Overview

• Food & Accommodation

• Activities

• Travel Information

• Further Details

• Photo Gallery

• Printable Version

• Check Availability

Programmes

• Tailor Made Ranch Stay

Reviews

“It was an unforgettable week on a beautiful ranch and was one of the best holidays ever. It's amazing how well these horses respond to the rider. They are forward going but can be held back at any time and at any speed. The ranch is beautiful with a lot of attention to detail and you feel at home immediately. It was perfect.”

“Absolutely fabulous, a real definition of a holiday! A mixture of great horse riding and a well deserved break at this wonderful retreat, a ranch fit for a queen. Overall I found perfect weather, fantastic horses for any riding level, excellent service from staff, excellent food and very attentive and welcoming host. My favourite memory was lying down sunbathing by a natural pond in the mountains eating a picnic with the friends I had made, looking at our horses above as we relaxed.”

“Fabulous! The food, the riding and the scenery were fantastic, overall really good and my favourite memory was galloping across the open plains.”

“An amazing holiday, fantastic horses, superb scenery, beautiful setting, lots of riding with different rides everyday, yet very relaxing. My favourite memory was riding through the villages seeing life at a relaxed pace, hearing the music and then tying the horses up while we had a drink in the shade. All of the horses were super, a horse for everyone. ”

“Lovely unique experience in a super setting. Riding tailored perfectly to suit our needs. Horses well matched to our level of experience and confidence. Incredibly hospitable hosts that couldn't do enough for us.”

“It was really wonderful, the horses were great and it was lovely not to have to stop for fences or gates! Riding through the fields of flowers was my favourite memory. I was very happy with both the accommodation and the food. I rode several different horses and all were good. ”

“We had a great time, thanks. Special thank you to Sue who was fantastic in advising me & following it through. Everybody at the ranch made us feel so welcome, a wonderful hostess and the staff were so eager to share Mexico with us, what a refreshing and fantastic holiday! From the wranglers who not only gave us fabulous riding throughout the magical countryside to their lovely cheerful nature, to the horses who were brilliant, to the tasty food, to the friends we made, perfect! The attention to detail makes the ranch a very special place. Mexico is a true revelation! Thanks again & looking forward to my next adventure with you guys.”

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“The ranch was absolutely wonderful! The horses, the riding, the accommodation, the food, the jacuzzi! They really have made a wonderful place. Christmas Eve was probably the best I’ve ever had! It’s just a pity it’s so far away and I would recommend going away for two weeks! I’d love to go again.”

“Just a brilliant experience from beginning to end. I would love to return. On offer was as much horse riding as you could fit in (or fitness would allow) balanced by trips to local markets, firework display, rodeo, allowing us an insight into the Mexican culture. Each day brought a different riding route with a different experience. One day we trekked to the top of a local mountain, the views from the top were just breathtaking with the surefootedness of the horses allowed lots of confidence over the rocky terrain. Another day galloping along a wide track that just went on and on forever - just amazing. I rode three horses altogether and found them kind, surefooted, spirited but also responsive to commands. The guides and all the staff were helpful and polite.”

“Everything was great from the staff to the horses and the scenery. Would love to return when able to.”

“The holiday was enjoyable, relaxing and fun. The ranch was lovely, the horses fun and well behaved and the food was very good. My favourite memory was galloping through open shrub land, sun shining, grinning with delight. ”

“Wonderful. Great hosts, great people. A wonderful location - close to Mexico City but also a world away. Relaxing but enough activity to prevent boredom! Favourite memory: galloping down the road! Really letting the horses go. ”

“Fantastic, experience of a lifetime, possibly the best riding holiday I have taken. Favourite memory? "Mountaineering"!! Going up (and then having to come down) on the most surefooted of horses. Scary, exhilarating but wonderful! Accommodation and food were excellent in all respects. All needs appeared to be catered for. More than happy with the horse! ”

“Brilliant - can't fault it! Favourite memory? Galloping across fields under a big blue sky!”

