Chihuahua, Chih. Mex. Today is:
ROUND TRIP FROM EL PASO TEXAS |
 Pronto Canyon |
| Basic Copper Canyon |
| Colonial Canyon |
| Colorful Canyon |
| Urique and Copper Canyon |
ONE WAY FROM EL PASO TEXAS TO LOS MOCHIS |
| Pronto Canyon |
| Basic Copper canyon |
| Colonial Canyon |
| Colorful Canyon |
| Urique and Copper Canyon |
ROUND TRIP FROM LOS MOCHIS |
| Pronto Canyon |
| Basic Copper Canyon |
| Colonial Canyon |
| Colorful Canyon |
| Urique and Copper Canyon |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
10 days / 9 nights
Locally Hosted
DAY 1 GUADALAJARA-GUANAJUATO (B) Breakfast included
Fly to Guadalajara or El Bajío Airport and coach to Guanajuato.
DAY 2 GUANAJUATO (B) Breakfast included
Today we explore Guanajuato, a small but hardly a provincial city. The city's impossible topography gives Guanajuato one of the world's most unusual street systems below ground is the city's unique subterranean highway. In what were once a riverbed and later the city's flood control canals, now cars swoop trough stone arched tunnels that meander under the city. Above ground, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways, steep stairways, and brick bridges wind up and down the city's hillsides. In many ways Guanajuato feels more like a medieval village than a colonial town.
The city's century-old veneer conceals the fact that Guanajuato is a pretty hip town, imbued with musicians, artists and intellectuals. several acclaimed painters come from here, the great muralist Diego Rivera, José Chavez Morado and painter Manuel Leal. Places of interest are union plaza (busiest and most central of the seven plazas), Juárez Theatre (magnificent opera and concert hall), Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato (housing the wooden virgin of Guadalupe), considered the oldest piece of Christian art in México, House of count rul, alley of the kiss (El callejón del beso), Hidalgo market, Miguel Hidalgo Avenue (running partially underground), Diego Rivera Museum, society of Jesus, (La Campania) Church, and the monument to Pipila (situated to give a panoramic view of the city).
DAY 3 GUANAJUATO-SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (B) Breakfast included
Continuing in the colonial circle we set out for San Miguel de Allende. Just three miles out of town we will stop in valenciana to see the incredibly rich working silver mine. It ranks as one of the greatest mine in the history. At one point it was estimated that one third of the world's silver came from this source and today miners still take out a ton of rock every six minutes.
Just across the road is the town's church Iglesia de San Cay. This stunning church was built by the owner of the mine. It is rumored that the silver dust was mixed into the cement that bind the stones of the foundation. Altars are heavily trimmed in gold leaf, and the pulpit came from China.
We continue on, long before we reach Cerro del Cubilete we can see the hung bronze statue of Christ the King. It is 82 feet high and weighing 200 tons, it stand atop the 9,442 foot peak. Pillgrims from all over México climb the interior stairway to a cheapel near the heart of the statue. I'm not sure we will want to do this. From the summit we will enjoy super views of the bajío region, a fertile green plain dotted with lakes and mountain peaks.
Traveling on we arrive at Dolores Hidalgo (do-loh-rehs-ee-dahl-go) to see the parish church where Father Hidalgo gave the cry of Independencia, "Grito de Dolores" then began the 11 year war of independence. There is a historic monument and museum here. Ceramics are sold in the Area, however the town is best known for its colorful tiles.
We have now traveled the distance of about 50 miles from Guanajuato and for the next two nights we will enjoy another colonial gem San Miguel de Allende.
Our hotel is the Real de Minas.
DAY 4 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (B) Breakfast included
(SAHN-MEE-GEL-DAY-A-YENDAY)
Today is spent in Mexico's most celebrated artist colony. This town has many beautiful Spanish building and colonial-era cobblestone streets remain. Houses are close to the grilles. There are beautiful hand-carved wood doors and stone coats of arms on many of the buildings.
Declared a National Monument in 1926 San Miguel is protected from any new construction that is not in the colonial style.
