oin us on one of the world's great train journeys to Mexico's stunning Copper Canyon. Four times the size of the Grand Canyon, the railway line through the Copper Canyon took ninety years to build, and you will soon see why. With 37 bridges and 86 tunnels, including one that makes a 180-degree turn, the railway through this system of canyons is spellbinding. In the Copper Canyon, the Tarahumara Indians live in caves, as they have, for over five hundred years.

We have operated this tour for over 30 years and are quite expert in the Copper Canyon and hope to welcome you to this stunning region. All aboard.

Most tours to the Copper Canyon spend a day or two at most in this scenic wonder, combined with days of bus travel to and from points in Arizona or Texas. Our guests travel through the Copper Canyon by train, seeing it as it should be seen, over a rail line that is one of the engineering marvels of our age. For in-depth sightseeing and a true experience, our program is better.

Guests arrive by air or Amtrak and transfer to the Hyatt Place for an overnight stay. Later tonight is a casual welcome dinner. The balance of the evening is at leisure. D

After breakfast, we depart El Paso for Chihuahua, the capital of the state with the same name and like many Mexican cities, the center of town features the Spanish baroque Cathedral de Chihuahua, the 18th Century Palacio de Gobierno, noted for its huge murals depicting major Mexican historical events and handsome colonial era buildings. After lunch, we have a city tour of Chihuahua with the rest of the afternoon and evening to relax or explore at your own pace.

We depart after breakfast for the Mountains of the Sierra Madre, passing through fertile farmlands tilled by Mennonite settlers. We arrive in the small village of Creel midday with a tour of this lovely area that includes the historic Mission Church, the Tarahumara Indians, the curiously named Valley of Frogs & Mushrooms and Arareko Mountain Lake. Creel has great charm and there are interesting arts and crafts shops near the hotel.

The Big Day. After breakfast, we depart for the high point of the holiday, both literally and metaphorically, Divisadero, where we will enjoy a two-night stay in this stunning setting on the edge of the Copper Canyon. Local Indians sell handicrafts made from cactus and pine needles in stalls around the hotel and it would be a shame not to watch the sun set over the Canyon this evening.

Today is a special day with all day to explore the Copper Canyon. There is a chance today to do a gondola ride or even the zip line for those who are adventurous. The afternoon is at leisure for hiking, visiting the local vendors or simply taking in one of the great views of the world.

All aboard as we enjoy the short ride west aboard the Chepe Express this morning over a segment of the railway with several tunnels and bridges. You will want to have your camera handy and upon arrival in Bahuichivo we have a short drive to the village of Cerocahui where the superb El Mission Hotel awaits, our home for the next two nights. The hotel has its own vineyard and later today, we will walk to the Mission church of San Francisco Javier built by the Franciscans in the 17th Century as well as the town square.

Today is a fine day with a tour the amazing Urique Canyon, the deepest Canyon in Mexico, over 6200 feet in elevation and offering stupendous views from its rim at Cerro Gallegos Lookout point. We will make stops at the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as a Tarahumara Indian cave on the way to Urique Canyon. There is time this afternoon to explore the small town, vineyard and the boarding school for Tarahumara Indian girls adjacent to the hotel.

Another great day of train riding over the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway as we board the Chepe Express at Bahuichivo, and today defies superlatives with over 58 tunnels and 34 bridges as we travel through part of the 25,000 square miles that make up the Copper Canyon. Today you will see sheer canyon walls and cascading waterfalls as we descend the Sierra Madre with tropical farmlands later today, filled with palm, banana, papaya, and mango trees. Later tonight, we arrive in the colonial town of El Fuerte.

Continuing west we will travel through farms and the Sonoran desert traveling to the Sea of Cortez where a different landscape awaits us: clear sea water and beautiful beaches, a dramatic change from the mountain beauty of the Copper Canyon. We have a superb oceanfront hotel for our two-night stay in this beautiful outpost on the dramatically beautiful Sea of Cortez, with time for relaxing by the pool, golf, a massage, fine shopping or exploring the quaint town. A word of caution: Sunsets viewed over the Sea of Cortez are hypnotic but happily we have two nights to experience the beauty of this.

Today is a relaxing day with a visit to the historic Port of Guaymas where there is a chance to visit the main Cathedral, the local market and free time to explore. Then, we visit the Saguaro and Organ Pipe Cactus, a stunning overlook with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez and the Palo Fierro Factory. Tonight features a casual dinner of Sonoran specialties, a nice treat.

After breakfast, we depart for Tucson, crossing the Sonoran Desert with a lunch stop in Santa Ana en route. We cross the US border at Nogales and are in our Tucson hotel by late afternoon. Tonight is our farewell dinner, a time to celebrate a visual feast of sights and experiences. Guests may opt to extend their stay in Tucson if they like, taking advantage of our special hotel rates. The Sunset Limited serves Tucson with departures for California and New Orleans/Midwest points. Overnight at Doubletree Suites by Hilton.

Depart for home after this exciting adventure.