All World Journeys

Day 1: Arrival Los Mochis / El Fuerte
Arrival in Los Mochis, in Mexico’s northwestern state of Sinaloa, followed by an overland drive to the charming old town of El Fuerte, on the foothills of the Sierra Madre, a town which has preserved the flavour of its colonial past. Overnight accommodation is provided at the unique Posada del Hidalgo, a charming old patrician mansion, full of history today converted into a hospitable inn.

Day 2: El Fuerte / Cerocahui
This morning starts with an early wake up call and breakfast before being transferred to the railroad station for departure on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Train. The extraordinary train ride will take you from cactus and sagebrush to cedar and pine .. and from your window you may marvel at cascading waterfalls and breathtaking views of the fantastic canyons. We arrive at Bahuichivo Station shortly after 11 a.m . A bus will transfer us to te quaint nearby village of Cerocahui where we have reservations at the charming Hotel Mision Cerocahui, along a picturesque mountain road. Unusual rock formations and beautiful streams help make the 35 minute ride enjoyable. Across the street from the hotel is the historic old mission church, with the original alter dating back to the mid-1700’s. The village was founded originally in 1694 by Jesuit Missionaries. After we arrive at the hotel we have an early lunch and the afternoon is yours. We suggest going on an optional tour out to Cerro dell Gallego Urique Outlook, which provides the most sweeping view of Copper Canyon. Standing at 2,500 meters elevation, it looks directly into Urique Canyon, the deepest canyon in the system. The mining town of Urique is nestled below, alongside the river. We also suggest that should time permit, you take a tour of a cave home, a Tarahumara Rancho and the Virginecita Spring (Little Virgin Spring).

Day 3: Cerocahui / Divisadero
After breakfast we leave on a horseback riding tour to Cerocahui Waterfall, known as Huicochi, which in the Tarahumara language means, “place of many trees”. Experience a memorable 8 kilometer roud-trip along the river to this beautiful waterfall at the end of a box canyon. Afterwards we transfer back to Bahuichivo Station, to continue the rail journey, climbing ever higher up the rugged Sierra Madre mountain chain, as the train winds its way past ridges and cliffs, over steep mountain passes, reaching heights of 2500 meters, and crossing yawning canyons as well as fast-flowing rivers, until reaching Divisadero Station. At over 2200 meters above sea level, Divisadero Station is the railroad’s highest point. As you disembark the train, an unbelievable panorama extends under your eyes, the point where the three main ravins of the copper canyon system meet  – the Urique, the Tararecua and the Copper Canyons. We then  take a short transfer to the Posada Mirador Hotel. Poised like an eagle’s nest at the canyons’s edge, and overlooking awe-inspiring scenery from the rim of Copper Canyon, this deluxe hotel is surrounded by pine trees, and appears to be “etched out” o fthe natural rock itself. The panoramic vistas offered from the hotel are a truly unforgettable experience. This beautiful structure is unique in its architecture and decor and each of its luxurious rooms and suites has a private terrace from where one can enjoy the finest views of the canyon. After enjoying lunch we have a chance to join a guided walk along the canyon rim, with ever changing vistas, and a stop at Piedra Volada, a giant rock miraculously perched on the edge of a precipice. If time permits you will also have an opportunity to visit some of the Tarahumara Indian’s cave dwellings, and admire their native handicrafts, mainly consisting of woodcarvings, basketry and ceramics.

Day 4: Divisadero / Menonitas / Chihuahua
This morning we depart after breakfast for our next and last spectacular panoramic journey, this time by road over the Sierra Madre’s last mountain range, past the lumber town of Creel and on through the beautiful wooded mountains to the dairy farms of the Mennonites, an interesting community of German-descent farmers who migrated to Mexico in the early 20th Centruy, having preserved to this day their lower-German dialect, religion, customs and even their dress. We enjoy a lunch with the Menonitas before moving on, arriving in the capital of Chihuahua by the end of the afternoon. The state of Chihuahua is famous for its cattle, so we would encourage you to sample one of the region’s magnificent meat cuts when you have dinner tonight.

Day 5: Depart Chihuahua
This morning we start an interesting tour of the historical state capital, affectionatly known as the Lady Of The Desert. It is a charming city with a large amount of impressive buildings and monuments, both historically and architecturally interesting. Our tour first takes us to a local Government Palace, a neo-classical building with interesting murals depicting the States and Cities history. Father Hidalgo the initiator of the Mexican struggle for independance, was held prisoner, and later executed here. Next stop is the majestic pink sandstone Cathedral, with its marvelous baroque facade, dating back to the 18th Century. We then visit the Quinta Luz, once the residence and headquaters of revolutionary hero/villan Pancho Villa, today converted into the Museum of the Mexican Revolution. Finally we visit the gorgeous Quinta Gameros, probably Chihuahuas most beautiful construction and one of the countries finest samples of art noveau architecture, that was converted into the State University Cultural Centre, housing important art collections and offering interesting temporary exhibitions. After the city tour we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.