Authentic Copper Canyon Train Trip Copper Canyon - Small Group Immersion

November 5-14, 2010 10 days 9 nights    Authentic Copper Canyon is a genuine week long excursion by train into the magnificent Copper Canyon of Mexico. Chihuahua Pacifico "CHEPE" the "Train Ride in the Sky" provides the only access to this wilderness, and is one of the most dramatic railway journeys in the Western Hemisphere traveling through 86 tunnels and over 37 trestles. Copper Canyon, deeper and more vast than the Grand Canyon and certainly one of Mexico's best kept secrets, is called the "greatest place the world has never seen." This tour is a special small group immersion individualized to maximize your experience in this enchanting relaxing land, and with its gracious people. You'll be delighed by its delicious food, incredible scenery, and hospitable villages. Your itinerary is planned, but the group is small and so we can be flexible to maximize your trip experience. This flexibility will afford you time for quiet walks around the canyon areas - perhaps to a waterfall or bird watching sanctuary - there is always the option for a hike, bike, horse ride, or whatever. The tour emphasizes local people and out of the way places in order to fully take in the true culture of this wonderful place. Each evening you can relax in one of the lovely local inns and dine on foods that are authentic and of exceptional quality. The delicious Norteno foods in local eateries and cafes are always a delightful highlight, or you might enjoy a quiet morning on a little plaza with a cup of coffee...this is real Mexico! The scenic seven days will be packed with art, architecture, history, people, the cuisine of northern Mexico, tremendous photo spots, and a great dose of the romance of the train rolling through the majestic Copper Canyon. Your tour host and guide is Dave Hensleigh. Dave’s passion for Copper Canyon runs deep, and his enthusiasm for and knowledge of the area will enrich your experience there. Dave’s graduate work was in Biology and he has spent much of his life exploring and guiding in the Rockies and Sierras. He loves to garden and cook - especially the cuisine of the Sierra Madres. Dave has assembled a team of expert local Mexican guides and providers who will help him serve you on your journey. Groups are always kept small and Dave's team of local skilled guides and vendors make for a truly personalized and informed Copper Canyon experience. Read our blog post - let your inner explorer discover Copper Canyon.       Print Color Flyer

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Travel the Chihuahua Pacifico Railway "CHEPE," the only way to see the deepest canyon in North America Groups are small, less than 16, so there is a lot of access to your guide Several small towns are included on the trip (places where larger groups cannot be accommodated) like Areponapuchi, El Fuerte, Cuiteco, Cerocahui, and more All of the hotels, inns, B&Bs, and restaurants are local and interesting to experience You meet and interact with real Mexicans often in their homes There is always an opportunity for flexibility within the itinerary making the trip an adventure A visit to the Don Cuco Sotol (like tequila) distillery at Janos Mata Ortiz pottery and the Paquime pre-Columbian UNESCO World Heritage site around Casas Grandes Many culinary food experiences including an overnight at Noritari, high in the Sierra Madres The remote village of Urique located along a river in the deepest portion of copper canyon Float trip on the El Fuerte River for bird watching and a walk through the local petroglyph site. El Fuerte dinner in a local historic mansion Cerocahui - a lovely little town; visits to the Copper Canyon vistas, waterfalls, and a Tarahumara home Divisadero and the tiny ranchito Cabanas Diaz - come hungry! The Mennonite areas with the vast apple orchards and world famous cheeses Chihuahua City, with the Pancho Villa home, great restaurants, the 1700s cathedral…and a stay at the San Felipe el Real - a special boutique hotel in the historic district - always a favorite with our guests! Lots of free time, to wander and explore the different stops

TRIPS INCLUDES Round trip commercial airfare from Indianapolis Airport transfers Home Pick-up & Return Transportation by van & Chihuahua Al Pacifico Railway "CHEPE" 9 nights accommodations 20 meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 lunch, 7 dinners Attractions highlighted in itinerary All taxes and gratuities for included meals Departure instructions for clothing and FAQs to help you prepare for the trip. Professional Tour Director Operated by an Interlude Travel Partner Our team helps you with border forms, money changing, etc. freeing you up to enjoy your trip Valid Passport Required   PRICING DETAILS (Cost per Person)* Double $1,999 Single $2,249 Deposit $400 per person Balance Due September 1, 2010 Travel Insurance: $200 (D), $225 (S) * Air departure from Indianapolis included. Call for pricing from other departure cities. Price subject to increase after balance due date.

