Mexico’s Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse - TravelQuest International
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Mexico’s Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse

March 29 - April 9, 2024

Welcome

  • Dates: Mar 29 - Apr 09, 2024
  • Duration: 12 days, 11 nights
  • Trip Level (1-4):2
  • Arrive: Los Mochis, Mexico
  • Depart:Torreón, Mexico
  • Priced From: $6,980

This tour departs in

DAYS

Highlights

  • A handpicked viewing site offering some of the best prospects for clear skies during the April 8 total solar eclipse.
  • A panoramic train ride through the Sierra Madre range to famed Copper Canyon.
  • Behold the fascinating culture of the Tarahumara people, who’ve lived in the mountains for centuries.

We discovered many years ago that northern Mexico, with its dramatic landscapes and vast skies, was an extraordinary – and wonderfully accessible – destination for eclipse viewing and stargazing. Now, after decades of exploring every region of the planet, we’re happy to be returning once again to Mexico for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.

Join us as we discover the scenic coast of the Sea of Cortez, which separates the Baja California peninsula from the Mexican mainland. Then travel by train into the Sierra Madre range to famed Copper Canyon – actually six interconnected canyons whose steep walls have the greenish hue of oxidized copper. Finally, on eclipse day, watch the Moon’s shadow unfurl across a rugged landscape to envelope you in a haunting 4 minutes and 4 seconds of darkness.

It’s definitely time to reunite with friends or family on a long-overdue vacation. We can’t imagine a better way to see the real Mexico than on this one-of-a-kind eclipse tour, expertly supported by the same local partners who first brought us here over 20 years ago. To be sure you’re among those who join us, make your reservation now – and start counting the days!

 

Torreón, Mexico – April 2024 Eclipse Weather Prospects
by TravelQuest eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson

Mexico in April is made for an eclipse. Sunshine is plentiful – better than anywhere else along the 2024 track – and the city of Torreón lies in the center of this abundance, less than 50 miles from the point of maximum eclipse. Average cloud cover over the city, according to observations from satellites, is barely 20 percent. An examination of April 8 images from 2000 to 2021 shows that the eclipse would have been visible every year –16 in completely clear skies and the rest in thin cirrus cloud. Torreón’s daytime temperatures are high but cool sharply at night thanks to the city’s altitude and the dry desert climate. No eclipse site comes with a guarantee of sunny skies, but Torreón is as close as it gets.

 

This tour departs in

DAYS

Highlights

  • A handpicked viewing site offering some of the best prospects for clear skies during the April 8 total solar eclipse.
  • A panoramic train ride through the Sierra Madre range to famed Copper Canyon.
  • Behold the fascinating culture of the Tarahumara people, who’ve lived in the mountains for centuries.

Itinerary

Arrive at Los Mochis (airport code: LMM), in the coastal state of Sinaloa, according to your own flight plans. Your TravelQuest representative will arrange the easy transfer to our hotel for the night. If you’ve checked in by late afternoon, plan to join us for a get-acquainted dinner.

DATE(S): Friday, March 29, 2024

MEALS: Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Best Western Plus or similar

After breakfast, we head west by private motorcoach to beautiful Topolobampo Bay, spotting shorebirds and possibly a dolphin or two. Lunch is a traditional Sinaloa-style beach picnic featuring freshly prepared seafood. You have plenty of time to relax and stroll the coast, taking in spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez. After lunch, we journey inland to El Fuerté, the picturesque Spanish colonial town that’s our home for the next two nights.

DATE(S): Saturday, March 30, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo or similar

This morning our local guide takes us to discover the village of Capomos, where your native Mayo hosts perform traditional dances, tell you about their culture and customs – and invite you to taste their amazing homemade corn tortillas. After lunch in El Fuerté, enjoy a walking tour of the historic town, visiting its beautiful main plaza, the bustling marketplace, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and the Museo El Fuerté.

DATE(S): Sunday, March 31, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo or similar

After breakfast, we head to El Fuerté railway station to board the Chepe Express for an unforgettable six-hour journey, traveling from El Fuerté up through alpine valleys to the mountain town of Divisadero, situated at 7,400 ft (2,260 m). There are magnificent views around every bend of this historic railroad, originally built with the goal of carrying cattle from Kansas to the Mexican port of Topolobampo for shipping to the Orient. It remains a remarkable feat of engineering, with 39 bridges and 87 tunnels – many of which are still part of our route today. Watch as the natural beauty of the Sierra Madre unfolds before you, its steep valleys, sheer cliffs and craggy peaks making this one of the most scenic train rides in the Americas. Arriving in late afternoon arrive at Divisadero, you’re welcomed to our hotel for the next two nights – set right on the edge of Copper Canyon, with incredible vistas of three converging canyons from every guest room. Relax and take in the views or explore on your own before we gather for dinner at the hotel.

