Annual Ceremonial Cultural
LA CATRINA RIDE
UNESCO-recognized Day of the Dead horseback journey through central Mexico, visiting historic towns, Indian chapels, offerings, and traditions on horseback.
Number of Nights: 8
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: 4753 USD
Location: Guanajuato, Mexico
LA CATRINA RIDE
Guanajuato, Mexico, Mexico
Share with friends
Riding & Terrain
Riding through history begins in Atotonilco and travels along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a UNESCO World Heritage route used since the colonial era. Riders encounter small rural communities and mystery villages as they follow the historic path toward Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, and the Sierra Central region. The itinerary features diverse terrain, from cactus valleys and semi-desert landscapes to oak forests and high mountain scenery, offering a varied, immersive equestrian adventure suitable for multiple riding levels with trained horses and expert guides.
The program emphasizes seasonal logistics and safety, with a focus on authentic experiences such as a catrina-themed horse parade, alebrije-inspired horse characterizations, and on-ranch photo/video sessions. Expect structured riding days with meals and rest periods carefully planned to maximize immersion while enjoying the natural beauty and cultural landmarks along the way.
Cultural & Special Experiences
Cultural immersion at every stop includes visits to historic sites tied to Mexico’s independence, UNESCO-listed Atotonilco, and the magical town of Dolores Hidalgo. Participants will witness Day of the Dead displays, enjoy festive offerings in Guanajuato’s historic center, and attend local theater performances, graveyard ceremonies, and monumental offerings that showcase regional traditions.
Special activities celebrate the Day of the Dead: catrina workshops, alebrije-themed art, a themed dinner, and a guided “offerings” route through Guanajuato. Dining features ancestral Mexican dishes and tasting experiences with local tequilas and cocktails, while cultural storytelling reveals the syncretic heritage born from the blending of Indigenous and Spanish Catholic rituals.
Evening celebrations include open bars, themed dinners, and live mariachi, with plenty of opportunities to observe and participate in the region’s living traditions as part of the UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.
Accommodations, Inclusions & Logistics
The journey spans a mix of accommodations, Rancho Las Palmas, hotels in Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajuato, and glamping camps, chosen to fit the character and terrain of each stage. Shared occupancy is standard, with some upgrades and private options available according to availability. The program provides trained horses, guiding staff, luggage transport support, and a suite of included activities such as welcome kits, cultural explanations, and the Day of the Dead-themed experiences.
What’s included covers local transfers, most meals as described, cocktails and tequila tastings, guided routes, visits to historical buildings and monuments, and a structured itinerary designed to balance riding with cultural exploration. Notable inclusions are the “monumental offering” of Guanajuato, the Tapete de la Muerte, and the La Catrina Vive festival experiences. Participants should arrange their own travel insurance and are free to explore Guanajuato city at times not included in meals.
Overview
Immerse yourself in one of Mexico’s most iconic traditions with a unique horseback journey that celebrates the Day of the Dead. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, this experience blends ancient indigenous ritual with Catholic influences, offering a deeply authentic view of the living culture that honors memory through altars, marigolds, sugar skulls, music, and culinary heritage. From Atotonilco’s old royal road heritage to Guanajuato’s historic celebrations, participants experience the festivities across landscapes, towns, and sacred sites anchored in centuries of history.
Our program positions riders on trained horses, guided by specialists who share insights into the tradition, its evolution, and its continued relevance in modern Mexico. This is not just a ride; it’s an immersive cultural journey that combines spectacular scenery, local hospitality, and opportunities to taste ancestral gastronomy, tequila, and mariachi music while encountering the people and places that preserve these customs.
Summary
Riding - 5 days - approx. 7 hours per day
Terrain Difficulty - Moderate
Pace - Steady
Mount Type - Mexican & Western
Max. Weight - 110 kg
Accommodation - Other
Group Size - 6 min. - 14 max.
Riding Level - Intermediate
Min. Age - 18 years, unless accompanied by an adult.
Included Items:
Certificate
Private local transfers
Visit the historic cemetery
Day of the Dead “themed dinner”.
Visit of the “Tapete de la muerte”
Guided Visit to the mummies museum
Trained horse for all riding levels
Specialized guides, & support staff
Meals, as indicated in the program.
Support vehicle for luggage transfer
Visit to the Festival “la Catrina Vive”
Photo session characterized as catrinas.
