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Canyon’s by Rail Verde Canyon, AZ & Copper Canyon, Mexico 11 Days/10 Nights
An amazing tour of two incredible train rides through two canyons of the southwest: The Verde Canyon in Arizona and The Copper Canyon in Mexico. The tour begins in Phoenix with a tour on the Verde Canyon Railroad and continues to Tucson for your journey to Copper Canyon Mexico. The Verde Canyon Railroad is a popular tourist train taking passengers to an area only accessible by train. The flora and fauna, rugged high desert rock canyons, and wildlife sightings make this an unforgettable trip. Copper Canyon is deeper and wider than the Grand Canyon and was formed by volcanic activity much later than the Grand Canyon. The line through the canyon, (from Chihuahua to Los Mochis) began construction in 1900 and was completed in 1911. The trains operate without the use of modern day technology (computers), using timetables, watches and radio communication. The terrain varies from desert to alpine. This tour also gives you insight into the native Tarahumara Indian culture. The Indians still live a simple life; living in caves and selling their beautifully hand-woven baskets, as a means to buy their food and clothing. Cartan’s Tour Highlights:
Day 1 – Arrive Phoenix Welcome to Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun. Transportation to the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town is provided. The Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town is an ideal place to stay, with the conveniences of nearby shopping and restaurants. The balance of the day is free to relax or enjoy the surrounding area. Overnight – Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town Day 2 – Verde Canyon Rail Tour (B, S) After breakfast you will be taken to Williams for a panoramic rail experience through Verde Canyon by train. An unforgettable journey that is only accessible by train with colorful desert cliffs and abundant wildlife. Light snacks are served aboard the train and you have access to the open-air cars for unobstructed photography. Before returning to Phoenix, a visit to Jerome is scheduled. Jerome is a historic copper mining town, offering quaint shops and is rich with history. Upon returning to the hotel, your evening is free. There are many restaurants to choose from, within walking distance of the hotel. Overnight – Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town Day 3 – Phoenix to Tucson (B, D) Breakfast is at leisure this morning. You have time to explore Old Town Scottsdale with its many shops and galleries, until later this afternoon. The Trolley is free and it is wonderful just to ride the loop, if nothing else. There are a number of stops along the way, so you can hop off and on where you wish. Later this afternoon, you will be shuttled to the Phoenix airport, where you will connect with the shuttle to Tucson. The DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park, is where you will be staying tonight. This evening, the Sierra Madre Express will conduct a briefing that includes a buffet dinner. You will get to meet your tour guides and fellow travelers. Overnight – DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park Day 4 – Tucson/Nogales, Mexico/Sierra Madre Express (B, L, R, D) After breakfast, you board a motorcoach for a tour of Tucson and the Santa Cruz Valley. A brief stop at Arizona State Museum is scheduled, that includes an introduction to the Tarahumara Indians. Next, it’s on to the Arizona Transportation Museum where a steam engine is on display. Prior to arriving into Mexico lunch will be served at the Cow Palace. It’s a short ride to the border, but customs and immigration may take some time. Adios USA - Bienvenidos a’ Mexico! Not much further to go, before boarding the Sierra Madre Express. The staff is anticipating our arrival and has refreshments ready for us, including delicious margaritas! This evening, a full dinner is served in the classic Dome Car Lounge. You travel through small towns and into the desert, and eventually through rolling hills. As the sun sets and darkness is upon us, you may want to get a little fresh air and look out at the starry sky; before falling asleep to the rocking of the train. Overnight – Aboard the Sierra Madre Express Day 5 – Sierra Madre Express/Bahuichivo/Cerocahui (B, L, D) Breakfast is served in the dome car and lunch is served where you are seated in one of the lounges onboard the Express as you ascend into the Copper Canyon region. The train travels over 37 bridges (the highest bridge is 355 feet and the longest is 1,000 feet), passes through 87 tunnels (the longest is 5,996 feet), while climbing its way to Divisadaro. One of the most fascinating places along the route is Temoris, where the train ascends and descends 3 levels of track. After exiting the tunnel, the vegetation changes from the desert and tropical region, to an alpine vegetation. Shortly after passing the spectacular scenery of Temoris, we arrive in Bahuichivo. A 45 minute bus ride takes you to the charming colonial-style, Hotel Mision in Cerocahui. Stroll around the plaza or visit the nearby Mision church, before returning to the hotel for