Horse riding holidays in Mexico, the Luxury Sierra Trails ride.

Ride Description

This ride is truly a deluxe horseback riding experience for those who would like to discover Mexico on horseback. It takes place at a small town, two and a half hours west of Mexico City, on the Sierra Madre Occidental. The town is 6,000 feet above sea level and during the trek riders go with horses up over 10,000 feet where fir trees grow and where the Monarch Butterflies come to look for shelter from November to March of each year.

The route goes by ancient horse trails that run through woods, lakes, rivers, meadows, and villages offering breathtaking views. While passing through great variety of microclimates (from 5,500 Ft. up to 12,000 Ft. over sea level) riders get to see different plants, trees, animals, and birds endemic of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental. The ride begins at the finca and ends at the same place one week later. Each day after riding five or six hours, the horses overnight in a different stable-station while the riders come back by car to town. On one of the days riders return to town crossing the lake in a boat, a delightful and relaxing experience. The route also visits the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary so riders can enjoy this amazing natural phenomena mounted on their horses.

The different altitudes create an amazing variety of microclimates where riders can find thriving examples of cold and warm climate species. The sloping terrain allows you to easily go from one microclimate to another; riders will have the opportunity to see fir trees up in the mountains and sugar cane fields, all during the same week.

The ride is led every day by one of the host-owners who have an excellent knowledge of Mexican flora, fauna, history, culture, and traditions. Riding with a guide that is very well known in the area allows the riders to have an interactive experience with Mexican countryside people

A team of smilingly and gracious wranglers make easy work of cleaning, feeding, and saddling the horses. Everyday the group is accompanied by one of the hosts that guides through the route and by two wranglers that help the riders whenever they may need it. On one of the days, after six hours riding with spectacular views, riders return to town on a boat that crosses the lake; a delightful and relaxing experience after a long day on the horse!

Depending on the time of year you may be able to experience the natural phenomena of the Monarch butterfly migration against the backdrop of the spectacular Sierra mountains.

Every year the Monarch Butterflies return to the same high mountains located in the states of Mexico and Michoacan. These mountains are part of the Transverse Neovolcanic Chain that runs from the Eastern Sierra Madre until it joins the Western Sierra Madre. As its name says, many volcanoes are located in this area, and several of them are still alive. From the 9,000 and up to the 12,000 feet over sea level these mountains are covered with dense fir tree forests. The Monarch Butterflies come to these fir tree forests looking for shelter against the wind, the rain and the cold. At the same time, this forest provides the butterflies with food and humidity to keep them alive during their hibernation period

Coming from the Eastern side of Canada and the USA, the Monarchs fly more than 4,000 kilometres to arrive to Mexico during the last days of October or the first days of November. On November the 2 nd , the Mexican people celebrate the traditional festivity of the Day of the Dead and an old legend tells that these butterflies are the souls of dead people coming back to visit their beloved ones. From 60 to 90 millions of Monarchs arrive each year to the same five or six sites; and the high density of them transforms the evergreen fir trees into beautiful orange/brown trees

See Programmes.

Food & Accommodation

Accommodations for the week are at Finca Enyhe, a colonial style house built around a patio with a fountain in the centre surrounded by impressive verandas with multicolour hammocks hanging from the columns. The building reflects the Mexican architecture, and the individual bedrooms with its private bathrooms are all decorated with typical furniture from different parts of Mexico.

A beautiful garden with an amazing variety of plants, flowers, and fruit trees separates the house from the old fashioned stalls, with a huge and very well set tack room, and the riding arena surrounded by bamboo fences.

There are six beautiful standard rooms all decorated in Mexican style, each with its own and exquisite particular decoration. Most of the bedrooms have their own brick or iron fireplace.

Each bedroom has a big and comfortable bathroom, all decorated with hand-painted tiles. Some of the bathrooms have a Jacuzzi.

The six bedrooms are distributed in different areas of the house. Two of the bedrooms are facing the central patio, two more have the view of the gardens, and the last two have the swimming pool vista.

There is also a private bungalow with one double room that faces the beautiful horse stalls.

Guests can enjoy use of a library, a TV room, a billiard table and a small gym.
Outside there is a heated swimming pool (45 Ft. long) with integrated Jacuzzi (7X7 Ft.).This is surrounded by several patios, verandas, terraces, and gardens.

You can explore the 24 riding stalls, a dressage ring surrounded with bamboo, and a magnificent tack-room.

The variety of flavours of the Mexican kitchen cannot fail to tempt even the fussiest of palates and the home made food gives you the opportunity to taste different dishes every day.

