How to ride a splendid feat of engineering in Mexico's answer to the Grand Canyon
Tour operators are reporting an increase in demand for the Chepe Express, a scenic railway running from the mountain town of Creel, through the heart of the remote Copper Canyon, to the coast
With the renaissance of luxury train travel, those clients who get the bug will be looking for ever more spectacular rail journeys. One to recommend in Mexico is the Chepe Express Railway, which winds its way 220 miles from the Magical Town of Creel, gateway to the Copper Canyon region, to the coastal city of Los Mochis.
Departing from Creel, the train travels through the Sierra Madre Occidental, offering panoramic views of cliffs, canyons and waterfalls. Your clients will be transfixed by the views as it traverses 86 tunnels and 37 bridges, including the awe-inspiring descent into the Copper Canyon, a gorge which is four times larger than the Grand Canyon. In one tunnel, the tracks make a 180-degree turn whilst descending 100ft inside the canyon walls.
Julio Chavez, director of the Ah Chihuahua Tourism Board, says: “The appeal of the Chepe Express lies in its blend of adventure and cultural immersion. Along the way visitors come across native Raramuri people, visit isolated villages, and enjoy breath-taking vistas.”
The tourist train, introduced in 2018, has six passenger cars, divided into three categories: First, Executive and Tourist. First class passengers have an exclusive open-air bar terrace and preferred access to a domed dining car while Executive class passengers have access to a bar with panoramic windows.
Chavez adds: “The historical significance of the train adds to the allure, as it follows a railway route dating back over a century, showcasing human ingenuity in conquering challenging terrain.”
The whole journey takes just over nine hours but passengers can disembark at significant points, such as Divisadero in the heart of the Copper Canyon, and stay overnight for a more in-depth experience.
Chavez recommends travelling after the rainy season in August and September, when the mountains are dressed in green and the rivers have greater water flow. “This is when you get the best photographs,” he says.
It’s also worth considering the relative advantages of travelling in either direction. “For an extension to the Baja Peninsula via the Los Mochis-La Paz ferry or by air, head southwards. However, heading north delivers a crescendo experience culminating in the stunning Copper Canyon,” adds Chavez.
Tour operators selling the Chepe Express include Journey Latin America, Latin Routes, Audley Travel and Cox & Kings. Chihuahua City airport connects to the US, while Los Mochis airport offers regional flights.
Scott Harrington, product manager for Mexico at Audley Travel, says: “El Chepe Express is an excellent choice for clients who enjoy travelling by rail, and interest continues to grow from our clients. So far in 2024 it has been included in more than twice the amount of quotes prepared for clients interested in travelling to Mexico than in all of 2023. The Sierra Madre is one of Mexico’s most dramatic landscapes and El Chepe cuts right through the heart of it so clients can expect spectacular views for most of the journey.”
While Laura Radford, marketing manager, Latin Routes, says: “We only introduced Mexico last October but we’re seeing lots of interest in the Copper Canyon and we often get enquiries for it, with customers keen to enjoy scenic rail adventures like this.”
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