“Had an absolutely amazing time. The ranch far exceeded my expectations - it was beautiful, quirky, the horses were lovely and the staff were friendly and efficient. A true escape from it all. ”

“ I got back from my trip to the Rancho last night, and I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. The ranch was beautiful and comfortable, the horses were adorable and well behaved and the staff took good care of me. I enjoyed every minute of the stay, including the trips to the markets, swimming in the pool, getting a good massage, chatting with the other visitors at dinner and playing pool afterwards. As for riding, I had the time of my life. I had a glimpse of rural Mexican life, which was a great experience for me, and was also able to make a lot of new friends. All in all,a great trip! Thank you for making the trip smooth and congratulations on a job well done! Next time, I would love to go to the Canadian Rockies that I missed this time! ”

Horses

Type of horses:

Mostly Quarter Horse and Criollo crosses.

Nature of horses:

Responsive, fit and very sure-footed.

Height of horses:

14 - 16hh

Weight limit:

210lbs / 15 stone / 95kg

Tack type:

Mexican Charro - all saddles and tack are locally made, similar to western style.

Travel Advice

Please ensure you read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice before you travel.

Ride Description

This beautiful Mexican ranch is a haven for all levels of rider and non-riders alike, providing guests with a taste of Mexican vibrancy, fantastic cuisine, superb facilities and a stable of responsive trail horses. The majority of the staff are Mexican, including most of the wranglers, but the ranch itself is owned by an experienced Swiss lady who ensures high standards. The ranch is great for single travellers looking to make friends, couples wanting a romantic getaway, families or even large groups of friends or colleagues. Single lady travellers will also be made to feel welcome and secure here, just one of the reasons why many guests look to return. Decorated in vibrant and authentic Mexican style, each room offers a beautiful base for your Mexican riding adventure. Meals made with quality local ingredients, beautifully tended gardens and the quality of the horses are just further examples of the owner's exceptional attention to detail and the pride that the staff take in offering you unbeatable levels of service.

If you love horses and free, open riding, you will fall in love with this idyllic location. Set on a central Mexican plateau at 7500ft and bordered by three beautiful waterfalls, the ranch offers varied terrain and fantastic riding opportunities for everyone from the nervous beginner to the seasoned rider looking for a challenge. The rural countryside is unchanged by time and farmers plough the land with oxen whilst longhorn cattle, goats and sheep graze freely on the rocky terrain. As you ride out across the patchwork of small farms and quaint villages, you may cross flowering rivers, view the tumbling waterfalls or perhaps observe the egret and ducks. Depending on your riding level and preferences, rides out might involve gentle strolls around the lake, cantering up a hill side, traversing rocky mountain paths, galloping across the open plains or perhaps swimming with the horses on a sunny day. Advanced riders can enjoy great faster paced riding whilst those with less experience will head out with a separate guide to ensure that all have the best horseback experience.

The extinct volcanic geology of the region has created an area crisscrossed with ancient lava flows. These have evolved into a rich landscape creating low undulating hills, volcanic outcrops, narrow stream valleys, dry seasonal common pasture, ancient barren lava fields, seasonally lush shallow lake shores, high hill climbs with fabulous views and dry plains. The seasons produce fields of maize, wheat, oats, beans, squash and sunflowers. Wild saguaro and nopal cacti, agaves and thorn bushes predominate on the the common grazing land and from June to October, which is the green season, you will see a colourful riot of wild flowers. There is a temperate climate with daily temperatures of around 22C which is ideal for horse riding.

When out of the saddle guests can enjoy one of the many fascinating cultural and historical excursions which are available from the ranch. These optional cultural tours are the ideal way to explore more of Mexico and they can take you to places such as Teotihuacan, where you can see the pyramids of the sun and the moon, or perhaps to the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. You might also wish to take a dip in the solar heated infinity pool with built in jacuzzi, relax in the hot tub with a margarita or select a book from the ranch library to enjoy in one of the garden's hammocks. Massages can also be arranged on site and offer the perfect way to end a day in the saddle.

