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Mennonite Camps - Tarahumara Indians - First Class Chartered
Train Car - Creel - Divisadero - El Fuerte River Float - Barrancas - Chihuahua -
Pancho Villa
8 Days from
$995
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Tour Price Includes
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All Meals
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All Excursions
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Fully Escorted
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The Copper Canyon Train
The Chihuahua-Pacifico Railway completed in 1961, after 9O 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 the
north route in a spacious air-conditioned chartered first class train car.
Your first class Copper Canyon cars have been newly refurbished. They are
operated by Ferrocaril Mexicano, exclusive owners of the Copper Canyon rail
route. You sleep in comfort at memorable lodges and hotels.
Both your Copper Canyon train rides are scheduled in the daytime for the best
lighting for views and photography With Caravan's roundtrip train ride you can
see a different side of the Copper Canyon in each direction
Comfort and Safety
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 personal
safety the seats in your train car are only available to Caravan clients and are
not open to the general public.
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Day
1 - El Paso, Texas
Welcome to Mexico's untamed Copper Canyon with roundtrip daytime Copper Canyon
train rides in a first class chartered train car. Fly to El Paso on the border.
El Paso is the closest American gateway to the Copper Canyon. Transfer by hotel
courtesy shuttle to your hotel, the Hilton El Paso Airport. Check in after 3.00
p.m. If you drive to El Paso, Caravan has arranged free hotel parking for the
length of the tour. Dinner, then Caravan's 8.00 p.m. welcome briefing. D
Day 2 -
El Paso to Creel, Mexico
Cross the Rio Grande by private motorcoach this morning. Enter Mexico at Juarez,
a bustling border town. See the expansive pristine Samalayuca Sand Dunes.
Continue through huge expanses of rangeland and occasional pecan tree orchards
before arriving in Mennonite country. The hard-working Mennonites have
transformed the desert into fertile farmland. Lunch at a Mennonite camp. Visit a
traditional Mennonite store. Then, drive by vast apple orchards en route to
Creel, where you see the statue of Christ the King. Creel, at 7700 feet, is the
highest overnight on the tour. Dinner in Creel. BLD
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Hotel Courtyard
El Fuerte
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Day 3 - Copper Canyon Train,
Divisadero
Your morning is at leisure in Creel. Visit the
Mission Store, a trading post which buys crafts from Tarahumara Indians and
resells to visitors. All profits benefit the Tarahumara Indian hospital. Next
'All Aboard" for your Copper Canyon train trip, considered one of the top
scenic rail journeys in the world. Shortly after boarding in Creel, the train
circles back over itself in a complete loop known as El Lazo. Enjoy lunch in the
dining car. Make a brief stop in Divisadero. See the overlook and visit the
Divisadero open market. As you descend from the top of the Sierra Madre, you see
cascading waterfalls and 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. Arrive in the picturesque
colonial town of El Fuerte. Spend a relaxing two nights at a restored colonial
mansion. BLD
Day 4 - 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 desert birds in
their natural habitat. If the water level on the river is too low for rafting,
you will visit a Mayo Indian village instead. 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
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Posada Barrancas Mirador
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Day
5 -
Copper Canyon Train
Reboard your chartered train car this mornmg
for another thrilling train ride through the Canyon. You start at sea level and
climb to 8,000 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 the Copper Canyon, which is four times the
size of our Grand Canyon. The Tarahumara Indians live in the Canyon. Stop this
morning in Temoris where you can see three ascending levels of the railroad.
Enjoy lunch on board in the dining car. Your round trip train ride gives you a
second chance to view the grandeur of the Canyon. Arrive at Posada Barrancas
Mirador, the only hotel in Barrancas where each room has a terrace overlooking
the Copper Canyon. Enjoy Mexican serenades before dinner. BLD
Day 6 –
Barrancas to Chihuahua
Morning at leisure to enjoy spectacular views of the
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, drive by the old Bocoyna mission, built by
the Jesuits in 1692. Continue to Chihuahua for a fun two night stay Your hotel
is only two blocks from the main square and pedestrian promenade. Enjoy a
traditional Mexican dinner. BLD
Day 7 –
Chihuahua, Paquime'
Pottery
This morning enjoy a full sightseeing drive of
beautiful Chihuahua. Visit the government palace, home to a series of
magnificent murals depicting Mexican history. Visit the baroque cathedral. See
the 18th century aqueduct and drive by beautifully restored colonial homes.
Visit the Museum of the Revolution, former home of Pancho Villa, hero of the
Revolution. Learn the story of Mexico's fight for freedom. Next, visit Casas
Grandes Trading Post for a demonstration of Paquime' pottery-making. Enjoy
lunch. The rest of your day is at leisure. Farewell dinner tonight. BLD
Day 8 -
Chihuahua to El Paso
After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from your Chihuahua hotel to El Paso,
arriving at the airport at 1:30 p.m. Schedule your return flight after 3:00 p.m.
Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. Muchas Gracias! B
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
Bottled water provided on motorcoach.
Purified water provided at all meals.
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All Hotels Included - listed by day
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1
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El Paso- Hilton Airport
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2
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Creel- Parador de La Montana
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3,4
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El Fuerte- Posada del Hidalgo
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5
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Barrancas- Posada Barrancas Mirador
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6,7
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Chihuahua- Palacio del Sol
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2005
Departures
Begins El Paso, Texas
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Jan:
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9*, 16*, 23*, 30*
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Feb:
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6*,9*, 20, 27
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Mar:
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6, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27,
29, 31
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Apr:
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3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24
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May:
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1*, 4*, 8*, 11*
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Jun:
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19*, 26*
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Jul:
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10*, 17*, 24*
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Sep:
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4*, 18*, 21*, 23*, 25*, 27*, 29*
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Oct:
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2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 26, 30
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Nov:
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6*, 9*, 13*, 16*, 20*, 27*, 30*
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Dec:
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4*, 8*, 28, 29
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(*) Departures are
lower price
Per Person U.S. Dollars - Airfare is extra
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TWIN
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$995*
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$1195
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TRIPLE
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975*
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1145
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SINGLE
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1295*
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1495
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Taxes and fees:Twin $70;Triple $60; Single $103.
Hold space free for 7 days, then $300 deposit due.
Final payment due 60 days prior to departure.
Travel protection plan available.
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