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We invite you to join us on a
truly unique riding experience. This region’s
every-changing ecosystems take you from giant cacti
and wild orchids to towering oaks and pines. Around
every bend a break-taking view awaits as you
traverse ancient trails and quiet lanes in the
pristine forests belonging to Teotitlan del Valle
and the Pueblos Mancomunados of the Sierra Juarez.
Our strong, steady horses will take you from 5,500
to 11,000 feet and back again. This trip begins and
ends with an overnight at a rural inn in Teotitlan
de Valle, about 30 minutes from Oaxaca. The
other four days we ride to a different village in
the Sierra Juarez where we’ll experience the warm
hospitality of these gentle mountain people. We stay
in comfortable abode lodging, all with fireplaces
and private bathrooms with hot running water.
Oaxacan food is always good, and you will enjoy
local specialties, hot corn tortillas and fresh
baked breads. While this is a ride for those who
like to go slow enough to enjoy the spectacular
views and fascinating vegetation there are
definitely opportunities for brisk canters and
extended trots. This ride is only suitable for
experienced fit riders.
IT-MXSJ01
Rates are ‘all inclusive’ all
meals, beer or wine with meals, sunset cocktails,
live music on 2 nights, 6 nights accommodation in
single or double occupancy, 5.5 riding days
7 days/ 6 nights
$ 2,160
Single + 0
2008 Dates: TBA
Airport: Oaxaca airport
-
Mexicana, Aeromexico & Continental
airlines all provide daily flights to Oaxaca.
Same-day connections between Oaxaca and other
US/Canadian cities are available flights through
Mexico City.
Transfer: Included
Level:
Low Intermediate+
Tack:
Mexican
Vaquero, Australian or English saddles. Helmets are
available.
Horses:
Quarter and Criollos
mix
Min/Max
Riders: 3- 6
Min Age: 12
Pace:
All paces
Lodgings:
2 nights at country inn in Teotitlan in single or
double occupancy, 4 nights accommodation in the
villages of the Sierra Juarez, double occupancy
(single occupancy only if available as there are
generally no more than 4 cabins in each village, all
cabins have hot showers and fireplaces)
Itinerary
Day-1: Afternoon arrival in Teotitlan from
Oaxaca. Get to know your horse and guide with a
sunset ride along the south-eastern slopes past
plantations of agave and ancient cacti. Return along
Teotitlan’s quiet cobbled lanes. Welcome dinner on
the terrace. Overnight.
Day-2: Hearty breakfast. Pack you bags,
they’ll be waiting for you at each day’s
destination. Today’s ride begins at 5,500 feet at
the valley floor. We leave Teotitlan behind with a
leisurely canter past the Piedra Azul dam, a hotspot
for water fowl and birdlife. Here the ascent begins
following the ancient trail known as “El Atravesado”.
Years ago this was the main trail used by villagers
of the sierra to bring their wood and produce down
to market in Teotitlan. Since the road was built 30
years ago this trail had fallen into disuse and for
the first times in years we have cleared it for
horseback riding. We climb steadily in the shade of
oaks and madroño past cacti, orchids and bromeliads.
Half way up we will stop for a picnic lunch and give
the horses a drink. This trail meets the winding
seldom-travelled dirt road just as the old growth
pine forests begin. We can trot the flats as we near
the village of Benito Juarez, today’s destination at
10,000 feet. We stay in comfortable wood cabins
with fireplaces. Walk, trot & canters. 6 hours of
riding including lunch.
Day-3: After a cup of fresh brewed coffee we
saddle up and take a short ride to Casa de la Piedra
for a hearty breakfast prepared by our friend Licha.
From here the ride to the hamlet of La Neveria
follows the Sierra’s crest - perfect for canters and
trots. From La Neveria we begin a gentle descent
looking out over the ravines and crests of Oaxaca’s
high sierra. The trail narrows as we descend to the
Rio Las Guacamayas on the ancient burro trail named
after Cipriano Cabrera. These well-groomed forests
are perfect for spying local birdlife. After
crossing the stream we can pick up the pace passing
by tiny rancherías on the way to Latuvi, a
village famed for its temperate fruit orchards.
Today we feast on super-fresh trout from the rushing
mountain stream just below the village. We stay in
comfortable adobe cabins with fireplaces. Walk, trot
& canters. 7 hours to this day’s final destination,
including breakfast stop.
Day-4: Hearty breakfast. We ride out of
Latuvi along a trail that descends through oak
forests to the Rio Cara de Leon. We follow this
river much of the day riding along the ancient
Camino Real, still paved with stone slabs hundreds
of years old. The highlight of today’s ride begins
as we enter an absolutely enchanted oak forest
draped in silver moss. We come across pre-Hispanic
ruins, remote homesteads & high-mountain meadows
before entering the old gold and silver mining town
of Lachitao. We can canter right up to its colonial
church at the heart of the village. The horses will
rest while we enjoy a traditional Mexican comida
in Magdelena’s charming café. This is a
beautifully preserved traditional mountain village
and we will amble along its quiet cobbled lanes
lined with pastel painted abobe homes to the
nieghboring village of San Miguel Amatlan, today’s
final destination. We will stay in comfortable adobe
cabins with fireplaces and astounding views of the
majestic sierra. In this mild climate we will grill
dinner under the stars. 6 hours of riding.
Day-5: Today’s gentle ascent weaves between a
seldom travelled mountain road and old trails tucked
into the oak and pine forests. We will stop for a
picnic along the trail at our friend Don Rotilio’s
homestead. As we ride highter the trails become
bordered by massive agaves until we reach the
village of Cuajimaloyas known for its wild flowers
and wood-fired ovens. We spend the night in
comfortable cabins with fireplaces. 7 hours of
riding. Tonight we are the dinner guests of our
friends Don Guadalupe and Doña Clemencia in their
traditional two-storey adobe home. We can take our
time and enjoy the evening with Don Guadalupe’s
excellent storytelling.
Day-6: After breakfast the mostly flat road
west from Cuajimaloyas to Rancho Benito Juarez if
perfect for canters and extended trots before we
turn south for today’s descent to the valley floor
and back to our destination of Teotitlan del Valle.
During this entire descent you will be amazed by the
vistas that span over a hundred miles across the
valley and up the southern Sierras. We enter the
valley along an ancient cattle path lined with
volcanic rock. We will have cold drinks and snacks
along the trail but basically ride straight through
to Casa Sagrada where a delicious hot meal awaits. 5
hours of riding. Time in the afternoon to go rug
shopping in the village craft market, have a
massage, or ceremonial native sauna, or go for a
ride in the valley at sunset. Farewell dinner with
live music.
Day-7: Departures/ transfers after hearty
breakfast.
Itinerary subject to change!
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