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MEXICO’S COPPER CANYON - 2010
9 days from Cancun to Cancun (GL-YM)
Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
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Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours
Vacation Overview
Experience the breathtaking
scenery of Mexico during this incredible Regional Discovery vacation!
Your trip begins in Tucson, Arizona, before traveling south through
Tombstone to Nuevo Casas Grande, Mexico. There you tour a local pottery
studio, as well as the Paquime archaeological site, the most important
archeological site in northern Mexico. Next, travel to Chihuahua to see
the 18th-century cathedral, the Government Palace, and the former home of
Pancho Villa. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Sierra Tarahumara mountain
range on the way to Creel, where you drive through the Valley of the
Mushrooms with its strange monolithic formations and visit the cave
dwellings of the Tarahumara Indians. En route to Divisadero, visit the
giant Piedra Volada, a giant rock miraculously perched on the edge of a
precipice, and savor the sunset in Copper Canyon. From here, start your
train journey through Copper Canyon on the Chihuahua al Pacific Railway.
Marvel at the incredible scenery along the way before arriving in El
Fuerte for a walking tour. From there, travel to San Carlos, a Mexican
resort community located on the Sea of Cortez. A full day at leisure in
this beach resort is the perfect way to relax and reflect on your
memorable vacation to Mexico’s Copper Canyon!
   
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVAL IN TUCSON, ARIZONA
Tucson
Welcome to Tucson! At 7 pm,
meet your traveling companions at the welcome reception hosted by your
Tour Director. (WR)
Day 2 TUCSON–TOMBSTONE–NUEVO CASAS GRADES, MEXICO
This morning, journey
south for a stop at Tombstone, “The Town Too Tough to Die,” where you’ll have
time to visit the OK Corral and wander the streets of this historic town.
Afterward, we cross into Mexico at the border towns of Douglas and Agua
Prieta. Then, continue to the fertile valley of Casas Grandes. Spend the
night in the town of Nuevo Casas Grandes. (B,D)
Day 3 NUEVO CASAS GRANDES–CHIHUAHUA
During the 13th and 14th
centuries, pottery was once the principal ware of trade, and this morning
includes a visit to a local POTTERY STUDIO. See how the traditional
hand-forming and painting methods are still used today. Next, visit
PAQUIME, the most important archaeological site in northern Mexico. Once
an important trading center, it combines elements of the Pueblo Indian
civilization from the southwestern United States with Mesoamerican
influences. Continue on to explore Chihuahua, made famous by Mexican
revolutionary leader Pancho Villa. Dinner this evening is at your hotel.
(B,D)
Day 4 CHIHUAHUA–CREEL
This morning, visit the
ornate 18th-century CATHEDRAL, the GOVERNMENT PALACE with its unique
murals, and the former HOME OF PANCHO VILLA, converted by his widow into
a museum. Head west to Cuauhtémoc, the center of Mexico’s Mennonite
population, where you’ll enjoy a traditional homemade Mennonite lunch.
Then, travel through pine forests to the lumber town of Creel, situated
at an elevation of 7,500 feet in the Sierra Tarahumara mountain range.
There’s time this afternoon and evening to explore this quaint town and
shop for local wares. (B,L)
Day 5 CREEL–DIVISADERO
Divisadero
After breakfast, drive
through the VALLEY OF THE MUSHROOMS with its strange monolithic formations.
See the CAVE DWELLINGS of the Tarahumara Indians, famed for their
colorful tribal customs and prowess as long-distance runners. Afterward,
it’s a special visit to a local kindergarten and elementary school to
learn more about the children and their culture in this remote area of
the world. Depart for Divisadero and catch your first views of the
spectacular Copper Canyon. Enjoy a visit to PIEDRA VOLADA, a giant rock
miraculously perched on the edge of a precipice. Tonight, savor the
sunset as it colors the canyon walls and leaves you with some remarkable
memories and photos. (B,L,D)
Day 6 DIVISADERO–COPPER CANYON TRAIN–EL FUERTE
This morning, relax and
enjoy the solitude and beauty of Copper Canyon. You may choose to join an
optional hiking trip along the rim or perhaps an optional horseback
riding excursion. After lunch, embark on your rail adventure through El
Cañon de Cobre. Experience some of North America’s most magnificent
scenery as your TRAIN winds its way along the rim of steep chasms,
descends mountain passes reaching 7,000 feet, and crosses canyons and
rivers. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 7 EL FUERTE–SAN CARLOS
For three centuries El
Fuerte has been an important commercial and agricultural center. We’ll
start the day off with a short walking tour of this picturesque colonial
city and see the plaza, city hall, and colorful market place. Then, head
north along the Sea of Cortez, reaching the resort of San Carlos by late
afternoon. Just a short drive from the old port of Guaymas, the Bay of
San Carlos is rich with fish and seabirds, and its many beaches attract
visitors from around the world. The remainder of the day is yours to
relax on the beach, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy a cool drink while
watching the swaying palm trees. (B)
Day 8 SAN CARLOS
Today is at leisure.
Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the beach, take an optional fishing
excursion, or join us on an optional boat ride on the pristine waters of
San Carlos Bay. While keeping an eye out for dolphins and other marine
life, enjoy complimentary margaritas, soft drinks, and snacks. Tonight, a
farewell dinner celebrates your Copper Canyon adventure. (B, D)
Day 9 SAN CARLOS–TUCSON, ARIZONA
Arizona
Head north to the United
States today and pass through the Sonoran capital of Hermosillo. Cross
the border at Nogales and transfer to Tucson International Airport.
Please schedule your homebound fight after 7 pm. (B)
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your
international flights arrangements.
Dates and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
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Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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3/7/2010
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3/7/2010
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3/15/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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9/12/2010
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9/12/2010
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9/20/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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9/26/2010
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9/26/2010
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10/4/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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10/10/2010
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10/10/2010
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10/18/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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10/24/2010
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10/24/2010
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11/1/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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11/7/2010
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11/7/2010
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11/15/2010
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$1,689.00
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Available
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2/10/2011
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2/10/2011
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2/18/2011
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$1,799.00
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Available
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3/6/2011
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3/6/2011
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3/14/2011
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$1,799.00
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Available
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3/20/2011
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3/20/2011
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3/28/2011
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$1,799.00
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Available
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Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year,
this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is
encouraged.
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