Breakfast includes real fresh fruit and juice, egg dishes, sweetbreads, coffee, tea, or milk. You can choose from continental or Mexican style

Lunch is sometimes a picnic on the trail. It includes fresh fruits, Mexican tortas and tacos, and a variety of cheeses, meats, cold sodas or beers brought along by a pack mule that also provides horse-shoes, first aids kit, medicines for the horses, and any other essential that might be needed during the daily ride out in the forest. You can also sample typical Mexican "botanas", "tortas", and "tacos" that are warmed on a fire. Some days it is served on the terraces of the finca.

Dinner is delicious Mexican style cuisine. Meals are served with purified water, sodas, beer or wine in the magnificent dinner room with its big table and old furniture. Dinner is served accompanied by red and white wine.

Alcoholic beverages: three drinks per person per day, not interchangeable.

Note: Special care for vegetarians and other special diet considerations are available upon request.

Activities

Riders and non-riders have the opportunity to take part in several additional activities.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors there is sailing, water skiing, kayaking, golf, mountain bike, Tyrol rope, wall escalade, hiking, etc.

Those who are after rest and relaxation can take a dip in the spacious pool surrounded by tropical gardens and scented flowers or settle into a good book on one of the several shaded patios.

Mexico is a cultural melthing pot and nearby towns offer ballet, Spanish dancing, painting, a chance to enjoy languages, music, etc.

All activities must be booked and paid by the user directly to the provider of the service.

Further Details

Languages: English and Spanish

Health requirements: From novice to experienced depending on the ride chosen.

Age limit: 12 years and must be accompanied by an adult

Tuition: Yes

Included: All riding, accommodation, all meals and three alcholic drinks per day, accompanying English speaking host, use of all facilities at the finca

Not included: Flights to and from Mexico City, Nights in Mexico City or Toluca, dinner before pick up, farewell dinner in restaurant in town

Travel Information

Flights operate daily to Mexico City from all major UK airports.

Transfer is included in the cost of the ride and you will be collected by your host on arrival at the airport.

Airport: Mexico City

Alternative Airport: Toluca International

Classic Mountain ride

This region is blessed with a variety of terrains which has resulted in a significant horse population. There are numerous trails, paths, dirt roads and old "Caminos Reales" crossing the county in every direction giving both horse and rider the opportunity to ride for hours and hours enjoying the breathtaking countryside. The rides take you out into the mountains surrounding the lake under the shade of pine and oak trees. Beautiful forests, meadows, valleys, rivers, streams and agricultural land can also be seen while riding. Several birds endemic from Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains can be seen during the daily rides. Riders also get to pass by some small villages thus giving the opportunity to see how local peasants live in the area. Never ending views of mountain ranges with impressive huge rocks are part of every day's ride. The always-blue sky makes a perfect frame for the panoramic "vistas" during the day and in the afternoons the spectacular sunsets invite to have a "margarita" and listen to the typical Mexican music of the "mariachi" whilst resting the day's ride. This 8 day/7 night ride is for strong intermediate to advanced riders Riders should arrive any time on Saturday in order to be ready for an early pick-up on Sunday morning. Day 1: Early morning pick up. 11:00 am arrival at finca and settle into your room. After a briefing. Familiarise yourself with your mount and tack. After lunch at 1.00 pm you have a two hour ride to "Monte Alto" . Dinner at 7.30 pm Day 2: Breakfast at 7.00 am. At 8.30 am get mounted on your horse then five hours ride to "Los Saucos". Lunch is a picnic on the trail after riding for three hours. After lunch you will continue riding for two hours and arrive to "Los Saucos". At around 3.00 pm you wil be transferred by car back to finca which will take about 45 minutes. Then you will have some free time so guests can visit town or relax by the pool. Dinner is at 7.30 pm Day 3: Breakfast is at 7:30 am and at 8.30 you will be transferred by car to "Los Saucos". At 9.15 you will get mounted on your horse. You will enjoy a five and a half hour ride including a visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and ending in "Rancho La Compañia". Lunch is a picnic on the trail after three hours riding. You then continue riding for two and a half hours. At around 4:30 pm you will be transferred by car back to the finca. This should take about thirty minutes and again you can have some free time to relax by the pool or visit the town. Dinner is around 7.30 pm Day 4: Breakfast is at 7.30 pm and at around 8.30 am you will be transferred by car to "Rancho La Compañia". At 9.00 you mount your horse then enjoy a six hoursride to "Cerro Gordo". Lunch is a picnic on the trail after three hours riding. After lunch you will continue riding three hours and arrive at "Cerro Gordo" at about 4.30 pm. Again you will be transferred back to the finca arriving around 5.00 to enjoy a relaxing time by the pool or a trip into town. Dinner is at 7.30 pm. Day 5: Breakfast is at 7.30 and at 8.30 you are transferred back to your horse and at 9.00 you will start your ride to "Atezcapan". This will take about six hours with a break for a picnic lunch after three hours. You should arrive back at "Atezcapan". at 4.45 pm and transfer on the back of a hay truck to the lake. You will take a boat across the lake and around 5.30 pm you will be transferred back to the finca which takes about fifteen minutes. You can again enjoy a trip to town or relax by the pool until dinner at 7.30 pm. Day 6: After breakfast at 7.30 you will be transferred by car to the lake and take the boat back across to join your horse (via the hay-truck once again!). At 9.30 you will get back on your horse to enjoy a six hour ride to "Ixtla". You will break for your picnic after three hours and arrive there at around 5.00 where you will be transferred back to the finca for more relaxation before dinner. Day 7: After breakfast at 7.30 you will be transferred back to "Ixtia" where you rejoin your horse for a three and half hour ride to the finca. After returning with your horse you will enjoy lunch on the terrace at about 12.30 pm. This afternoon you can spend time relaxing and shopping for souvenirs before a farewell dinner in town at around 8.00 pm (not included in rate) Day 8: Breakfast is at 8,00 and you are transferred by car to the airport leaving at 9.00 and arriving at around 12.00 to catch your flight home.
Minimum group size:	2
Maximum group size:	12
Ability description:	Strong intermediate to advanced riders
Type of ride:	Finca based riding
Total riding time:	Approx 35 hours riding
Departure dates:	January 20th - 27th; Feb 3rd-10th, Feb 17th-24th; March 2nd, March 16th, March 30th, April 13th-20th; April 27th-May 4th; May 11th-18th; May 25th-June 1st; Oct 26th -November 2nd; Nov 9th-16th; Nov 23rd -Nov30th 2008. Some other dates available on request
Pricing:	See Pricing

