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. Journey over a railway that was 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. In this compelling region of Mexico travel to a colonial town established by Spanish Conquistadors, and the cave dwellings of the Tarahumara people.

Tucson
Day 1
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

Head south of the border
Day 2
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

Discover Colonial El Fuerte
Day 3
See traditional dancing at a Mexican 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

Copper Canyon Adventure
Day 4
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 90 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. 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

Tarahumara in Creel
Day 5
Deep within this isolated canyon region of Mexico travel to the town of Creel 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. Visit some of their dwellings, and see their traditional handicraft work. 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

Copper Canyon By Rail
Day 6
Spend the early morning at the canyon rim visiting with local Tarahumara. Then journey on the Sierra Madre Express, descending through canyons where the rock colors appear to change with the angle of the sun. Overnight in rail cars as the train winds its way through the foothills.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard the Sierra Madre Express

Return To Tucson
Day 7
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 the resort, and a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona

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

Cabin Type	Double Pricing	Single Pricing
Train Compartment Type 1 Upper & Lower Beds, Sink & Toilet	$4,160	$6,960
Train Compartment Type 2 Two Lower Beds, Sink & Toilet	$4,330	N/A

2009 Tour Dates

February 11 & 18
March 4, 11 & 25
April 1, 15 & 22
September 16 & 23
October 7 & 14

2009 Prices

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy

Cabin Type	Double Pricing	Single Pricing
Train Compartment Type 1 Upper & Lower Beds, Sink & Toilet	$4,290	$7,060
Train Compartment Type 2 Two Lower Beds, Sink & Toilet	$4,530	N/A

Who will enjoy this journey? Limited to just 42 Tauck guests, this journey appeals to well traveled persons interested in discovering a unique destination, where the unexpected adds authentic local flavor and may require good-natured flexibility. To fully enjoy this journey, walking on uneven terrain and at high elevations, including an 8,000' plateau, will be required. Walking while the train is in motion is unsteady, and unfortunately, wheelchairs can’t be accommodated. Casual clothes are recommended. Accommodations & Dining Accommodations and services range from resort-elegant in Tucson to locally colorful in Mexico. More remote parts of the tour should not be compared to other Tauck journeys; the area traveled is isolated, especially in the canyon. Lodging in northern Mexico is rustic but comfortable, and the services are basic – i.e. the hot water may not always be hot. Guests will need to climb stairs to their rooms; there are no elevators. Dining in Mexico is from a limited selection of entrees. Bottled water is provided on the train and in Mexican hotels. About Tauck's Private Train Sierra Madre Express consists of four private Pullman cars. The Arizona car has a large observation lounge and four guest compartments with upper and lower beds. The Divisadero car has an open-air observation patio and, along with her sister car, the Ing. Ballesteros FCP car, features eight compartments with lower beds and one with an upper and lower bed; all beds are 6'3" in length. Train compartments are compact with a sealed window, 110-volt power, bedside sink and a toilet underneath; no showers. The Tucson car has a lounge where complimentary drinks are available, as well as a domed observation and dining area. Each rail car has air conditioning and heating.

---

To check availability or receive additional information on the Copper Canyon by Tauck drop us a note, or call.... 800-777-7739

Adventure | Cruises | Tours | Rail
Private Jet | What's New | Tools | Home

---

~ REX TRAVEL ~
100 N. LaSalle, Suite 2010
Chicago, IL 60602
phone: (800) 777-7739 or + 312 641-6633
fax: + 312 641-6641
e-mail: vacation@rextravel.com
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, CST

reprinted with permission of Tauck

© copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved.
The use of, access to, and correspondence with this site is subject to certain terms and conditions

Content provided by Online Travel Content, Inc.