Highlights
- Learn about Mexico's military history at the Museo Galería de Armas in Chihuahua
- Stop in Cuauhtémoc to meet the local Mennonites and learn about their culture
- Visit an ancient cave dwelling, once home to Tarahumara people, in Copper Canyon
- Watch Cascada Piedra Volada plunge over 1,312 feet (400 m) into a lush canyon
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Chihuahua, Guided Tour of the Historic Center | Chihuahua |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Creel, Guided Tour of Barranca del Cobre | Creel |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Posada Barrancas, Afternoon at Parque Barrancas | Posada Barrancas |
| Day 4 | Train to El Fuerte, Guided Tour of the Historic Center | El Fuerte |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Los Mochis, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chihuahua, Guided Tour of the Historic Center
Welcome to Chihuahua, a vibrant city located in northern Mexico known for its colonial architecture and rich history. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer 30 minutes to your hotel in the city center. Check in and get ready for a tour of the historic district. Drive with your guide along the city streets, stopping at landmarks like the 19th-century Palacio de Gobierno, a colonial-era building that serves as the seat of the state government. Enter to admire the impressive murals within, painted by renowned Mexican artists like David Alfaro Siqueiros and Leopoldo Méndez.
Day 2: Transfer to Creel, Guided Tour of Barranca del Cobre
After a restful night in Chihuahua, it's time to hit the road on a 3.5-hour transfer to Creel. The town is known as a gateway to Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon), a vast canyon network in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. On the way, you'll stop in Cuauhtémoc to learn about Mennonite culture. The Mennonites came to Mexico as part of an agreement with the government that they would maintain an agrarian lifestyle and refrain from military service. Learn about this peaceful community's history, lifestyle, and traditions before completing the drive to your hotel in Creel to check in.
In the afternoon, set off on a tour of the town's natural surroundings and highlights, starting at Lago de Arareko. Admire the lake's calm blue-green waters that mirror the surrounding pine forests and dramatic rock formations, then continue to the Mission of San Ignacio de Arareko, built in the 17th century by Jesuit missionaries. Discover the well-preserved stone walls, intricate altar, and surrounding courtyard while learning about the building's history.
Your next stop is a cave that the Indigenous Tarahumara people inhabited for centuries. They still reside in the area, but most have switched to more modern housing forms so you can explore the remnants of their ancient dwellings. End the tour in the Valley of the Monks, where you'll see towering 164-foot-high (50 m) rock formations resembling the silhouettes of monks. Stay until sunset to watch the sky transform and cast the valley in a warm, golden light.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Transfer to Posada Barrancas, Afternoon at Parque Barrancas
Discover more of Barranca Del Cobre today as you transfer one hour to Posada Barrancas, a small town on the canyon's edge. After checking in at your hotel, set off on a three-hour tour of the area, starting at a viewpoint overlooking Cascada Piedra Volada. Watch the waterfall plunge over 1,312 feet (400 m) into the lush canyon below before continuing to a market in the hamlet of Divisadero. Peruse the stalls full of handmade goods, like intricately woven blankets, colorful shawls, and the famous Rarámuri footwear—sandals made from leather and tires, known for their durability.
Then, spend the rest of the day at Parque Barrancas, a thrilling adventure park featuring a cable car, seven-station zipline, aerial forest, via ferrata (a protected climbing route with fixed cables, ladders, rungs, and bridges secured to the rock face), and the world's longest ziprider (a zipline featuring a chair-type harness). Partake in one or more of the adrenaline-inducing activities on offer or enjoy a more relaxed game of mini golf at the 18-hole course. If you want to grab a bite to eat, visit the on-site Barranco Restaurant for local delights and canyon views.
Day 4: Train to El Fuerte, Guided Tour of the Historic Center
Travel in style today as you board the luxurious El Chepe Express for a 5.5-hour rail adventure to the town of El Fuerte, named after the 16th-century fort built by the Spanish to protect the region. Look out the large, panoramic train windows for unobstructed views of the deep ravines, towering cliffs, and lush forests you pass. Relax in comfort on the spacious seating and enjoy onboard meal services in the gourmet dining car throughout the long journey.
Day 5: Transfer to Los Mochis, Depart
After just five days of exploring northern Mexico, it's time to head home. If you wake up early, you can stroll along the Río Fuerte or visit Museo El Fuerte to learn about the Indigenous Yoreme communities and the town's evolution over the centuries, including during the Spanish colonial era. When it's time, meet your driver for a 1.5-hour transfer to the airport in Los Mochis. You'll pass through stretches of lush farmland with the Sierra Madre Occidental in the distance. Once you arrive in the city, head straight to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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