It is Mexico's most celebrated artist's community, and has been luring artistic Mexicans and Americans for decades. Most of San Miguel's sightseeing highlights are clustered around the compact downtown area and can be seen in a couple of hours. A visit to El Jardín, the city's lovely main plaza will quickly give you a feel for San Miguel's Magic. Take a shaded seat on one of the Plaza's green wrought iron benches and watch San Miguel's small town pace unfold. La Parroquia church, dominating the square is San Miguel's most awesome and wondrous landmark. This pink, Gothic-Style Parish Church, with sandcastle-like spires, is one of the Mexico’s great treasures. Museo Casa de Allende: former home of Independence revolt leader Ignacio Allende, this small gallery and museum features period memorabilia and colonial art.
Iglesia de San Francisco, one of the finest examples of churrigueresque architecture built in a baroque style. (remember Paul?) Instituto Allende, a beautiful 18th century home turned Cultural Institute, classes in art, literature, Spanish language and Latin American History. A shopping spree is often the highlight of a visit to San Miguel and most of the galleries and stores in the main plaza are carry high-quality paintings, sculpture, clothing, ceramics, tin, and wrought iron items. Distinctive cloth goods many of them hand loomed and embroined are also an excellent buy.
For a town of this size it has an amazing amount of good restaurants. Overnight in San Miguel.
DAY 5 SAN MIGUEL-QUERETARO-MORELIA (B) Breakfast included
Enroute to Morelia we will make a stop at the historic city of Querétaro (Keh-reh-tah-roh). The city is filled with 18 century mansions and churches. Besides being the home of the famous creole rebel La Corregidora, it is the place where Maximiliano was executed, and where the current Constitution of Mexico was written.
Querétaro is also known for its gemstones, especially amethysts, opals and topaz. These should only be purchased at reputable shops, avoid sidewalks vendors. We cross into the state of Michoacán and arrive in Morelia, Capital of the conquistadores.
Morelia is built in the earth tones of Madrid and evokes the austere grandeur of old Spain. Its most famous native son, the revolutionary Jose Maria Morelos, is responsible for the name being changed from Valladolid to Morelia.
We stay for 2 nights at the hotel Virrey de Mendoza
DAY 6 MORELIA-PATZCUARO-JANITZIO ISLAND-MORELIA (B) Breakfast included
This morning we will enjoy an excursion to Patzcuaro (pahtz-kawah-roh), located in the mountains, veiled from the outside world by a wall of pines. In this very quaint town are pureblooded Tarascan Indians. Friday morning is the pottery market, sellers from the region sell various styles of pottery for very low prices. Delicious white fish came from lake Pátzcuaro. We will make a visit to Janitzio Island, home of the fisherman who dip their butterfly nets into lake Pátzcuaro to catch the white fish. Hopefully we will see the traditional dance of the viejitos, where masked dancers, depicting old men, demonstrated that old age is the time to enjoy the best fruits of life.
We will return to Morelia and do a walking tour of the city.
Overnight at the Virrey de Mendoza hotel.
DAY 7 MORELIA-LAKE CHAPALA-AJIJIC-GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast included
On the way to Guadalajara we will several picture-perfect lakeside towns. We will drive along the shores of the vast lake Chapala (chah-pah-lah). When you first see it you'll think it looks like an ocean. It's stunning sight, ringed by high, forested mountains and fishing villages. Many Americans have retired in this area because of the near-perfect climate. Gorgeous scenery and charming little lakeshores towns.
Ajijic (ah-hee-hek). Is a picturesque village of mostly artists and writers, the town's waterfront and pier, cobblestone streets and attractive mansions make it pleasant for shopping and strolling.
This afternoon we arrive in Guadalajara and check into the hotel de Mendoza. The next three nights are in Guadalajara.
DAY 8 GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast included
The charms of Mexico's second largest city are captured in its nicknames, "City of eternal spring" for its near perfect climate, and "City of Roses" (like its sister city Portland Oregon) for the fragrant flowers that brighten its splendid plazas and parks. Tought by many to posses the architecture, and is the birthplace of what we attribute to Mexican culture-most notably mariachi music, Tequila and many popular Mexican dishes. We will visit all the important monuments, stately buildings and the Plaza Tapatia. A mayor center for the arts and education, the city is filled with bookstores, galleries and fine museums.
This afternoon we take a short enjoyable drive trough the blue maguey fields to the village of Tequila. Sauza (oldest and most famous), Herradura, Cuervo, and Orendain all have distilleries here. We will take a tour and some samples.