Relaxed Ride

The relaxed ride has been designed for horse lovers who may be not be as fit as they would like or for good riders that do not want so many hours in the saddle. This is a programme that combines outdoors trail rides in the morning with free afternoons. This way riders can perform and improve their riding skills at the same time as enjoying the facilities at the finca and the local area. Riders can spend their several free hours enjoying the facilities at the finca or exploring the local towns and villages. The finca has an outdoor heated swimming pool with jacuzzi, billiards table, and the small gym. They can also take advantage of the multiple sports that are available in town such as: golf, tennis, water skiing, sailing, delta flying, mountain bikes, trekking, bird watching, etc. Cultural activities are also available in the towns such as ballet or flamenco. The local museum always has modern painting exhibitions and several places offer lessons for dancing, music, painting, and languages. Riders will arrive on a Saturday or Sunday and will be collected before noon by your host. Day 1: Your host will collect you before noon at the arranged location and take you by car to the finca. This takes approximately two and a half hours. You will then settle into your room before dinner and a briefing about the week's activities. Day 2: A delicious Mexican breakfast will be served in the morning before you get to know your mount and try out the tack. The morning ride of approximately 3 hours will take you through forests and agricultural land. Lunch will be served on the terrace of the finca after which the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Guests that wish to can take part in a two hour evening ride. Dinner is served in the evening. Day 3: Today's ride will take you through one of the most beautiful ranches in the area where you can see numerous horse paddocks full of foals and pregnant mares or jumping taking place. Lunch is served at the finca with the afternoon free to spend at your leisure. Dinner is served in the evening with an option to participate in a 2 hour ride. Day 4: A 3 hour ride through the pine and oak forests, peaceful meadows and clear water streams. You can see a variety of colourful and exotic flowers along the way. Lunch is served back at the finca followed by an afternoon at your leisure. You may wish to book a relaxing massage before dinner in the evening. Day 5: Another morning ride followed by lunch and then a boat trip on one of the local lakes. From the lake you will have an opportunity to spot 'La Pena' - a historic rock where the Atzecs came to make sacrifices. Day 6: Todays ride includes spectacular views of the main lake and town followed by lunch on the patio of the finca. The afternoon will be spent at your leisure during which you could choose to take a tandem flight in a parapent. The evening's farewell dinner is served at the nicest restaurant in town which is also one of the oldest buildings. (Dinner not included in price) Day 7: Breakfast is served half and hour earlier with transfer back to Mexico City International Airport. From November to March there is a visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary schedeuled as an afternoon visit. You can see millions of butterflies on the fir trees.
Minimum group size:	2
Maximum group size:	12
Ability description:	Novice riders and up
Type of ride:	Relaxed finca based rides
Total riding time:	3 hours per day
Departure dates:	December 2nd-8th 2007; 2008 :Jan 13th-19th; Feb 10th -16th; Mar 9th -15th; April 6th-12th; May 4th-10th; Nov 18th -22nd; Nov 3oth - Dec 8th 2008
Pricing:	See Pricing

