Copper Canyon - colonial

Where does it go?

This trip crosses in Nogales, Az. in mid January. 

We will first head down the coast to San Carlos where we will have our welcome meal and take a city tour of Guaymas and visit the pearl farm and the aquarium. At the aquarium, you may get a chance to kiss a sea lion as in the photo below. The lawyers would be all over that in the US, but hey this is Mexico where stupid rules do not exist.

From San Carlos, we will drive 4 hours south to the beach town of Huatabampito. The campground there is run by a wonderful family and we will have a cooking lesson there.

Next, we will take a short drive inland to Alamos, a Colonial town, popular with the Hollywood crowd in the early 20th century. We will have a city tour, followed by a wander around of the back streets of the town at night, with a donkey carrying our wine. We will be entertained by professional musicians along the way. This is a tradition that started in Iberia in the 13th century. They are called Callejoneadas, and this occurs in both Alamos and Guanajuato in Mexico.

Next it is time to head for El Fuerte. This is where we will store our RV's when we take the train to Copper Canyon. Dogs are taken care of, and often one of the Wagon Master couple stay behind. We will do some tours in El Fuerte, including visiting a Mayo Indian village to be entertained by the deer dancers and a medicine man. We will also do an early morning nature boat trip up a river to observe nature, and view some ancient Petrogyyths. One evening will attend the El Zorro dinner show. El Fuerte is the birthplace of the real Zorro (yes, he did exist).

We catch the train to Copper Canyon, about a 5 hour trip one one of the most famous railway journeys of the world. We will stay at 2 hotels in Copper Canyon, one on the canyon edge. We will tour the area and visit the Tarahumara Indians in their cave homes. This tribe is famous for long distance running, at high altitude no less. We also include the cable car across the canyon. For the braver among you, there is also a zip Line option (extra). Actually 2 to choose from, one that shoots across the canyon, and one that goes in 8 segments over side canyons including 2 scary suspension bridges (see photo). If you are familiar with Vancouver, Canada, think Lynn Canyon on steroids. A jello container is advised to transport your remains afterwards.

After El Fuerte we will spend beach days in Las Glorias and Mazatlan, with side tours in both, included. In Mazatlan we will experience the spectacular Mazatlan Carnival

From Mazatlan, we will traverse the spectacular Mazatlan-Durango Highway, with its over 30 bridges and 30 tunnels. An engineering marvel. One the bridges is the worlds second highest. (it was highest, until China built a higher one). We will stay a couple of nights at a hot springs complex in Durango.

From Durango, we will then travel to Zacatecas for 2 nights. This is a world UNESCO city, very much like Barcelona, IMO. We will take a tour of the EL Eden mine and a city tour.

From Zacatecas we will head to Guanajuato, my favourite Colonial City. We will do a city tour and also visit the Mummy museum, one of the creepiest museums on the planet.

Next we will head to swimming pool complex, from which we will take a tour to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, where 1000's of Monarchs head each year. Next we will go to Patzcuaro where we will also do a tour.

Next, we head for a Hot Springs resort near Guadalajara for a few days. They also have night-time hot pools we can request. From there, we will visit Tequila and the pre Colombian ruins of Guachimontones, with its unique round pyramids.

After Guadalajara we will drive north to Lagos de Moreno where we will stay in a swimming pool complex for 2 nights. 

After that, we do an overnight stop in Matehuala, where we do our farewell meal, followed by an overnight in Saltillo. The next morning we will drive to Laredo and cross the border. The Copper Canyon train journey video below is from a youtube site NonStop Eurotrip

What does it cost and include?

The price (for 2027) is $12,500 Canadian. That is approximately $9200 USD. A shortened version is $10,000 Canadian or about $7350 US,  It includes all RV Parks, at least 18 guided tour days, 24 full meals, 3 nights hotel and unscheduled extras. It includes El Chepe, the Copper Canyon train. We have a Green Angel (like AAA) escort for most of the trip. We are  adding a long stay option for January where you would be escorted to San Carlos (one day south) to stay in a full service park until the main caravan comes through. The escort is a minimal charge, you just pay your own RV Park fees until the group arrives. Date is flexible depenidng on unanimous approval.

