Easter

The destruction of Judas marks the triumph of good over evil in the Tarahumara celebration.

Ride to the bottom of the deepest Canyon in Northern Mexico where you become a participant in primitive Indian Semana Santa (holy week) rituals. This ride is for mid-level to advanced riders who want to combine mountain riding with cultural experiences unavailable elsewhere.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week is the most exciting fiesta in the Copper Canyon region. Thousands of Tarahumara Indians leave remote ranchitos to walk hours, even days, to isolated religious centers where they participate in ceremonies that originated with Jesuit priests over three centuries ago. To see what the Albuquerque Journal had to say about this trip, scroll down to "Easter on Horseback" on our Oso Articles page.

Sometimes even a horse gets tired!

The trip begins with two days of 3-6 hour familiarization rides featuring visits to archaeological sites and Tarahumara ranchitos. During these rides you receive instruction on mountain riding techniques. After-dinner informal talks acquaint riders with Tarahumara culture and customs.

Late Wednesday morning saddle up for some serious riding and camping. Pass through beautiful El Cajon on your way to the Tarahumara pueblo of Huicorachi where we stay with Doña Nati and her family. Our relationship with Doña Nati is a special one developed over the years, she frequently sits around the campfire with us telling tales of Tarahumara life in times gone by. Every night is different but you may hear how her Uncle hunted with a bow and arrow, how she learned to be a midwife, of her life growing up in a cave, and of herbs and roots she used for curing.

On Thursday riders descend to the Mestizo pueblo of Naranjo for a look at rugged mountain Mestizo culture and a fiesta with the Mancinas family. Friday morning's ride is hot and dusty but the Rio Urique awaits for a cooling swim with your horse beneath spectacular canyon walls..

When it's hot & dusty, there's only one choice

When you are hot & dusty, nothing beats a dip in the river for both horse & rider!

Distant drumbeats signal our horseback approach to the Tarahumara Indian village of Guadalupe Coronado. These booming drumbeats combine with the isolation to create a bizarre feeling of living history. Entering town, riders encounter Devils, Indian men painted black and white who personify the evil associated with the crucifixion. As dusk approaches, more devils arrive. Armed with wooden mock weapons, they attack the church, cackle, dance and carry on as if possessed. Meanwhile, officials with wooden lances protect the church and ensure that things do not get out of hand. Darkness and the lighting of campfires signal the start of processions lasting throughout the night.

Riders participate in the fiesta, join the candle-lit processions, enter the incense-filled 17th century church to participate in activities and observe the humble offerings and centuries old statues of saints.

Pedestrain suspension bridge above Urique

The suspension bridge outside of Urique. When the river level is up, this is the only way across.

The beating of drums lasts the night then pandemonium breaks out in the form of ceremonial wrestling between devils and men representing good. Eventually the devils lose and their "king", a colorful effigy of Judas, is burnt along with other symbols of the evil side of Easter. Devils are then rounded up and ceremonially whipped (no blood drawn nor harm done) as they are herded into the church to be cleansed, washed and returned to society as normal people.

Return from Guadalupe by vehicle so we arrive in time to rest and enjoy totally different ceremonies in Cerocahui on the night of Holy Saturday. On our return we stop in Urique for lunch then climb out of the canyon to the majestic Cerro Gallegos, the most beautiful of all canyon-rim viewpoints. From Gallegos you can see the rugged trails you rode down to Guadalupe.

Sunday you may opt to attend Easter Mass or just relax prior to departing Monday on the train. But don't forget tonight's farewell party where we share experiences around a warm campfire.

This package also includes provisions for non-riding accompaniers. These accompaniers spend the week at the ranch participating in activities and hikes then descend to the canyon for Semana Santa activities, camping with the riders Friday night in Guadalupe and Saturday night on the rim. Accompaniers may rent horses for day rides based on availability.

Note: We do more than just participate as tourists, we also give back to the community. In 1999, our Easter group carried a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe on horseback and presented it to the community. She has since become a revered and permanent part of the church. The Photo Gallery includes this memorable Easter and a new video. In 2002 Doug and Hugo Rhodes brought a 6-ft high reproduction of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the Basilica in Mexico City. During the night of December 11 they joined a Tarahumara Procession carrying this painting from Huicorachi to Guadalupe. The torch-lit procession arrived on December 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, at 6:00AM in the morning. Each of our Easter groups brings school supplies and the Oso staff is active in improving the school during the year.

Price of Trip:

$1375 USD per person double occupancy

$250 USD single supplement

$850 USD for non-riding participants