Mexico's Copper Canyon

Plus.... Chihuahua, Creel, Cerocahui, Divisadero

A Note From Your Tour Hosts...

What ever your interests are, natural scenic beauty, history, architecture, trains, experiencing different cultures or photography, Mexico's Copper Canyon and its gate way city of Chihuahua will intrigue you. Plus...you'll be able to experience this practically unexplored frontier, first hand, close up and very personal with just a few like minded friends. For example, you will ride the uniquely engineered train in both directions, viewing the majestic pastel pink hues of the Sierra Madre Mountains at different times of the day. Experience a sunrise as well as a sunset from the balcony of your hotel located right on the rim of the canyon! Buy beautifully crafted baskets and handicrafts directly from the Tarahumara Indians. Visit a boarding school dedicated to the education of Tarahumara Indians and personally deliver simple school supplies to help with their education. There is so much more! This will be our fourth visit to this fascinating area and we are very excited to share our love and experience of this area with you.

DAY 1, Chihuahua, Mexico
Guests flew to El Paso ,TX. Upon arrival at the El Paso airport we were met at the airport by our guide and private tour bus. We entered Mexico at Juarez. After clearing customs we drove south to Chihuahua, the largest and one of the richest states in Mexico.

DAY 2, Chihuahua, Mennonite Community and Creel
This morning we visited the Cathedral in Chihuahua, begun in 1726. Every piece of the magnificent facade was hand carved out of limestone by local Indian craftsman. The next stop was at the State Capitol building with its central patio decorated with murals by a local artist, Aaron Pina Mora, depicting the main historical events of the city from the time of the first white man to the 1910 Revolution. Later traveled by private coach to the Mennonite community of Chauhtemoc. It was settled by the Mennonites shortly after the Mexican Revolution and has been developed as one of Mexico's leading agricultural areas. Our tour included a traditional lunch at a Mennonite home. After lunch we continued on to the town of Creel.

Day 3, Creel
We toured the town, as well as many fascinating areas close by. We saw the beautiful Arareko Lake, Mushroom Valley and visited a Tarahumara Cave home. We finished our day with a visit to St. Ignacio School, an elementary boarding school dedicated to the education of Tarahumara Indians. Here we delivered clothing and simple school supplies to help with their education.

Day 4, Creel to Cerocahui
In the morning after breakfast, there was time to shop in the many small stores in Creel or tour the Mission Clinic, dedicated to the health care of the Tarahumara Indians.

Late morning we boarded the Chihuahua and Pacific, rated as one of the top ten most scenic rail journeys in the world! The railway was inaugurated in 1961 after 76 years of labor and is an engineering masterpiece. The train covers 400 miles, has 39 bridges and 86 tunnels. It loops from sea level to 9,000 feet and back again through some of Mexico's most majestic pastel colored, rugged mountains and pine forest country. Often compared to Arizona's Grand Canyon, the Copper Canyon is made up of 6 canyons, is four times larger and 280 feet deeper.

Deep within the walls of the Copper Canyon live the shy Tarahumara Indians who live in tiny settlements of small log huts or caves. Before the building of the railroad this area was isolated and it was impossible for the Tarahumara Indians to receive an education or medical care.

After lunch we rode by bus to Cerro del Gallego Urigue Lookout, providing the most sweeping view of the Copper Canyon system readily available to tourists. Standing at 7,550 ft. elevation, looking into Urique Canyon, the deepest canyon in the Copper Canyon System. The mining town of Urique is nestled below, along the river.

In the evening the children from the town's public school came to our hotel and presented a special folkloric dance.

Day 5, Cerocahui to the Divisadero
In the morning after breakfast there was time to shop and explore this charming town; guests had the option of visiting a private Tarahumara Indian girls' boarding school next door to the hotel. In the early afternoon we boarded the train for Divisadero. This is the area where three of the six canyons meet.

In the afternoon we explored the mountains and canyons where the shy and primitive Tarahumara Indians hunters live in crude log cabins and caves. The mysterious canyons conceal in their depths Indian caves and villages, old Spanish mines, and modern villages. The afternoon included a leisurely walk along the rim to view the beautiful sunsets over the Canyons.

Day 6, Divisadero to Chihuahua
In the morning we drove to Chihuahua. The afternoon's city tour provided many opportunities to explore Chihuahua's fascinating history and exciting present. We visited the revolutionary landmarks of Pancho Villa's home and the Gameros Mansion.

That night we enjoyed a Mexican farewell dinner and special entertainment.