Cabalgatas la Sierra

Day 1

You will be collected from one of the recommended hotels (Hotel Royal Zona Rosa in Mexico City or Hotel Court Yard Marriot near Toluca Airport) and transferred to Valle de Bravo. After registering and settling in to your room at Finca Enyhe, you will be introduced to your mount and have a short ride in the arena. After a delicious lunch served by the pool enjoy an afternoon ride returning to the finca for a margarita and dinner. (L,D)

Day 2

After breakfast you will ride across agricultural valleys and though forests abundant orchids. After a picnic lunch, carried by a pack horse, you can enjoy a short "siesta" before re-mounting and climbing to 9,000 feet. The village of Los Saucos will appear behind the trees. Here the horses will overnight and you will be taken by car back to Finca Enyhe. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the pool or take a walk to town. (B,L,D)

Day 3

After breakfast transfer by car to Los Saucos. Mount up and ride to the butterfly sanctuary. At certain times of the year Monarch Butterflies return to the high mountains of Mexico. Coming from the eastern side of Canada and the USA, the Monarchs fly more than 4,000 kilometres to arrive in Mexico during the last days of October or the first days of November. Spend some time experiencing the presence of these mysterious and wonderful butterflies in the fir tree forest before walking back to your horses and continuing the ride. After a picnic lunch ride on through meadows and valleys, next to rivers that hold trout farms and beautiful ferns until you reach Rancho la Compania. This ranch, one of the oldest in the area, breeds Quarter Horses and fighting cocks. Guests can walk around its beautiful patios and gardens before transferring back to the finca, where a refreshing margarita will be waiting for you by pool! (B,L,D)

Day 4

After breakfast transfer back to Rancho la Compania to meet up with your horse. Ride alongside a couple of lakes before ascending to the top of "la sierra de Juan Luis", which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Continue riding along the ridge admiring the bromelias and orchids which festoon the magnificent oak trees. After lunch continue riding to a big flat rock formation, El Coloso, from where you are able to view the trail you have ridden and see where you will be riding the following day. Ride through El Manzano, a small valley and finish the ride in Cerro Gordo, where you will be transferred back to the finca. (B,L,D)

Day 5

After breakfast transfer back to Cerro Gordo and the start of another days' ride. You will be riding thousands of feet above "Zacazonapan" a town located in the "Tierra Caliente". Experience breathtaking views as you ride along the ridge line. After lunch you will have the opportunity to see where you have ridden from another incredible lookout. Descend to the ranch where the horses will overnight. From here you will be transferred back to Valle de Bravo by boat. (B,L,D)

Day 6

After breakfast cross the lake again by boat. On the other side of the lake the truck will be waiting for you to make a five-minute transfer to where the horses slept.

Today you will ride along the lake shore until you reach the dam. After crossing by the side of the dam you will continue riding for a couple of hours in what is known as " Tierra Caliente". This is the type of terrain for which Mexico is renown - sun-baked earth as far as the eye can see - no trees or shade, just a vast open valley, that has been planted and ploughed traditionally. Eventually you reach the forest and stop for lunch in the welcome shade. After lunch, continue riding through the forest where lots of Spanish Moss hangs from the trees. If conditions permit, cross a large river and continue on to San Gabriel Ixtla, a small village where the horses will overnight. Transfer back to the finca by road for a welcome drink and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 7

Today the ride is just a half day ride. You will ride through the main street of "San Francisco Mihualtepec", an authentic Mexican town before heading on to the biggest ranch in the area. If you are lucky you will be able to see how the horses that are bred on the ranch are trained for show jumping. You will arrive back at the finca in time for lunch on the terrace. Afternoon at leisure. During the evening head in to town for a farewell dinner in a beautiful restaurant located in one of the oldest colonial buildings in town (not included in rate). (B,L,D)

Day 8

After breakfast transfer back to Mexico City International Airport. (B)