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Mexico & Phoenix 10 Days
Itinerary:
DAY 1, Tuesday - Arrive in Phoenix
Arrive in Phoenix; transfer to your hotel. The Phoenix area with its captivating desert setting has inspired artists for generations. This region is home to acclaimed museums and architectural masterpieces including Frank Lloyd Wright's elegant buildings created from desert rocks and sand. Tonight, an orientation by your Tour Manager introduces you to the exciting program that awaits you in Mexico. After a Welcome Drink with your fellow passengers, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Perhaps visit the colorful Old Town with its choice of lively restaurants, shops and cafes. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7PM on the day of arrival. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 5PM on Day 1 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible
Overnight: Phoenix
DAY 2, Wednesday - Cross the Border into Mexico, San Carlos
Depart early in the morning from Arizona and cross the border at Nogales into Mexico. Traveling south, a drive through the long stretches of flat scrub in the arid Sonoran Desert with its unusual organ-pipe cacti. Linger in the small town of Santa Ana, highlighted by a beautiful church built in the early 1900s. Enjoy your first Mexican lunch before traveling on to cosmopolitan Hermosillo. View the lovely colonial Cathedral and the Government Palace, decorated with multicolored murals portraying the history of the Sonoran region. Arrive in San Carlos, a fishing village and resort community perched on the Sea of Cortez, known for its crystal-clear warm waters and beautiful sunsets. Tonight, a festive Mexican-style Reception followed by a Welcome Dinner together with your fellow travelers
Overnight: San Carlos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3, Thursday - Cruise on the Sea of Cortez
We board a private boat this morning for a scenic cruise on the shimmering Sea of Cortez - a highlight of the day! Conditions permitting, you may see turtles, pelicans, dolphins, or even sea lions. Afterwards, continue to Mirador, a popular viewpoint over Gulf of California where you can view the beautiful terrain of the region. Return to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax at the pool, suntan on the beach, or shop to your heart's content. This evening, consider joining the optional Algodones Beach Sunset Dinner. Enjoy a delicious Mexican inspired dinner as the sun sets along picturesque Los Algodones Beach
Optional: Algodones Beach Sunset Dinner
Overnight:San Carlos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Friday - Cultured Pearl Farm, Colonial City of Alamos
Today, a fascinating tour of the Guaymas Pearl Farm, the first cultured pearl farm in the Americas, and an ongoing research facility of pearl-producing oysters. Here we learn about the specialized art of pearl oyster farming, grading and quality selection. Then, an opportunity to view the finished products of pearls in all shapes, sizes and colors. Next, travel through the rich farmlands of the Sierra Madre mountains to the quaint old silver town of Alamos. This charming city's cobblestone streets are lined with beautiful Spanish colonial buildings - it's a living museum! Dinner tonight is highlighted by a music and dance cultural presentation by costumed performers
Overnight: Alamos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Saturday - Walking Tour in Los Alamos, El Fuerte - Gateway to the Copper Canyon
A morning stroll in the streets of Alamos introduces you to the history of this colonial city, a designated National Monument. Its elaborate mansions, restored to their original glory, date back to a bygone era when the silver mines here were among the richest in the world. After lunch, journey into the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains to picturesque El Fuerte, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Copper Canyon". The afternoon is at leisure to explore this beautiful small city with its attractive central plaza studded with palm trees. In the evening, a performance of traditional folkloric and native dances followed by a dinner of local favorites
Overnight: El Fuerte
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Sunday - Train Ride into Copper Canyon, Meet the Tarahumara Indians, Posadas Barrancas
Amazing vistas await us today! In the early morning, we board a railcar and begin the astonishing journey on the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad, considered one of the most dramatic railway journeys in the Western Hemisphere. Our "train ride in the sky" takes us into the Copper Canyon, four times the size of the Grand Canyon. The rail line, an engineering marvel, took almost 100 years to build in this very difficult and rugged terrain. We ascend from sea level to almost 7500 feet, passing through numerous tunnels and over spectacular soaring bridges with awe-inspiring views. Disembarkation in Posada Barrancas, on the rim of the Copper Canyon, our home for the next two days. In the afternoon, we meet the reclusive Tarahumara Indians, a semi-nomadic tribe, whose way of life has changed little in over a thousand years; their ancestors lived for generations in the canyon's caves. Learn about their natural remedies from a local medicine woman and view the tribe's unique baskets and striking crafts. Dinner together at the hotel
