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FROM $995 PER PERSON
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AVAILABLE
PHOENIX, ARIZONA ROUNDTRIP
Itinerary
Day 1 – Phoenix, Arizona
Welcome to Mexico’s majestic Copper Canyon. Enjoy an exciting roundtrip Copper Canyon train ride in a first class chartered train car. Your adventure begins in Phoenix, Arizona. Transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing.
Day 2 – Phoenix to Obregon, Mexico
Drive south through Tucson and Green Valley to Nogales. See large saguaro cacti en route. Enter Mexico this morning. Enjoy lunch. Continue on a modern four lane highway through huge expanses of rangeland and occasional pecan tree orchards. Then journey through the Sonora Desert to Obregon for overnight. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 3 – Yaqui Indian Museum, El Fuerte
This morning visit the Yaqui Indian Museum. Learn about the tribe’s traditions, costumes, art, and the famous deer dance. Enjoy lunch. This afternoon visit a Mayo Indian Village. See the remains of the old Tehueco Mission, dating from 1650 and the neighboring church built in 1811. Arrive in the picturesque colonial town of El Fuerte, founded in 1564. El Fuerte has been named a “Pueblo Magico” (“Magical Town”) by the Mexican Government because of the plaza’s beautifully preserved colonial architecture, romantic atmosphere and festive shows. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 4 – Copper Canyon Train to Divisadero
This morning, “All Aboard” for your Copper Canyon train trip, considered one of the top scenic rail journeys in the world. You start at sea level and climb to 7,500 feet. The entire railroad passes through 86 tunnels and 38 bridges in the 25,000 square mile canyons of the Sierra Madre. The five major canyons are collectively known as Copper Canyon. Journey through Temoris where you see three ascending levels of the railroad. Enjoy a box lunch. Your scheduled arrival is early afternoon at your hotel on the rim of Copper Canyon. See sweeping majestic views from your room directly overlooking the canyon. Overnight elevation approximately 7,500 feet. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 5 – Copper Canyon Train to El Fuerte
Morning at leisure to enjoy spectacular views of Copper Canyon from your hotel. Walk to see the Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon caves below, or mingle with the Tarahumara artisan vendors who gather in front of the hotel. After lunch, reboard your chartered train car for another thrilling train ride through the Canyon. As you descend from the top of the Sierra Madre, you may see cascading waterfalls. Sheer canyon walls give way to rolling hills and tropical farmlands. See palm, banana, papaya and mango trees. Copper Canyon sunsets are a delight. Dinner is in the dining car. Return to El Fuerte for a relaxing two night stay. Overnight elevation approximately 300 feet. BLD
Day 6 – El Fuerte, River Float Trip
On your El Fuerte River float trip this morning, you may see parrots, woodpeckers, kiskadees, kingfishers, doves, cormorants and other birds in their natural habitat (river and weather conditions permitting). Next, a brief walking tour to visit the 17th century cathedral and government palace. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to stroll the cobblestone streets and the charming plaza of El Fuerte, center of all social life. Before dinner, enjoy a colorful and festive Mexican ballet folklorico. BLD
Day 7 – Pottery Making, Hermosillo
This morning, see a demonstration of Paquimé pottery-making, made famous by the Casas Grandes Indians. Then, drive north. After lunch, continue to Hermosillo, the capital of the state of Sonora. Sightseeing drive of the government palace and Asuncion Cathedral. Visit Zaragoza plaza. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 8 – Hermosillo to Phoenix, Arizona
Drive north this morning through the vast Sonora Desert with sweeping views of the Sierra Madre. The Sonora’s ecosystem includes a unique variety of plants and animals. Box lunch. This afternoon, re-enter the United States at Nogales, Arizona. Arrive at your hotel in Phoenix. Please do not schedule flights for this evening as there are often long delays crossing the border. BL
Day 9 – Phoenix
The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Muchas Gracias! B
About The Copper Canyon Train
The Chihuahua-Pacifico Railway, completed in 1961 after 90 years of construction, is a modern marvel of engineering. The same rails are used by all trains going through the Canyon. With Caravan you travel both the south and north route in a spacious air-conditioned chartered first class train car.
The train is operated by Ferrocaril Mexicano, exclusive owners of the Copper Canyon rail route. In the rare event of a train stoppage. Caravan will make alternative arrangements.
Both of your Copper Canyon train rides are scheduled in the daytime for the best lighting for views and photography. Often the train can be delayed for up to a couple of hours. A roundtrip train ride doubles your chances of viewing the canyon during daylight. Also, by going roundtrip, you can see a different side of the canyon in each direction.
Comfort and Safety, First Class Car
Caravan has reserved an entire first class train car. For your comfort, there are always more seats in your car than there are clients. For your safety, the seats in your train car are only available to Caravan clients and are not open to the general public. For your health, Caravan spends only one night on the rim which has an elevation of 7,500 feet.
Accommodations
Day 1 Phoenix Hilton Garden Inn
Day 2 Obregon, Mexico Fiesta Inn
Day 3 El Fuerte Rio Vista Lodge
Day 4 Canyon Rim Mirador
Day 5 El Fuerte Posada del Hidalgo
Day 6 El Fuerte Posada del Hidalgo
Day 7 Hermosillo Fiesta Americana
Day 8 Phoenix Hilton Garden Inn
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