DATE(S): Monday, April 1, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Divisadero or similar

 

This morning’s highlights include the Piedra Volada lookout above Copper Canyon and a breathtaking cable car ride over the intersection of Tararecua and Urique canyons, offering endless vistas across the Sierra Madre range. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can add an optional canyon zip-lining experience or go climbing with local experts among the nearby peaks.

 

Sierra Tarahumara

 

The indigenous Tarahumara people (also called the Rarámuri) originally inhabited much of what is now the Mexican state of Chihuahua. But after the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 1500s, most retreated to the higher slopes and hidden canyons of the Sierra Madre range – in a region now known as the Sierra Tarahumara. With an estimated current population between 50,000 and 70,000, the Tarahumara speak a language derived from ancient Aztec that has survived despite the prevalence of Spanish. Most follow a traditional way of life, often making their homes in caves or below overhanging cliffs. Many are subsistence farmers, growing corn, beans and other staples in small plots. Others graze cattle, sheep and goats on the valley floors and hillsides. Deeply connected to the mountains they’ve called home for centuries, the Tarahumara tend to move from place to place throughout the year, often traveling on foot – and as a result, many are renowned long-distance runners.

DATE(S): Tuesday, April 2, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Divisadero or similar

After a free morning in Divisadero, enjoying the beautiful setting and shopping for handmade Tarahumara crafts, we make the short scenic drive to Creel, originally a logging town and now a hub for exploring Copper Canyon and the surrounding region. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish, either discovering Creel or relaxing at the hotel.

DATE(S): Wednesday, April 3, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Parador del Alma or similar

This morning we visit the nearby Tarahumara community of San Ignacio, where a local family welcomes you into the cave home they have lived in their whole lives. Another highlight is our walk through the Valle de Los Hongos y Ranas, whose natural rock formations resemble mushrooms, frogs and other flora and fauna of the Sierra Tarahumara. Here we will visit a local school, where we’ll surprise the Raramuri children with a Piñata Party. Then, you’re free to follow your own curiosity in Creel and environs in the afternoon.

DATE(S): Thursday, April 4, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Parador del Alma or similar

Setting out after breakfast for Chihuahua, we stop along the way at Cuauhtémoc to visit a farm community established nearly a century ago by Mennonite settlers. Then we’re on our way again, taking in more scenery and arriving in late afternoon at the bustling city of Chihuahua.

DATE(S): Friday, April 5, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Sheraton Chihuahua or similar

This morning our guide takes you on a fascinating tour of Chihuahua, visiting the home of revolutionary leader Pancho Villa (now the Mexican Revolution Museum) as well as the cathedral and the Government Palace, with its murals depicting the history of Chihuahua. Then, after dinner, settle in for an evening of folkloric dance, weaving together the diverse traditions of Mexico’s many regions.

DATE(S): Saturday, April 6, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Sheraton Chihuahua or similar

After breakfast we head off by private coach to our chosen spot along the eclipse path: the city of Torreón in the state of Coahuila. Stopping for lunch en route, we arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. Join us for a pre-eclipse briefing this evening where our trip astronomer will share an expert’s perspective on how total solar eclipses happen, along with tips on how to view this event safely and capture its magic in photographs.

DATE(S): Sunday, April 7, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Marriott or similar

Rising early, we drive to our carefully chosen viewing site and help you find the ideal spot for watching and photographing the eclipse. With first contact commencing at 11:59 am local time, you can look forward to 4 minutes and 4 seconds of totality: the kind of duration, as eclipse veterans know, that allows you to savor the nuances and leaves you with indelible memories for a lifetime. Then in the evening, celebrate the whole experience – and compare notes with fellow eclipse enthusiasts – at our farewell dinner.

Torreón, Mexico – April 2024 Eclipse Weather Prospects by TravelQuest eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson

Mexico in April is made for an eclipse. Sunshine is plentiful – better than anywhere else along the 2024 track – and the city of Torreón lies in the center of this abundance, less than 50 miles from the point of maximum eclipse. Average cloud cover over the city, according to observations from satellites, is barely 20 percent. An examination of April 8 images from 2000 to 2021 shows that the eclipse would have been visible every year –16 in completely clear skies and the rest in thin cirrus cloud. Torreón’s daytime temperatures are high but cool sharply at night thanks to the city’s altitude and the dry desert climate. No eclipse site comes with a guarantee of sunny skies, but Torreón is as close as it gets.

