International Tours
Rail ToursDEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
October 27, 2026 – 14 Days
Vancouver Island
October 27, 2026 – 14 Days
BC Interior
October 27, 2026 – 14 Days
Activity Level 3
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
MEXICO’S COPPER CANYON
Excite your senses with this wonderful tour of Mexico’s Copper Canyon, full of cultural riches and activities. We start our journey in Mazatlán and drive north along the coastal plain to the charming village of El Fuerte. We board the Chihuahua Al Pacifico Railroad for the awesome all-day trip into the canyon through 86 tunnels and over 39 bridges. Stay at Hotel El Mirador, perched on the rim of Copper Canyon, and gaze over 2,000 metres down into one of the world’s deepest canyons. A visit with the local Tarahumara people, a ride on the aerial tramway with magnificent views, a walk across the hanging bridge and glass floor, and a walk to 30-metre high Cusarare Falls are all thrilling experiences.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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33 meals
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Transportation
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Accommodation
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Guides & Gratuities
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Wells Gray tour director throughout tour
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares per Person |
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$10,295$11,415 |
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$10,395$11,515 |
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$10,335$10,985 |
- Please add 0.3% GST.
- Earn 216 Experience Points.
Early Booking Bonus!
$200 discount on first 8 seats; $100 on next 4.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
High Activity: You are an active traveller who wants to explore wherever you go. You don’t mind a mix of full days, early morning starts, and some late nights. You can walk longer distances, up to 4 km without difficulty which may be over uneven ground, beaches/shorelines, cobblestone streets, or at higher elevations; and stand for prolonged periods during walking tours. You can climb several flights of stairs easily and unassisted, can handle altitudes up to 2,800 metres or 9,000 feet with no health issues, and can handle your own luggage in airports or at hotels where luggage handling may not be available. This tour is not appropriate for people with walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance devices. Walking poles are recommended. Additionally, this tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost.
The tour director, Mexican guide, and drivers have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you. Please note: Prior to accepting your booking, you will be required to sign a declaration that you are capable of travelling on an Activity Level 3 tour.
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 25 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.
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TRAVELLING IN MEXICO: In the last ten years, you have probably seen stories in the media about the dangers of travelling in Mexico. The Mexican government has made heroic efforts to counteract this bad press and salvage their vital tourism industry by showing that Mexico is as safe to travel in as many foreign countries. Tourism has rebounded, but many people still pay attention to what they see in the media. Mexico still has some dangerous places to visit, but so do many countries, even Canada. This tour was redesigned in 2014 from previous Copper Canyon tours to avoid Chihuahua and Juarez, and the 2026 itinerary stays west of the Sierra Madre where travel is much safer. The El Chepe Express train was introduced in 2019, serving primarily tourists instead of local villagers, and offers daylight travel in both directions. The scenery in Copper Canyon and Urique Canyon is awesome, and the train ride is among the world’s most spectacular. Major attractions such as the aerial tram down into Copper Canyon, the hanging bridge, and glass floor are thrilling experiences. Come and enjoy this amazing region!
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Documentation: A passport is required for this tour and must be valid until you return to Canada. A tourist card is also required for Canadian citizens visiting Mexico. It is issued on arrival and must be kept throughout your visit and surrendered when you leave Mexico at Mazatlán Airport. Don’t lose this card as there is a fine to replace it. The Mexico tourism tax is normally included in your airline ticket.
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Currency & Expenses: Two currencies are used on this tour, the US dollar and Mexican peso. In cities and towns, the US dollar is used extensively in hotels, shops, and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are accepted most places, but ATMs are common and you will need a 4-digit PIN. Markets generally accept either currency. Purchases from the Tarahumara are typically in pesos. As of January 2026, the exchange rate is approximately $1 CAD = 13 pesos. Gratuities have been included for all meals, the Mexican guide, local guides, and drivers.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Hotels named were confirmed by the Mexican tour operator in December 2025, but changes are possible. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes, currency exchange rates, or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
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El Chepe Express Train: While this rail journey offers spectacular scenery, the train itself is quite simple and not a luxury experience. Travellers should only expect a very basic level of service while on board.
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Tour Director and Guide: A Wells Gray tour director is with you throughout the tour. A bilingual Mexican guide accompanies you on all the days in Mexico. The Mexican guide provides commentary about scenery and culture and assists with translation at the various stops.
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Accommodation: Hotels are rated as 3 or 3+ stars and are generally the best available. Some are in unique or historic buildings. Hotel El Mirador is the best hotel in the Copper Canyon region, but this is still a remote tourist area. If any Mexican hotels are changed, substitute accommodation will be of similar quality.
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Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction of $1,250 and book your own flights which allow seat selection. If you do this, you should try to book the same flights as the group, otherwise you are responsible for any ground transportation to connect with the group. See our Terms & Conditions and inquire at booking for more information.
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Flight upgrades: Please enquire about current prices for upgrades on the flights to and from Mazatlán. Premium economy and business class may be available.
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Flight delays or cancellations: In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather or other reasons, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for flight delays.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. This tour goes to some remote places where restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Payments: deposit of $800 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due July 23, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level 3 Declaration, and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.
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Early booking bonus: Receive a $200 discount on the first 8 seats and $100 on the next 4 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after July 23, 2026.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to June 23, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From June 24 to July 23, the cancellation charge is $300 per person. From July 24 to August 21, the cancellation charge is 40% of the tour fare. From August 22 to September 23, the cancellation charge is 80% of the tour fare. After September 23, there is no refund.
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Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for medical, cancellation, interruption, and luggage. Please do not travel to Mexico without medical insurance as a minimum.
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Photo Credits: Adobe Stock (Copper Canyon), tour director Jill (2024 group at Copper Canyon, Hanging Bridge, Cusarare Falls, Topolobampo Bay), Adobe Stock (El Chepe Train), Manuel Jurado (Guided Walk in Copper Canyon).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 216 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn epoints that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until July 23, 2026.
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Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842