Chihuahua Railway (Chepe Railway) & Copper Canyon Area Trip – 2 Days~

Enjoy Chihuahua with the Perfect Trio of Nature, Culture, and History

👆The Chihuahua Railway’s passenger cars gliding onto the platform

The Charms of Chihuahua

When you hear ‘Chihuahua,’ the first thing that comes to mind is that round-eyed ‘dog.’ The dog was named ‘Chihuahua’ after being discovered in the state of Chihuahua. Although it is written as Chihuahua, the origin of the word remains a mystery, with various theories. Many place names in Chihuahua are derived from Nahuatl, and according to one theory, it might be derived from ‘Xicuauhua,’ meaning ‘place of dry sandy soil.’

Chihuahua is not only a breed of dog but also a state and the capital city of Chihuahua State. Chihuahua State is the largest of Mexico’s 32 states in terms of area, with two-thirds of its territory covered by deserts. On the other hand, the western side of the state is traversed by the Sierra Madre mountain range, boasting lush greenery and spectacular canyons, making it one of Mexico’s most scenic regions.

When it comes to tourism in Chihuahua, the first thing that comes to mind is the journey on the ‘Chihuahua Railway’ or ‘Chepe Railway.’ This leisurely trip aboard Mexico’s only tourist train offers a luxurious experience, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking natural landscapes of Mexico. However, Chihuahua has much more to offer beyond the train journey.

If we were to describe ‘Chihuahua State’ in three words, it would be ‘Nature, Culture, and History.’

Regarding ‘Nature,’ it includes vast wilderness, including the ‘Copper Canyon,’ which is four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The region is inhabited by the local indigenous people known as ‘Tarahumara,’ who live in the rugged mountainous areas. Near Chihuahua city, you can find the ‘Mennonites,’ people of European descent with Polish roots, who still live without electricity in certain areas. Lastly, for ‘History,’ this aspect often tends to be overlooked in regular Chihuahua tourism. Travelers from foreign countries might find it challenging to grasp the significance of historical sites and figures of the region, as they lack understanding of the local impact of key events. However, Chihuahua holds great importance in the historical development of present-day Mexico. It was a place where crucial leaders sought refuge and took command amid the chaotic situation in Mexico during its transformation into the nation we see today. Without their presence, Mexico’s progress might have been quite different.

We, as a company, aim to guide you through the vast Chihuahua, not only with the ‘Chihuahua Railway journey’ but also by adding the extra elements of ‘Nature, Culture, and History.’

Tour Route Examples

Chihuahua Railway (Chepe Railway) + ‘Nature, Culture, and History’ trip, starting from 2 days~ *Please feel free to inquire.

The following route examples assume pickups at Copper Canyon and drop-offs in Chihuahua city or at Chihuahua Airport. We also arrange transportation for accessing the Chihuahua Railway from Los Mochis or transfers between hotels and the railway station in Los Mochis. Additionally, we handle ticket purchases for the railway.

Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon 👉 Villages of Tarahumara deep in the valley 👉 Chihuahua City
Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon 👉 Hiking in the National Park 👉 Chihuahua City
Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon 👉 Mennonite Museum 👉 Historical sites in Chihuahua City
Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon 👉 Overnight stay in a Tarahumara village deep in the valley 👉 Hiking in the National Park 👉 Chihuahua City
Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon 👉 Overnight stay in a Tarahumara village deep in the valley 👉 Historical sites in Chihuahua City

*Additional fees may apply for remote locations. 
For details, please inquire.

Schedule Examples

The following are just examples. We will create a schedule based on your interests and availability to provide you with detailed travel information.

For those in a hurry

April 1: Mexico City (noon) 👉 Flight 👉 Los Mochis (overnight)

April 2: Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Arrival at Copper Canyon & Observation Deck 👉 Chihuahua City (overnight)

April 3: Chihuahua Airport 👉 Flight 👉 Mexico City (morning)

For those who want to thoroughly explore in two days

April 1: Mexico City (noon) 👉 Flight 👉 Los Mochis (overnight)

April 2: Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon (overnight)

April 3: Copper Canyon and nearby areas 👉 Chihuahua City Center 👉 Chihuahua Airport 👉 Flight 👉 Mexico City (night)

For those who want to experience Chihuahua’s nature and culture

April 1: Mexico City (noon) 👉 Flight 👉 Los Mochis (overnight)

April 2: Los Mochis 👉 Chihuahua Railway 👉 Copper Canyon (overnight)

April 3: Copper Canyon 👉 Tarahumara Village (overnight)

April 4: Tarahumara Village 👉 Chihuahua Airport 👉 Flight 👉 Mexico City (night)

Points to Note for Chihuahua Railway

The Chihuahua Railway, which has been featured in media in Japan as well, will likely be utilized by many travelers in the future. Therefore, we would like to share some ‘drawbacks’ that I noticed, to provide you with materials for planning your Mexico trip and avoid any potential disappointments.

As of today, the ‘Chihuahua Railway’ or ‘Chepe Railway’ is the only tourist train operating in Mexico. It is used by many domestic and international travelers. However, for those familiar with train journeys in Japan or other parts of the world, it is important to consider that the ‘quality’ of services is still ‘developing’ and might be less than satisfactory at times, leading to possible disappointment. Therefore, we recommend using it with this aspect in mind.

My personal recommendation is to explore ‘Chihuahua’ not only as a destination focused solely on the ‘Chihuahua Railway journey,’ but as an overall ‘Chihuahua travel experience’ that includes surrounding tourist attractions.

Dirty Windows

The train’s main attraction is its spectacular natural scenery, but the most disappointing aspect is that the ‘panoramic windows’ are often foggy. I’ve heard the same feedback from other travelers who used the train at different times. This can spoil the otherwise magnificent views.

Smell of Exhaust Gas

First-class carriages have outdoor decks, but you might not be able to enjoy the outdoors comfortably for an extended time due to the direct impact of the train’s exhaust gas. (It depends on the wind direction…)

In-Car Announcements in Spanish

Waiters and in-car announcements are in Spanish, which might be confusing for those who do not understand the language.

Lack of Storage Space

Carry-on bags, Boston bags, and large backpacks are not allowed as there is no storage space available. Additionally, for families with babies, bringing a stroller is not possible, and you’ll have to carry the baby throughout the journey.

For families with children or elderly travelers who want to travel light during the train journey, we offer the option to store your luggage at our office in Mexico City or arrange for delivery to your hotel. Please feel free to inquire about this service.

Limited Schedule

Due to schedule changes, the current timetable is irregular. It might be challenging for travelers who need more relaxed travel times since there might not be a service available on the next day.