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Riding the train to Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon Express

Example 7 Day Tour
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This Mexico tour explores the Copper Canyon, the largest canyon in North America. Board the El Chepe train on the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway for a scenic train trip through the Copper Canyon as you travel from El Fuerte to the canyon's rim at Posada Barranca. Visit Tarahumara villages with your local guide to learn about the traditional culture and life in this beautiful and isolated region. 

Warning: Due to sporadic train service this tour may not yet be operational in 2023
Climb high to see the gorgeous view.Basaseachic Falls in the Copper CanyonThe Mirador El Fuerte Museum exhibits history of the area.Enjoy some ziplining while on you Mexico tour.El Fuerte RiverThe El Chepe as it travels between Los Mochis and Chihuahua.Copper CanyonCopper Canyon RailroadTrain to Copper CanyonBeautiful views of Copper CanyonRiding the train to Copper Canyon
Highlights
  • Journey through the Sierra Madre's on a scenic six hour train ride
  • Boat the El Fuerte river in search of wildlife and petroglyphs
  • Visit Creel to learn about its history as a railroad and logging town
  • Book excursions in the canyon such as hiking, ziplining and via ferrata
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Los Mochis | Transfer to El Fuerte

Arrive to Los Mochis airport where you will be greeted and transferred to the gateway of Copper Canyon, El Fuerte. In the afternoon meet the guide for an orientation of El Fuerte and take a walking tour and streetcar ride of this cobble-stoned, colonial city.

Day 2: El Fuerte River

Your bilingual guide will meet you at your hotel to head to the river to start your boat trip along El Fuerte River. As you cruise along the water, you will see tropical forest all around that is home to an abundance of wildlife. Your guide will point out local flora and fauna and explain all about the important of the river. Along the shores of the river, you will observe the ancient petroglyphs, which are believed to be over 4,000 years old and depict sun gods and shamans.

Upon completion of your visit, return to shore and drive back to your hotel, followed by an historic tour of El Fuerte city with a short visit to the town's eclectic museum with its collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern artifacts, including items once belonging to outlaw Pancho Villa. Your afternoon is free for lunch and to independently explore El Fuerte.

Day 3: Copper Canyon Railroad

All aboard the world famous, first-class El Chepe train of the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway for the six hour journey into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Considered one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys and an engineering marvel, the train crosses 36 bridges and passes 87 tunnels along its 655 km route from Mexico’s interior to the Pacific coast.

Arrive to Posada Barrancas after lunch (on your own in the restaurant car) and be greeted at the station and transferred to the hotel. Meet the guide, your host for the next three days, who will give you an orientation and discuss the options for the next day's activities. The evening is free to take a short walk to explore the grounds, or relax on your private balcony that overlooks the canyon before dinner.

Day 4: Explore the Copper Canyon

Today's activities are completely customized based on your preferences and interests, and the guide and a vehicle are at your disposal. Visit a Tarahumara village or the Copper Canyon's most spectacular view points at Oteviachi, Barranca de Laja, or Urique. Light walking excursions or more extensive day hikes can also be arranged, and ziplining and via ferrata (rock climbing/ropes course combination) are options with an additional cost for any thrill-seekers.

Lunch and dinner provided at the hotel, and the spectacular views are complimentary!

Day 5: Travel to Creel

Spend the morning free to explore on your own. In the afternoon travel to Creel with stops along the way at Piedra Volada, the tallest waterfall in Mexico. Next, visit the Valley of the Mushrooms, known for its namesake-shaped rocks, and Lake Arareko with unusual rock formations and surrounding pine forest.

Creel's history as a railroad and logging town and its picturesque location among the pine forest makes it an interesting stopover. Spend some time visiting the main plaza or the arts and crafts cooperative that contributes directly to the Tarahumara community. Settle in for the evening at the cozy lodge.

Day 6: Chihuahua

Continue north from Creel towards Chihuahua and stop en-route for lunch and to visit a "Menonita" community near Cuauhtemoc. After arriving to Chihuahua and settling into your hotel, you are free to explore the parks, plazas, impressive cathedral, and museums of this important historic, regional capital.

Day 7: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to return home or to your next destination in Mexico.

Accommodations

The Lodge at Creel

Explore Mexico from the Lodge at Creel
Regional and speciality refreshments available

Quality Inn Chihuahua

Comfortable rooms at the Quality Inn
Comfortable lodging
Comfortable rooms at the Quality Inn

El Fuerte - Hotels

Posada Barrancas - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Mexico Tours & Small Ship Cruises.

Notes

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Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • 2 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Park Entrance Fee
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Airport Departure Tax

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

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