Welcome to El Paso, Texas, the town that hugs the Rio Grande River and serves as a natural border with Mexico. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. At 6:00 p.m. meet your Tour Manager for the transfer to Indian Cliffs Ranch and dinner at Cattleman’s Steakhouse. Dinner
After an early breakfast, we cross the Rio Grande River and enter Mexico. Our destination is beautiful Chihuahua. More than three-centuries old, Chihuahua was once the capital city of Mexico. You’ll visit the government palace, home to a series of magnificent murals depicting Mexican history and visit the baroque cathedral dedicated to St Frances of Assisi. See the 18th century colonial aqueduct and drive by beautifully restored colonial homes. Visit the Museum of the Revolution, former home of Pancho Villa, hero of the Revolution and learn the story of Mexico’s fight for freedom. Tonight, we gather for a traditional Mexican dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Departing Chihuahua, we’ll drive past the old Bocoyna mission, which was built by the Jesuits in 1692 before continuing on to the Canyon. We make a stop at Divisadero, “the lookout point” for unparalleled views of the three canyons which make up the Copper Canyon. Four times larger than the Grand Canyon, this region offers spectacular vistas of pristine mountain wilderness. In the afternoon, we take a trip to “Parque Aventura Barrancas del Cobre” where we climb aboard an aerial tram with spectacular views of the canyon. For those who wish, an optional zip lining adventure is available for purchase. Later, we arrive at our canyon-side hotel which features terraces and offers views overlooking the Copper Canyon. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The morning is at leisure. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fabulous views of the Copper Canyon from your hotel. You may wish to walk to see the Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon caves below or mingle with the Tarahumara artisan vendors who gather selling their wares. Then, we board the train for a breathtaking journey into the Copper Canyon. Considered to be one of the top scenic rail journeys in the world, the descent into the Copper Canyon from the top of the Sierra Madre, offers you views of cascading waterfalls and sheer canyon walls which give way to rolling hills and tropical farmlands. Palm, banana, papaya and mango trees dot the countryside. Enjoy lunch on the train. Traveling west allows us to take in the beautiful Copper Canyon sunsets while having dinner aboard the train. Later, we arrive in the picturesque colonial town of El Fuerte, our home for the next two nights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today, enjoy a leisurely float trip to see the many parrots, woodpeckers, kingfishers, doves, cormorants and other desert birds that inhabit the region. In some instances, the river conditions may not allow for the float trip, in which case a visit to a Mayo Indian village will be substituted). You’ll also enjoy a brief walking tour to visit the 17th century cathedral and government palace. After time for lunch on your own, enjoy free time to stroll the quaint cobblestone streets of El Fuerte where you’ll see the charming plaza, the town’s center of social life. Tonight, we are joined by members of the local Mexican Indian Ballet. This show features local regional dances including “El Venado.” Breakfast and dinner
We board the train again this morning for another thrilling ride through the Canyon. Beginning at sea level, the train climbs to 8,000 feet while passing through the 86 tunnels and crossing 38 bridges in the more than 25,000 square miles of canyon in the Sierra Madre. The five major canyons in the area are collectively known as the Copper Canyon and are four times the size of the Grand Canyon. A stop in Temoris allows you to the three ascending levels of the railroad. Later, we arrive in Creel where you may enjoy a casual walk through the town. Breakfast and lunch
En route to Casas Grandes we stop in Mennonite country. The hard-working Mennonites have transformed the desert into fertile farmland. Enjoy a light lunch at a Mennonite camp and visit a traditional Mennonite store. Later, we arrive in Casas Grande and visit the new Museum of the Northern Cultures and Paquime Archaeology Site. See the Pueblo Indian and Mesoamerican influences in the buildings and ceremonial monuments. We will also see a pottery-making demonstration of the famous Mata Ortiz Pottery. Tonight, our Tour Manager hosts a special farewell traditional Mexican dinner. Breakfast, light lunch and dinner
After breakfast, our group transfer takes us to the El Paso airport for flights out after 2:00 p.m. Breakfast
Radisson Hotel, El Paso, Texas
Hotel Palacio del Sol, Chihuahua, Mexico
Hotel Posada Mirador, Barrancas, Mexico
Hotel Posada del Hidalgo, El Fuerte, Mexico
Hotel Quinta Mision, Creel, Mexico
Hotel Hacienda, Nuevo Casas Grande, Mexico
Call for air rates and schedules from your city to and from El Paso
Rooms for the night before the tour are available. Cost for a room in El Paso is $179, tax included.
