Trip from Sierra to Pacific : on the rails of the train El Chepe in Mexico

Welcome to Mexico City ! Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Soak up the energy of the streets, where Aztec temples stand side by side with Baroque palaces. Tonight, your Mexican adventure begins gently: in the heart of one of the continent’s oldest cities.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Mexico City

Accompanied by your guide, you’ll explore the Zócalo, one of the largest squares on the continent and the beating heart of the capital. You’ll enter the Metropolitan Cathedral, a Baroque gem built on the site of the Aztec Teocalli. In front of the National Palace, Diego Rivera’s monumental murals recount the Mexican epic. Then, you’ll view the ruins of the Templo Mayor, a striking remnant of ancient Tenochtitlan.

In the afternoon, drive to Teotihuacan, the “City of the Gods.” This major World Heritage Site will impress you with its two colossal pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. You’ll also discover the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, decorated with the famous feathered serpent, the Palace of the Jaguars, and the Temple of the Feathered Snails. Teotihuacan had nearly 200,000 inhabitants at its peak in the 7th century.

Overnight in a hotel in Mexico City

You head south toward Coyoacán, a former village that has become a bohemian neighborhood. Its cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and artistic atmosphere make it a place like no other. You’ll visit the blue house, the Casa Azul, where Frida Kahlo lived. Period furniture, personal artwork, painted corsets: everything here speaks to her private life and her creative power.

Gastronomic Tour in Roma. Around noon, you’ll head to the Roma neighborhood for a guided culinary walking tour (about 2.5 km, comfortable shoes recommended). You’ll sample the authentic flavors of Central Mexico: tacos al pastor, dishes in sauce, traditional tortillas… But also local coffees, craft beers, and mezcal. This culinary immersion introduces you to the richness of Mexican cuisine, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Mexico City

Chihuahua, Gateway to Northern Mexico. Early in the morning, your driver will take you to the Mexico City airport for a flight to Chihuahua, the capital of the north and gateway to the Sierra Tarahumara. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

Chihuahua reveals a very different side: a city located in a semi-desert landscape, with diverse historical influences. A former stronghold of the Mexican Revolution, it preserves traces of Pancho Villa’s passage and the social struggles of the early 20th century. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy some free time in the city center: admire the Baroque cathedral, explore the Museum of the Revolution, or sample the region’s northern cuisine, blending rural influences with traditional ranch fare.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Chihuahua.

After breakfast, you’ll depart by private transport for Cuauhtémoc, a unique crossroads where three distinct cultures coexist: Mexican mestizos, the indigenous Tarahumara (or Rarámuri), and Mennonites of European descent. The latter group, who arrived from Canada in the early 20th century, lives according to strict communal rules: rejection of modernism, non-violence, a simple life, and agricultural work.

You’ll visit the Mennonite museum, located in the heart of a traditional farm. This modest yet highly informative site immerses you in the daily life of this unique community.

In the afternoon, drive to Creel, a former railway town founded during the colonial era. Today, it serves as a gateway to the Sierra Tarahumara. Its Mexican Western atmosphere, wooden buildings, and tranquility make Creel a timeless stopover.

Overnight at a hotel in Creel.

This day is dedicated to exploring the scenic and culturally rich surroundings of Creel. You’ll travel by private transport to the Cusarare Waterfall, nestled in a gorge lined with pine trees. There, Rarámuri women sell their woven textiles, basketry, and pottery in a peaceful atmosphere. Then you’ll reach Lake Arareco, a calm mirror of water surrounded by forests. A moment of contemplation before continuing on to the 17th-century Jesuit mission of San Ignacio, a testament to the evangelization of the Tarahumara people.

Sculpted valleys and an inhabited cave. You continue on to the famous Valle de los Monjes (Monks’ Valley) and Valle de las Ranas (Frogs’ Valley), known for their strange rock formations, resembling frozen silhouettes or petrified amphibians.

Overnight at a hotel in Creel

A legendary train. This morning, transfer to the station to board the legendary El Chepe train. This train traverses the Sierra Tarahumara for 610 km, crosses 39 bridges and 86 tunnels, and climbs to an altitude of 2,400 meters. An engineering feat begun in 1898 and completed in 1961. As the journey unfolds, the landscapes change: forests, cliffs, and deep gorges. Upon arrival in Divisadero, you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular panoramas of the trip: the Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon), a network of canyons four times larger than the Grand Canyon. Transfer to your hotel, the Mirador, perched on the cliffside. From your private terrace, admire the sunset over the canyons.

