Four times larger than the Grand Canyon, Mexico's Copper Canyon is a spectacular area filled with beauty and unique cultures and traditions. Your exploration of this hidden part of Mexico begins in Tucson, Arizona. You'll then travel through the beautiful Sonora Desert to the Sea of Cortez and your hotel overlooking the San Carlos Marina in San Carlos, Mexico. Throughout much of this journey, you will feel as if you've stepped back in time as you learn about the fascinating customs of this amazing area. You'll visit the beautiful colonial city of El Fuerte, situated in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, and enjoy a memorable show of folkloric dancing performed in traditional and colorful Mexican costumes and accessories. Visit a working pearl farm and see a demonstration of the process of cultured pearl production. You'll travel on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Railroad for an amazing journey through tunnels and over bridges, as you begin your introduction to the beautiful views of the Copper Canyon. The tribal members of the Tarahumara will delight you with traditional dance, tribal games, and a foot race demonstration. You'll visit the Mennonite settlement of Cuauhtemoc before arriving in Chihuahua where you'll enjoy a city tour featuring the capitol building and the home of Pancho Villa, the famous Mexican Revolutionary.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive Tucson, Arizona - Your Copper Canyon adventure begins with a special welcome dinner - a great opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.
Day #2 Tucson - San Carlos, Mexico - Today, learn about the significance of the majestic Mission of San Xavier del Bac, known as the “white dove of the desert.” Cross the Mexican border near the popular city of Nogales and continue through the beautiful Sonora Desert to the Sea of Cortez. Relax and enjoy San Carlos, where the desert meets the ocean, from your hotel overlooking the beautiful San Carlos Marina. LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the language you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.
Day #3 San Carlos - Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of San Carlos. You may wish to shop or take an optional half-day nature cruise or a late afternoon siesta cruise on the Sea of Cortez.
Day #4 San Carlos - El Fuerte - Today visit a working pearl farm and learn the history of pearls from the Sea of Cortez. A demonstration of the process of cultured pearl production is infused with information about the effort to replenish the gulf with these once plentiful species. In the beautiful colonial city of El Fuerte, you feel as if you have stepped back in time. This colorful settlement, founded by the Spaniards in 1564, sits gracefully in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Before dinner, tour group guests will be treated to a memorable folkloric show.
Day #5 El Fuerte - Copper Canyon - Today you travel first-class on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Railroad for an awe-inspiring journey that will take you from sea level to almost 8,000 feet via numerous tunnels and over countless bridges in this unspoiled landscape. Your route takes in the most scenic portions of the 25,000 square miles of canyon as you wind past thrilling gorges and expansive canyon lands. You will enjoy the stunning views upon arrival at your hotel, which rests on the rim of the canyon.
Day #6 Copper Canyon - Experience the Tarahumara's fascinating culture when tribal members perform for you. See their traditional dance, tribal games and a foot race demonstration. Embark on a tour of the area called Divisadero; visit the small church and the balancing rock precariously positioned at the canyon's edge. Take in the spectacular views of the canyon from different locations as you learn more about this amazing area. Later you will have some leisure time to explore this beautiful region.
Day #7 Copper Canyon - Creel - Chihuahua - A fascinating trip through the canyon brings you to the town of Creel, one of the largest and most populated towns in the Copper Canyon, sitting 7,874 feet above sea level. Next, you visit the Mennonite Museum near Cuahtemoc where you will enjoy a homemade lunch before continuing on to Chihuahua. This afternoon meet some of the local children as you visit an orphanage which is supported by the tour group Foundation. Spend some time with the students and learn about their way of life.
Day #8 Chihuahua - El Paso, Texas - Embark on a tour of Chihuahua featuring the home of famous Mexican Revolutionary leader Pancho Villa, a tour of the state capitol building, and many other highlights. Later, you cross back into the United States, arriving in El Paso, Texas. Join your fellow travelers this evening for a farewell dinner.
Day #9 El Paso - Tour Ends - Your unforgettable tour experience of the Copper Canyon comes to an end, but the memories stay with you forever.