Cultural Expedition
Silver Route
This is an 8-day horseback expedition in Guanajuato, Mexico, featuring rides through valleys, canyons, petroglyphs, and historic cities and villages.
Number of Nights: 7
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: 3551 USD
Location: Guanajuato region, Mexico
Silver Route
Guanajuato region, Mexico, Mexico
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Overview of the Silver Route Expedition
The Silver Route Horseback Expedition offers a multi-day, immersive journey through central Mexico, weaving together ranch life, ancestral sites, colonial heritage, and dramatic landscapes. The adventure begins in Guanajuato and traverses mountains, canyons, semi-desert valleys, historic mines, and cultural hubs, culminating in Atotonilco. Each day blends riding with opportunities to explore local communities, archaeological remains, and significant landmarks such as the Ancestral Petroglyphs on Cerro del Sombrero, Guanajuato city, Dolores Hidalgo and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno in Atotonilco.
Riders stay in a mix of glamping, mountain lodges, and historic hotels, enjoying traditional Mexican meals, tequila tastings, and curated cultural experiences. The program emphasizes authentic connections with the land, history, and people, while highlighting Mexico’s mining, independence, and regional traditions. Expected terrain ranges from flat and rolling to mountainous, with varied pacing that includes walking, trotting, and occasional canters. The itinerary is designed for a small group (4–12 participants) with expert guides and dedicated support staff.
Riding Experience, Terrain & Logistics
Riding is paced to balance challenge with enjoyment: terrain spans flat segments, rolling hills, canyon walls, and high mountain landscapes. Terrain difficulty is rated as 65% easy, 30% intermediate, and 5% complex, with an overall physical effort of 85% easy and 15% moderate. Saddles include Charro and western styles, and horses are Azteca, Quarter Horse, and Mexican Criollo. The program accommodates riders aged 14–18 with a parent/guardian consent letter, and sets a maximum rider weight of 110 kg. Daily distances range from 12 to 37 km, with most days featuring long scenic rides and occasional river swims. Pace includes walk, trot, and some canters to maintain variety and engagement.
Accommodations transition from Glamping Rancho Colomitos (Day 1–2) to mountain lodges and urban hotels (Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, Atotonilco). Meals and drinks are provided as indicated, including welcome cocktails, tequila tastings, and regular refreshments. A support vehicle handles luggage, and a dedicated guide staff ensures safety and local knowledge throughout the journey.
Accommodations, Inclusions & Practical Details
Accommodations vary by day: glamping at Rancho Colomitos in the early phase, a mountain lodge in the central range, and urban or historic hotels in Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo, and Atotonilco. The program includes six days of horseback riding, 7 nights of accommodation, selected meals, welcome cocktails, tequila tasting, soft drinks, water, and an expedition certificate. Private transfers align with the program schedule, and a support vehicle assists with luggage.
Inclusions cover trained horses, saddles, riding equipment, guides, and guest-relations support. Not included are international airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, museum entrances, spa services, alcohol (beyond the welcome tasting), tips, personal expenses, and single-room supplements. Cancellations are not accepted within 50 working days of departure, and a minimum of 4 participants is required with a maximum of 12.
Cultural, Historic & Natural Highlights
The route emphasizes cultural immersion and historical context. Highlights include visiting ancestral petroglyphs carved into limestone near Cerro del Sombrero, touring the La Purísima Dam area, and tracing the "Camino Real" Royal Road, an historic corridor that connected towns, mines, and territories. Guests explore colonial vestiges at Hacienda Cardones, and experience symbolic sites like Cerro del Cubilete, recognized as the geographic center of Mexico. In Atotonilco, the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases murals and indigenous chapels that reveal the fusion of beliefs and regional traditions.
Roughly one day is dedicated to a historic turn through Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence in 1810, where riders traverse plazas and colonial streets on horseback. Across the trip, guests encounter diverse ecosystems, from oak and pine forests to semi-desert cactus valleys, alongside wildlife and dramatic vistas that underscore the country’s mining heritage and natural grandeur.
Summary
Riding - 7 days - approx. From 6 to 8 hours hours per day
Terrain Difficulty - Easy
Pace - Relaxed
Mount Type - Western
Max. Weight - 110 kg
Accommodation - Other
Group Size - 4 min. - 12 max.
