Local Costs

	UK	Mexico
Tea/Coffee	£1.50	$1.50
Soft Drink	£1.50	$1.50
Bottled Water	£1.50	$1.00
Bottle of Beer	£3.50	$2.00
2 Course Meal*	£15.00	$11.00
3 Course Meal**	£20.00	$20.00
Bottle of Wine	£14.50	$15.00
Breakfast	£5.00	$7.00

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.

All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.

Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).  

For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).

For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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Mexican Tourist Card required for UK, USA, AUS and NZ and CAN citizens. Obtained from consular offices or at check-in desk of airline to Mexico and kept until exit (US$10 charge to retain tourist card). Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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Vaccinations & Protection

The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Climate

Mexico is a country whose weather is very much determined by its geological make-up. Whatever time of year you visit the weather produces a range of diverse contrasts. The summer months (June to October) are generally the wettest, with the areas around Mexico City and Guadalajara averaging some 6 inches of rain in July, whilst the coastal areas like La Paz only get at most an inch. Temperatures at this time of year can also vary greatly, from the mid 70s F in Mexico City, to the high 90s at La Paz. Winter is generally the busiest period, when rainfall is at a minimum and the daytime temperatures average a pleasant 72° across the region. Do bear in mind that at altitude the temperatures can drop appreciably at night and sudden changes can occur at anytime.

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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember – you are expected to carry your own luggage so don’t overload yourself.

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Clothing

Pack essentially for ‘All Tours’ plus ‘Hot Conditions’. From Nov-Apr warmer clothing is needed in the highlands, which are mostly mild, but temperatures can drop dramatically at night. Pack a fleece and some long sleeved clothing for protection from sun and insects. In general, winter is dry and summer wet, but lightweight rainwear is essential at all times. Casual clothes are acceptable and shorts are acceptable everywhere except in churches. Don’t forget your swimming costume!

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Footwear

Bring walking boots if you have them, otherwise comfortable shoes/trainers with a good grip and sandals.

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Equipment

An umbrella is useful for tropical downpours and a torch and water bottle are recommended. Bring insect repellent, high factor sunscreen, good quality sunglasses and a sunhat.

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

Trip Summary

This stunning rail adventure through Mexico encompasses some of the country’s most important scenic and historic landscapes, from the chaotic vitality of Mexico City, to the breathtaking gorges of the Copper Canyon. Exploring Aztec sites and colonial cities you’ll travel across a land whose bloody history and scenic grandeur assails you at every turn. From Moctezuma to Pancho Villa we follow in the footsteps of gods and revolutionaries, as we journey by train into the heart of the magnificent Copper Canyon, a masterpiece of creation. Boarding the Chihuahua-al-Pacifico Railway we enjoy some of the benefits of one of the most scenic lines on earth, as we head from the Sierra Tarahumara to the Pacific Coast. Those taking the La Paz extension will also enjoy the golden sands and natural wonders of the Baja Peninsula and the Sea of Cortes.

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Please note:

Please note: The extension is unescorted however a rep will meet you on arrival in Baja California.

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Country info

Area: 1,972,000 sq km.

Population: 110 million.

Language: Spanish is the official language, but around 50 languages/dialects are also spoken by the indigenous peoples of Mexico.

Religion: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 6%, Unspecified 17%.

Local Time: GMT -6 or -7 depending on the region.

Electric Supply & Plugs: 110V, 60hz. Two flat pin plug adaptor.

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Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Maps & Books

Recommended Maps: Bartholomew (1:3,000,000). Nelles (1:2,500,000).

Recommended Books: Graham Greene: The Lawless Roads, Paul Theroux The Old Patagonian Express, Bernal Diaz: The Conquest of New Spain, Hugh Thomas: The Conquest if Mexico, John Reed: Insurgent Mexico, Nigel Davies: The Ancient Kingdoms of Mexico.

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