Historic Routes

Designed for advanced and experienced riders that like the challenge of demanding rides which take them to historic destinations through old "caminos reales" just as in the old times. This is a week long ride where riders will spend 8-10 hours a day in the saddle on challenging trails, steep descents, narrow paths and river crossings. You will visit a 500 year old Spanish colonial towns and ride against a backdrop of a great variety of landscapes and microclimates. Each night you will stay at a different hotel and many locations offer thermal baths where you can ease away the stresses and strains of a long days riding. Transfers from each location will be by car. Each of the two rides is run in alternate years with the Silver mines ride in the odd years and the Tarascan people ride in the even years. Eight riders are required for the ride to take place and there are some booking conditions attached. Please contact our offices for further details.
Accommodation:	You will stay in different hotels each night of the ride.
Minimum group size:	8
Maximum group size:	8
Ability description:	Designed for advanced and experienced riders only
Type of ride:	Trail riding
Total riding time:	8-10 hours per day
Departure dates:	9th-18th December 2007 and 7th-14th December 2008
Pricing:	See Pricing

Cooking Fiesta Ride

The Cooking Fiesta Ride programme is for guests that want to learn how to cook Mexican traditional dishes after the daily rides and enjoy tasting them at dinner time. The ride is identical to the Relaxed Ride with six main differences. These are: 1) Breakfast will be served at 7:30 AM instead of 8:30 AM. 2) Daily three hour rides will begin at 8:30 AM instead of 9:30 AM. 3) Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM instead of 1:30 PM. 4) Monday to Thursday: the four afternoons will be entirely for cooking lessons, no other activities are programmed. 5) Dinner will not have a pre-scheduled hour; it will be served when the food is ready according to the process of the cooking lessons. 6) Friday afternoon is free to visit the town or enjoy the facilities before going for a farewell dinner in a restaurant in town (NOT INCLUDED IN THE RATE). The relaxed ride has been designed for horse lovers who may be not be as fit as they would like or for good riders that do not want so many hours in the saddle. This is a programme that combines outdoors trail rides in the morning with free afternoons. This way riders can perform and improve their riding skills at the same time as enjoying the facilities at the finca and the local area. Riders can spend their several free hours enjoying the facilities at the finca or exploring the local towns and villages. The finca has an outdoor heated swimming pool with jacuzzi, billiards table, and the small gym. They can also take advantage of the multiple sports that are available in town such as: golf, tennis, water skiing, sailing, delta flying, mountain bikes, trekking, bird watching, etc. Cultural activities are also available in the towns such as ballet or flamenco. The local museum always has modern painting exhibitions and several places offer lessons for dancing, music, painting, and languages. Riders will arrive on a Saturday or Sunday and will be collected before noon by your host. Day 1: Your host will collect you before noon at the arranged location and take you by car to the finca. This takes approximately two and a half hours. You will then settle into your room before dinner and a briefing about the week's activities. Day 2: A delicious Mexican breakfast will be served in the morning before you get to know your mount and try out the tack. The morning ride of approximately 3 hours will take you through forests and agricultural land. Lunch will be served on the terrace of the finca after which the afternoon is taken up by your cooking lesson. Guests that wish to can take part in a two hour evening ride. Dinner is served in the evening. Day 3: Today's ride will take you through one of the most beautiful ranches in the area where you can see numerous horse paddocks full of foals and pregnant mares or jumping taking place. Lunch is served at the finca with the afternoon taken up by your cooking lesson. Dinner is served in the evening with an option to participate in a 2 hour ride. Day 4: A 3 hour ride through the pine and oak forests, peaceful meadows and clear water streams. You can see a variety of colourful and exotic flowers along the way. Lunch is served back at the finca followed by an afternoon cooking. You may wish to book a relaxing massage before dinner in the evening. Day 5: Another morning ride followed by lunch and your cookery lessons. Dinner is served in the evening. Day 6: Todays ride includes spectacular views of the main lake and town followed by lunch on the patio of the finca. The afternoon will be spent at your leisure during which you could choose to take a tandem flight in a parapent. The evening's farewell dinner is served at the nicest restaurant in town which is also one of the oldest buildings. (Dinner not included in price) Day 7: Breakfast is served half and hour earlier with transfer back to Mexico City International Airport. From November to March there is a visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary scheduled as an afternoon visit. You can see millions of butterflies on the fir trees.
Minimum group size:	2
Maximum group size:	12
Ability description:	Novice and upwards
Type of ride:	Finca based riding
Total riding time:	3 hours per day
Departure dates:	2008 March 23rd-29th; May 18th -24th; November 2nd - 8th., 2008
Pricing:	See Pricing

Luxury Sierra Trails, Mexico

Overview

Programmes

Horses

Pricing