Season - All Year
Riding Level - Intermediate
Min. Age - 18 years, unless accompanied by an adult.
Included Items:
Trained horse
6 days on horseback
Soft drinks and water
Expedition certificate
Support vehicle for luggage
Meals as indicated in the program
Specialized guides and support staff
Saddle and riding equipment for horse
7 nights of accommodation in double room
Private transfers according to the program
Welcome cocktail and tequila tasting as described on program
Assistance from our guest relations guide throughout the entire program
Not Included Items:
Tips
Airfare
Spa services
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages
Museum entrance fees
Single room supplement
Airport transfers (in & out)
Itinerary changes requested by the client
Itinerary
Day 1 – Program Start: Welcome at Rancho Colomitos
Program Start – Welcome at Rancho Colomitos
Riders will be welcomed at 5:00 p.m. at the previously designated meeting point in the city of Guanajuato, where the anticipation of the journey begins to be felt. From that moment on, the transfer to Rancho Colomitos, an authentic traditional Mexican ranch, marks the transition from everyday life to the equestrian experience that is about to begin.
Upon arrival, the ranch atmosphere surrounds participants with calm and hospitality. The staff and support team accompanying the expedition will be introduced, along with a general explanation of the journey, allowing riders to connect with the spirit of the route and build confidence. This moment is accompanied by a welcome cocktail on the terrace, a first opportunity to socialize while the landscape and the light of sunset create a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
In the evening, the experience is completed with a welcome dinner featuring traditional ranch-style barbecue, where local flavors reinforce the authentic character of the place. The evening unfolds with soft Mexican music and an outdoor bonfire, inviting conversation, relaxation, and connection among participants. It is a perfect close to the first day, awakening excitement and setting the mood for the adventure that will begin at dawn.
Accommodation: Glamping Rancho Colomitos or similar
Meals included: Welcome dinner
Drinks included this day: Welcome cocktail (Margarita or Beer), soft drinks, and water

Day 2 – Rancho Colomitos and Ancestral Petroglyphs
Day 2 — Rancho Colomitos and Ancestral Petroglyphs
After a delicious breakfast at the ranch, the day begins with a sense of calm and anticipation. The horses are already waiting for us, and after a careful assignment of each horse to its rider, the day’s ride begins, where the connection between horse and rider takes center stage. The first steps of the ride allow everyone to adapt to the rhythm of the terrain and fully enjoy the rural surroundings of the ranch.
Along the route, we will ride through the ranch and visit several local communities, getting closer to everyday life and the essence of the region. The trail leads us to the upper part of Cerro del Sombrero, within the Protected Natural Area, where the landscape opens up and silence invites contemplation. Here, the journey takes on a deeper dimension as we encounter archaeological remains of great historical value, bearing witness to the ancient cultures that once inhabited the region.
Among these vestiges are the petroglyphs—geometric figures carved into limestone using rudimentary tools—believed to have been created by pre-Hispanic indigenous groups. These symbols, associated with both hunter-gatherer and sedentary communities, inspire a powerful sense of respect and wonder, connecting riders with the ancestral past of these lands.
The journey continues toward La Purísima Dam, one of the most important dams in central Mexico. We will ride around its calm waters, enjoying a wide and serene environment that invites rest and reflection. During the ride, a picnic-style lunch will be served—an authentic and simple moment to share, relax, and absorb the beauty of the landscape before continuing the adventure back to the ranch.
Distance: 13 km | Terrain: Flat, rolling hills
Accommodation: Glamping Rancho Colomitos or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
Drinks included this day: Coffee, soft drinks, and water
Day 3 – Rancho Colomitos to Guanajuato
Day 3 – Rancho Colomitos – Guanajuato
After breakfast, the second major horseback riding day begins—a day that truly embodies the spirit of the route. From the first kilometers, the ride passes through typical rural communities, where time seems to move at a different pace, and continues among old mines, silent witnesses to the mining past that shaped this region.
The journey becomes increasingly impressive as we cross and ascend the canyon of the Río Verde, a striking environment that envelops the rider with its natural walls and sense of isolation. Landscapes change constantly, alternating between open semi-desert areas and the lush vegetation and freshness of the canyon. At the river crossing, the water invites a special pause: those who wish may swim in a natural pool, a moment of enjoyment, freedom, and direct contact with nature.