Overnight at a hotel in Divisadero

Today, you’ll enjoy the Divisadero Adventure Park at your own pace.

Optional activities :

• Panoramic cable car: one of the longest in the world, it takes you to a viewpoint suspended above the canyon.
• Extreme zip lines: up to 1 km long and 500 m high, for thrill seekers.
• Via ferrata: several secured routes along the rock faces.

Or simply: breathe in the fresh air of the Sierra, admire the views, and chat with local artisans. Here, every moment invites you to slow down. This trip reconnects you with what truly matters.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Posada Barrancas

This morning, you’ll depart from Posada Barrancas for a final, unforgettable section aboard El Chepe. The train begins its descent toward the plains of Sinaloa, passing through canyons, over suspension bridges, through pine forests, and past isolated villages. This section is considered the most impressive part of the journey, a true geological odyssey in motion. Arrival in El Fuerte, a charming town founded in 1564 on the banks of the river of the same name. A former mining town, it owes its name to the Spanish fortress built to defend against indigenous attacks.

Free time in El Fuerte. Stroll at your own pace through the narrow streets lined with colonial mansions, explore the Church of Dolores, the viewpoint overlooking the river, or the ruins of an old Jesuit temple.

At the end of the day, private transfer to the port of Topolobampo, where you’ll board the overnight ferry for the destination of Baja California. The crossing of the Sea of Cortez marks a new phase of your adventure.

In the early morning, you’ll disembark at Pichilingue, the port of La Paz. Make your own way downtown to pick up your rental car. You’re free to explore the peninsula’s quiet roads at your own pace.

Free day in La Paz. This provincial capital charms visitors with its laid-back lifestyle, its seaside promenade (malecón) dotted with contemporary sculptures, and its beaches with crystal-clear waters. We recommend:

• Playa Balandra: a turquoise lagoon surrounded by dunes and cactus, designated as a protected area.
• El Saltito: for a peaceful swim.
• The Whale Museum: to better understand the unique marine ecosystems of the Gulf of California.

In the evening, settle in on a terrace to watch the sunset.

Overnight in a hotel in La Paz

Across from Sea Lion Island. Depart in the morning for the marina. You’ll board a lancha headed for Espiritu Santo Island, designated a UNESCO nature reserve. This gem of the Gulf of California is a sanctuary for migratory birds, tropical fish, and marine mammals.

Along the way, keep your eyes opened : dolphins, manta rays, and even whales (depending on the season) sometimes accompany the boats. You’ll then approach the northern islets, home to a sea lion colony.

Snorkeling in a bay. Equipped with fins, a mask, and a snorkel (and a wetsuit in winter), you’ll enter the clear water to swim alongside playful sea lions (outside the breeding season, from June to August). A highlight, completely safe, in a wild and protected setting. Then, the boat drops anchor in a cove. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, go for a swim, or take a walk along the coastal trails…

Overnight stay at a hotel in La Paz

After breakfast, depart by road toward southern Baja California. The route runs along the Pacific Ocean, passing through semi-desert landscapes dotted with giant cactus, golden hills, and pristine beaches. Arrival in Todos Santos. You arrive at the Pueblo Mágico of Todos Santos, an artists’ village renowned for its unique atmosphere. Founded in 1723 around the Santa Rosa Mission, the village was destroyed in 1734 during an indigenous revolt, then reborn thanks to the sugar industry and the mills known as trapiches.

Today, it is known for its bohemian-chic atmosphere, soft light, and narrow streets lined with art galleries. Along the way, you’ll pass the legendary Hotel California, immortalized by the Eagles’ song.

Overnight in a hotel in Todos Santos

A free day to fully enjoy Todos Santos, a charming village designated a “Pueblo Mágico” since 2006. Stroll through its narrow streets lined with art galleries and craft shops, reflecting a town that has become a true haven for many artists. Surrounding the village are wild beaches, bordered by powerful waves and a freshwater lagoon.

Optional Activities : If you’d like to enhance your day, several customized experiences can be arranged (please contact us in advance) :

• Guided hike to Punta Lobos
• Local Mexican cooking class
• Watercolor workshop or surfing lesson, depending on the season.
• Horseback riding on the beach or mountain biking in the hills.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Todos Santos.

After a trip full of new discoveries, you’ll head to the airport in La Paz. Take with you the sights and flavors of Mexico, a country that is sure to leave you wanting to come back.