Mexico’s Wild West Wonder

(19 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Stephanie Homann

Colfax, WI
My Passion is Your Travel Experience

I love working with my clients to design vacations and experiences that allow them to discover new cultures and geographic areas, along with an opportunity to create memories that last the rest of their lives. As a travel professional for over twe...

When you think of a place to relax on sugar white sand beaches, swim in refreshing waters, or a place to enjoy culture and nightlife, many of us think of Mexico.  However, Mexico has so much more to offer than just that!  One such area is the north west part of Mexico, the county’s ‘wild west’.  This region, the Copper Canyon, or more accurately, la Sierra Terahumara, is full of splendid scenery and rich in indigenous culture.  The Copper Canyon is a collection of six canyons, four of which are deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  In addition to their beauty, they are dotted with Jesuit missions, abandoned mines, early 20th century mansions, and indigenous cave dwellings.   


The Chihuahua al Pacifico (Chihuahua to the Pacific), also known as the Copper Canyon Railway, is one of the most remarkable train trips in the world and stretches 415 miles from Los Mochis to Chihuahua through the canyons.  Visitors first gained access to this area in 1961 with the completion of the railway.  The first-class train winds through some of the country’s most magnificent scenery between towering canyon walls while hugging the cliff face with intermittent views of the river far below.  Along the way you will pass through 86 tunnels and cross 37 bridges.  The longest stretches over one third mile over a dizzying gorge.  To get the best daytime canyon views, travel from west to east.  Sixty miles into the journey from Los Mochis, the train begins an impressive assent climbing more than 7,500 feet in just 150 miles.   


The Copper Canyon Railway makes several stops along the way to admire the view and to buy food and crafts from the Tarahumara Indians.  Many small towns or villages break up the trip and make great stop-over locations for a day or two.  Creel, a great frontier-spirited lumber town and is an ideal location to base additional exploration of the canyon.  From Creel, you can arrange a variety of guided tours or adventure off on your own.  Visits to Tarahumara caves, lakes, waterfalls, and strange rock formations are just a few of the many sightseeing opportunities.  Another great place to stop along the way include El Fuerte, which was built as a fort and later used as a major trading post for the gold and silver miners.  This area’s lakes are well known for their large mouth bass.  Tucked inside a 5,000 foot gorge, lovely Cerocahui is surrounded by apple orchards.  The gateway to the Urique Canyon, this small town was founded by the Jesuit priest in 1680.  There are many more villages and towns that can make this train trip an adventure by way of escorted tour, independent travel or a combination of the two.  You can spend just a few days or entire weeks in the Copper Canyon exploring the people, culture and never ending beauty. 

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