Tuesday, April 4th – On our way to Phoenix and Copper Canyon
I first heard about the Copper Canyon in Mexico way back in the early 1970’s when I worked for Western Airlines. A couple of fellow employees had just returned from a trip there and raved about the natural beauty. My interest was stirred, and I have had a desire to see this place for myself ever since.
Well, 40+ years later I am finally going there!
And to make it even sweeter, our wonderful friends, Dick and Karen, are joining us on this trip.
Copper Canyon is located in Northwestern Mexico and the most popular way to get there is via train. We are traveling with our “Go To” tour company, Gate 1. Meeting up with our group in Phoenix, we will embark via motor coach into Mexico and then take the “Train in the Sky” into Copper Canyon.
“Las Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon), a name that derives from the stunning greenish copper hue of the canyon walls. Spanning a total length of 59,545 km. (37,000 miles), these canyons are longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Their mighty walls conceal remarkable legends, traditions and surprises.” – VisitMexico.com
Seeing the Copper Canyon may be the star attraction, but there are other places to explore along the way on our 10 day trip.
Click here to see a map of our trip.
Gate 1 has a short video on their web site that shows a bit more of what we might experience on this trip. You can check it out via this link:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/180209976“>
Trip Highlights
- Scenic Private Boat cruise on the shimmering Sea of Cortez
- Tour the Guaymas Pearl Farm, the first cultured pearl farm in the Americas
- Stroll the streets of the colonial city of Alamos, a designated National Monument
- Travel to picturesque El Fuerte, the “Gateway to the Copper Canyon”
- A breathtaking “Train Ride In The Sky” takes you into the magnificent Copper Canyon
- Meet the Tarahumara Indians whose way of life has not changed in 1,000 years
- Travel on an Aerial Tramway that descends over 4,500 feet into the Copper Canyon
- Demonstration of Mata Ortiz Pottery, one of the world’s most innovative ceramics
- Discover the Archaeological Site of Paquime, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
We invite you to travel along with us as we head south of the border…
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful to be on our way to fulfill an almost life long dream to see the Copper Canyon.
A Note From Abroad 
Hey guys – welcome to my home town! If you’re up for a truly authentic take on Mexican food, go to Barrio Cafe tonight. I think they’re also going to be able to meet Tim’s dietary issues. And by all means get the guacamole!
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Love guacamole! Thank you for the restaurant recommendation and especially for thinking of Tim’s dietary challenges. I’ll throw the suggestion out to the group.
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Sounds fun! And with friends, that’s going to be extra special. Lucky you!
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We always enjoy traveling with special friends. Somehow the laughter quotient goes up ten fold.
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Loved reading your post and the information about the trip. Can’t wait to see pictures! Have a blast.
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Thank you Paul. You know we will!!!!
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Oh, what a fantastic trip. We did the rail trip.
There was this one great cliff side hotel we stayed at. I think it was called Las Barrancas, but I can’t be sure. If you do go there, you have to watch the sun rise off your balcony. (Make sure you bundle up, because it’s freezing at that hour) It is the most amazing site and in the evening you will notice the patio has lots of hummingbird feeders. It’s because the number and variety of colorful hummingbirds that visited were amazing. From tiny to sparrow size. I’ll never forget this one gold one that looked like a gold nugget suspended in air. It was beautiful. I hope you get to see those and enjoy the hikes in the area which are great as well. I could go on and on. I hope you have as much fun as we did. Enjoy!!
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How great to hear from someone who has already taken this trip – and LOVED it. We are staying at the same cliff side hotel in the canyon, so can’t wait to see the views. I’m not a very good early morning person, but just may get myself up to check out the sunrise. Also hoping to see the gold hummingbirds you mentioned. Thank you so much for your insights.
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My mother in law is the one who woke us up. We had rooms next door and I am so glad she did. We bundled up, including our heads with towels, it was so cold, but it was so worth it. LOL My mother in law was a school teacher and she brought with her pencils and colors to donate to the mission school at one of the places we were at. I was surprised and impressed that she thought to do that. I don’t know how she discovered the school but she did. I thought it was kinda neat.
People were friendly and my ML thought it was cool when she saw a woman sweeping her dirt yard, like I told her I remembered my mom doing. I know you’ll have a good time.
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I remember reading an article many years ago – I think in the New York Times – about this train ride. I can’t wait to read about the adventure. You might enjoy reading “Born to Run,” which I think takes place in this area, if you haven’t already. Vaya con Díos!
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I have not read “Born to Run”, but will get a kindle sample downloaded to check it out. Appreciate your recommendation. The train trip is supposed to be amazing and will probably be one of the highlight moments for us. Really excited!
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You should be some kind of Gate1 Ambassadors! We’re off to South Africa with Gate 1 in October based on your blogpost about the trip. Thanks!
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Patti that’s fabulous!!! One of our all time favorites. The animals, right up close are beyond amazing. I hope you have the trip of a lifetime. Please let me know after you return home how you liked it. And YES, we are big fans of Gate 1.
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Have fun, what an adventure.
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Terry, our travel companions on this trip are also from HB. Perhaps next time we get down that way we can all try to meet for that cup of coffee.
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Sounds great
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Looks like a lot of fun. Have a great time as I know you will.
Love you,Mom
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Love you too! Glad you are back home and getting all caught up with family and friends in Illinois.
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This sounds wonderful. I’d never heard of Copper Canyon before this but you’ve inspired me to add it to my Mexico-sometime-in-the-future itinerary!
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Well hopefully we can confirm how beautiful it is over the next few days. Pretty excited to see it for ourselves!
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Sounds wonderful and I look forward to your posts about the trip! Bon voyage!
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Thank you. We are certainly off to a great start.
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Can’t wait to read all about it! Glad you are finally getting to go, since you have wanted to for so long! Enjoy!
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Ahhh, yes, it has been a very long wait, but who knows – perhaps I will appreciate it even more now than I might have way back then…
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Have a wonderful time! I too have been intrigued by the Copper Canyon for a long time. I read a great book called “Born to Run” about indigenous people in the Canyon who are amazing runners. It’s a fascinating read even if running is not you thing. Enjoy and I look forward to reading about your adventures.
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Caroline, I’m definitely intrigued to learn more about the Tarahumara people. Still a couple more days until we get to the Canyon.
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Mexico is one of my favorite places and love to see more unusual areas like this. Love to see pictures of it
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Mexico is so diverse. Really fun to see new areas.
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