Overnight: Posadas Barrancas
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Monday - Aerial Tramway into the Copper Canyon
Join the interesting discussion this morning on the interpretation of the unique Tarahumara Indian arts and crafts with a local expert. Then, get ready for our visit to the rim of the Copper Canyon. We embark on an Aerial Tramway that takes us across the canyon, descending almost 4500 feet into the center to experience its grandeur -- a truly breathtaking experience. The rest of the day is spent exploring this dramatic area, one of the greatest undiscovered natural treasures of North America. Hear about the geological forces that created the seven individual canyons, collectively known as the Copper Canyon or Barrancas del Cobre. Share stories of today's fabulous adventure tonight at dinner
Overnight: Posadas Barrancas
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Tuesday - Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz Pottery Demonstration
Depart Posadas Barrancas to the village of Guerrero, where we stop for lunch. The area is rich in culinary resources. Then, we travel on to the bustling city of Nuevo Casas Grandes. Here, we enjoy the afternoon demonstration of Mata Ortiz Pottery, one of the finest and most innovative ceramics in the world. The entire pueblo of Mata Ortiz creates outstanding handmade, coiled pots or ollas, following centuries old methods along with contemporary works of art. The on-site gallery showcases the best in handmade Mata Ortiz pottery. Farewell Dinner in Nuevo Casas Grandes on our last night in Mexico with your newfound friends and Tour Manager
Overnight: Nuevo Casas Grandes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Wednesday - Ruins of Paquime, Cross into the USA, Phoenix/Scottsdale
Today, an early morning departure for a visit to Mexico's famous Archaeological Site of Paquime, undoubtedly the most important ruins in Northern Mexico, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the 14th to 15th centuries the city was a major trading center, before the Spanish conquest of Mexico. View the maze-like adobe remnants and the ceremonial mounds in a broad valley with panoramas to distant mountains. Walk by the House of the Cross, believed to be a temple and observatory, and the House of the Serpent, where animals were raised. The site's impressive Museo de las Culturas del Norte displays important relics that tell the story of Paquime. Drive through parts of the Chihuahua Desert, the largest in North America. Your adventure in Mexico ends with lunch in Agua Prieta before you re-enter the USA through Douglas, Arizona
Overnight: Phoenix/Scottsdale
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10, Thursday - Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
***End of Tour***
| Mexico & Phoenix Featured Hotels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | ||
| San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas | ||
| Alamos | ||
| El Fuerte, Sinaloa | ||
| Estacion Posada Barrancas | ||
| Nuevo Casas Grandes | ||
| Scottsdale, AZ | ||
Escorted Package Includes
- 9 nights accommodations
- 2 nights Phoenix/Scottsdale
- 2 nights San Carlos
- 1 night Alamos
- 1 night El Fuerte
- 2 nights Posadas Barrancas
- 1 night Nuevo Casas Grandes
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers
- 22 meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Services of English-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- 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 us into the magnificent Copper Canyon
- Meet the Tarahumara Indians whose way of life has not changed in 1000 years
- Travel on an Aerial Tramway that descends over 4500 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
Not Included:
Optional tours and gratuities.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.
Passport information for all passengers must be submitted before documents can be issued.
Zika Virus - Passengers are recommended to visit www.cdc.gov/zika/ for current information. CDC advises pregnant women to avoid travel to the countries visited in this itinerary.
Tour code: tig-g1
***PICTURES COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD***
The official Travel agent of Taiwan Tourism
Bureau and KSCI LA18 for all their Travel to
Taiwan Celebrity Tours Appointed travel
Agency for the CITY OF CARSON Tour Operator
for GAWAD KALINGA USA for their BAYANI TOUR
Series Chosen Tour Operator for Promo
Philippine and Malaysia Tourism
