1st day–El Paso, Texas
Welcome to Mexico’s untamed Copper Canyon with roundtrip daytime Copper Canyon train rides in first class chartered train cars. Sleep restfully off the train in comfortable lodges. Fly to El Paso on the Mexican border. Transfer by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel, the Hilton El Paso Airport. Dine at your hotel. Join Caravan at 8:00 p.m. for a welcome briefing. D
2nd day–El Paso to Creel, Mexico
Cross the Rio Grande by private motorcoach this morning. Enter Mexico at Juarez, a bustling border town. See the expansive pristine Samalayuca Sand Dunes. Continue through huge expanses of rangeland and occasional pecan tree orchards before arriving in Mennonite country. The hard-working Mennonites have transformed the desert into fertile farmland. Lunch at a Mennonite camp. Visit a traditional Mennonite store. Then drive by vast apple orchards en route to Creel, where you see the statue of Christ the King. Creel, at 7700 feet, is the highest overnight on the tour. Dinner in Creel. BLD
3rd day–Copper Canyon Train, Divisadero
Morning at leisure in Creel. Visit the Mission Store, a trading post for Tarahumara Indians. The store buys crafts from the Indians and resells to visitors. All profits benefit the Tarahumara Indian hospital. Next “All Aboard” for your Copper Canyon train trip, considered one of the top scenic rail journeys in the world. Shortly after boarding in Creel, the train circles back over itself in a complete loop known as El Lazo. Enjoy a box lunch. Make a brief stop in Divisadero. See the overlook and visit the Divisadero open market. As you descend from the top of the Sierra Madre, you see cascading waterfalls and sheer canyon walls give way to rolling hills and tropical farmlands. See palm, banana, papaya and mango trees. Copper Canyon sunsets are a delight. Dinner in the dining car. Arrive in the picturesque colonial town of El Fuerte. Spend a relaxing two nights at the Posada del Hidalgo, a restored 1890’s colonial mansion. BLD
4th day–El Fuerte, River Float Trip
On your El Fuerte River float trip this morning, you may see parrots, woodpeckers, kiskadees, kingfishers, doves, cormorants and other desert birds in their natural habitat. Next, a brief walking tour to visit the 17th century cathedral and government palace. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to stroll the cobblestone streets and the charming plaza of El Fuerte, center of all social life. Before dinner, a colorful and festive Mexican ballet folklorico. BLD
5th day–Copper Canyon Train
Reboard your chartered train car this morning for another thrilling train ride through the Canyon. You start at sea level and climb to 8,000 feet. The entire railroad passes through 86 tunnels and 38 bridges in the 25,000 square mile canyons of the Sierra Madre. The five major canyons are collectively known as the Copper Canyon, which is four times the size of the Grand Canyon. The Tarahumara Indians live in the Canyon. A unique stop this morning is in Temoris where you can see three ascending levels of the railroad from the Temoris station. Enjoy lunch on board in the dining car. Your round trip train ride gives you a second chance to view the grandeur of the Copper Canyon. Arrive at Posada Barrancas Mirador. Each room has a terrace overlooking the Copper Canyon. Enjoy Mexican serenades before dinner. BLD
6th day–Barrancas to Chihuahua
Morning at leisure to enjoy spectacular views of the Copper Canyon from your hotel. You may walk to see the Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon caves below or
mingle with the Tarahumara artisan vendors who gather in front of the hotel. After lunch, drive by the old Bocoyna mission, built by the Jesuits in 1692. Continue to Chihuahua for a fun two night stay. Your centrally located hotel is only two blocks from the main square and pedestrian promenade. Enjoy a traditional Mexican dinner. BLD
7th day–Chihuahua, Paquimé Pottery
This morning enjoy a full sightseeing drive of beautiful Chihuahua. Visit the government palace, home to a series of magnificent murals depicting Mexican history. Visit the baroque cathedral. See the 18th century aqueduct and drive by beautifully restored colonial homes. Visit the Museum of the Revolution, the former home of Pancho Villa, hero of the Revolution. Learn the story of Mexico’s fight for freedom. Next, visit Casas Grandes Trading Post for a demonstration of Paquimé pottery-making. After lunch, rest of day at leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner. BLD
8th day–Chihuahua to El Paso
After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from your Chihuahua hotel to El Paso, arriving at the airport at 1:30 p.m. Schedule your return flight after 3:00 p.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Muchas Gracias! B
The Copper Canyon Train The Chihuahua-Pacifico Railway was completed in 1961, after 90 years of construction. A modern marvel of engineering, the same rails are used by all trains going through the Canyon. With Caravan you travel both the south and the north route in a spacious first class chartered train car, where all the seats are reserved for Caravan passengers only.