This destination was visited by Holly from Far and Ride in Sept/Oct 2012. Feel free to call or email the office to ask her about it!

See Programmes.

Food & Accommodation

The ranch is made up of various buildings, all decorated in vibrant Mexican style, and surrounded by beautiful gardens which are well maintained. The standard rooms (some in the main house, some in the 'Pueblito') each have their own dressing area and en-suite facilities. They are all provided with towels, hairdryer, bathrobe, purified drinking water, liquid soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.

Deluxe rooms are available for a small supplement and these have an additional seating area. There are also two casitas which are small detached lodges to offer more privacy. Each casita has its own shaded veranda and seating area, as well as a lounge area, work space and internet connection. There is a supplement if you wish to stay in a casita.

Facilities at the ranch include lounge, small library, conservatory with guest computer, bar (they use an honesty system), billiards table, dart board and a large, open style kitchen. There is a solar-heated infinity pool which is set into the sun terrace and surrounded by loungers. There is also a hot tub - the perfect place to unwind after a day in the saddle. A massage room is on site and massages can be booked at an extra cost. If you explore the beautiful ranch grounds then you are sure to find tempting hammocks or the interesting cactus garden.

There is a daily maid service and laundry services are available.

Quality local ingredients are used by the ranch's skilled chefs to create both authentic Mexican and international cuisine. Meals are designed to introduce the characteristic flavours of the area and you can be assured of attention to detail. Chilli is a common ingredient used throughout the recipes but don't worry if this isn't to your liking, meals can easily be adapted to suit your preferences and special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.

Each morning you can enjoy a varied breakfast which is served on the veranda. Lunch is usually served outside under a large oak tree or, if you are out riding around lunchtime, then you might stop off for a delicious picnic. Each evening there is a four course dinner, served with wine, which guests eat in the rustic style dining room.

Activities

The solar-heated swimming pool with integrated jacuzzi is a real draw, providing the tired rider with a lovely way to relax or to enjoy a refreshing swim. The sun terrace with loungers overlooks the beautiful ranch surroundings and guests may also wish to take a dip in the hot tub, overlooking the waterfalls, where they can sit back and relax whilst enjoying a margarita or two. There is a massage room on site where you can be treated to a Swedish or hot stone massage to leave you totally relaxed and invigorated.

The area is lovely for hiking or running as the varied terrain provides a challenge in a physical sense whilst the pretty landscapes make great views. You can explore quaint local villages or perhaps take some time to explore the wildlife in the area. Photographers and painters are bound to be delighted with colourful aspects of the land - the cacti, wild flowers, historical haciendas, tumbling waterfalls and not to mention the birdlife. Bird watchers should definitely bring their binoculars in order to view the hawks, kites and eagles as they soar across the blue skies or to view the wild turkeys as they dash through the bushes.

The lounge provides guests with the chance to play a game of darts, pool or chess, to listen to some music or to enjoy a drink from the bar. Anyone for a margarita? The library is also well stocked with volumes in English, Spanish and German so why not pick yourself out a great novel and retire to one of the hammocks.

For those with an interest in Mexican culture or history there is a fabulous range of fascinating excursions which can be arranged for you at an added cost. These optional cultural tours are the ideal way to explore more of Mexico and they can take you to places such as Teotihuacan, where you can see the pyramids of the sun and the moon, or perhaps to the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. These excursions are the ideal way for non-riders to make the most of their time at the ranch. They are by car/minibus and an English speaking staff member accompanies each trip. Some require a minimum of two persons. Please contact us for a list of the available excursions and their prices… options include visits to the weekly markets, museums, monasteries and even to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (at the right time of year).

Further Details

Languages: English, Spanish, German and French. Guides' English is limited.