DATE(S): Monday, April 8, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Marriott or similar

After a final breakfast, we arrange your transfer to Torréon International Airport (code: TRC) according to your flight plans and wish you safe travels homeward or on to further adventures.

DATE(S): Tuesday, April 9, 2024

MEALS: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION: n/a

TRIP LEVEL

Easy/Moderate: Daytime temperatures vary with altitude; expect your days to be warm near the coast (83°F), and cooler at higher elevations, especially at night (52°F). Average April highs in our eclipse viewing city of Torréon are 91°F by day, cooling to 57°F at night. TravelQuest guests must be able to get on and off buses and trains on their own, keep up with the pace of the trip, and be prepared to occasionally carry their own luggage. The trip includes walks and hikes under varying weather conditions, both at sea level and at elevations up to 7,400 ft (2,260 m), over uneven and occasionally hilly terrain.

At TravelQuest we want to be sure you find the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Please email or call if you have any questions regarding the itinerary.

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Pricing & Terms

Prices are per person in US Dollars based on the number of people in a room.

Double

$6980

Single

$8280

Important:

  • All tour prices, taxes and airfares quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs, costs and United States dollar exchange rates that were in effect at the time of publication. Consequently, prices herein are subject to change. Due to fluctuations in global oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your trip fee. You will be advised of details and costs prior to departure.
  • TravelQuest, working with our partners, makes every effort to follow the published itinerary. However, please keep in mind that it is subject to change depending on weather and other local conditions.
  • It is important to acknowledge that seeing the total solar eclipse is Sun and weather dependent, and TravelQuest can make no guarantees that the Sun and weather will cooperate.

Room Sharing Program

If you are traveling solo, you can realize significant savings by taking advantage of TravelQuest’s Room Sharing Program, in which travelers of the same gender can share twin-bedded accommodations. Contact us for details.

 

Includes

  • 11 nights’ accommodation at select hotels and lodges
  • Arrival/departure transfers per the dates of the tour
  • All ground transportation by bus and train
  • Services of your TravelQuest trip leader/astronomer
  • Local English-speaking guides throughout your journey
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary, starting with dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 12, including coffee, tea, soft drink and water
  • Sightseeing admission fees as noted in the itinerary
  • All gratuities for guides, drivers, waiters, maids and porters

Not Included

  • Air transportation to Los Mochis, Mexico (airport code: LMM) and from Torréon International Airport (code: TRC)
  • Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
  • Beverages at meals (other than coffee, tea, soft drinks and water)
  • Expenses of a personal nature, including spa services, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
  • Passport and visa fees if applicable, along with any required immunizations
  • Highly recommended travel cancellation insurance

Payments & Terms

  • An advance payment of $1,500 USD, made by credit card, along with the completed reservation form, are required to secure your reservation.
  • A second advance payment of $2,000 USD per person, payable by check or bank wire only, is due August 15, 2023.
  • Final payment payable by check or bank wire only – is due by January 5, 2024.

Cancellation Terms

  • Cancellations must be made in writing via email, fax or mail.
  • All advance payments, less a $500 USD per person cancellation fee, are refundable until August 15, 2023.
  • From August 16 to November 29, 2023, there is a $1,400 per person cancellation fee.
  • There are no refunds after November 29, 2023.
  • Air cancellation terms are additional.

TRAVELER HEALTH

At TravelQuest we want to be sure you find the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Prior to making a booking, it is the responsibility of each traveler to thoroughly read the itinerary, and to acquire and understand all pertinent medical advice to determine whether they are in an appropriate state of physical health to undertake the trip. At a minimum, participants must be able to climb into and out of buses, vans and trains without assistance, to carry their own luggage, and to generally keep up with the pace of the trip. If you have any questions about your trip’s itinerary or its level of difficulty, please contact us prior to booking.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance protects you from unexpected “what ifs” on your travels: What if your bags go missing? What if you have to cancel? What if you need medical assistance? TravelQuest highly recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help secure you and your trip investment against the unexpected. You can purchase this insurance on your own or contact our friends at Travelex, who are familiar with our trips and offer a selection of coverage options to suit your needs. To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, Travelex plans must be purchased within 15 days from the time you make your initial deposit to TravelQuest. ALL Travelex policies must be purchased at least 14 days prior to your departure date.   

For more information on these plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services direct at 1-800-228-9792, and reference location number 03-6043.

TravelEx Insurance