Return to Guadalajara. You may want to wander over the plaza de los mariachis to hear music or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Overnight hotel de Mendoza.
DAY 9 GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast included
Sleep in. Mid-morning we will visit Tonala the oldest pueblos in Mexico. This small village is packed with workshops and factories producing most of the pottery and ceramics sold in the area. Century-old traditions and techniques are still practiced.
then on Tlaquepaque (tal-kay-pah-kay), known trough out Mexico as an arts and crafts center of significant renown.
Colonial setting with affordable high quality crafts and fine works of art. Return to Guadalajara.
This evening we will have our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 10 GUADALAJARA-HOME (B) Breakfast included
The morning is free; sleep, relax and pack, until it is time for your transfer to the airport.
End of our services.
DAY 3 GUANAJUATO-SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (B) Breakfast includedContinuing in the colonial circle we set out for San Miguel de Allende. Just three miles out of town we will stop in valenciana to see the incredibly rich working silver mine. It ranks as one of the greatest mine in the history. At one point it was estimated that one third of the world's silver came from this source and today miners still take out a ton of rock every six minutes.
Just across the road is the town's church Iglesia de San Cay. This stunning church was built by the owner of the mine. It is rumored that the silver dust was mixed into the cement that bind the stones of the foundation. Altars are heavily trimmed in gold leaf, and the pulpit came from China.
We continue on, long before we reach Cerro del Cubilete we can see the hung bronze statue of Christ the King. It is 82 feet high and weighing 200 tons, it stand atop the 9,442 foot peak. Pillgrims from all over México climb the interior stairway to a cheapel near the heart of the statue. I'm not sure we will want to do this. From the summit we will enjoy super views of the bajío region, a fertile green plain dotted with lakes and mountain peaks.
Traveling on we arrive at Dolores Hidalgo (do-loh-rehs-ee-dahl-go) to see the parish church where Father Hidalgo gave the cry of Independencia, "Grito de Dolores" then began the 11 year war of independence. There is a historic monument and museum here. Ceramics are sold in the Area, however the town is best known for its colorful tiles.
We have now traveled the distance of about 50 miles from Guanajuato and for the next two nights we will enjoy another colonial gem San Miguel de Allende.
Our hotel is the Real de Minas.
DAY 4 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (B) Breakfast included(SAHN-MEE-GEL-DAY-A-YENDAY)
Today is spent in Mexico's most celebrated artist colony. This town has many beautiful Spanish building and colonial-era cobblestone streets remain. Houses are close to the grilles. There are beautiful hand-carved wood doors and stone coats of arms on many of the buildings.
Declared a National Monument in 1926 San Miguel is protected from any new construction that is not in the colonial style.
It is Mexico's most celebrated artist's community, and has been luring artistic Mexicans and Americans for decades. Most of San Miguel's sightseeing highlights are clustered around the compact downtown area and can be seen in a couple of hours. A visit to El Jardín, the city's lovely main plaza will quickly give you a feel for San Miguel's Magic. Take a shaded seat on one of the Plaza's green wrought iron benches and watch San Miguel's small town pace unfold. La Parroquia church, dominating the square is San Miguel's most awesome and wondrous landmark. This pink, Gothic-Style Parish Church, with sandcastle-like spires, is one of the Mexico’s great treasures. Museo Casa de Allende: former home of Independence revolt leader Ignacio Allende, this small gallery and museum features period memorabilia and colonial art.
Iglesia de San Francisco, one of the finest examples of churrigueresque architecture built in a baroque style. (remember Paul?) Instituto Allende, a beautiful 18th century home turned Cultural Institute, classes in art, literature, Spanish language and Latin American History. A shopping spree is often the highlight of a visit to San Miguel and most of the galleries and stores in the main plaza are carry high-quality paintings, sculpture, clothing, ceramics, tin, and wrought iron items. Distinctive cloth goods many of them hand loomed and embroined are also an excellent buy.
For a town of this size it has an amazing amount of good restaurants. Overnight in San Miguel.
DAY 5 SAN MIGUEL-QUERETARO-MORELIA (B) Breakfast includedEnroute to Morelia we will make a stop at the historic city of Querétaro (Keh-reh-tah-roh). The city is filled with 18 century mansions and churches. Besides being the home of the famous creole rebel La Corregidora, it is the place where Maximiliano was executed, and where the current Constitution of Mexico was written.
