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Mexico has two very special train routes, the best known being the Copper Canyon and a newer historic tour of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Mayan Culture on the Expreso Maya.
Mexico's Copper Canyon can be explored via the private car luxury of the
American Orient Express as a 7-day round trip from El Paso / Juarez to
Divisadero. A bus connection to Alamos and an overnight there to explore.
2006 ITINERARY
DAY 1— EL PASO / BOARD THE
AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS
IN JUAREZ, MEXICO
We meet in the early afternoon at the Marriott Hotel El Paso for a welcome
orientation before being transported to Juarez via motorcoach to board the
train. As you catch your first glimpse of the train, you’ll automatically feel
that you’ve stepped back in time. Our journey south begins as we become familiar
with the desert's unique flora and fauna, including barrel cactus with bright
yellow blooms, speedy road runners and Gila lizards. (D)
DAY 2 — CHIHUAHUA
Here our guided city tour includes opportunities to explore the Museum of the
Revolution once the home of Pancho Villa, the towering Chihuahua Cathedral, with
its marvelous baroque facade, and the Government Palace. At the Quinta Gameros
Museum, we hear the love story of Manual Gameros, who built this exquisite art
nouveau-style mansion for his fiance, who then left him for the builder. Today
it houses the University of Chihuahua art collection in the upstairs galleries.
As we depart the hustle of the city and relax back on board the train, we pass
through montane forest, ranchlands and fertile apple orchards and wind our way
down the road less traveled. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 — CREEL
We wake this morning in Creel, where we transfer to Cusarare Falls. Jesuits
built the Cusarare Mission nearby in 1741 and acquired 12 Miguel Correa oils,
depicting the life of the Virgin Mary. These restored paintings and others are
housed today in the Loyola Museum. We visit the adobe mission, with a
presentation by the curator, then tour the museum and enjoy a gallery reception.
This evening we get our first glimpse of the Copper Canyon by dining at the
Hotel Posada Barrancas Mirador, positioned on the canyon's edge, before boarding
the train for our overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 — COPPER CANYON
Today the train travels the world's most scenic rail route, Mexico's famous
Copper Canyon, which the locals call Barranca del Cobre. A vast network of
canyons and six rivers, this region is accessible only by rail. At four times
the size of the Grand Canyon, we spend the entire day on board winding through
83 tunnels, crossing 35 trestles and climbing 8,000 feet into the heart of the
Sierra Madres to experience its pristine beauty. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 — ALAMOS
Alamos was founded in 1540, when Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, the future
governor of the Colony of Western Mexico, selected it as his campsite. The
haciendas and cathedral we see today reflect the town's days as a silver mining
center in the 1600s. Following narrow cobblestone streets, we enjoy a guided
home and garden tour, with visits to Spanish mansions and the old plaza. This
afternoon, we lunch in the picturesque hotel Hacienda de Los Santos, while a
musical trio plays traditional Mexican songs. Later, we are free to shop,
explore or just take in the rustic ambiance and relaxed atmosphere. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 — DIVISADERO
As we make our journey back to the United States, we stop in Divisadero, a
village perched canyonside where local vendors sell their handmade baskets, wood
carvings and embroidery. We explore Balancing Rock Overlook and take part in a
geological discussion. Later, local Tarahumara Indians demonstrate their
traditional dance and footrace. Inhabiting one of the most isolated regions in
North America, these indigenous people were relatively unknown to the outside
world until the late 1800s. This evening we enjoy our farewell cocktail
reception, dinner and accommodations on the train. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 — EL PASO, TEXAS
We arrive in Juarez in the mid-morning, where we board U.S. motorcoaches and
cross the border to the airport in El Paso, Texas for our domestic flights home.
Or, for those of you seeking peace, quiet and nature's own version of solitude,
extend your American Orient Express adventure with a
post-tour to Big Bend National Park. (B)
Rates for 2006 start at $3490.00 with early booking incentives and go to $5990.00 per person and are based on double occupancy.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
A more adventures route, traveling with the locals on the passenger train, is best done from South to North for the best views and is a journey that can be done on the cheep.
Jump on the Expreso Maya train, experience Mayan culture on a 7-day/ 6-night tour of the Yucatan Peninsula. Limited departures from Villahermosa, visiting Palenque, Cenote Agua Azul, Campeche, Uxmal, Merida, Izamal and Chichen Itza, and ending in Cancun. Along the way, you'll enjoy the services of a professional guide and accommodations at top standard hotels.
Throughout the course of our trip, the Expreso Maya takes you in comfort and luxury to the renowned destinations of the Maya World, some declared UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity sites. Chichen-Itzá, “mouth of the wells of the water demons,” is considered one of the most important Mayan cities of its time. Izamal, considered one of the oldest cities of the Mayan culture, is also characterized by its splendid colonial structures. Merida, known as the “White City,” for its typical custom of dressing in white and for its colonial buildings painted white. Uxmal “thrice built,” linked to the early period of the Mayan culture and wielded great power at the end of 700 AD. This city is distinguished by its ruins that are in a perfect state of conservation. Campeche is a beautiful UNESCO city that has a history dating back to the pirates. Meander along the beautiful, tranquil streets, the main plaza or the beachfront walk where you will be able to enjoy a delicious plate of fish or seafood on the waterfront. Palenque, a very important Mayan city, reached its peak of development between 300 to 900 AD.
Ask one of our Agents for more information on this historical journey of ancient Mayan and colonial Spanish gems.