Mexico's Silver Trail Trek

Day 1: Arrive Chihuahua

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Chihuahua. A single group transfer will be provided from Chihuahua Airport to the group hotel in the city. This transfer is normally in the late evening and a representative of our local agent will accompany the group on the short journey to the hotel. (Meals included : None)

Day 2: Transfer to Carachic

After breakfast at the hotel, we board our vehicles for the short drive to the town of Carachic, where we check into very pleasant lodge accommodation and have the afternoon free to sort our gear out for the trek ahead. We will also take a hike out to the ruins of the Batopilas Mining Company station that was the final stop for the silver-laden mule trains. In the evening, we will have a traditional Mexican cookout. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Transfer to El Ojito & trek to Herradura

It is just an hour’s drive to the trailhead at the ruined farm of El Ojito, where we meet our mules and muleteam. After loading the pack-animals, we set off on the first stage our hike – to Herradura. In places, the grooved track of the mule trains clear to see as it cuts into solid rock, whilst in other places the track seems to disappear altogether. We cross a high Mesa and drop down into a valley beyond, arriving at our camp at Herradura after around 4 hours. There are caves nearby and also good swimming, if there has been sufficient recent rainfall. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Trek to Huajochi Station

Including the one at Carachic, which we have already seen, there were 5 fortified way-stations on the Silver Trail. The mule trains used to do the trip between Batopilas and Carachic in 5 tough stages, accompanied by armed guards and spending each night at one of the way stations. Today’s walk is around 5 hours and leads through rough country, with lots of ups and downs and a long final descent to the cluster of Tarahumara dwellings at Huajochi Station. This is the best preserved of the way-stations, with 3 rooms and a rock corral. On one corner of the building is the inscription ‘Casa 1, BMC 1’ (BMC - Batopilas Mining Company). In the afternoon, we can visit the local farmers and also find good swimming holes in the nearby river. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Trek to Ricochi and Kino Springs

The trail is pretty impressive here, 2 to 3 metres (6 to 10 foot) wide and showing evidence of having been paved in the roughest areas. We climb out of the canyon to a mesa-top campsite at Ricochi, where there are great views and a small spring for water. About 5 hours walking today. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Trek to the Rio Aguascalientes

There is a lot of cultural interest during today’s 6-hour walk. Mostly following a stream-side trail in an area that is obviously good for farming, we pass many Tarahumara homes, many of them in caves. Our route takes us through the Valley of the Churches which has an array of spectacular rock pinnacles. After many stream crossings, we reach the valley of the Rio Aguascalientes and follow this to some very pleasant hot springs, where we camp. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Trek and transfer to La Laja Station

It is a 3-hour hike up to the Pilares road, where we meet our vehicles and make the transfer to the ruined way-station and cluster of houses at La Laja. En route, we pass through the important Tarahumara center of Norogachic. Overnight camping at La Laja (which means flat rock) with our support vehicles in attendance and an opportunity to reorganise our gear for the remainder of the walk. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Transfer and trek to Samachique Canyon

This mid trip transfer misses out some of the least interesting sections of the Silver Trail and also allows us to cover the distance between Carachic and Batopilas within the timescale of the trip. We use the vehicles to take us (1 hour) to the start of today’s walking, where we meet up with a new team of mules and their handlers. After a 2 to 3-hour walk, we reach our camping place in the bottom of Samachique Canyon, located in old growth forest, close to some large caves. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Trek to Teboreachic Station

Today’s hike of 6 hours takes us out of Samachique Canyon, across a plateau and down into the next river valley. We set camp across the valley from the station at Teboreachic, which is occupied by a Tarahumara family. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Trek to Coyachique

We are nearing the heart of the Copper Canyon area now and the scenery is becoming more an more impressive. We trek today along the mesa tops, with magnificent views down into various canyons (the canyons begin to get deeper and deeper and the views more spectacular). After a longish day of 6 to 7 hours walking, we reach our camp close to the Tarahumara village of Coyachique, which is set on high slopes overlooking Batopilas Canyon. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Trek to Batopilas

Today’s walk starts out with a steep downhill section, descending some 1000 metres / 3300 feet to reach the Batopilas River at El Portrero. After this 3-hour walk, there is the option either to cross the swinging bridge to the road where our vehicles await, or to continue trekking along the river for another 4 hours to our final destination and the end of the Silver Trail at the colonial town of Batopilas. Whichever way you choose to go, journey’s end is the group hotel in Batopilas, where hot showers, a pleasant courtyard and cold beers await. Batopilas was founded in the 1600’s and has seen various busts and booms through the years. It is essentially a one street town that stretches for over a mile alongside the Rio Batopilas. Because of the mining operations in the late 1800’s, it was one of the first towns in North America to have electricity (the remains of the hydroelectric system can still be seen)…….but the first actual road into the town was not completed until 1978. Today there are some 2000 inhabitants and the only roads into the town are singlelane dirt tracks that must descend 1400 metres / 5000 feet from the surrounding mountains. The climate at Batopilas is sub-tropical and contrast with the at times chilly temperatures that we might have experienced on the mesa tops. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Free day in Batopilas

A leisurely day in Batopilas, with a visit to the Hacienda San Miguel and a chance to look into the abandoned Silver Mine tunnels. Lots of time too, to stroll along the main street and relaxing in the plaza. Overnight at the hotel, with a choice of great restaurants for our celebration dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Drive back to Chihuahua

We make an early start for the long (7-hour) drive back to Chihuahua, starting out on a pretty exciting road. Arriving in the city, we should have time for a walk around the central plaza, before choosing a restaurant for dinner. Overnight at the group hotel in Chihuahua. (B, L)

Day 14: Depart from Chihuahua Airport

KE Land Only services end with the early morning transfer to Chihuahua Airport for the homeward flight. (B)