Includes: All accommodation on a full board basis starting from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 12, ?all tours and entrance fees (except those mentioned below), all riding and equipment. Staff comprising: 1 English speaking riding?guide, 1 driver, 1 or 2 arrieros. Mules or pack horses.
Batopilas 12 days
This adventure will begin in Chihuahua before travelling on to Creel. From there we head to Cusarare where we mount our horses and head deeper awayfrom civilization into the dizzying canyons del Cobre. The ride takes us through the deepest canyons of this remote area: Urique (1870m), Batopilas and Munerachi (1700m) on sure footed and well cared for horses, riding for up to 8 hours per day and camping under the stars.
This is an exceptional horse riding holiday into a landscape of ethereal splendour; a trip where everyone takes their part and reaps the great personal rewards of having witnessed and ridden through one of the most mysterious landscapes on earth.
Day 1: Creel
Welcome dinner with typical Mexican food, and chat about the riding plan. Overnight.
Day 2: Creel – Cusarare – El Tejaban
Transportation of horses and riders to Cusarare (30 minutes) to start our ride adventure riding on the high sierra(from 2000 to 2400 metres of elevation) and its alpine forest to El Tejaban, located at the ridge of the Copper Canyon where impressive views of the Canyon and its steepness can be seen. Camp overnight. 6 hours of riding.
Day 3: El Tejaban – Barranca Del Cobre – Guaycavo
Our first canyon descent by the Camino Real (Colonial trail which connected Batoplias with Chihuahua city) to the ruins of Barranca del Cobre and its river Urique (3 hours). Visit the abandoned mines from where the canyon took its name and swim in the nearby river. Ascent to Guacayvo, a peaceful village nestled in a very narrow canyon. The diversity of flora and fauna of the high sierra and the bottom of the canyon is evident. Camp overnight. 5 hours of riding.
Day 4: Guaycavo – El Cebollin – La Renga
We continue our ascent to El Cebollin (sawmill) where we?ll have our first Canyon?s crossing completed. At this point we will be able to see our first camp site, not far at all on a straight line, but with a canyon of 1100 meters deep below our horses hooves. Then ride by the sierra to La Renga, a strategically located valley lined with apple trees where vehicle support can meet us. Camp overnight. 5 hours of riding.
Day 5: La Renga – Cieneguita De Morales
Ride by the high sierra by a long range enjoying great views of Hondo, and Urique Canyon on our right handside, and Batopilas on our left all the way to Cieneguita de Morales. Camp overnight. 6 hours of riding.
Day 6: Cieneguita ? Munerachi
After riding south for four days we now take a southeastern course, mostly by high Sierra and a short descent at the end of the day to Munerachi. Today we?ll be able to admire the magnificence of Batopilas Canyon and perhaps (on the Easter itinerary) witness the celebration of Semana Santa by the Tarahumara Indians, some 50,000 indians still inhabit these canyons. Please note that it is unusual for the isolated Tarahumara people to welcome tourists, we might be welcome to stay and watch, and we might not! Camp overnight. 6 hours of riding.
Day 7: Munerachi – Batopilas
If we were welcome to stay and watch Semana Santa celebration we can also enjoy the festivities of the morning. The celebration usually ends in the morning, so there is usually time to ride down hill to Cerra Colorado (an old mining town) then arrive to Batopilas (460m above sea level) late in the afternoon. Accomodation overnight. 7.5 hours of riding.
Day 8: Batopilas
Today will be a “day off” for the horses, who still have three more days to go. We will visit Hacienda de San Miguel, built by Alexander Shepherd, “the Silver Magnet” at the end of the XIX century. By car visit the “Lost Mission” of Satevo, a Jesuit Mission built in XVII century. Accomodation overnight.
Day 9: Batopilas – Santa Rita
We leave Batopilas Canyon and ride to Santa Rita, where we can enjoy breath-taking scenery; the ravines of Batopilas and Munerachi. Here begins a new historical Silver Trail in the Sierra Madre. During three centuries of mining, silver was extracted and sent to Chihuahua city to be sold. Transportation of this mineral was a real challenge, not only due to the distance (385km), but also the rugged terrain to be traversed. We will ride on paths once trodden by countless brave mules. 5 hours of riding.
Day 10: Santa Rita – Teboreachi A second day of riding on the Silver Trail. Our horses will take us onto to edge of the Sierra Alta, where we will view a spectacular trail which offers views of the two valleys on either side. We arrive at the Raramuri community of Teboreachi (2000m) and visit the remains of the old mining station. These shelters were built with sandstone bricks and were distributed at regular intervals along the road to allow mules to rest and eat. 5 hours of riding.
Day 11: Teboreachi – Creel
Last day on horseback. We cross a thick forest and the road takes us to the community of Samachique, where our equestrian adventure ends. We will enjoy a delicious picnic and refreshing beer. A vehicle and truck will be waiting for us and our horses and we will be transported to Creel. Farewell dinner and Margaritas. 4 hours of riding.
Day 12: Creel – Chihuahua
Breackfast. Today we take a train from Creel to Chihuahua city but a private vehicle can be arranged if you prefer (additional cost).
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
