2024 Total Solar Eclipse- COPPER CANYON TRAIN & YUCATAN TOUR

Apr. 6 to 20, 2024

The largest canyon in North America, the Copper Canyon provides a destination unlike any other. For those who love the unusual and seek adventure, the Copper Canyon is the answer.  At an altitude of 8,000 feet, the mountain peaks are snow-capped in the winter while the canyon bottom remains a tropical climate. The Copper Canyon is home to the least accultured Native Americans in North America, the Tarahumara Indians, who are semi-nomadic cliff dwellers. The “Train Ride in the Sky” provides the only access to this wilderness and is probably the most dramatic railway journey in the Western Hemisphere as it travels through 86 tunnels and over 37 trestles.

The Mayans, are regarded as one of the most advanced indigenous civilizations who migrated to Yucatan back in 2500 B.C. The Yucatan peninsula is the most visited part in Mexico that hosts an amazing 2600 cenotes with 2 biggest underground systems in the world and the 2nd biggest temple of the Mayan civilization, Coba with the first one being Tikal in Guatemala.

DAY 1- Apr.6, SAT: ARRIVAL IN MAZATLAN – BIENVENIDOS A MÉXICO!

Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.  Note: Arrival transfer is provided to participants taking group flight or arriving around same time. Participants arriving at other times, a private transfer can be arranged at additional cost or take a taxi to the Hotel. At night, gather for a tour briefing and welcome Dinner. HOTEL – DINNER

DAY 2- Apr. 7, SUN: MAZATLAN – OLD TOWN AND THE BEACH

Enhance your sightseeing experience of Mazatlán on a full-day sightseeing tour of the Mexican city. Alongside your guide, you’ll explore the ambient Centro Historico — home to the neoclassical Teatro Angela Peralta and the Plazuela Machado — while listening to history-rich commentary. See, too, fearless cliff divers plunge into the ocean from dizzying heights before you board a boat to Stone Island. Here, you’ll choose two beach activities from an extensive range including kayaking, boogie board riding or horseback riding. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you would go for a stroll on the beautiful Malecon or have a coffee in Mazatlán’s lively old town

Note: You may leave tour in town and enjoy lunch at local restaurants returning back to Hotel on your own. Perhaps you would go for a stroll on the beautiful Malecon or have a coffee in Mazatlán’s lively old town. The afternoon is at leisure

Join fellow tour members to visit our exclusive eclipse viewing site so participants can familiarize themselves and also for accompanying astronomy experts to review weather reports and any related effect/changes to our viewing plans/site. At dinner this evening, our accompanying Astronomy expert will give us pre eclipse briefing. HOTEL– BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 3-Apr. 8, MON: ECLIPSE WATCHING

After Breakfast transfer to our exclusive eclipse viewing site scouted by our Eclipse experts. Arrive early with plenty of time to set up for the eclipse. From our exclusive site you can view 4 minute 15 seconds of eclipse totality According to weather predictions/ expert guidance we expect clear skies nevertheless a bus will be at our disposal to travel along the eclipse path to seek out a clear location for viewing, if needed. Buffet Lunch, water, soft drinks & Snacks, tables and chairs are provided at the viewing site. Return to hotel after the eclipse and rest of the day is free for independent activities or take an optional tour. This evening join fellow tour members for a celebratory Dinner & a report by our Eclipse experts.  HOTEL– BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

The eclipse begins at 10.51AM and ends at 3.32 PM in Mazatlan Mexico.

TOTALITY:

DAY 4- APR. 9, TUE: FLY TO LOS MOCHIS & CONTINUE TO EL FUERTE

Following breakfast, today we return to the airport for our internal flight to Los Mochis, where we are picked up by coach for the journey to El Fuerte, in the northwest of the country. This brightly colored town has many appealing features, including the nearby canyons awash with silver, and the subtropical rainforests that encompasses it like a lush, warm blanket. After check in time to look around time to look around the town. This evening enjoy the local culture with folk dancing by performers wearing traditional costumes.  HOTEL POSADA DEL HIDALGO – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 5- APR. 10, WED: EL FUERTE (TRAIN) – COPPER CANYON – DIVISADERO STATION

After Breakfast transfer to train station and board train traveling to Divisadero station – a tiny settlement on the very edge of Mexico’s Copper Canyon. High in the Tarahumara Mountains, this natural wonder stretches as far as the eye can see, its copper-green hue and sheer size marking it apart from anything you may have seen before. Arrival to Divisadero station. Las Barrancas del Cobre, as it’s known in its native tongue, began its transformation into the spectacle you see today more than 30 million years ago. But this is not an inhospitable environment, many indigenous tribes still thrive in the area, using the mountains as a source of food, shelter and companionship. We are offered a glimpse into such a lifestyle, visiting a village inhabited by the Tarahumara tribe. Having hewn their homes out of the solid rock, these descendants of Native Americans have chosen to live apart from modern society, helping to preserve their unique way of life. We spend tonight at the Hotel Mirador Posada Barrancas, an establishment perched at one of the highest points on the canyon and affording every guest incomparable views of their magical surroundings. HOTEL MIRADOR POSADA BARRANCAS – BREAKFAST & LUNCH

DAY 6- APR. 11, THU: DIVISADERO – CREEL

We walk to the Piedra Volada lookout point, taking a cable car ride out over the precipice to soak in the sights of both the Tararecua and Unique Canyons. Later we catch the Copper Canyon Railway to Creel, a sunken town surrounded by mysterious rock formations and pine forests – our home for two nights. The train stops en route, giving us time to look out from the amazing Divisadero viewing point. BEST WESTERN THE LODGE AT CREEL – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 7- APR. 12, FRI: CREEL – The Valleys of Monks and Mushrooms

Visit the Valley of Monks and mushrooms. Following the Cusarare River. On our return to Creel, there’s some free time for lunch before we embark on a guided walking tour that includes the Museo Casa de las Artesanías. Giving us a chance to understand more about Tarahumara culture, it is also a great place to pick up locally made crafts. BEST WESTERN THE LODGE AT CREEL – BREAKFAST  & LUNCH.

