the Sea of Cortez. View a variety of local marine life and learn about their habitat. After lunch at a waterfront restaurant, travel south through the rich farmlands of Obregon City to the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains and the colonial city of Alamos. Designated as a National Historic Monument, the city's cobblestone streets are lined with charming Colonial and Spanish buildings. Take in the local culture at dinner with a colorful folk show. (FB,L,D)

Day 4: Alamos/El Fuerte Alamos' colonial history is brought to life on a walking tour. Visit one of the restored mansions built when Alamos' silver mines were some of the richest in the world. Also meet the local Mayo Indians and learn about their language, culture and customs. After lunch, journey to the tropical state of Sinaloa and the town of El Fuerte de Montesclaros. Your home for the night is the charming Posada del Hidalgo. Stroll through the hotel's tropical gardens or take a dip in the swimming pool. (FB,L,D)

Day 5: El Fuerte/Copper Canyon/Posada Barrancas This morning, board a private rail car on the "Train Ride in the Sky" into Mexico's Copper Canyon. Taking almost 100 years to build, the rail line was originally intended as a trade route from the Midwest U.S. to the Pacific. Travel from sea level to 7,500 feet in less than 150 miles, passing through spectacular tunnels and over bridges. The journey takes you along the precipitous Septentrion and Urique Canyons into the heart of Copper Canyon, more than four times as large as the Grand Canyon. Disembark in Posada Barrancas and check in at the castle-like Mansion Tarahumara hotel. (FB)

Day 6: Copper Canyon Region Spend the entire day exploring this dramatic area. Learn more about the geological forces that created the seven individual canyons, collectively known as Copper Canyon. A highlight today is the opportunity to spend time with the local Tarahumara Indians, a semi-nomadic tribe whose ancestors have lived in the Canyon's caves for thousands of years. Learn first hand about their traditions and culture. (FB)

Day 7: Copper Canyon/Casa Grandes This morning, transfer to Creel and descend from the high elevation of the Barrancas del Cobre into the Chihuahuan Desert and the city of Casas Grandes. This evening, get together with your traveling companions for a Farewell Dinner. (FB)

Day 8: Casas Grandes/Paquime/Phoenix Visit the archaeological site of Paquime this morning. A remnant of the great Chichimeca civilization, this site was once a meeting place for the northern indigenous cultures and the advanced Mesoamericans of the south. Many of the ancient dwellings and pyramids have been excavated. Continue across the Chihuahuan Desert back into the U.S., arriving in Phoenix late this afternoon. (FB)

Day 9: Depart Phoenix After breakfast, you will be transfered to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for your flight home. (FB)

Please note: This tour was designed to introduce you to the remote yet stunning beauty of northern Mexico. You will discover breathtaking vistas and meet the fascinating descendants of the area's ancient cultures. Knowing what to expect will assist you in preparing for this tour and will ultimately make this a more enjoyable vacation.

It is important to realize that the Copper Canyon is still remote and rustic. Some of the accommodations and services on this tour are basic by American standards. Meal choices may not be as extensive as on other tours, and hotel facilities may be limited. The tour reaches an elevation of 8,000 feet and requires walking on uneven surfaces and climbing some stairs.

This tour is best enjoyed by the experienced traveler in reasonably good health, who can take it in good humor if not all of the "comforts of home" are readily available. Sometimes, the train schedule and other parts of the itinerary may be subject to delays or variation due to circumstances beyond our control.

Hotels

PHOENIX - Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Airport   (F)
SAN CARLOS - Plaza Resort (SF)   
ALAMOS - Casa de los Tesoros (ST)
EL   FUERTE - Posada del Hidalgo (F)
POSADA BARRANCAS -   Mansion Tarahumara (F)
CASAS GRANDES - Hotel Hacienda   (ST)
PHOENIX - Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Airport (F)