Day 1 – Tucson / Hermosillo / San Carlos
Your travels begin in Tucson, where you will cross the border into Mexico. As you journey into the Sonoran Desert, keep an eye out for giant saguaro cacti. Stop for lunch in the small town of Santa Ana before traveling to Hermosillo to see its lovely colonial cathedral and the Government Palace with walls bedecked with murals depicting the history of the Sonoran region. Your day ends in San Carlos, where the desert meets the glittering Sea of Cortez. This evening there will be a welcome reception and dinner to get acquainted with your fellow travelers. Overnight Marinaterra Hotel & Spa. (B, L, D)
Day 2 – Sea of Cortez / Alamos
Wander among massive cacti at a stunning desert garden and learn about these fascinating plants, which are only found in this region. Then board a private boat for a scenic cruise on the Sea of Cortez. Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, whales and exotic birds! After lunch in a waterfront restaurant, embark on a guided tour of the first cultured pearl farm in the Americas and learn all about pearl oysters, farming, pearl grading and quality selection. Next, travel south through rich farmlands to the foothills of the Sierra Madre and the quaint town of Alamos. A living museum, the city’s cobblestone streets are lined with beautiful Spanish colonial buildings. This evening, immerse yourself in the local culture at dinner with fantastic music and folk dancing by performers in traditional costumes. Overnight Casa de los Tesoros. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – El Fuerte
Stroll the streets of Alamos as your local guide brings the town’s history to life. Visit some of the restored mansions built when Alamos’ silver mines were among the richest in the world. You can also meet local Mayo Indians and learn about their language, culture and customs. After lunch, travel further into the Sierra Madre to the town of El Fuerte. This evening, the gracious Torres family personally welcomes you into their beautifully restored 19th century mansion for dinner and entertainment. A highlight will be a performance of traditional Spanish and native dances followed by a sumptuous dinner of delicious local dishes. Overnight Torres del Fuerte. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Copper Canyon / Posada Barrancas
Mexico’s Copper Canyon, four times larger than the Grand Canyon, looms large in the culture and imagination of this proud country. Board your private rail car for your journey on the “Train in the Sky,” traveling from sea level to 7,500 feet in less than 150 miles, passing through tunnels and over soaring bridges. Engineers and laborers spent nearly 100 years laying tracks into this rugged terrain, and now the spectacular views make this one of the world’s most exciting train journeys. Pass alongside the jagged Barranca Septentrion and Urique Canyons as you travel to the heart of the Copper Canyon. Disembark in Posada Barrancas situated right on the rim of the Urique Canyon, your home for the next two nights. Overnight Mansion Tarahumara. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Copper Canyon Sightseeing
Spend the entire day exploring this dramatic area, one of the greatest natural treasures of North America. Learn about the geological forces that created the seven individual canyons, collectively known as Copper Canyon. Meet the local Tarahumara Indians, a semi-nomadic tribe whose ancestors have lived in the canyon’s caves for thousands of years, and learn about their natural remedies from a local medicine woman. Later, board the new aerial tram and descend into the canyon to experience its grandeur in a way few have ever done. Overnight Mansion Tarahumara. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – Casas Grandes
Travel to the village of Creel via Oteros Canyon before descending into the stark Chihuahuan Desert and the city of Casas Grandes. This evening, visit a pottery studio where local artisans have adapted ancient traditions into a modern style called Mata Ortiz. Watch master craftsmen design and fire pots and learn about the archeological finds at Paquime that inspired their style. This evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. Overnight Hotel Hacienda. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Paquime / Tucson
Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paquime, a great trading center in the 14th and 15th centuries before the Spanish conquest of Mexico. You can see ceremonial mounds, the House of the Cross, and the House of the Serpent. Later, we’ll travel across the Chihuahuan Desert into the U.S., and then depart for home from Tucson. (B)
Canyon Statistics
The Copper Canyon, while a distinct Canyon in itself, is used to describe a complex of five
canyons:
Urique 6,136 feet
Sinforasa 6,002 feet
Batopilas 5,904 feet
Copper Canyon 5,770 feet
Guaynopa 5,313 feet
Compare these Canyon statistics with that of the Grand Canyon at Hopi Point, 4,674 feet!
