Day 1

Tucson, AZ

We begin our trek with a welcome dinner, orientation and social in Tucson, Arizona. We have a wealth of information about Mexico travel to share with you. We also pass out your copy of the "Tour Guide", the daily itinerary for the tour.

Day 2

San Carlos

After we depart Tucson, we meet at the Mexico border. Here our guides will assist you with the paperwork and border crossing. After we arrive in San Carlos, we meet for a Sunset Cruise. Enjoy Margaritas, soft drinks and snacks, while listening to Mexican Mariachi music during this relaxing scenic cruise on the beautiful Sea of Cortez. San Carlos is a great place to become acclimated to Mexico as you sit back, relax and leave your cares behind.

Day 3

San Carlos

Fishing Trip (optional) - Enjoy a 4 hour fishing excursion aboard safe, dependable and fully equipped boats with bait, tackle and ice. The captain and deckhand will fillet your fish. Enjoy complimentary soft drinks and the world's best fish tacos on board .
Shopping - We travel together into the shopping district. You will find Seri Indian Ironwood carvings (found only in this area), jewelry and fine arts/crafts.

Day 4

San Carlos

Free day - Explore on your own. Some suggested activities are:

• Visit Guaymas: Local city bus departs every 15 minutes from downtown San Carlos
• Buy some fresh fish at Castro's Fish Market on the Guaymas waterfront.
• Take a tour of the Marine Institute and the Pearls of the Sea of Cortez facility
• See the old NASA Tracking Station remains
• See the Cactus Forest and the Sahuayo cactus found only here
• Take a tour of the historic village of San José de Guaymas
• Take a Ferry Boat ride to Santa Rosalía and see the church that Gustav Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) built

Day 5

El Fuerte

City tour. You will see:

• Sagrado Corazón de Jesús: Colonial Cathedral
• The Old Fort: now a museum
• The Municipal Palace: Palacio Municipal
• The Plaza de Armas

Day 6

Copper Canyon

Enjoy an air conditioned train ride through the second largest canyon in America. You will see breathtaking landscapes topped only by those seen in the Grand Canyon. You will debark at Posada Barracas. A guide from the La Mansion Tarahumara will meet you and take you to the hotel. In the afternoon a guide will escort you on a walking tour of the local area.

Day 7

Copper Canyon

Today it's off to Creel for a 7 to 8 hour driving tour. Among the many places of interest are a Tarahumara cave dwelling, the strange rock formations in the valley of the mushrooms, and a mountain lake. You will return to La Mansion Tarahumara for dinner and a night of rest.

Day 8

Copper Canyon

After breakfast you will go on a driving tour to Divisidero and other places with good views of the canyon. You can rest and relax and enjoy the lunch before you are driven to the train which will transport you back to El Fuerte.

Day 9

Mazatlan

Evening walk to the Plaza Revolucion. Here you will enjoy local music and have a chance to relax and enjoy the evening air. Complete the evening with a walk along the Malecon.

Day 10

Mazatlan

Fiesta Mexican - Playa Mazatlan Hotel Dinner Show. Enjoy an evening of dazzling folk entertainment from all corners of Mexico, gourmet Mexican buffet and unlimited domestic drinks. It"s a night the whole family can share in, with live music and dancing for everyone! Thrill in exciting performances, like the dramatic Fire and Machete Dances, magic shows, comedians, the classic Mexican Hat Dance, folk dancing and much more. Savor authentic national cuisine, like carne asada steak, smoked marlin tostadas, crispy beef flautas, pineapple tamales and enchiladas stuffed with fresh Mexican queso. Experience the rich country of Mexico all in one spectacular fiesta!

Day 11

Mazatlan

Mazatlan City Trolley Tour - You will see the cathedral of the Zona Dorada, the aquarium, city hall, Immaculate Conception, Angela Peralta Theatre, the dolphin monument, local markets, Old Town Mazatlan, Art School, Archeological Museum, El Mirador (cliff divers), Lookout Hill and El Faro Lighthouse.

Day 12

San Blas

Enjoy the beautiful beaches as you sip your favorite drink.

Day 13

San Blas

San Blas Jungle Tour - La Tovara is a tropical flood forest located in the Mexican State of Nayarit. Once we arrive in this protected rain forest we will board a boat which takes us into swampy inlets for watching birds, alligators, crocodiles, colorful fishes in the crystal waters of this magical place. Along the jungle boat ride tour you will see Black-throated Magpie Jays, Elegant Quail, Streak-backed Orioles, Citreoline Trogons, Russet-crowned Motomots, Squirrel Cuckoos, Social Flycatchers, Rufous-backed Robins, Grayish Saltator, Northern Jacanas, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Greenish Elaenia, Laughing Falcon, Crane Hawk, etc. You will visit San Blas village, La Contaduria Ruins and the interesting town of Santiago Ixcuintla where you can admire the colorful mosaic murals.

