Frequently asked questions
FAQ
-
Ruta del Jefe 2024 will be a bilingual event. We will utilize an AI translator called Wordly to translate our speaker presentations, specific workshops, and film screenings in English and Spanish. Any workshop not using the AI translator will be designated on the schedule as a workshop for Spanish speakers, a workshop for English speakers, or a bilingual workshop.
The event support staff and volunteer crew will include an equal amount of Spanish and English speakers.
-
The event is held at a conservation area in Sonora, Mexico, called Cuenca Los Ojos. It is 45 miles (75 kilometers) east of Agua Prieta, Mexico.
-
From Tucson: you will drive to Douglas, Arizona, and cross at the Douglas Port of Entry, then follow Highway 2 east for approximately 45 miles to reach the turn-off for the venue.
On Thursday, March 21, Cuenca Los Ojos will host two convoys to support U.S. citizens crossing the border. The first convoy will depart from the Walmart parking lot in Douglas, AZ, at 11:00 a.m. The second convoy will depart from the Walmart parking lot at 3 p.m.
From El Paso: you will cross into Mexico at the Antelope Wells Port of Entry, then follow Highway 2 west to the venue turn off*
Flying and Car Rental: If you wish to fly, you will need to fly to either Tucson or El Paso and rent a car from a rental car company that allows you to take the vehicle into Mexico, such as Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National. Policies vary per company, so confirm before booking. We recommend renting a vehicle with all-wheel drive or 4 x 4 capabilities if you are renting a car.
*Due to the sensitivity of Cuenca Los Ojos conservation efforts, the venue's exact address will be given to participants after registration.
-
On Thursday, March 21, a volunteer-led caravan will depart Hermosillo at 7 a.m. Details to be announced.
From Hermosillo: follow Highway 15 North to Highway 2 East. The venue is approximately a 6.5-hour drive from Hermosillo.
From Ciudad Juárez: follow Highway 2 West to Janos, then continue to follow Highway 2 West to the venue turnoff. The venue is a 4 hour and 45 minutes drive from Ciudad Juárez.
Flying and Car Rental: If you are flying in from Mexico’s interior, it is most affordable to fly into Ciudad Juárez or Hermosillo, rent a car, and drive to the venue. We recommend renting a vehicle with all-wheel drive or 4 x 4 if you are renting a car.
-
From Highway 2: you will turn onto a 9-mile dirt road that will take you to the venue. Due to the varying environmental conditions and their effects on this road, we highly recommend 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicles. To avoid a Burning Man 2023 scenario, we will only allow vehicles with 4x4 or all-wheel drive capabilities to travel the final 5 miles to the camping and main event area.
Vehicles with 2-wheel drive and low clearance will be required to park in a secure area 5 miles from the official camping and main event area and ride the rest of the way in. Cuenca Los Ojos will support these individuals by transporting extra gear from the secure parking area to the camping and main event area. If you are coming to Ruta del Jefe in a 2-wheel drive vehicle with low clearance, please come prepared to not rely on your vehicle during your time at the event.
-
Cartel activity is present in this region of Mexico; however, tourists from the U.S. and Mexico are not targets. Even so, when traveling to the venue, you must keep roadside stops to a minimum. Do not travel at night. The local city government of Agua Prieta and the Mexican federal government know that Ruta del Jefe will be taking place and support eco-tourism returning to this region.
Ruta del Jefe takes place entirely within the private properties of Cuenca Los Ojos. Once you are at the venue, you will not leave the CLO perimeter.
-
A current passport, vehicle insurance for Mexico, and the address of the venue. A basic understanding of the Spanish language will be helpful. Without such understanding, we suggest preparing a document translated into Spanish explaining why you are visiting Mexico, the dates you will be traveling, and where you will be driving.
-
Depending on where you travel, you will cross at least one military checkpoint within Mexico. The officers at these checkpoints will ask you where you are going, where you are coming from, and the reason for your travel. They may ask to search your vehicle for weapons, human trafficking, or drugs. Rolling down all of your windows when approaching these checkpoints is courteous.
A basic understanding of the Spanish language will be helpful. Without such understanding, we suggest preparing a document translated into Spanish that explains where you are going, where you are coming from, and the reason for your travel.
-
Upon registering for the event, you will be added to a Google Group and a Facebook Group where you can network and coordinate with other participants.
REGISTRATION FAQ
-
A minimum $300 donation is part of your registration cost. You can fundraise this amount by setting up a personal fundraising page through Pledgereg.com, using information from the RDJ resources, and sharing your fundraiser with your community. Or, if you do not wish to fundraise, you can pay the $300 minimum donation directly.
Your account will be automatically charged if you do not fundraise or donate $300 by March 23, 2024. If you fundraise $150 by March 23, 2024, your account will be charged the balance of $150.
Mexican citizens residing in Mexico will be required to fundraise a minimum of $150
There will be prizes for the people who fundraise the most. The total funds raised through the community fundraiser will be distributed equally among five conservation, indigenous, and humanitarian groups from Mexico and the U.S.
-
Each participant will be required to fundraise or donate a minimum of $300 for the Ruta del Jefe community fundraiser and pay $350 for their registration fee.
Mexican citizens residing in Mexico will be required to fundraise a minimum of $150
-
Camping for three nights at Cuenca Los Ojos for one person
Six meals for one person: three dinners and three breakfasts Thursday night through Sunday morning
Access to seven different workshops on Friday: bird walks, ecosystem tours, clay, cocoa, agave spirits, compost toilets, and coffee.
An inspiring evening of presentations by representatives of conservation, indigenous, and humanitarian groups from the borderlands
The Oath Workshop - where you will learn tools to create a unique plan to take action for Planet, Inclusion, and Adventure
One big adventure ride and up to two community group rides
Up to three aid stations on course on Saturday
Saturday night party with music by DJ Nalgona Superstar
Film screening on Thursday night
Medical Insurance Coverage in Mexico
Paramedics on-site
Border crossing and transportation support from Douglas, Arizona to Cuenca Los Ojos
Access to an online participant community network
Speaker presentations and workshops hosted in Spanish and English
A Ruta del Jefe Zine
An intimate communal and educational experience that will create memories and connections that will last a lifetime.
Unique access to experience Cuenca Los Ojos conservation area, which is closed to the public outside of Ruta del Jefe.
-
You must be 21 years or older to attend Ruta del Jefe. To respect the conservation efforts within Cuenca Los Ojos, we can only allow the individuals registered for the event on-site. Your registration ticket includes access to Cuenca Los Ojos and Ruta del Jefe for one person. If your partner wishes to attend the event, they must register like everyone else.
Anyone who shows up at the venue without registering for the event will be turned away.
-
Yes, we offer up to 10 scholarships to individuals who identify as BIPOC and need support to attend the event.
Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary registration (including camping and food) and a small travel stipend. They will not be required to participate in the fundraiser or pay the donation portion of the event.
If you identify as BIPOC and feel that this scholarship would help you gain community and a meaningful experience, please fill out this short form: https://forms.gle/4ncbTuh1tjVLsfaU8
Applications are due by November 6, 2023, at 11:00 pm MST. All applicants will be notified whether they did or did not receive a scholarship by November 20. If you do not receive one of the scholarships, you will receive an email with a priority registration code for early BIPOC registration on November 19.
PREPARE FOR REGISTRATION
Everything you need to know for registration
