|
 Four
times larger than the Grand Canyon, Mexico’s Copper
Canyon is a spectacular area filled with beauty and
unique cultures and traditions. Your exploration of this
hidden part of Mexico begins in Tucson, Arizona. You’ll
then travel through the beautiful Sonora Desert to the
Sea of Cortez and your hotel overlooking the San Carlos
Marina in San Carlos, Mexico. Throughout much of this
journey, you will feel as if you've stepped back in time
as you learn about the fascinating customs of this
amazing area. You’ll visit the beautiful colonial city
of El Fuerte, situated in the foothills of the Sierra
Madre Mountains, and enjoy a memorable show of folkloric
dancing performed in traditional and colorful Mexican
costumes and accessories. Visit a working pearl farm and
see a demonstration of the process of cultured pearl
production. You’ll travel on the Chihuahua-Pacifico
Railroad for an amazing journey through tunnels and over
bridges, as you begin your introduction to the beautiful
views of the Copper Canyon. The tribal members of the
Tarahumara will delight you with traditional dance,
tribal games, and a foot race demonstration. You’ll
visit the Mennonite settlement of Cuauhtémoc before
arriving in Chihuahua where you’ll enjoy a city tour
featuring the capitol building and the home of Pancho
Villa, the famous Mexican Revolutionary.
- Spend two nights in luxury
accommodations overlooking the beautiful San Carlos Marina.
- Enjoy an evening of entertainment in the
colorful colonial settlement of El Fuerte.
- During your stop in the Mennonite
settlement of Cuahtemoc, you'll enjoy a typical lunch with a Mennonite
family.
- Journey through the Copper Canyon aboard
the Chihuahua - Pacifico train.
 Day
1: Arrive Tucson, Arizona
Your Copper Canyon adventure begins with a special welcome
dinner - a great opportunity to meet your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2: Tucson - San Carlos, Mexico
Today, learn about the significance of the majestic Mission of
San Xavier del Bac, known as the ‘white dove of the desert’.
Cross the Mexican border near the popular city of Nogales and
continue through the beautiful Sonora Desert to the Sea of
Cortez. Relax and enjoy San Carlos, where the desert meets the
ocean, from your hotel overlooking the beautiful San Carlos
Marina. (B, D)
Day 3: San Carlos
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of San Carlos. You
may wish to shop for ironwood carvings or take an optional
half-day fishing excursion. Later this afternoon you may partake
in an optional siesta cruise on the Sea of Cortez, followed by
dinner. (B)
Day 4: San Carlos - El Fuerte
Today visit a working pearl farm and learn the history of pearls
from the Sea of Cortez. A demonstration of the process of
cultured pearl production is infused with information about the
effort to replenish the gulf with these once plentiful species.
In the beautiful colonial city of El Fuerte, you will feel as if
you have stepped back in time. This colorful settlement was
founded by the Spaniards in 1564, and sits gracefully in the
foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Before dinner, Collette
guests will be treated to a memorable folkloric show. (B, D)
Day 5: El Fuerte - Copper Canyon
Today you travel on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Railroad for an
awe-inspiring journey that will take you from sea level to
almost 8,000 feet via through numerous tunnels and over
countless bridges in this unspoiled landscape. Your route takes
in the most scenic portions of the 25,000 square miles of canyon
as you wind past thrilling gorges and expansive canyonlands. You
will enjoy the stunning views upon arrival at your hotel, which
rests on the rim of the canyon. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Copper Canyon
Experience the Tarahumara’s fascinating culture when tribal
members perform for you. See their traditional dance, tribal
games and a foot race demonstration. Embark on a tour of the
area called Divisadero; visit the small church and the balancing
rock precariously positioned at the canyon's edge. Take in the
spectacular views of the canyon from different locations as you
learn more about this amazing area. Later you will have some
leisure time to explore this beautiful region. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Copper Canyon - Creel - Chihuahua
A fascinating trip through the canyon brings you to the town of
Creel, one of the largest and most populated towns in the Copper
Canyon, sitting 7,874 feet above sea level. Next, you visit the
Mennonite settlement of Cuahtemoc where you will enjoy a
homemade lunch before continuing on to Chihuahua.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Chihuahua - El Paso, Texas
Embark on a tour of Chihuahua, featuring the home of famous
Mexican Revolutionary leader Pancho Villa, a tour of the state
capitol building, and many other highlights. Later, you cross
back into the United States, arriving in El Paso, Texas. Join
your fellow travelers this evening for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 9: El Paso - Tour Ends
Your unforgettable tour experience of the Copper Canyon comes to
an end, but the memories stay with you forever. (B)
Stay Another Night -
Add a pre night stay in Tucson or a post night stay in
El Paso. Prices
start at $50 per person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
Mexican Folkloric Dancing |
|
Mexican Folkloric dancing is a type of
traditional communal dancing, passed
down from generation to generation in a
social or recreational atmosphere.
