The train has been renovated to provide a luxury service on its impressive tour of northern Mexico

Unlike other countries, Mexico abandoned its passenger trains during the twentieth century. The trend has been changing in the last decade, as the country has once again bet on the train as a means of passenger transport. As a result, the Mexico-Toluca High Speed ​​Train is currently under construction. Furthermore, there is a current Hyperloop project and the renewal of historical lines. El Chepe (Ch. P), as the Chihuahua-Pacífico route is known, is possibly the most emblematic of the current passenger trains in the country, a marvel of Mexican engineering.

Leer en español: Conoce a Chepe, el espectacular tren del norte de México

The route of the Chepe is 653 kilometers between the cities of Chihuahua, capital of the homonymous Mexican state, and Los Mochis, Mexican Pacific city in the state of Sinaloa. The north of Mexico is mostly desert with a very rugged geography, especially in the Sierra Tarahumara, located in Chihuahua. This diversity guarantees visitors views and unique landscapes. With an investment of 8 million dollars, Chepe has been renovated to provide luxury services among which are: an exclusive bar, a restaurant with dishes created by renowned chefs and terrace, among other changes to make it an exclusive trip.

What attractions can you find on the Chepe tour?

Topolobampo Bay: located in Los Mochis, offers boat tours in the third largest bay in the world to visit dolphins and seals, or dive in its blue waters.

Bahuichivo: in this town, there is an old Franciscan mission of the viceregal period, as well as a viewpoint towards the Urique Canyon, the deepest in Mexico with 1879 meters of depth.

Creel: it is one of the most incredible places in Mexico, its architecture is from the beginning of the XX century with an atmosphere of the old west. During the winter, it is covered in snow offering postcards that do not exist in other parts of the country. In addition, you can get to know the Rarámuri crafts, the culture of the indigenous peoples of northern Mexico and know the Valley of the Fungi. The Valley of the Fungi is located near Creel and is characterized by having huge fungus-shaped rocks caused by erosion. Creel is a must stop in Mexican tourism, there are hundreds of activities that complete the experience: kayak, bicycle, visit missions, gastronomy, extreme sports, and more.

Cuauhtémoc: this town is named after the last Mexican ruler and is home to the largest population of Mennonites in the world. These farmers of German origin produce apples of great quality and are known in Mexico particularly for their dairy products, among which stands out the Chihuahua cheese that you have to try.

Barrancas del Cobre: along the Chepe trail you can see the different ravines that make up the whole system. This canyon is twice as deep and four times larger in extension than the famous Grand Canyon of Colorado in the United States. Culturally, it is important because it is the home of the Rarámuri people, also known as Tarahumara, whose life is linked to the canyon in its entirety.

Traveling through Chepe allows to know the canyon, the ravines, the rivers, the Mexican Pacific, the forests, the towns, the bridges, the gastronomy, and the snow in some seasons. The cost of the round trip depends on the chosen service and ranges between 400 and 600 dollars per person. With your ticket, you can make stops to visit the sites of your interest. Its two routes are: Chepe Express (Los Mochis-Creel) and Chepe Regional (Los Mochis-Chihuahua).

Latin American Post | Luis Angel Hernández Liborio
Translated from “Conoce a Chepe, el espectacular tren del norte de México”