Guided route of “offerings” in Guanajuato
Private transfer to the city of Guanajuato
2 nights of Open Bar (October the 30 & 31st)
Guided tour of the historic center of Guanajuato
Visit of the “monumental offering” of Guanajuato
Body Painting workshop of catrinas and catrines.
Equestrian journey through the villages of mystery
Saddle and all equestrian equipment needed for the horse
Cocktails and tequilas tasting, as indicated in the program
Attendance at the theatrical performances of the municipality of Guanajuato
Special food requests (vegetarians, etc.) +subject to additional supplement
Historical and cultural explanation about the tradition of the Day of the Dead
Painting and equipment necessary for characterization of catrinas for horses and riders.
8 nights of accommodation in hotels, ranches and Glamping as described in shared occupancy
Welcome kit / with some personal use items alluding to the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Not Included Items:
Single room
Alcoholic drinks
Itinerary
Day 1 / Date: October 26th
This day, the participants will be greeted. At the accommodation in Rancho Las Palmas
Details about location will be given before travel.
17:00 Official welcome of the participants by the host at Rancho Las Palmas, check in.
-Horse assignment
-Welcome cocktail & -Welcome kit delivery
-Welcome dinner and presentation of the program
Accommodation: in shared basis
Day 2 / Date: October 27th
To start this magnificent horse trip, what a better way to do it, than in the; Sanctuary of Jesus of Nazarene
The Sanctuary of Atotonilco (Spanish: Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco) is a church complex and part of a World Heritage Site. The complex was built in the 18th century by Father Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro, who, according to tradition, was called upon by a vision of Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head with blood on his face and carrying a cross. The main feature of the complex is the rich Mexican Baroque mural work that adorns the main nave and chapels. This was chiefly the work of Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre over a period of thirty years. Today we will live a journey on horseback travelling back on time, riding our horses through the historic road to freedom, used for the liberators in the war of independence, back in 1816c. This old royal road known as Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a historically significant route spanning more than 2,500 kilometers, passes through ancient communities where very important historical aspects such as: Indigenous Chichimec, Independence war, and Indian Chapels. This Royal Road , was crucial during the colonial era (16th to 19th centuries) for trade, migration, and cultural expansion between the northern territories of New Spain and the center of the viceroyalty. Additionally, this route facilitated cultural exchange and the blending of Indigenous and European traditions, leaving a profound legacy in the regions it traversed. In 2010, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
During this day ride, we will have chance to see these historical aspects and we will have lunch in picnic in an historical property that played an important role during the independence war, back in 1810.
Atotonilco – Dolores Hidalgo – 29 kilometres
Breakfast v Lunch - Picnic v Dinner v
Accommodation: Hotel in Dolores Hidalgo, shared basis
Day 3 / Date; October the 28th
Today, our journey on horseback takes us to discover on horseback Dolores Hidalgo a destination with greater historical and cultural content, visiting the magical town of Dolores Hidalgo, one of the most important historical towns in Mexico, a small but beautiful colonial city that today is Historical Heritage because it was the cradle of the most emblematic patriotic feat of our country: The Independence. Then we will continue riding our horses through the valley of cactus, and small communities in this valley. We will enjoy our lunch in the middle of this exotic valley surrounded by cactus, acacias, and stunning semidesertic landscape, after lunch we will continue our ride, until we reach the place where horses will remain for the night, a place that could easily be any western movie. We will be transferred back to our hotel in Dolores Hidalgo. So we can discover in detail the peculiar way of living the tradition of the Day of the Dead, in this magical city
Dolores Hidalgo - Los Quiotes – 23 kilometres
Breakfast v Lunch - Picnic v Dinner v
Accommodation: Hotel in Dolores Hidalgo, shared basis
Day 4 / Date; October the 29th
Today, after breakfast we will be transferred by car back to place where horses are ready to continue our journey on horseback. Today's journey takes us to discover one of the greatest biodiversity areas in the region, through oak forests, pine trees and small communities full of history, nestled in the middle of big and high mountains, and surrounded by majestic natural landscapes. , until we reach our destination Santa Rosa. An small village in the middle of the mountains Sierra Central -We will enjoy the picnic on the way, in the forest surrounded by impressive nature.