Querétaro is also known for its gemstones, especially amethysts, opals and topaz. These should only be purchased at reputable shops, avoid sidewalks vendors. We cross into the state of Michoacán and arrive in Morelia, Capital of the conquistadores.
Morelia is built in the earth tones of Madrid and evokes the austere grandeur of old Spain. Its most famous native son, the revolutionary Jose Maria Morelos, is responsible for the name being changed from Valladolid to Morelia.
We stay for 2 nights at the hotel Virrey de Mendoza
DAY 6 MORELIA-PATZCUARO-JANITZIO ISLAND-MORELIA (B) Breakfast includedThis morning we will enjoy an excursion to Patzcuaro (pahtz-kawah-roh), located in the mountains, veiled from the outside world by a wall of pines. In this very quaint town are pureblooded Tarascan Indians. Friday morning is the pottery market, sellers from the region sell various styles of pottery for very low prices. Delicious white fish came from lake Pátzcuaro. We will make a visit to Janitzio Island, home of the fisherman who dip their butterfly nets into lake Pátzcuaro to catch the white fish. Hopefully we will see the traditional dance of the viejitos, where masked dancers, depicting old men, demonstrated that old age is the time to enjoy the best fruits of life.
We will return to Morelia and do a walking tour of the city.
Overnight at the Virrey de Mendoza hotel.
DAY 7 MORELIA-LAKE CHAPALA-AJIJIC-GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast includedOn the way to Guadalajara we will several picture-perfect lakeside towns. We will drive along the shores of the vast lake Chapala (chah-pah-lah). When you first see it you'll think it looks like an ocean. It's stunning sight, ringed by high, forested mountains and fishing villages. Many Americans have retired in this area because of the near-perfect climate. Gorgeous scenery and charming little lakeshores towns.
Ajijic (ah-hee-hek). Is a picturesque village of mostly artists and writers, the town's waterfront and pier, cobblestone streets and attractive mansions make it pleasant for shopping and strolling.
This afternoon we arrive in Guadalajara and check into the hotel de Mendoza. The next three nights are in Guadalajara.
DAY 8 GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast includedThe charms of Mexico's second largest city are captured in its nicknames, "City of eternal spring" for its near perfect climate, and "City of Roses" (like its sister city Portland Oregon) for the fragrant flowers that brighten its splendid plazas and parks. Tought by many to posses the architecture, and is the birthplace of what we attribute to Mexican culture-most notably mariachi music, Tequila and many popular Mexican dishes. We will visit all the important monuments, stately buildings and the Plaza Tapatia. A mayor center for the arts and education, the city is filled with bookstores, galleries and fine museums.
This afternoon we take a short enjoyable drive trough the blue maguey fields to the village of Tequila. Sauza (oldest and most famous), Herradura, Cuervo, and Orendain all have distilleries here. We will take a tour and some samples.
Return to Guadalajara. You may want to wander over the plaza de los mariachis to hear music or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Overnight hotel de Mendoza.
DAY 9 GUADALAJARA (B) Breakfast includedSleep in. Mid-morning we will visit Tonala the oldest pueblos in Mexico. This small village is packed with workshops and factories producing most of the pottery and ceramics sold in the area. Century-old traditions and techniques are still practiced.
then on Tlaquepaque (tal-kay-pah-kay), known trough out Mexico as an arts and crafts center of significant renown.
Colonial setting with affordable high quality crafts and fine works of art. Return to Guadalajara.
This evening we will have our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 10 GUADALAJARA-HOME (B) Breakfast includedThe morning is free; sleep, relax and pack, until it is time for your transfer to the airport.
End of our services.
Please contact us for inclusions and Net Group Tour Cost
mexadv@coppercanyon.com.mx
mexadv@coppercanyon.com.mx
 Round Trip From El Paso Texas |
| Copper Canyon Trekking 10 Days |
| Round Trip Staying in Juarez City |
| Pilicies and responsability |
| Especial information for tour trip |
| Learn some tarahumara words |
| Air and rail tours |
| Colonial Mexico |
| Links |
10427 Janway, Dr. El Paso, Tx. 79925
Fax USA (915) 591 17 01
Mexico: 52 (614) 414 6490
USA: 1 800 206 8132
Mexico's Copper Canyon by Mexico Adventures, Inc.