a margarita reception and entertainment before dinner. Overnight – Hotel Mision Day 6 - Cerocahui/Bahuichivo/Divisadero (B, L, D) After breakfast, you can spend a quiet morning in Cerocahui, or take the included bus tour to Gallego Outlook, for an unforgettable view of the remote Urique Canyon. We stop to stretch our legs, and have an opportunity to purchase beautiful woven baskets from a Tarahumara woman. The views from Urique Canyon are stunning! After returning, lunch is served at the hotel. Then we visit the neighboring school for Tarahumara girls, where they will serenade us. We then board the bus to return to the Express. We arrive at Divisadero late afternoon, and are taken to the Posada Mirador Hotel. The hotel is built into the side of the cliffs overlooking the canyon offering spectacular views in every direction! Outside the front door, there are Tarahumara woman selling their beautifully woven baskets and vendors selling copper goods as well. A reception in the Mirador Lounge, with entertainment by the Tarahumara Indians, is followed by dinner in the dining room. After dinner, darkness falls over the canyon, while millions of stars appear in the sky above. Small glimpses of open fires from Tarahumara caves, can be seen. Tranquility is at its peak! Overnight – Hotel Posada Mirador Day 7 – Divisadero/Creel (B, L, D) Following breakfast, we depart on the Express to Creel, in the heart of Tarahumara country. There will be time for shopping for native handicrafts, Mata Ortiz pottery and other souvenirs. Lunch is served aboard the train in the lounges. After lunch, we depart by bus for a tour of Cusarare. In this Tarahumara village, you can visit a “one of a kind” colonial art museum. We return to the Express, for our return back to Divisadero and the Posada Mirador. A cocktail reception with entertainment, is followed by our farewell dinner in the dining room. Your evening is free, to enjoy the peacefulness of the canyon at night. Overnight – Hotel Posada Mirador Day 8 – Sierra Madre Express (B, L, D) After breakfast, your morning is free for exploring. Consider shopping, hiking, horseback riding (extra charge), a Hummer Tour (extra charge) or just taking in the beautiful surroundings. We return to the train, where the attendants are awaiting our arrival. Last chance to take photos of the spectacular scenery, and make any last minute purchases from either the Tarahumara’s or vendors. Although the freshly grilled food smells delicious and is tempting, lunch will be served on the Express. Once again, we enjoy the scenery through the canyon, as the Express descends towards the coast. You will have an opportunity to take photographs that you may have missed previously. Dinner will be served in the dome car. Then it’s off to bed, with the rocking of the train. Overnight – Sierra Madre Express Day 9 – Sierra Madre Express/Tucson (B, L) Buenos Dias! Breakfast is served in the dome car. Your last day aboard the Express, is spent traveling north along the coast. The sea is not visible from the train due to the mountains in between. You can enjoy the daylight view of the Sonoran Desert from the observation decks on the Express. Lunch is served on board, prior to our early afternoon arrival into Magdalena. The motorcoach awaits our arrival, to take us back through Nogales to clear US customs and immigration. Adios Mexico – Welcome back to the USA!! We arrive back at the DoubleTree Tucson Reid Park Hotel, with all the amenities and comforts we have grown accustomed to in the United States! Dinner is on your own this evening. It’s time to say farewell to some of the precious people that you have met, on this unique rail journey. Tomorrow brings an exciting, last day of discovery. Overnight – DoubleTree Tucson Hotel Day 10 – Tucson/Pima Air Force Base (B) Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, and then it’s off to the PIMA Air Force Base to experience over 250 vintage aircraft. The narrated tram tour, will provide you with information about almost every piece of equipment at the museum. There are also 5 indoor hangers, where docents are ready to answer any questions you may have and provide you with more detailed information. There is also the Space Exploration Museum and the 390th Memorial Museum to visit, making this a full day experience that you will cherish. The Thunderbird’s Grill is available for lunch. We have also included a trip to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMRG). This is also known as the “Boneyard”. A one hour narrated bus tour on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, provides you with a glimpse of the numerous aircraft that have been retired by the military. Return back to the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. You may want to check with the hotel about providing a shuttle to any nearby restaurants. Overnight – DoubleTree Hotel Tucson Day 11 – Tucson/Home (B) Breakfast is provided for you this morning. Transportation to the Tucson Airport is complimentary from the hotel. Check with the front desk for departure times. We hope you have enjoyed your tour with us. Have a safe, return trip home. Gracias! Thank you!
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