Along the route, we visit colonial vestiges of great historical value, such as the Hacienda de Cardones, located in a remote area of the central mountain range. Surrounded by silence and landscape, this place inspires deep reflection on the history and life that once flourished here.
At the end of the riding day, our horses will remain in the mining community of Calderones, while we are transferred by vehicle to the city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The contrast between the wild nature of the day and the colonial elegance of what is considered the most beautiful colonial city in Mexico creates an especially memorable conclusion.
The day ends with dinner at one of the many restaurants in the historic center, where local cuisine, cobblestone streets, and the nighttime atmosphere invite relaxation and celebration after an intense day filled with adventure, history, and emotion.
Distance: 21 km | Terrain: Flat, rolling hills, canyon, and mountainous
Accommodation: Hotel in the city of Guanajuato
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all included)
Drinks included this day: Coffee, soft drinks, and water
Day 4 – Guanajuato to Santa Rosa
Day 4 – Guanajuato – Santa Rosa
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the point where the horses await us to resume the ride, continuing the journey along the ancient Camino Real, a historic route that for centuries connected towns, mines, and territories. Riding along this historic road evokes a sense of traveling back in time, allowing riders to imagine the caravans and characters who once traveled these paths.
The route leads us to the town of Santa Rosa, where we will stop for lunch. Surrounded by mountains and forests, this charming village stands out for its natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and close relationship with its surroundings, offering a moment of rest and enjoyment in the heart of the mountains.
During the day, the trail passes through historic silver mines and rural communities, reflecting the mining legacy that gave rise to the region. Along the way, we enjoy privileged views of Cerro del Cubilete, a site of great symbolic and spiritual importance, recognized as the geographic center of Mexico. Its presence on the horizon provides a special sense of balance and connection to the national territory.
In the afternoon, we arrive at our accommodation, located in the heart of the central mountain range—an area of high natural value where landscape, tranquility, and ecological richness surround us. Arrival invites rest and contemplation of the mountainous environment.
The day concludes with a welcome cocktail and a tequila tasting, a sensory experience introducing the flavors and aromas of Mexico, followed by a traditional Mexican dinner. It is a warm and authentic ending, ideal for sharing impressions of the day and enjoying hospitality in one of the most beautiful natural settings of the route.
Distance: 27 km | Terrain: Mountainous
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all included)
Drinks included this day: 1 Cocktail (Margarita or Beer), soft drinks, and water
Day 5 – Santa Rosa to Dolores Hidalgo
Day 5 – Santa Rosa – Dolores Hidalgo
This day’s ride ventures deep into the central mountain range of Mexico, crossing a territory of great natural richness where the landscape is in constant transformation. The ride passes through oak and pine forests, interspersed with semi-desert areas, creating a visual and sensory contrast that accompanies riders throughout the journey. The flora and fauna of the sierra appear subtly yet consistently: birds of prey soaring above the peaks, deer and other mammals inhabiting these lands, and vegetation adapted to altitude and climate, reinforcing the sense of being in a living, authentic environment.
Along the way, we immerse ourselves in a vast and imposing natural expanse, where silence and openness dominate the experience. There are no communities or human settlements—only mountains, canyons, and open horizons that convey a profound sense of freedom, isolation, and intimate connection with nature at its purest.
This territory is part of the historic Sierra de Guanajuato, known for hosting one of the most important silver veins in Mexico, whose exploitation gave rise to towns, haciendas, and routes that shaped the country’s economic and cultural development. Riding through these lands allows riders to understand the magnitude of this mining legacy and perceive how the wealth beneath the ground contrasted with the harshness and grandeur of the natural surroundings.
Upon arrival at the corrals of the old Hacienda del Gallinero, we leave our horses to rest after an intense mountain day. From there, we are transferred to our accommodation in the historic center of Dolores Hidalgo, a key city in Mexican history. The shift from wild nature to historic city offers a meaningful and contrasting conclusion, inviting rest and reflection on the journey completed.