Caravan offers a roundtrip Copper Canyon train ride to allow you the opportunity to see both sides of the Canyon, and at different times of day for best lighting for views and photography. Your first class Copper Canyon cars were newly refurbished in 1999. They are operated by Ferrocaril Mexicano, exclusive owners of the Copper Canyon rail route.
Both your air-conditioned chartered car train rides are scheduled in the daytime. You sleep in comfort at memorable lodges and hotels.
Contact us for rates, dates and space
Hotels
Day 1 - El Paso, Texas Hilton EL Paso Airport
The El Paso Airport Hilton, a beautiful airport property with a southwest flair, is conveniently located just 200 yards from El Paso International Airport off I-10.
Day 2 - Creel, Mexico
Parador de la Montana
The Parador de la Montana is the largest hotel in Creel. It is located four blocks west of the plaza and well situated for exploring this small lumber and mining town. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, and lobby with fireplace. The rooms have two double beds, high wood-beamed ceilings, central heating, and tiled bathrooms. Day 3,4 - El Fuerte, Mexico
Posada del Hidalgo
The Posada del Hidalgo is centrally located for exploring El Fuerte. This beautiful hotel is a former colonial mansion built by Se–or Rafael Almada in 1890 for 100,000 gold pesos. Most of the original pine beams and furniture were brought by boat from San Francisco, California. The hotel features a swimming pool, restaurant, high ceilings with wood beams and two story balconies. Most of the rooms are air conditioned and all have private tile baths. Day 5 - Barrancas, Mexico
Posada Barrancas Mirador
The Posada Barrancas Mirador is located at the canyon's edge, near the highest point of the canyon. The Posada Barrancas Mirador is the premier hotel on the canyon rim and is the only hotel where each guest room has a spectacular view overlooking the canyon. From the hotel you may walk to see the Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon caves below. You can also shop for native crafts from the Tarahumara artisan vendors who gather in front of the hotel. Day 6,7 - Chihuahua, Mexico
Palacio Del Sol
The Palacio del Sol is well located in the center of downtown Chihuahua just two blocks from the main square and pedestrian promenade and a few blocks from the State Cathedral. This hotel's location makes it a perfect base for shopping and exploring the historical sites of this capital city. Chihuahua dates back to start of the eighteenth century and lies in a broad level plain with scattered peaks rising in the distance. The 17 story hotel is air conditioned and has two live music bars. Tour Joining Information
Caravan's El Paso, Texas hotel, the Hilton Airport, provides arrival transfers from the El Paso Airport (ELP). The welcome briefing and cocktails are at 8:00 p.m. To attend, please allow enough time for your transfer.
Tour Departing Information
Caravan includes a departure transfer to the El Paso Airport (ELP) in El Paso, Texas from Chihuahua, Mexico on the last day of the tour, arriving by 1:30 p.m. Please schedule flights after 3:00 p.m. If you extend your stay, Caravan can transfer you to a hotel in downtown El Paso following the main airport transfer. If you end the tour in Chihuahua, Mexico, a taxi to General R. Fierro Villalobos Airport (CUU) in Chihuahua costs $15.00 and takes 30 minutes. The Chihuahua Airport is served by Lone Star Airlines, Aeromexico & Aero California. |
