A Train through Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, Mexico offers you unique views of the rocky Sierra Madre range, located in north-west Mexico. This is the Chepe train, and it leads you up to over 4000 meters and then back to sea level; all in just 653 km. You will go from the plains of Chihuahua to the Pacific coastal plain and finally, to Los Mochis
Things To Do
As the train slides through the railways, you will definitely get to a point in which you can’t be just sitting and watching. What makes this adventure so unique is the fact that there are many things to see and so much more to do. You’ll find yourself visiting traditional Mexican towns and Indian villages, and then hiking a canyon.
The Chepe Primera Express
The train that you have to take is called “The Chepe Primera Express”, where you can either go in first-class or as a tourist. The first-class offers air conditioner on its carriages and uniformed guards, besides a bigger seat space.
This train first leaves the town of Chihuahua and it doesn’t take long to enter the open grass plains. In there, you will see a glimpse of how Mexican life is. You will surely spot young and old men alike walking or riding bicycles along one side of the track; don’t be afraid to wave at them! Later on, when you reach small towns like Santa Isabel or San Andrés, you will see a group of children in their uniforms walking to school.
Cuauhtémoc town
Your first main stop will be in the town of Cuauhtémoc. But beyond it, the line will take you through hectares of apple orchards until you arrive at La Junta. Here is where the train will start its journey up into the Sierra Madre mountains. In this place, you will travel alongside rivers, valleys, and dramatic landscapes; also, you will feel how the temperature goes down as the train goes higher and higher.
Creel town
Some travelers decide to spend a night at the next stop: the town of Creel. Once you arrive here, you can take a tour into Copper Canyon or the Tarahumara villages. However, if you want to stay somewhere else, you have the option of staying on board and wait until the train reaches Divisadero, a small one-hotel village located at the edge of the canyon.
Divisadero village
Divisadero is a good place for a guided hike. For those who have a few days to spare, there is a hike that goes to the bottom of the canyon. Another reason to stop here overnight is that you can go onboard again with new energy for the most amazing part of the journey. The train will now go through incredible tunnels and across some breathtaking bridges.
The landscapes continue to delight your view as the line goes toward El Descanso and Lorenzo. You will get to a point where the terrain relents and then goes back to its highest speed as it heads over to El Fuerte. From El Fuerte, it takes just a few hours for your journey to come to an end in Los Mochis.
How to get there
Both Chihuahua and Los mochis have airports; flights to the former are usually more competitively priced. The first-class train departs from Creel, Chihuahua.
When to go
From May to October are the busier months, and you better reserve your tickets in advance if you plan to go at this time of the year.
Inside Information
The Chepe first class and second class trains run once a day in each direction all year round. The second class train, used mainly by locals, also operates once a day but is slower and doesn’t offer the comforts of the first-class one. However, tickets can be bought with as many stopovers as you require, and the journey is very reasonably priced.
Planning
There are truly excellent hotels in Chihuahua, Divisadero, Posada de Barrancas and El Fuerte. But other stops may not offer accommodation in the higher range.
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