THE COPPER CANYON

This railroad marvel took almost 90 years and 90 million dollars to complete. The Copper Canyon railway is a stunning piece of engineering achievement. Opened after decades of construction in 1961, the railway was designed to connect the Pacific Ocean with Mexico’s central desert territory and Chihuahua.

The Mission hotel’s 41 spacious rooms with an attractive Mexican decor have private baths with wood stoves. Hotel Mission has a comfortable, ample lobby with a large fireplace, bar, gift shop and dining room. Guests are transported by hotel buses from the Bahuchivo Station to Hotel Mission in Cerocahui along a picturesque mountain road. Unusual rock formations and beautiful streams help make the 35 minutes very enjoyable.

A wonderful virgin landscape setting in the middle of the mysterious Tarahumara Indian country. The charming village of Cerocahui is located at the edge of Urique Canyon, the deepest canyon in the western Sierra Madre system, in a valley dotted with apple orchards. The 900 inhabitants of the village experience a way of life many of us yearn to live.

16th century Jesuits set up missions in the remote regions of Mexico’s Copper Canyon. They taught the indigenous Tarahumara Indians to raise livestock and introduced Old World plants to the region including grapevines for wine production.

The King of Spain a century later expulsed the Jesuits from Mexico replacing them with missionaries of the Franciscan order. In what could be described as a form of NAFTA in reverse – Mexico was ordered to cease wine production in order to protect the Spanish wine industry. As a result, Mexico never fully developed its wine industry potential despite it having excellent soil and climate for grape production.

The Mirador Hotel is located at the canyon’s edge, near the highest point of the canyon. The Mirador is the premier hotel on the canyon rim and is the only hotel where each guest room has a spectacular view overlooking the canyon. From the hotel you may walk to see the Tarahumara Indians who live in the canyon caves below. You can also shop for native crafts from the Tarahumara artisan vendors who gather in front of the hotel.

Explore more of the Copper Canyon area, including the town of Divisadero. Divisadero is the train stop that overlooks the joining of Tararecua Canyon and Urique Canyon. Looking at the tops of these canyons, the scenery seems endless. The newest feature attraction is the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, a nature preserve offering some exciting high flying adventures!

The cable car station is located on Divisadero next to the Piedra Volada lookout point. It has a shuttle system with a car going in one direction and simultaneously another car going in the opposite direction. Two 60 passenger cabins with a capacity to transport 510 persons per hour. These TIROLESASS cabins come to La Mesa Bacajipare lookout point featuring a stunning panoramic view of the union of two Canyons, the Tararecua Canyon and the Urique Canyon, with a depth of more than 1879 meters.

They say that when a Raramuri smiles at you a part of your heart will stay nailed in Sierra Tarahumara. And, in Creel, a part of you will stay in the Sierra because it is a place that holds countless natural beauties, among forests, crags, caves, lakes, waterfalls and rivers, as well as the missions and traditions of the Raramuri culture. The Magical Town of Creel offers visitors endless attractions.

The Manitoba Mennonite settlement, the largest Old Colony Mennonite settlement in Mexico, located on the outskirts of Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, 70 miles west of the city of Chihuahua, was established in 1922 by Old Colony Mennonites from Manitoba, Canada. The land consisted of 23,000 acres and was purchased from Zuloaga in the San Antonio Valley in 1921 for $8.25 per acre.

Chihuahua, capital of Mexico’s biggest state, is a quirky but pleasant combination of norteño character, revolutionary history and bohemian hangouts. Many travelers use it only as an overnight stop before or after riding the Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico (El Chepe), but Chihuahua is worth more of your time. The city center combines grand colonial buildings, several beautiful plazas, pedestrianized lanes and a healthy crop of restaurants, cafes and bars. Its museums bear witness to the key episodes of Mexican history that unfolded here. In short, it’s an intriguing city with a strong sense of identity.

At the appropriate time, take the complimentary hotel shuttle to the airport for your flight. Or stay an extra day or two to explore this colorful city.