The trip involves roughing it in relative luxury and it is advised bring casual wear, rugged shoes and a jacket for the cool evenings. The first stop is Llanos where Mennonite communities from Canada settled. They grow the best apples to be found anywhere in Mexico. The train then reaches the Continental tunnel and Creel, a city with a pioneer atmosphere. This is a good place from which to undertake excursions to the Cusarare Waterfalls and The Batopilas Canyon.
Pine woods cover the steep slopes.
Other incredible spots not to be missed are The Divisadero, which gives the best view of The Barranca del Cobre, and Bahuichivo, where one can explore The Barranca de Urique, which has gold mines still in operation. The Ravines are a paradise for the nature-seeking trekker. If you like train journeys then this is the best way to get to know the area, following paths which Tarahumara indians have taken for centuries. There are programmed routes but it is possible to make your own itinerary with guides who know the area back to font. To cover the upper part of the canyons any time of the year is suitable, but to make an in-depth exploration of at least one of the canyons the best time is september through october, after the rainy season, when the vegetation is at its most splendid.