During your visit to El Fuerte, you will
see a variety of dance favorites from
the local areas. These dances are
performed using the traditional style of
the region through costumes and
accessories, and feature many different
steps, including walking, hopping,
skipping and jumping. The men usually
dance with their
hands behind their backs and stamp out
the rhythms features in each song. The
women perform this intricate dance as
their feet gracefully stamp out the
rhythms while their skirt waves in a
continual motion. |
|
--------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT TRAVELERS INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------
We want you to enjoy
your tour with us; therefore, it is
important that you know this tour is an
adventure! You will view spectacular
scenery while experiencing the culture
and heritage of the region. We have
selected small, comfortable hotels for
their locations and they may be
considered rustic. The Mexican Railroad
schedules may be subject to weather
conditions or other unexpected delays.
For your enjoyment, this tour should be
approached with a sense of adventure and
flexibility.
Due to the locations of the hotels in El
Fuerte and Copper Canyon, telephone
service at the hotels is not available.
In an emergency situation, should
someone need to contact you while on
this tour, they may contact Collette
Vacations headquarters for assistance.
Maximum elevation on this tour is: 7,900
feet.
|
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
|
Feb 16 2006 |
$1249 |
$1579 from
SFO |
|
Mar 03 2006 |
$1299 |
$1629 from
SFO |
|
Mar 05 2006 |
$1299 |
$1629 from
SFO |
|
Mar 10 2006 |
$1299 |
$1629 from
SFO |
|
Apr 23 2006 |
$1249 |
$1579 from
SFO |
|
May 15 2006 |
$1349 |
$1669 from
MSY |
|
Jun 25 2006 |
$1349 |
$1669 from
MSY |
|
Sep 17 2006 |
$1349 |
$1669 from
MSY |
|
Oct 01 2006 |
$1349 |
$1669 from
MSY |
|
Oct 14 2006 |
$1349 |
$1669 from
MSY |
|
Nov 12 2006 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
|
Jan 21 2007 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
|
Feb 04 2007 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
|
Feb 19 2007 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
|
Mar 18 2007 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
|
Apr 22 2007 |
$1299 |
$1619 from
MSY |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin
occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights.
Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Tours departing BEFORE
4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is listed here. Please
confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that
feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above. Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
9 days, 18 meals
8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Day 1 - Sheraton, Tucson, Arizona
Day 2, 3 - Marina Terra Hotel, San Carlos, Mexico
Day 4 - Hotel Posada del Hidalgo, El Fuerte,
Mexico
Day 5, 6 - Hotel Posada Mirador, Copper Canyon
Day 7 - Westin Soberano, Chihuahua, Mexico
Day 8 - Radisson El Paso, El Paso, Texas
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
NOTES:
- A fee is paid upon entry into
Mexico of approx. $20 USD per person. Rates are subject to
change and are approximate at the time of printing.
- On select departures, the
itinerary may operate in reverse.
Back to Itinerary Page
|
