First Day: Depart from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, clearing Mexican customs in Reynosa. Then relax and enjoy the smooth, easy drive to Monterrey on the divided highway. After a lunch stop in this city of vitality, return to the modern highway and enjoy towering mountains stretching up on each side of you. Overnight at first class Hotel Hacienda El Farol in Parras, a former hacienda.
Welcome Dinner.

Second Day: Travel comfortably into the big country while your tour conductor chats about the flora, fauna, and legends of the area. You're on your way to Durango and John Wayne's favorite western movie scenery. Visit the Mexican Movie Studios where "Big Jake" and "Chism" were filmed. Then tour the main plazas and the picturesque downtown. Then stop for a picnic lunch with an incredible view! You'll see the impressive cathedral built in 1695. Spend the night at the Hotel Plaza Vizcaya.
Breakfast, Box Lunch Included.

Third Day: You'll see gorgeous scenery today while crossing the continental divide. Arrive in Mazatlan, where the Manila galleons once trought riches from afar, much to the delight of pirates determined to share the wealth. You'll feel like royalty for the next two nights at the beachside Playa Mazatlan Hotel.
Breakfast Included.

Fourth Day: If you can tear yourself away from waving palms and the beach, come along onthe city tour of this beautiful tropical city. See the Zocalo, the Municipal Palace. Arts center and "Ice Box Hill," which served as a lookout point for pirate ships during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today your Tour Conductor will be available to help with any special requests or purchases.
Breakfast Included.

Fifth Day:  This morning, you'll journey on to Los Mochis. On the way, you'll pass through the agricultural area of Culiacan, Tomato capital of Mexico. Your hotel tonight is Hotel Santa Anita in Los Mochis.
Breakfast Included.

Sixth Day: This morning, you'll board the train, the Chihuahua al Pacifico, at 6 a.m., and begin your Copper Canyon excursion. The ride will bring you breathtaking views along the way. Down below, rivers churn through deep green gorges, white waterfalls and vivid blossoms. The land will suddenly fall away as the train rolls across high bridges and casts a shadow on the waters below. Be ready and quick with your cameras. Many of the best shots may disappear into darkness as you go through one of the 86 tunnels. Tonight you will enjoy the hospitality of the quaint hotel, Cabanas Divisadero, located on the rim of the Canyon.
Dinner Included.

Seventh Day: You are free to enjoy the Canyon area until mid afternoon, when you board your motorcoach to Creel, handicraft center of the colorful Tarahumara Indians. You'll pass through rich farmland and orchards of a Mennonites at Cuauhtémoc. Your hotel tonight is the Hotel San Francisco in Chihuahua.
Breakfast and Lunch Included.

Eighth Day:  Sightseeing in Chihuahua includes the Pancho Villa House, now a museum, the main plaza cathedral, an aqueduct built by the Spaniards in 1754, still in use, and colonial districts. Then you'll arrive in Torreon. You'll stay at the downtown Camino Real.
Breakfast Included.

Ninth Day: Colonial Spanish influence is everywhere, as you visit the cathedral, main plaza and Governor's Palace. Then settle back for the drive home. You'll stop in Saltillo to see where serapes are woven. Then to Monterrey for a lunch stop. Arrive in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas at about 5:30 p.m.
Breakfast Included.

The ride aboard the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad takes you through glorious landscapes from just above sea level to almost 8,000 feet

The Chepe train is always a comfortable ride from Los Moshis to Divisadero

The train is comfortable. You'll enjoy it!

Your train ride on the chepe route from Los Mochis to Divisadero is a highlight

2008 Tour Dates
Oct. 23; Nov. 11, 29

**2009 Tour Dates
Jan. 21, 28; Feb. 5, 8, 18, 21, 25; Mar. 1, 4, 5, 10, 14; Jun. 17; Sep. 10; Oct. 7, 25; Nov. 11, 29

**Same features, same hotels, same attractions as 2008.