Day 15

Guadalajara

Enjoy local music and mingle with the local people at Plaza de Armas

Day 16

Guadalajara

Historic City Walking Tour:

• The Cathedral - office of State Tourism
• Degollado Theatre
• Rotunda de Los Hombres Ilustres
• Instituto Cultural Cabanas
• Plaza de Armas
• Regional Museum
• We end up at the Mercado Libertad - the largest open air market in Mexico

Day 17

Guadalajara

Tequila Express - The trip starts at the train station in Guadalajara, where all guests are received with live mariachi music. Aboard the train, on the way to the town of Amatitan, snacks and drinks (open bar) are offered and you can listen to mariachi music on the train. There is a narration of the history of the hacienda "San Jose Del Refugio" (home of "tequila herradura"). Upon arrival to Amatitan, you board the buses that take you to the "Hacienda San Jose Del Refugio". You will visit the tequila manufacturing area, including the steam ovens, where the "Agave" is cooked. Then you go to the old distillery from the last century, where you can see the "Tahona", pulled by a mule and the ancient vats. After that, there is still time to visit the museum where a video is shown that illustrates the everyday tasks of the hacienda, and the "Jima (cutting) of the Agave". After arrival in Amatitan, you will be offered lunch (buffet-style) with typical Mexican dishes, with a show of folkloric dance, "Suertes Charras" and impressionists, along with mariachi music. There is a dance contest where the winning couple wins a gift from our hosts. The day ends dancing and singing in a kind of "Fiesta Mexicana" in gardens among trees, flowers, plants and animals. Later you will be transferred back to the train station by bus and the train will arrive in Guadalajara in the evening.

Day 18

Guadalajara

Shopping trip to Tlaquepaque and Tonala - Present day Tlaquepaque and Tonala are rich with the local tradition and art. The area attracts many of Jalisco's more talented artists, and has a reputation for the quality and diversity of its wares. Many summer homes have been converted into shops which house various crafts and restaurants serve fine cuisine. "El Refugio" Cultural Center is a cultural and commercial area. This area is considered one of the main pottery production areas in the country.
"Dutch Treat" Dinner in the Plaza where strolling mariachi bands will entertain you throughout the evening.

Day 19

Tepotzotlan

Travel Day

Day 20

Mexico City

Ruins of Teotihuacan - The site is impressive for its scale, both in the size of the Pyramid of the Sun (the third largest pyramid in the world) and the majesty of the Calle de los Muertos (Street of the Dead) - originally 4km long and flanked by temples, palaces and platforms. Look for amazingly well preserved murals in the Palace of the Jaguars or the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly and bold sculptures in the Temple of Quetzalcoátl.

Day 21

Mexico City

Bus Tour into the heart of Mexico City where you will see:

• National Palace and the Diego Rivera Murals - A complex of countless rooms and numerous courtyards adorned with carved brass balconies, where the president of Mexico works.
• The Palace of Bella Arts - The opulent and dramatic theater covered in Italian Carrara marble.
• National Museum of Anthropology - Regarded as one of the top museums in the world, the anthropology museum offers the single best introduction to the culture of Mexico.

Day 22

Mexico City

Floating Gardens of Xochimilco - Colorfully painted tour boats glide through the floating gardens of the Xochimilco neighborhood. The gardens are the last vestige of Lake Texcoco, which once surrounded Mexico City. The ancient Aztecs created floating gardens by anchoring baskets of earth along the shore.

Day 23

San Miguel

Take a walking tour of San Miguel - Founded in 1542 by Fray Juan de San Miguel, a Franciscan monk, San Miguel de Allende retains a rich colonial charm with its cobblestone streets and beautiful Spanish colonial mansions, many of which have been restored to their former splendor.

Day 24

San Miguel

Visit the hot mineral springs of La Taboada. Soak in the hot waters and explore the local architecture.

Day 25

San Miguel

Shopping day - travel to Delores Hildago to browse the local markets.

Day 26

Matahuala

Travel Day

Day 27

Monterrey

City Tour that includes:

• Paseo Santa Lucia river walk in the heart of Monterey
• Contemporary Art Museum
• Mexican History Museum
• Trolley Tour of Monterrey
• Museum of Anthropology & Paleontology

Day 28

Monterrey

Grutas de Garcia (Garcia Caves) - This is a series of spectacular and dramatic caves dating back more than 60 million years. The caves are located halfway up a steep rocky cliff, accessed by an authentic turn-of-the-century cable car.

Day 29

Monterrey

Free Day

Day 30

Donna, TX

Hopefully the friendship and memories made on this trek will last forever, but the trek must end. We meet for a Farewell Dinner where you can enjoy a relaxing time with your travel mates.