Distance: 37 km | Terrain: Mountainous
Accommodation: Hotel Hidalgo or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all included)
Drinks included this day: Coffee, soft drinks, and water
Day 6 – Dolores Hidalgo – Historic Ride
Day 6 – Dolores Hidalgo – Historic Ride
The day begins early along the Camino Real, leading us to the historic center of Dolores Hidalgo, known as the birthplace of Mexican Independence. Riding through its streets on horseback is a truly exceptional experience, allowing riders to relive history from a unique perspective as they pass through plazas, churches, and colonial buildings that witnessed one of the most decisive moments in the country’s history. The steady pace of the horses and the monumental surroundings create a solemn and moving atmosphere, connecting riders with the city’s profound historical significance.
Dolores Hidalgo holds unparalleled historical and symbolic value as the place where the independence movement began in 1810. Riding through this historic setting is not only a privilege but also a memorable way to understand its cultural and heritage importance.
In the afternoon, participants will have free time to enjoy the city independently, exploring at their own pace everything Dolores Hidalgo has to offer. Its streets are filled with artisan workshops and shops, western-style stores, cafés, bars, and cultural spaces—ideal for strolling, relaxing, and immersing oneself in local life.
Dinner on this day is at leisure, allowing each traveler to choose the restaurant or atmosphere that appeals most, without schedules or rush. It is an invitation to enjoy the city’s gastronomy and nightlife freely, closing the day in a relaxed and personal way according to each participant’s preferences.
Distance: 12 km | Terrain: Flat and town crossing
Accommodation: Hotel Hidalgo or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Dinner: Not included
Drinks included this day: Coffee, soft drinks, and water
Day 7 – Dolores to Atotonilco
Day 7 – Dolores – Atotonilco
The journey leads us from Dolores Hidalgo to Atotonilco on a ride that crosses the impressive cactus valley, one of the most characteristic landscapes of the Mexican semi-desert. Riding among vast expanses of nopales, biznagas, and centuries-old cacti offers a deeply visual and sensory experience, where the openness of the valley, light, and colors create a feeling of absolute freedom and connection with the land.
The route includes passing by the historic Hacienda de la Erre, a vestige of the region’s agricultural and ranching past, evoking rural life from earlier times and adding historical context to the journey. The trail continues through open, silent landscapes, where the semi-desert reveals its sober and monumental beauty.
Upon arrival in Atotonilco, the first sight is the majestic Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno, one of the most important religious sites in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sanctuary is renowned for its extraordinary artistic and spiritual richness, as well as its deep historical significance, as it played a key role at the beginning of the War of Independence. Inside, its impressive murals stand out, along with the surrounding “chapels of the indigenous people,” spaces built for evangelization that reflect the fusion of beliefs, traditions, and cultural expressions.
After the day’s ride, our accommodation invites rest and physical recovery, with free time to relax in the thermal waters—a moment of well-being and tranquility that allows participants to absorb the intensity of the journey and bring the experience to a gentle close. The adventure concludes with a farewell dinner, a special gathering to share memories, celebrate the journey traveled, and say goodbye to the group in a warm and emotional atmosphere, placing the final touch on a journey filled with history, nature, and unforgettable emotions.
Distance: 27 km | Terrain: Flat with some rolling hills
Accommodation: Nirvana or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all included)
Drinks included this day: Coffee, soft drinks, and water
Day 8 – Atotonilco
Day 8 – Atotonilco
After breakfast, the journey comes to an end, but the experience will remain in the memory of those who lived it. The first encounters and shared excitement at the beginning of the trail will endure; the days of discovery among communities, ancestral archaeological remains, and open landscapes; the canyons that seem taken from western films; the natural strength of the mountains, their deep silences, and the immensity of their horizons; the passage through historic routes, mines, and haciendas that tell centuries of history; and the unique experience of riding through cities and towns that shaped the destiny of Mexico.
The contrasts will also remain: semi-desert and forests, cactus valleys, rivers, and mountains; the spirituality of sanctuaries and sacred paths; rest by the thermal waters and evenings shared around the table. Each day will have contributed a distinct emotion, an unrepeatable landscape, and a deeper connection with the land and the horse.
The horseback journey closes with gratitude. Each rider departs carrying more than memories: the certainty of having lived an authentic experience, where time, history, and nature came together to create something that endures far beyond the trail.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drinks included this day: Coffee and water


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