Los Quiotes - Santa Rosa 31 kilometres
Breakfast v Lunch - Picnic v Dinner v
Accommodation: at a private ranch, shared basis
Day 5 / Date; October the 30th
This day we continue our journey on horseback, through the mystery villages, The magic and splendour of various communities in which the Chichimec culture, mining and a Cristero region converge, were unified in what was called; "Mystery villages". For this reason, the thematic concept is based on mystery, which is nourished by the legends and traditions of the region and Mexico, what better time to tour it on horseback, than previous the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Today's journey destination is Rancho Colomitos, a small typical Mexican ranch, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night in Glamping Camp
Santa Rosa - Colomitos – 31 kilometres
And from 5:00 pm -Open Bar for everyone
Breakfast v Lunch - Picnic v Dinner v
Accommodation: Glamping in shared basis, Open Bar
Day 6 / Date; October the 31st
After our breakfast, at 10:00 am - our horses wait for us,so we can find the proper Alebrije form for them, and to be characterized in the form of catrinas. THE CATRINA IS CURRENTLY THE ICON OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD IN MEXICO
We will be able to characterize ourselves and our horses, to later make a short radio tour in the ranch with our horses, and enjoy a photo and video session.
Horse parade through the ranch dressed as Catrinas & Themed dinner
And from 5:00 pm - Open Bar for everyone
Lunch & Dinner at the Colomitos Ranch
Breakfast v Lunch v Thematic dinner v
Accommodation: Glamping shared basis, Open Bar
Day 7 / Date; November the 1st
After Breakfast, we will be transferred by car to the city of Guanajuato. During this day, we will be able to live with intensity the tradition of the day of the dead, in a town full of magic and mysticism, we will take a walking tour, guided through the route of offerings allusive to the day of the dead, we will visit the historic center, where we can see and live this unique tradition, later at 13:00 we will take a break, so everyone can walk around and discover by yourself the magic and mysticism of this celebration implicit in the decoration of every corner of the city. Meanwhile in this free time, you can enjoy your lunch in one of the many restaurants in the historic center. During this day will be possible to attend the theatrical performances alluding to the Day of the Dead, which are held in the main square, organized by the House of Culture and the Arts. Living the tradition of the celebration in the city of Guanajuato.
Breakfast v Lunch / Not included Dinner / Not included
Accommodation: Hotel in Guanajuato -shared basis
Day 8/ Date; November the 2nd
After Breakfast we will visit the Museum of the Mummies Here you will appreciate the mummified remains of our ancestors, some of which date from an antiquity that goes back to 1870. It is considered the current largest collection of natural mummies in the world, a cultural heritage of the Municipality of Guanajuato, which today can be seen in this enclosure 57 items. Then we will continue discovering the colonial city of Guanajuato, beautiful buildings that contain the elements of the two main cultures that created them, the indigenous and the Hispanic, and that marked the origin of our current culture. The city was declared by UNESCO as the Historic City of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines in December 1988. It is currently considered the most beautiful colonial city in Mexico.
We will visit the historic center, we will walk through its narrow alleys, discovering the magic of the celebration of the Day of the Dead, in houses, squares and gardens. We will visit the monumental offering of Guanajuato and El Tapete de la muerte as well as La Catrina Vive Festival and we will enjoy live music with local mariachis.
Breakfast v Lunch: Not included Dinner: Not included
Accommodation: Hotel in Guanajuato -shared basis
Day 9/ Date; November the 3rd
PRICE: $4,753 USD
Includes:
Private local transfers
Welcome kit / with some personal use items alluding to the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Historical and cultural explanation about the tradition of the Day of the Dead
Trained horse for all riding levels
Saddle and all equestrian equipment needed
Specialized guides, & support staff
Support vehicle for luggage transfer
Meals, as indicated in the program.
8 nights of accommodation in hotels, ranches and Glamping as described in shared occupancy
Cocktails and tequilas tasting
Guided route of offerings in Guanajuato
Visit the historic cemetery
Attendance at the theatrical performances of the municipality of Guanajuato
Private transfer to the city of Guanajuato
Guided tour of the historic center of Guanajuato
Visit of the monumental offering of Guanajuato
Visit of the Tapete de la muerte
Visit to the Festival la Catrina Vive
Guided Visit to the mummies museum
Body Painting workshop of catrinas and catrines
Painting and equipment necessary for characterization of catrinas for horses and riders
Photo session characterized as catrinas
Day of the Dead themed dinner
2 nights of Open Bar
Equestrian journey through the villages of mystery
Special food requests (vegetarians, etc.)
Certificate
Loading PDF viewer...