Why do you price in Canadian dollars?

We do run trips in both English and French. The company runs them as separate entities. However the Canadian dollar does tend to keep pace with the Mexican Peso better then the USD. Since 95% of our expenses are in Pesos, this protects us more from wild exchange swings, plus overall about 3/4 of our customers are Canadian, when you include both English and French operations, so it makes sense to price in that currency. We do, however, accept US dollars at the book exchange rate (not buy/sell) and you may make your payments in US equivalent. We have a widget to do the conversion, that appears on several pages on our sites.

What is the Copper Canyon Portion itinerary?

Note this can vary a bit by season. 

Day 1

- We leave the campground in El Fuerte at 8:00 AM and catch the train to Creel. On this excursion you will be traveling through one of the deepest canyons in the world.

- It took more than 90 years to complete the construction of this incredible railroad, which crosses 39 bridges and goes through 86 tunnels.

- We will enjoy a delicious lunch in the dining car of the train en route.

- We will stop at Divisadero, which at 8070 feet above sea level offers a spectacular view of the canyon.

- We will transfer to our hotel in downtown Creel where we will be spending two nights.

- We will have dinner at the hotel, featuring live regional norteño music and wine.

Day 2

- We will start the day with breakfast in the hotel at 7:30 AM, then follow that with a guided tour of the area around Creel. We will explore the regional lands of the Tarahumara Indians, including a visit to an ancient Jesuit Mission In San Ignacio and a cave dwelling. We will end up at Lake Arareco.

- As we tour the valleys surrounding Creel, we will have the opportunity to observe the living conditions of the Tarahumaras who still live in caves. We will also see dramatic rock formations and several other points of interest along the route. We will have an outdoor picnic.

Day 3

- Following breakfast at the hotel, we board a bus for a 4 hour tour through the regional canyons. We will visit several sites of interest, including the famous Fertility Rock, Oteros Canyon and the four most impressive look out points in the heart of the Sierra Madre: The Balancing Rock, Las Escaleras, Belle Vista & El Puente. We then proceed to the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara where we will spend the night.

- A full course lunch will be served at the hotel, then you will have the opportunity to walk along the Canyon rim and visit some Tarahumara families who live near the Hotel. Those who wish may ride the new Cable Car (included), the worlds longest. Winds permitting, you can opt to zip line across and ride the cable car back

- You have a free afternoon that you may spend in the hotels warm pool & jacuzzi or relaxing in the bar & on the terrace.

- Dinner at the hotel with entertainment.

Day 4

- Following breakfast at the hotel, we will view a presentation of traditional Tarahumara dancing and ball races.

- Before our return train arrives, you will have time to wander through the handicraft market near the station.

- Shortly after we board the train we will have lunch in the dinning car

- We arrive back at the RV Park in El Fuerte in early evening.

What is the Long Stay Add-On?

Since this trip starts in mid January, we are planning on adding a long stay in San Carlos at a full hookup RV Park, one day south of the border. This would be at minimal cost, the more participants, the cheaper it is.You would pay for your own RV Park fee until the main caravan arrives (about $25 US per day). The park has a small pool, pickleball, laundry, nearby restaurants, WiFi and full hookups. The ocean is across the street. This will happen in early January or mid/late December depending on unanimous approval among participants.

Here is the schedule

This is the schedule for 2027. $12,500 CANADIAN

If you are on a cell phone, you will have to turn it horizontal to view the chart below. . There are 2 options. The shorter option is below.

Shorter Trip. $10,000 Canadian. You will be escorted back to Nogales after Mazatlan.

If you are on a cell phone, you will have to turn it horizontal to view the chart below. Please note there is a % discount for signups with deposit prior to Mar 1, 2026. There are 2 options. The shorter option is below.

   
 Here is a Widget to convert Canadian Dollars to USD