You are always welcome to skip the rides, and relax at the ranch. Alternatively, you can visit the nearby town of San Miguel de Allende, a peaceful artists’ colony or sample the delights of the nearest market in Jiltepec.

Day 1
You’ll be met at the airport and be driven directly to the ranch. Get settled into your room, explore this beautiful place and discover its many amenities. If time permits, the first afternoon ride takes you to our local village, San Agustin, with its ancient church dating from the 1700s. During this ride you will be able to familiarise yourself with your horse.

Afterwards relax in the hot tub overlooking the waterfalls with a margarita or go for a swim in the infinity pool. Enjoy your first 4-course dinner – a fusion of Mexican and international cuisine – served in the ranch’s dining room.

Day 2
After breakfast overlooking the pool and surrounding countryside, you start your ride crossing the Rio Rosas and passing through the quaint little village of Los Colorados. Heading along country lanes you ride through the community of Heroes de Carranza before entering the lake district, which offers incredible views and varied terrain for some delightful and diverse riding.

At the small town of San Juan Daxthi, enjoy a local Mexican lunch, before taking a stroll through the vibrant market. In the afternoon, the open fields heading back to the ranch are perfect for a canter and the occasional gallop too, if you like. Local cowboys (charros) and farmers use the myriad of trails to tend to their farm plots and small herds.

Day 3
The morning ride takes you to the old hacienda of Tandeje and to the waterfalls of Fresno with its breathtaking ancient trees. A short climb on your horse takes you up to the little sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe – The Black Virgin of Mexico, from where you have a beautiful view into the canyon below.

In the afternoon, take a short drive to visit the archaeological site of the Atlantes of Tula. The site is thought to be the most important Toltec settlement in Mexico. Then, visit the town center of Tula and shop for some boots or hats in the local Western and charro shops. Soak up local life in the main square before heading back to the ranch.

Day 4
Start the ride today crossing the old stone bridge El Puente del Muite built in the late 17th century. The horses follow the beautiful green path towards the Cerro de los Caballos – The Horses’ Mountain. The flat fields and quiet unpaved roads offer excellent gallops for confident riders, one of the great thrills on offer! Once you reach the monument at the top of the mountain, the panoramic views are stunning. The monument stands for the battle that took place here where the Mexicans defended this territory and won.

Lunch will be served in a little local Mexican restaurant in Deguedo. Back on the horses enjoy some nice canters through this open sky country. Nearing the end of the ride you take a stroll to the hacienda La Goleta which was built around 1690 by the Spaniards. The wrought iron in the windows was brought from Sweden, the tiles covering the front porch from Spain, and you can still admire part of the original blue wall paintings. The old aqueduct continues to produce water for the many families living around the hacienda.

Back at the ranch, enjoy a sunset cocktail in the hot tub or at the bar and share experiences with your fellow riders.

Day 5
Back into a more rugged landscape, you would think you were on a western movie set. Ride to Los Organos a place forgotten in time. The trail, passing San Miguel de las Piedras leads into the canyon where wild horses roam. You’ll visit the Peregrinos Petrificados a natural rock formation, where it is said that "the Pilgrims turned into stone because they did not want to finish their pilgrimage”.

Your lunchtime picnic will be taken by the river. Goats and sheep graze nearby. Here the river is mixed with a volcanic warm spring so it is enjoyable for a swim while the horses are resting. Homeward bound, you climb up the canyon and pass through the village of Carranza with its church dating from 1697. On to the Presa of La Goleta, where the soft flat lake shore offers you a final opportunity to canter or gallop, arriving at the ranch late afternoon.

Day 6
Today’s ride takes you along a picturesque canyon to the village of Xochitlan. You will be amazed by the sure-footedness of your four-legged friends. Now and then you will enjoy some easy canters between the corn fields.

Xochitlan de las Flores got its name from the many flowers that grow here due to the temperate climate. Experience the leisurely way of living, visit the beautiful old church and have a little rest and some refreshment.

On the way to San Antonio, the lunch stop is in a local ‘fonda’. Then you follow the old Spanish plastered stone road towards el Bordo Viejo. Pass by a race track where once a month there are non-professional horse races. Back at the ranch, we’ll show you how to make your own margarita. Salud!

Day 7
Today is market day in the town of Jilotepec. Approximately a 30 minute drive from the ranch, you will discover the biggest weekly market in the region where all the people from the surrounding villages bring their goods to sell. All types of livestock, colorful vegetables, tasty fruits, fashionable sombreros, fine leather boots, tack for horse and rider and great mounds of chili peppers are on offer.

After lunch, saddle up to ride through the village of Vista Hermosa (which translates into ‘beautiful view’). From there, a steep climb takes you up the Cerro del Ahorcado (the ‘hanged man’s hill’) with a 360º view of the entire region. A canter beneath the eucalyptus trees takes us down to the lake where the horses love to splash along the shore. A candlelit dinner completes the day.

Day 8
Depending on your flight departure time, enjoy a morning ride, two half day rides, a full day ride, or time at the pool and then individual transfers to the airport.

Please ask about

• Special fiesta events

• Massages

• Painting classes with local artist

• Mexican cookery classes

• Yoga Weeks

• Add ons to Mexico City or Playa del Carmen