Health requirements: No special requirements.

Age limit: None.

Tuition: No (private riding lessons are available at an added cost).

Included: Classic room double occupancy, all hotel taxes, daily horseback riding as per itinerary, wellness activities, three delicious meals a day, open bar at the ranch (including all national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), wifi, use of all ranch facilities, shared transportation from Mexico City when staying 5 nights or more.

Not included: Flights, airport transfers on stays of less than 5 nights, travel insurance, gratuities (10 - 20% is customary if happy with service), drinks while not at the ranch, private riding lessons, massages and other spa services, laundry service and extras not mentioned.

Travel Information

It's easy to get here - the closest airport is Mexico City International, a very modern and safety oriented airport. The ranch is located only fifty miles north of the airport.

Airport transfers can be arranged for $55USD plus tax each way per person. These are shared group transfers and will be synchronised with incoming/outgoing international flights so all incoming and outgoign clients can be collected together (it may be necessary to wait up to 4 hours of your arrival time).

Alternatively, a private transfer can be arranged so clients are collected on arrival. The price of $195USD per car plus tax each way covers up to 4 passengers.

Please contact the office for larger group transfer prices.

All transfers are to and from Terminal 1/ Puerta 8 of Mexico City International Airport and can be arranged for any time of the day or night and any day of the week.

Airport: Mexico City

Tailor Made Ranch Stay

During a ranch stay, riders of any level head out from the main house to follow a variety of paths. There is a choice of morning rides (approximately 2 - 4 hours), afternoon rides (approx 1 - 3 hours) and all day rides (approx 5 - 6 hours). You can decide one day ahead what your next day's riding plan will be.  There are also progressive rides available, as well as a programme combining horse riding with yoga. Horses can be swapped on a regular basis to ensure that both horse and rider have the best experience, though the horses have great stamina and fitness. Groups are split according to ability and preference of speed and each head out with a wrangler who will take pride in ensuring that you have the best riding experience possible.  The ranch also offer a unique approach to riding in that they are able to offer 'combined rides' for partners, friends or family who are of different riding levels but who want to be together. These mixed groups are taken out by two wranglers and when some are walking comfortably, the others can head off for a canter or a gallop with the other wrangler before joining their friends again further down the road. This means that you can spend your holiday together but still enjoy a great ride, each one at their own pace.  Each stay is really tailor made according to your wishes and there is no strict programme - just plenty of riding and fun!
Minimum group size:	1
Maximum group size:	20
Ability description:	Rides are now split into groups: easy, medium, advanced and challenging so novice riders are catered for.
Type of ride:	Based
Total riding time:	Flexible, as per itinerary.
Departure dates:	All year round: arrival and departure is possible on any day and stays can be of any length!
Pricing:	2020/21: *10% early booking discount if you book your 2021 stay before the end of 2020* £303 per person, per night, based on twin/double accommodation in a Classic Room. This price includes accommodation (there are three single rooms available at no extra cost on a 'first come, first served' basis), all meals, all national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, horse riding, wellness activities (yoga, meditation, stretching, Tai Chi, foam roller classes, hiking, mountain biking, cooking classes), solar-heated infinity pool, jacuzzi and hot tub. It also includes shared transportation from and to Mexico City airport when you stay 5 nights or more. Price does NOT included service charge/gratuity - suggested rate is 10-20% when happy with the service received. Other services or upgrades: - £355 per person supplement to upgrade to the 3 day Highland Explorer progressive ride - £64 per night, per room upgrade to Deluxe Room - £109 per night, per suite upgrade to Suites (Casitas & Family Room) - single supplement of +20% if the free single rooms are already taken* - Easter, Christmas and New Year rates of +20% - private wrangler, riding lessons, spa treatments and laundry service prices all available on request * Please note there are three rooms available without single supplement on a first come, first served basis (these rooms not available at Easter or Christmas). Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

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