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Mexico's Copper Canyon by Private Train
2009 Itinerary featuring 8 days from $4,290       Rail Journey  One Week  
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Experience one of the most remarkable rail trips in the world on a Mexico travel adventure to remote Copper Canyon aboard Tauck’s private luxury train, the Sierra Madre Express. Journey on a railway over 90 years in the making, looping around bluffs, soaring over gorges, and plunging into tunnels as it climbs into the Sierra Madre mountains bordering the vast, scenic canyon region. Observe the treasures of the Sierra Madre from glass-domed viewing cars as you traverse the canyon twice, with two overnights aboard the train. In this compelling region of Mexico travel to a town established by Spanish Conquistadors and stay in a colonial mansion, enjoy two nights' accommodations on the Copper Canyon's rim, and meet the shy Tarahumara people at a private luncheon they'll prepare for you. Take a river float trip, attend a demonstration of traditional Mayo Indian dances, and visit a historic adobe mission church and its museum to view a collection of rare 18th-century paintings.
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2009 Itinerary


Day 1: Welcome to Tucson
Tauck’s Mexico travel experience begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. Your transfer is included from Tucson International Airport to The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, set among natural rock formations and desert gardens in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Get refreshed with a dip in the pool before the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona*

Day 2: Head south of the border
Tour Tucson, then travel to San Xavier del Bac Mission, built in the 18th century with a blend of Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican architecture. Following lunch in historic Tubac, cross the Mexican border to Nogales and board the Sierra Madre Express where your Mexico travel continues by rail. The entire train is reserved exclusively for Tauck guests. Meet the crew and relax in the comfortable lounge cars. Travel overnight in rail cars that have been specially adapted for the Copper Canyon excursion.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard the Sierra Madre Express

Day 3: Discover colonial El Fuerte
See traditional Mexican dancing at a Mayo Indian village, and then travel to historic El Fuerte for a day of activities and overnight lodging. Founded in 1564 by Spanish Conquistadors, this town became an important trading post for silver and gold miners in the Sierra Madres, and is now renowned for its colonial architecture. Take a river float trip and visit the town’s museum. Enjoy the ambiance of your hotel, the Grande Dame of El Fuerte’s mansions, built in 1890 for a powerful alcalde, or mayor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Posada del Hidalgo, El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico

Day 4: Copper Canyon rail adventure
Wonder at the scenery from an open-air observation deck or a special glass-domed rail car as you follow the route of the Chihuahua-Pacific Railroad. Built over nearly a hundred years and completed in 1961, it’s an engineering marvel, winding around rock bluffs, passing through 83 tunnels, and crossing over 35 trestles spanning deep gorges. This epic journey takes you from sea level to an 8,000-foot elevation in the Sierra Madre mountains. It borders Copper Canyon, which is deeper and four times larger than the Grand Canyon. As you ride the rails, you can enjoy the view from several vantage points, including the open-air patio or the overstuffed chairs of the observation car. Arrive in Divisadero, and stroll to the canyon rim for a long-distance canyon view. Enjoy a family-style dinner at your hotel overlooking the solitude of the canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Posada Barrancas Mirador, Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

Day 5: The Tarahumara and historic art in Cusarare
Deep within this isolated canyon region of Mexico travel to the town of Cusarare for a chance to meet the reclusive Tarahumara people, who still reside in warm caves deep in the canyon as their ancestors have done for centuries; in summer, they travel by foot to tend their fields and sell their traditional handicrafts at the top of the canyon. Visit Cusurare's 275-year-old adobe mission church and its adjacent Loyola Museum, displaying a collection of 18th-century religious paintings that were recently restored and returned to the Tarahumara. At a lodge outside Creel, enjoy a lunch prepared and served by local Tarahumara women. Watch the sun set over the eroded landscape from your hotel balcony, which stands near the highest point of the canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Posada Barrancas Mirador, Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

Day 6: Depart Copper Canyon aboard Sierra Madre Express
Early this morning, enjoy a final chance to take in the spectacular views of Copper Canyon from your hotel on the rim, then embark on your return journey aboard the Sierra Madre Express. Descending past cliffs and through canyons where the rock colors appear to change with the angle of the sun, you get a rare second opportunity to experience Copper Canyon in a different direction and at a different time of day; it's like seeing it for the first time all over again! Spend another night aboard your private train as it winds its way through the foothills to Magdalena.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard the Sierra Madre Express

Day 7: Return to Tucson
Your Mexico travel experience comes to a conclusion as Sierra Madre Express pulls into the station at Magdalena in the morning. Bid farewell to the train crew, clear customs, and travel back to Tucson. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure at the resort, and cap this spectacular rail journey with our farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona*

Day 8: Rail adventure adios
Tour ends in Tucson, Arizona. Your transfer from the hotel to Tucson International Airport is included in Tauck’s Mexico travel adventure.
Meals: Breakfast

Note: Tours of March 11 and April 22 will stay at the Loews Ventana Canyon on nights 1 and 7.

This Mexico travel experience is one of the world’s most

remarkable train trips – don’t miss it!



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