TRAVEL ITINERARY Day 1: Indianapolis, IN / El Paso, TX Arrive El Paso airport. This is also a good place to get pesos, use the Travelex near the spot where you turn right to go to the baggage area. Check into your room at the Hawthorn Suites and dinner on your own. We will meet briefly at 7:30pm for orientation and to get acquainted. Note: you are limited to one carry-on size piece of luggage plus small backpack. Hawthorn Suites - El Paso, TX Day 2: El Paso, TX / Santa Teresa, NM / Janos, MX / Casas Grandes After breakfast at the hotel, meet at 9:00am to head for Santa Teresa, NM (20 minutes) to cross into Mexico. We are met by our friend Gus and his van for the short journey to Janos. After lunch in Janos , we get a warm welcome and tour with Celso and Emma at Don Cuco Sotol. Sotol is THE drink of Chihuahua and is somewhat like tequila - but better! The making of sotol is an art, it is made the same way it has been produced since colonial times. Don Cuco learned from his father and grandfather who lived among the Indians. Don Cuco passed this art to his children, who are now re-introducing the heritage. Then off in the afternoon to Casas Grandes, and as the evening cools a stroll through the ancient pre-Columbian Indian ruins at Paquime. We are welcomed at the incredible “Las Guacamayas” - comfortable, spacious, and food to die for. Las Guacamayas – Casas Grandes (B,L,D) Casas Grandes - Right on the edge of Casas are the Paquime Indian archaeological ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby is the tiny village of Mata Ortiz. The pottery from this area is very special and known around the world for its intricacy and character. Day 3: Casas Grandes / Noritari Savor a relaxing morning with time to stroll the ruins or shop the little Mata gallery at Las Guacamayas before we head southwest up into the mountains. Winding our way into the Sierra Madre, we drop into several little villages and then the relaxing wooded Noritari - a unique cabanas style hotel with a gourmet cook. A great night to enjoy dinner, chat with the chef, and take a stroll through the mountains. Cabanas Noritari – San Jaunito (B,L,D) Noritari - located about 4 kilometers out of San Juanito. This unique 80 hectare site is dotted with cabins with fireplaces, private baths, solar lighting- the nearby stream flows and the pines whisper. Enjoy. Day 4: Noritari / Creel / Divisadero / Cerocahui / Urique Breakfast at Noritari and then off to Creel to catch the train with some time to shop around in Creel a bit. It is a pretty town set in a valley surrounded by pine covered hills, nearby waterfalls, lake, hot springs, rock formations and canyons. We board the train and get our first whistle-stop, eye-popping view of Copper Canyon at Divisadero. We are met at the Bahuichivo station by the jovial Alberto Lopez for a short ride to the enchanting village of Cerocahui. Cerocahui is located at the edge of Urique Canyon - the deepest canyon in the system - situated in a valley dotted with apple orchards. We have a few minutes open to stroll the plaza and streets of “Cero" before heading to the outlook and down to Urique (approximately 6,000 feet below the canyon’s rim) for the night. Urique was the headquarters of an 18th centrury mining operation, one of the first places in Mexico to be wired for electricity. Long retired from the vanguard, the tiny town now is a wonderful destination for explorers, a unique world that seems lost in time. Hotel or Cabanas very basic and clean – Urique (B,L,D) Cerocahui - Cerocahui is a diminutive mission town where Catholic holidays are still celebrated in distinctly Tarahumara style, with drumming and dancing. The physical and spiritual center of town, San Francisco Javier church was built by the Jesuits in 1680 of pink limestone. This quiet little town sits in a beautiful valley and is a great place to experience real Mexico. Our evening is close by at the bottom of the canyon near the river in Urique. The highlight here is “Agua Chile” - perhaps the most delicious shrimp concoction you have ever experienced. Day 5: Urique / Gallego / Cerocahui / El Fuerte After coffee, we vamos for the knockout views of Copper Canyon at Gallego. We will visit a Tarahumara home along the way. We grab late breakfast in Cero and re-board the train for the unsurpassed journey toward our evening destination, El Fuerte through tunnels, bridges, canyons