NEWS RELEASE: What Happened to the Piggyback Train? Tina Poole, General Manager of Adventure Caravans, Inc. has issued the following news release about the Copper Canyon's Piggyback Train tours:

"The Mexican Railroad has imposed new guidelines for all travel by RVs on flatcars. These restrictions have made it impossible for anyone to travel by Piggyback Train through the Copper Canyon.

Now for the good news! Adventure Caravans has revised its itineraries so you can have an even longer and more extensive experience of the Copper Canyon.

Instead of just traveling through the Copper Canyon on the Piggyback Train we are going to travel by First Class Passenger Train where you can relax in your reclining seats and enjoy the quality viewing of the canyons through the large windows of your train.

The Piggyback Train was a five-day tour through the Copper Canyon where we made stops for half-day tours at Creel, Divisadero and Bahuichivo. The new itinerary will include nine days and eight nights enjoying all there is to see of the top of the Copper Canyon including three days and two nights at a new hotel at the bottom of the Copper Canyon, which is by far the most spectacular trip of the canyon.

We start our trip from Nogales, Arizona instead of Presidio, Texas. Days 2 and 3 are in Guaymas on the Sea of Cortez. Here we enjoy the gorgeous ambience, spectacular sunsets, a Pearl Farm Factory Tour and Welcome to Mexico Dinner in the private dining room of the Playa de Cortes Hotel. Days 4, 5 and 6 are in the beautiful colonial town of Alamos. Alamos is the former silver mining capital of the world and home of the world famous Mexican Jumping Bean. In a colonial atmosphere we take a guided walking tour to see restored colonial mansions and enjoy an exquisite dinner at “Casa la Aduana.”

Our Copper Canyon portion of the trip begins on day 7 in El Fuerte where our RVs are secure and looked after at the campground. Pets are not allowed on the passenger train but RV Park personnel or a trained Veterinarian walk, feed, and water pets left behind at the Park. We tour this Picturesque, Historical, Colonial City. The Piggyback Train did not stop in El Fuerte so this is another added bonus to this trip.

Leaving El Fuerte the next morning we experience absolutely breath taking views as we embark on our passenger train ride to Creel. Lunch is included on the train. We enjoy six nights accommodations at the Best Western Hotel. We are met by our licensed guide who will show and tell us all about the Tarahumara Indian lifestyle as we tour Creel, Divisadero and the Copper Canyon Rim. By traveling on the Passenger Train we are not rushed and have more time to enjoy this spectacular area. We have round trip tickets and get on and off as we please allowing us to stay longer and tour each destination so you can visit more extensively than when traveling by Piggyback Train.

From Creel we travel to the Bottom of the Canyon in comfortable suburban vans. The trip between the Top and Bottom of the Canyon is a six to seven hour ride each way with several stops and lunches included.

The road to Batopilas is said to be “The most spectacular drive in North America.” Words cannot begin to describe the awesome views or the presentation of our lunch from the place we stop near the small village of La Bufa on our way down to the Bottom of the Canyon.

Our destination is the historic and tranquil village of Batopilas. This beautiful town of about 1,100 people at the very Bottom of the Canyon brings a new meaning to the term remote. Batopilas is a special place where time, while not quite standing still, has certainly slowed down. Our guides know the bottom of the Canyon intimately and tell personal stories of their lives in this immense land. During our stay we visit the home of a local Tarahumara Indian family plus have the opportunity to see the old hacienda and the world famous “Lost Cathedral of Satevo” build by the Jesuits 400 years ago.

Three days and two nights accommodations at the new Batopilas Hotel, including all meals and regional entertainment are all part of our Batopilas stay.

After traveling back to Creel and staying at the Best Western Hotel for one last night, we board our bus for a short ride to Divisadero where you tour the Canyon Rim area and visit the world famous Balancing Rock. This evening you stay at the Hotel El Mirador in Divisadero where you enjoy a lovely dinner in the dining room with cozy lounge and fireplace. This is a top-notch, first-class hotel located on the rim with awesome views of the canyon. From your room you can stare in awe over one of the most beautiful and unheralded vistas in North America. This is another added bonus you do not get on the Piggyback Train.

The next day you board the passenger train for a trip to Bahuichivo where you are met by your bus and taken to the charming village of Cerocahui located at the edge of Urique Canyon. Feel at home here as you stay in the first class Mission Hotel with an attractive Mexican décor and charming courtyard. You tour this small historic village founded in 1694 by Jesuit Missionaries. A lovely dinner is served that evening. This is another added bonus you do not get on the Piggyback Train.

After breakfast the next morning you board your bus for a tour of the Urique Canyon lookout. Standing at 7,500 feet, it provides the most sweeping view of the Copper Canyon system and is the deepest and most photographed of them all.

This afternoon you again board the passenger train for the final leg of your 9-Day Copper Canyon experience and head back to El Fuerte and our RV campground. From here the rest of your trip has not changed.

This is a spectacular trip and includes the Copper Canyon from one end to the other and from Top to Bottom. Guaranteed, no one else comes close to offering a Copper Canyon tour that covers everything this trip includes.

All of this is available to you for much less than ever before. Please contact us (1-800-872-7897) to answer any questions you may have."

Please check out our newest tours listed on our website. Click here for more details.