Rated one of the ‘top twenty rides worldwide’, this horseback trail in Mexico is a week of sheer exhilaration. From sub-tropical forests dense with exotic flowers, through open countryside and wildflower meadows, to the roof of the world on high mountain peaks, this is like a world in one trail. Enjoy picnic lunches at some of the most scenic spots imaginable, and experience the humour, warmth and culture of the Mexican people. Return each evening to the comfort of your luxury suite at the beautiful Mexican hacienda, to refresh yourself with a swim, a margarita and a delicious dinner.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: December 27, Arrive Mexico City International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Royal Zona Rosa.
Day 2: December 28, Buffet breakfast at hotel before collection for 2 1/2hr car trip to Valle de Bravo. On arrival, register, settle in, then meet your hosts and be introduced to your horse. Enjoy lunch under the wisteria, followed by a two-hour ride to Monte Alto. A relaxed guided tour around Valle de Bravo town begins the evening. Dinner is followed by an informative talk on ‘Tequila and Cactus’.
Day 3: December 29, After breakfast, enjoy a five-hour ride to Los Saucos, at 9,000 feet, broken by a warm picnic lunch around midday. At Los Saucos, a car will pick you up to return to the hacienda to enjoy a relaxing late afternoon. After dinner, a talk on ‘Monarch Butterflies’ will prepare you for Tuesday’s ride.
Day 4: December 30, After breakfast, transfer by car to Los Saucos, to mount and ride to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. If the season is right, you can dismount and enter the sanctuary on foot to marvel at the thousands of butterflies bedecking the trees. Ride a little further before a picnic lunch cooked over the camp fire. Two hours riding through fertile valleys after lunch will bring you to Rancho la Campania. This is one of the oldest ranches in the area, and you can spend some time wandering its beautiful gardens and verandahs before transferring back to the hacienda. The talk this evening will be on ‘Mexican Haciendas’.
Day 5: December 31, Breakfast, then back to Rancho la Campania to visit the ranch’s private zoo and ride alongside its beautiful lakes. Continue on to the top of La Sierra de Juan Luis, through sub-tropical forests where bromelias and orchids decorate your route. Picnic lunch beside the huge rock formation known as El Penon. After lunch ride to another large rock formation, the flat rock called El Coloso, from which you will have a magnificent view over the countryside you have ridden through, and a glimpse of Thursday’s riding terrain.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a fantastic dinner at a top local restaurant. Two sittings are arranged: 9.00 – 11.00pm or 11.00pm – 1.00am.
Day 6: January 1, A later than normal breakfast will be followed by a short, relaxed ride and a leisurely picnic lunch. After lunch, a short ride will take you to another incredible viewpoint where you can again see the vast distance horses and riders have covered in these few days. A spectacular descent will afford more fantastic views of the lake and Atezcapan, the village where your horse will overnight. From Rancho Calderones, just outside the village, you will travel on a hay-truck down to the lake, where a boat awaits to transfer you back to Valle de Bravo, across the lake. Then back to the hacienda for a dip in the Jacuzzi, a delicious dinner, and a fascinating talk on ‘Mexican History’.
Day 7: January 2, Return by boat and short truck ride to Rancho Calderones after breakfast, savoring the quietness of morning on the lake. From here, you ride along the lakeside to the dam and out into the open countryside known as ‘tierra caliente’. This is unforgiving country that is still farmed in the old style, using oxen and hand-sowing. Fascinating to ride through, it is hot and shadeless, but it is not long before you reach the cool shade of the pine and oak forests, to picnic in their shelter. After lunch the ride continues through deep forest hung with Spanish moss. If the river is not too high, you will ford it on horseback to reach the small village of San Gabriel Ixtla. After the usual fantastic dinner, the talk will be on ‘Traditions in Valle de Bravo’.
Day 8: January 3, Breakfast, then return to Ixtla to ride from there to San Francisco Mihualtepec, where you will ride your horses through the main street of this quaint Mexican town. Ride on to Rancho Santo Rosa, a magnificent ranch where you may catch the show jumpers in training. Then return on horseback to Finca Enyhe for a marvellous lunch on the poolside terrace. This evening’s dinner will be at a wonderful restaurant in one of the town’s old colonial buildings.
Day 9: January 4, A final breakfast before transfer to Mexico City International Airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price (per person)
US$ 281.00 per night
US$ 2245.00 total
10% off for non-riders
Cost includes:
- Accommodation and all meals, including picnics on horse trails
- Farewell meal at restaurant
- Limited alcoholic drinks per day
- Horses and all riding gear and tack
Not included:
- Flights
- lunch and/or dinner at Hotel Royal Zona Rosa (Saturday)
- personal equipment
- tips
- laundry services
- outside activities
- services not specified
- Single room supplement US$ 375
Also see tour packages in:
North America
Mexico
Horse Riding
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