and mountains…have your cameras ready! Lunch on the train on your own. Arrive in El Fuerte for dinner…this place is known for incredible food! Real de Carapoa or similar – El Fuerte (B,D) El Fuerte - A small town with a quaint (and delicious!) market and lots of colonial architecture. History, Indian culture, bird watching, and a palm lined plaza make this place a favorite. Day 6: El Fuerte A full day of exploring the area and the wonderful colonial town with lots of opportunities for food and photography. It has charming cobblestone streets and handsome colonial mansions, and is the prettiest town along the train route. The town's plaza is quaint and handsome, with a 19th-century bandstand surrounded by graceful palms. A morning trip to the river for bird watching as we float and a walk through the local petroglyph site. Lunch on your own. The visit to the market here is a must, then dinner in a local home with our host Evangelina. Real de Carapoa or similar – El Fuerte (B,D) Evangelina - This lovely lady lives with her brother and extended family in one of the historic mansions off the square in El Fuerte. We dine with them often and get a full taste of some genuine Copper Canyon hospitality. Day 7: El Fuerte / Areponapuchi Board the train this morning heading northeast for Areponapuchi (Posada Barranca station). Lunch on your own on the train before arriving at the beautiful “Rancho” near the station. Dinner with our hosts, Armando and Herlinda Diaz, and perhaps a walk up to watch the sunset over the vast reaches of Copper Canyon. “Arepo” as we call it, is officially “nowhere Mexico.” The area around Arepo gives us a good long look at Copper Canyon. We'll have plenty of time to look around. Cabanas Diaz – Areponapuchi (B,D) Areponapuchi - Just call it Arepo and don’t expect the big city. This tiny place sits near the rim of some of the best views of Copper Canyon. From here you can walk or ride horses in and around the great canyon. Also a good place to pick up local souvenirs. Day 8: Areponapuchi / Chihuahua City Sunrise at the edge of Copper anyone? Breakfast and a walk down to the “Cueva del Chino,” a Tarahumara cave dwelling. Some last views of the canyon before we catch our vans for the trip through the Mennonite agricultural area toward the big apple - Chihuahua City. Dinner together and perhaps an evening view of the gigantic Metropolitan Cathedral in the central plaza. We check into the historic boutique hotel, the San Felipe el Real, a restored mansion. Stroll the historic district and the vast market. San Felipe el Real – Chihuahua City (B,D) Chihuahua City - This bustling hub for commerce has its roots as a mining and ranching center. Several fascinating museums (including the Pancho Villa home) gather around the towering 1700s cathedral. The food here is a bit eclectic and reflects the melting pot that Chihuahua has become. Chihuahua is famous for norteno food (rather similar to Tex-Mex), a delicious if not particularly heart healthy cuisine that makes liberal use of beef, cheese, and chiles. We have options here for dining in a home or to have a local chef cater at the hotel. Mennonites - They migrated here from Canada around 1922 and have transformed the high plateaus into some of the most productive land in Chihuahua. Still German speakers, they produce apples, oats, and dairy products including the famous white Chihuahua cheese. Day 9: Chihuahua City / El Paso A hearty breakfast and some time to look around Chihuahua City. Then we head north, catch lunch in one of the delightful Chihuahua desert towns and arrive at our hotel in El Paso for the evening. Hawthorn Suites - El Paso, TX (B,L) Day 10: El Paso / Indianapolis Breakfast at the hotel and we catch our flights for home! (B) Note: This tour involves high altitudes. It is advisable to check with your doctor if you are affected by high altitude. Commercial Air: Book Now to ensure your place on this trip because this trip operates on commercial air. Space is limited and may not be available less than 90 days before departure.

Cancellation policy: if insurance is not purchased, cancellation charges are: 91 days and earlier: full refund; 90-65 days before departure: $400; 64 and less days prior to departure: no refund. In addition, airline penalties and charges may apply. A valid passport is required.

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