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Arizona Hacienda Ranch

Overview

The 300 year old ranch is one of the last great haciendas in America. It was established as a guest ranch in 1924, and its history has been lovingly preserved in the beautiful buildings that rest comfortably in the rolling pastures of the high Sonoran Desert. The Mexican Revolution brought history …

Highlights

  • Stay in one of the last great haciendas in America
  • Ride through the high Sonoran Desert & across grassland
  • Have a go at team penning or driving cattle
  • Enjoy sightseeing rides watching for birds & wildlife
  • Discover the history of the Mexican Revolution

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 8 riders per group (20 in camp)
  • Average of 2 - 7 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 113 kg /240 lbs / 17st 2lbs.
    more info

Description

The 300 year old ranch is one of the last great haciendas in America. It was established as a guest ranch in 1924, and its history has been lovingly preserved in the beautiful buildings that rest comfortably in the rolling pastures of the high Sonoran Desert. The Mexican Revolution brought history to the ranch when revolution leader Pancho Villa fired on the hacienda. A Mexican cannonball from the era was found embedded in the stucco walls of the main house. Today the cannonball sits on display in the structure for all to see.

The ranch boasts more than 320 days of sunshine a year and is just one hour from Tucson, ideally situated at the base of the sacred Baboquivari mountains and bordering the Tohono O'odham Indian Nation. The ranch also borders the 120,000 acre Buenos Aires National Wildlife refuge which contains extensive grasslands that preserve the endangered masked bobwhite quail and is also home to more than 300 species of birds including hawks, herons, gray hawks, vermilion fly catchers and golden eagles during their seasonal migration. This is a wonderful destination for birdwatchers.

Nestled among huge eucalyptus trees, the gracious lifestyle of the Old Southwest is captured and treasured in the 1800’s Hacienda. This elegant building welcomes each guest with a warm and inviting ambiance. Furnished with Mexican antiques the Hacienda is a gentle reminder of the fascinating history of this magnificent old Spanish land grant.

The ranch offers a range of activities, including beautiful trail rides for all abilities, cattle work, sport shooting or simply relaxing. This historic ranch has previously hosted US presidents and legendary figures such as Pancho Villa, as well as Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell.

The ranch is quieter during the hot summer months of mid May to early September and reduces the number of guests it can take. The owners are also involved in our Montana Mountain Ranch and many of their staff head to that ranch for the summer months.

Horses & Riding

Tack

The tack used here is all quality American western. Saddles are comfortable for long riding hours and bridles are simple leather headstalls with snaffle or western shank bits.

Horses

Horses used here are predominantly American Quarter horses, but there are a small number of Draft horses available for heavier riders. The horses are well-schooled and respond well to western riding aids such as neck-reining.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Ranch Stay is a based ride

Ages

Children must be aged 6 and above

Health

Fit & Healthy

Weight

113 kg /240 lbs / 17st 2lbs.

Food & Accommodation

Food

The ranch serves a range of South western cuisine, encompassing a blend of Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Southwestern ingredients. Meals are served either in the romantic and historic hacienda dining room, secluded outdoor courtyard or under the stars at a cookout.

The ranch chefs are passionate about their craft and love to produce creative and tasty selections using fresh, hearty yet healthy ingredients. Many of the ingredients have travelled only a few yards from the organic farm-style garden to your plate. Specific ingredients depend on seasonality and the ranch specialises in preserving and producing heirloom varieties that have been planted in the Arizona desert.

About an hour before dinner, the historic bell will ring and you can walk from your room to the hacienda for appetizers and pre-dinner drinks with the staff and other guests.

With prior notice, the ranch can cater for most speciality diets.

Accommodation

There are 18 guest rooms at the ranch, each uniquely and vibrantly furnished with Mexican antiques and vintage furniture. Each room has a porch that opens to mountain views and most rooms have a wood burning fireplace. The hacienda, built between the 1830's and 1860's, today houses two dining rooms and four salon areas with fireplaces for warmth and relaxation. The adobe walls of the hacienda are more than two feet thick, providing natural cooling from the summer heat and warmth from the late night winter chill.

