Tour Description
A minimum of 10 people is required to operate this tour.
A journey through the Copper Canyon is truly a must for all passionate travelers. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the area while you travel through the most beautiful towns of northern Mexico. Combining riveting adventure with a reprieve from the demands of the modern world, the Copper Canyons offer a gorgeous setting for a marvelous escape.
Carved from the legendary Sierra Madre mountain range in the state of Chihuahua, a colossal network of six interweaving canyons make up what is known as the Copper Canyons, or Barrancas del Cobre in Spanish. Some of these canyons run deeper than Arizona’s Grand Canyon by a margin of over 1,000 feet. While the Copper Canyon seems to lack the status of the Grand Canyon, this Mexican treasure suffers no shortage of natural beauty. It is simply pristine. Teeming with wildlife, much of this striking landscape is virtually unexplored and unexploited.
How the Copper Canyon got its Name
Named for the color of its walls, this geological wonder spans a massive area. Consequently, much of this magnificent canyon is solely accessible by the Copper Canyon Railway. This feature alone earns the trip through the canyon a reputation as the world’s most scenic train ride. Because it covers a distance of over 400 miles, the trip takes 16 hours one way and is broken up into overnight stops along the route.
The Copper Canyon Railroad History
This railroad line was built in 1870 and runs from Kansas to Texas. Then, it continues across the border to Chihuahua and Los Mochis. Finally, the line reaches Topolobambo, one of the largest natural harbors in North America. Ninety-one years later the railroad became complete, as the tracks were joined at Temoris Station on the southwestern edge of the canyon. This is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Today’s route through the Copper Canyon takes passengers from sea level to over 8,000 feet in elevation. It traverses through 86 tunnels, and across 39 bridges. The longest tunnel on the course measures nearly 6,000 feet, while the highest bridge towers 340 feet over the Chinipas River. Join us aboard the CHEPE Express traveling in 1st class and exclusive access to the all-new Terrace car.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Thursday – Mazatlán
Arrive Mazatlán and transfer to Holiday Inn Hotel. Relax this evening by the beach and enjoy a welcome dinner tonight (D)
Day 2 – Friday – Mazatlán
Breakfast at the hotel and depart for a Tour of the Historic District Landmarks at the Angela Peralta theater and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Enjoy the evening at the hotel and opportunity to dine on one of the many restaurants of the “Zona Dorada” (B L)
Day 3 – Saturday – El Fuerte
Breakfast at the hotel and depart for the city Culiacan (2 hours 138 miles) Traveling North crossing the tropic of Cancer. Stop at Las Labradas to see and interesting spiral shape petroglyphs representing supernatural believes designs made by ancient inhabitants Lunch as we arrive to Culiacan Continue to El Fuerte (4 hours 182 miles including rest stop) for overnight) Dinner at the hotel Posada del Hidalgo or Torres del Fuerte. (B L D)
Day 4 – Sunday – Mayo Villages
Breakfast at the hotel, this morning we will visit the village of Capomos to learn about the Mayo indigenous culture (Cuisine, Medicine plants and festivities). At our return, a walking tour of the City of El Fuerte. Lunch and relaxing evening (B L D)
Day 5 – Monday – Copper Canyon
After early breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the train station for our rail journey on the new Chepe Express to Posada Barrancas, Lunch on the train. Tarahumara presentation by your Tour Manager, dinner and overnight at hotel Mirador. Or Divisadero Barrancas (B L D)
Day 6 – Tuesday – Copper Canyon
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will tour the Copper Canyon Park and descend to the lower canyon on a Gondola ride, we will visit a Tarahumara village, a possible school. Time for shopping and return to the hotel (B L D)
Day 7 – Wednesday – Creel
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the city of Creel driving through the Oteros Canyon, visiting upon arrival the San Ignacio Mission and the interesting rock formations, Arareko Lake and if possible, a time to hike to the Cusarare waterfall. Return to Creel for shopping and lunch on your own. Dinner at the hotel Quinta Mission and overnight (B D)
Day 8 – Thursday – Creel – Chihuahua
Breakfast at the hotel and depart for the city of Cuauhtémoc to visit the Mennonite community, lunch, and continue to the city of Chihuahua, City tour and if time permits a visit to Pancho Villa Home. Farewell dinner and overnight. Hotel Wingate or San Francisco (B L D)
Day 9 – Friday – Albuquerque, NM
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. (B)
Dates & Prices
Tour Dates
Please contact us for more information.
Price Per Person
Please call our office for pricing (602) 938-0951
