TH March 20 Fly (on your own) to Tucson, and take the shuttle to your hotel in the old Presidio area of Tucson where you can meet the rest of the group, bask in the hot tub, or swim in the heated swimming pool and relax under the palms. Inn Suites Hotel

FRI March 21 Early pick up for your tour to the San Xavier Mission, founded in 1700 by Jesuit missionary and explorer, Padre Kino, and continued by the Franciscans who followed in 1768. (www.sanxaviermission.org/) In the afternoon we visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, which is part zoo, part museum and part botanical garden, every exhibit designed to carefully interpret the desert environment. This will introduce you to the desert flora and fauna you will see in Mexico. (www.desertmuseum.org) Inn Suites Hotel (B)

SAT March 22 Flight to Los Mochis, Mexico (PASSPORT REQUIRED), transfer to El Fuerte. Mexican Dinner at La Choza, a beautiful hotel close to the historic, central plaza. A folkloric dance demonstration, featuring local and national dances follows your dinner. La Choza Hotel (B,D)

SUN March 23 Float trip on the Fuerte River with a visit to the "Cerro de la Mascara" petroglyphs ­ great for birding and nature lovers. Traditional riverside lunch at Ocolomito. La Choza Hotel (B,L,D)

MON March 24 Chihuahua al Pacifico first-class train ride to Posada Barrancas, featuring the spectacular portion of the train ride, including the Septentrion Gorge and the loops at Temoris. Transfer to the Hotel Mansion Tarahumara, a short walk from the canyon rim. (B,L,D)

TUE March 25 "Three Canyons" (Urique, Cobre, and Tararecua) van excursion featuring great overlooks and Raramuri handicrafts at Piedra Volada, Las Escaleras, and Divisadero. Afternoon free to enjoy walking around the rim of the canyon, the indoor swimming pool or jacuzzi at the hotel. Hotel Mansion Tarahumara (B,L,D)

WED March 26 A full-day tour of Creel and its surrounding historical, cultural and natural sites.  Some of the areas you can visit today include the Tarahumara (Raramuri) Museum, lovely Lake Arareko, the Cusarare waterfall, and the still functioning historic San Ignacio Mission, one of the oldest in the Sierra.   Hotel Mansion Tarahumara (B,L,D)

TH March 27 Morning free at the Mansion Hotel to watch the hummingbirds, enjoy the indoor pool and Jacuzzi or just sit at the rim of the canyon watching the view change subtly from minute to minute before boarding the train again for Bahuichivo about 2PM and transferring to the Hotel Paraiso del Oso. (B,L,D)

FRI March 28 Full day excursion to Cerocahui, home to one of the prettiest churches in the Sierra, Cerro Gallegos, perhaps the finest overlook in the Copper Canyon, and Urique, a historic mining town located in the very bottom of the Urique Canyon-deeper than the Grand Canyon! The road down and the views all around are amazing! Hotel Paraiso del Oso (B,L,D)

SAT March 29 Free time to explore around the Oso. Many trails will lead you to wonderous views of the area. There are excellent birding opportunities as well as cave homes of the Tarahumara Indians to see. In the afternoon, catch the Chihuahua al Pacifico train to El Fuerte­ enjoy the best part of the Copper Canyon train ride a second time! Hotel La Choza (B,L,D)

SUN March 30 Transfer to Los Mochis airport where you will catch the plane back to Tucson and the Inn Suites Hotel. (B)

MON March 31 Tour of Tombstone (The Town Too Tough to Die!) including a historic presentation of the silver mining town, narrated on tape by Vincent Price, the Crystal Palace Saloon (longest bar in the west),and Boot Hill cemetery. On to the Copper Mining Town of Bisbee, with a tour of the underground Queen Mine and the Bisbee Historical and mining museum. Rockhounds, geologists, and Western History aficionados will be in their element today! Inn Suites Hotel (B)

TUE April 1 Tour the Mission ruins at Tumacacori, now a National Park, and Tubac, the site of a historic presidio as well as one of the top places for art in the US! (Last year it was number 4, outranking both Santa Fe and Sedona!) Afternoon return to your hotel or the Mehrer's, where a farewell dinner awaits! Inn Suites Hotel (B,D)

WED April 2nd Fly home (on your own) or stay at our hotel for up to three days to visit Kitt Peak Observatory, the Biosphere, Old U.S.Cavalry Ft. Bowie, the Amerind Museum, Ramsey Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, or other Southeastern Arizona attractions on your own.

The tour price is $2699 per person, not including the airfare, which we expect to be about $599 roundtrip from Tucson to Los Mochis, Mexico. This price includes all the tips in Mexico and to the driver in the Tucson area. According to past travelers this will take some of the stress out of your vacation. You will also see that most of your meals are included.