This morning walk to Divisadero Station in good time to board the El Chepe Express train, departing towards El Fuerte. You will be travelling First Class, with access to the domed dining car.
The air-conditioned Chihuahua-Pacifico train, better known as El Chepe, connects Creel with El Fuerte and the city of Los Mochis on the Pacific coast - travelling for hundreds of miles through the dramatically beautiful scenery of the Copper Canyon.
Formed by six rivers that flow from the Sierra Tarahumara mountains (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental range) into the Rio Fuerte and on to the Gulf of California, this system of copper green canyons is four times the size of the Grand Canyon, with landscapes that are nothing short of spectacular. Unlike the Grand Canyon, these canyons are covered in vegetation. The train climbs to an elevation of 7,900 ft (2,400 m) before descending to sea level, crossing 37 bridges and travelling through 86 tunnels as it journeys through this diverse and stunning scenery.
Our train journey lasts 5.5-hours today, with the scenery becoming more stunning as we travel through Bauichivo - the gateway to the Urique Canyon, which is the largest on our route. The local village of Cerocahui is home to a Jesuit Mission. Before leaving Chihuahua State we pass through Temoris, where you can enjoy beautiful views of waterfalls, valleys, ravines, bridges and tunnels.
After crossing into Sinaloa State disembark at 15.35 at El Fuerte, known for its attractive colonial buildings, beautiful river and fort after which the city was named. It was also the birthplace of the legendary fictional character, Zorro. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Note: Train runs in this direction on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. It runs in the other direction on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Your driver in El Fuerte will only speak Spanish.