DAY 8- APR. 13, FRI: CREEL – CHIHUAHUA

After an early Breakfast, we travel to Chihuahua, When the Spanish first arrived in Chihuahua, more than 200 indigenous groups, including Native Americans, already inhabited the area. Although little of this period’s history is recorded, archeologists have found evidence of inhabitants dating as far back as 3,000 years. Some of these tribes include the Tarahumara (Raramuri), Apache, Comanche and Guarojío. Most notable inhabitants were the Tarahumara (Raramuri), a people whose rich spiritual ideology, passive resistance and strong cultural identity enabled them to persevere despite foreign intrusions. After settling in at the Hotel, we embark on a sightseeing tour of the capital city visiting Cathedral and Government Palace before dinner at a local restaurant. HOTEL SHERTATON SOBERANO – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 9- APR. 14, SAT: CHIHUAHUA

This morning we visit the Francisco Villa Museum, dedicated to the life and times of Mexican Revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa. After lunch, we cross the Chihuahuan Desert to the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Tonight, we enjoy a Mata Oritz pottery demonstration. HOTEL SHERTATON SOBERANO- BREAKFAST & LUNCH.

DAY 10- APR. 15, SUN: CHIHUAHUA – MERIDA

Departure to the airport to take flight to Mexico City for our connecting flight to Mérida, the largest city of the Yucatán Peninsula. HOTEL GAMMA CASTELLANO – BREAKFAST & LUNCH.

DAY 11- APR. 16, MON: CITY TOUR & UXMAL

Stepping forward in time, we take a guided tour of Mérida this afternoon, a hotspot of Spanish colonialism. With its parks, plazas and brightly decorated houses, it’s a far cry from the town founded by conquistadors in the 1500s, and walking around we experience its many different cultural influences, including Mayan, Spanish, French, British, and even Dutch. Later we begin discovering the ancient civilizations of Mexico, visiting Uxmal a prehispanic town filled with Mayan ruins. The soaring religious structures here date back to between 700 and 1000 AD, and have been laid out in such a way as to suggest a working understanding of astronomy. HOTEL GAMMA CASTELLANO- BREAKFAST & LUNCH.

DAY 12-Apr. 17, TUE  CHICHEN ITZA  EXCURSION- 

One of the highlights of our tour comes today with a visit to Chichen Itza, the world-famous complex of Mayan remains. The most recognizable archeological treasure we’ll see is the Kukulkan Pyramid, or El Castillo – one of the new seven wonders of the world. With a guide to show us around, we’ll be treated to an insight into the forward thinking Mayan way of life. We’ll also get to see, and swim in if you choose, Cenote Ik Kil. Just a short way from Chichen Itza, this natural, open-water pool hidden away in the rainforest was often used by the Mayans during religious ceremonies. HOTEL GAMMA CASTELLANO– BREAKFAST & LUNCH.

DAY 13- Apr. 18, WED: MERIDA – MEXICO CITY ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM – MEXICO CITY TOUR

After Breakfast we travel to Mexico City by air. Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. This afternoon explore the historical center on foot and visit the huge Zocaló with its famous Cathedral and the Government Palace with its impressive murals by Diego Riviera, amongst others. To make the city tour perfect, finish it with an informative visit of the Anthropological Museum which is situated on the brink of the Chapultepec Park. At night another highlight will await you. Indulge in the deliciousness the city has to offer and try some of the best tacos you can find during this Taco Street Food Tour. HOTEL – BREAKFAST & DINNER

DAY 14- Apr. 19, THU: TEOTIHUACAN EXCURSION

After your Easter brunch breakfast, head 50km northeast of the city to the spectacular site of Teotihuacan, also known as the “City of the Gods”. Spread over 22km², it is the largest city of ruins in Latin America and the majority of it has yet to be excavated. You should not miss out on climbing up the Sun and Moon Pyramids, as they provide an imposing view of the extent of this archaeological excavation. Return back to Mexico City where rest of the day is at leisure. Join fellow tour members for a farewell dinner tonight. HOTEL – BREAKFAST & DINNER

Day 15- Apr. 20, FRI: DEPART MEXICO

Transfer in time for the group international flight. BREAKFAST

TOUR PRICES: TBA

WE ARE ACCEPTING  `BOOKINGS WITHOUT DEPOSIT’ ON ALL ASTRONOMY TOURS- Once the tour prices are finalized, you will be contacted with deposit requirements. You will have 15 days to accept, Change or cancel your booking.

FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION- CONTACT: 888-605-TOURS (8687) or 310-373-1001. Email: [email protected]