All aboard the most dramatic train ride in the Western Hemisphere: El Chepe, Chihuahua's Al Pacifico Railway. Mexico’s only remaining passenger train takes you from sea level to 8,000 ft, over 37 bridges, and through 86 tunnels as you experience the magnificence of Copper Canyon. With regional experts, trace the volcanic activity that shaped the Davis Mountains, Sierra Madres, and Copper Canyon systems. Examine diverse landscapes, ecosystems, and the unique flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert. Delve into the history and culture of this region’s people, from the Tarahumara and Mayo people to the Mennonites to the Mestizo, including a cultural exchange dinner at a home in Chihuahua City.

Some walking on unpaved paths and uneven ground. Additional optional hikes. Valid passport required for entry into Mexico.

Program in association with Davis Mountain Education Center.

Itinerary

Arrival Fort Davis, Texas, 2 nights; coach to Chihuahua City (Mexico), 1 night; train to Bahuichivo/Cerocahui, 2 nights; train to El Fuerte, MX, 2 nights; train to Divisadero/Barrancas, 2 nights; coach to Chihuahua City, MX, 1 night; coach to Fort Davis, Texas, 1 night, departure. Shuttle is available to/from El Paso for an additional fee.

Copper Canyon (Mexico)

This remote region of diverse beauty near the U.S.-Mexico border covers thousands of square miles of territory, including vast pine and oak forests and canyons so deep that they host their own unique ecosystems. The canyon is home to the native Tarahumara Indians.