There is a choice of deluxe rooms, premium rooms or suites. Deluxe rooms are available as single or double rooms, whereas premium rooms and suites are not available for singles. Deluxe rooms and suites can accommodate a third bed if required. The larger Clayton House is also available for a minimum of four guests so would suit families.

Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is available to guests from a number of communal areas on the ranch.

Itineraries

Ranch Stay Standard / Luxury accommodation.

Other Activities

The ranch offers a variety of activities besides horse riding such as nature walks, hiking, mountain bike rides (electric bikes), bird watching, croquet and bocce. There is a swimming pool and hot tub open all year round (pool towels provided). You can also enjoy the peaceful garden as well as the on site massage services.

There are a variety of interesting places to visit nearby as well as a championship desert golf course within a one hour drive from the ranch.

Travel

Direct international flight options to Tucson in Arizona are generally quite limited, but you will likely find many options for travel via other major hub airports in the US such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.

Airport transfers are an additional charge - please contact us for a quote as current fuel prices mean that each booking is priced separately.

Alternatively, you can hire a car at the airport and self-drive. Instructions for arrival can be provided for you in this case.

Itinerary & Pricing

Days 1 to 8

Riding: 2 - 7 hours

Situated in the high Sonoran Desert and with access to over 120,000 acres of trails, the ranch offers unique and exciting rides. One day you could find yourself riding over rocky uplands and across grassland desert rounding up cattle. The next day out riding a mountain trail, perhaps packing a breakfast or lunch with you. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced rider there is a horse and ride suited to your ability at the ranch.

As well as a wide range of non riding activities the ranch offers 2 scheduled horseback rides per day, each approximately two hours in duration. The riding is available to guests of all riding abilities and there are trails to suit everyone. All day mountain rides are available for week-long guests (weather permitting). Faster rides are available for advanced riders with the approval of the head wrangler. Sightseeing rides are fantastic for bird watchers, on which you can also spot antelope, koos deer, coyotes, quail, hawks, golden eagles and white egrets. You may ride deeper into the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge on a 6 hour ride if you wish to do so. Private lessons are available from expert wranglers for less experienced riders or those looking to brush up on their skills in the saddle (private lessons are at an additional cost).

As well as trail riding, you can also have a go at team penning - learn how to work with a team of fellow cowboys to move the cattle within the arena; or maybe drive the cattle along the Mexican border! Many of the trails are part of history and you may find yourself walking in the footsteps of legends such as Cochise or Geronimo.

Please note that there is no riding on Sunday mornings so the horses can have some time off.

Accommodation

Each night is spent in one of 18 comfortable guest bedrooms decorated in the traditional adobe style.

Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

All abilities welcomed

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Accommodation for up to 20.
Departure windows

At any time during: Jan. 1, 2024 - May 20, 2024  (Flexible arrivals/departures with min 3 night stay)

At any time during: Oct. 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025  (Flexible arrivals/departures with min 3 night stay)

Pricing

2024
Deluxe Single; 11 Feb - 2 Apr, 15 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
£335 $420 €390 per night
2024
Deluxe Double, sharing; 11 Feb - 2 Apr, 15 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
£315 $400 €370 per night
2024
Premium Double sharing; 11 Feb - 2 Apr, 15 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
£345 $440 €405 per night
2024
Deluxe Single; 2 Jan - 10 Feb, 21 Apr - 21 May, 1 Oct - 14 Dec 2024
£290 $365 €340 per night
2024
Deluxe Double, sharing; 2 Jan - 10 Feb, 21 Apr - 21 May, 1 Oct - 14 Dec 2024
£255 $325 €300 per night
2024
Premium Double, sharing; 2 Jan - 10 Feb, 21 Apr - 21 May, 1 Oct - 14 Dec 2024
£290 $365 €340 per night
2024
3rd person in a room, all seasons 2024
£163 $205 €191 per night
Included Accommodation, three meals daily, all regularly scheduled ranch activities and use of ranch facilities
Not included Flights, airport transfers, alcoholic and canned drinks, horse riding lessons, travel insurance & personal expenses.

Extras

2024 - Airport Transfer $300
Paid locally
Tucson airport transfer, per car, each way. Price is approximate and subject to change depending on fuel prices.
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.