Ride from Village to Village on this progressive Mexican Ride.
Come and ride through protected forests and traditional mountain villages. Ever-changing ecosystems and sweeping vistas are the signature of this village to village journey.
Begin the ride from the valley floor at 5,500 feet. We’ll encounter ancient cacti, wild orchids, gigantic agave, pristine pine forests all in single day’s ride. Around every bend awaits another breath-taking view as you ascend to 10,000 feet before nestling into a verdant valley with crystalline streams, fruit orchards y oat fields.
Quiet country back roads are perfect for long canters while the mountains trails make for real horse-trekking. During the five days of riding we’ll visit nine traditional villages, abandoned silver mines and the ruins of several 19th century haciendas - all surrounded by some of the best preserved forests in southern Mexico. We’ll stop to chat with the friendly mountain people of the Sierra Juarez, leaders in ecological conservation and community welfare projects.
The first and last night we’ll stay in a charming hacienda-style lodge in the valley of Oaxaca. The other four nights we’ll spend in two different villages staying in comfortable abode lodging, all with fireplaces and private bathrooms with hot showers. Oaxacan food is always good and the freshly prepared meals feature hot corn tortillas and wood-oven baked breads. Luggage with be separately transported to each new lodging.
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.

2 nights are spent at a 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)

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

HTML clipboard Day 1: Afternoon arrival in Teotitlan from Oaxaca. Get to know your horse and guide with a sunset ride past plantations of agave and ancient cacti. 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 in the neighboring Zapotec village of San Miguel del Valle where the women are known for their colorful native costumes. From 5,500 feet at the valley floor we ascend past corn fields, through transitional oak and madrone into old growth pine. We’ll stop for lunch at this highest point of 10,000 feet where the forests are plentiful with bromeliads and orchids . As we ride northeast over “El Portillo” Pass the outstanding views of the Tlacolula valley give way to glimpses of El Carrizel, today’s destination at 7,500 feet. Comfortable adobe brick cabins, crackling fire and freshly caught mountain trout dinner await us in this friendly village. Six hours of riding.
Day 3: After a cup of fresh brewed coffee and a hot breakfast we ride north and upwards through the communal forests of San Miguel del Valle. Gigantic agaves line the trail that leads to La Neveria dam and the alpine meadows where wild horses are often seen grazing. We’ll have lunch today in Llano Grande, one of the highest villages in the Sierra Juarez. Gardens spilling with huge white agapanthus and brilliant red hot pokers are a signature of the pristine hamlet. We’ll wind our way along the ridge to pick up the quiet road to Las Vigas. Old log cabins and meadows of gentian and lupines make you wonder, “Could this be Mexico?” but the presence of massive agaves and pineapple-shaped bromeliads remind us that we are in one of the world’s richest ecosystems. The distinctive red cupola of a colonial church peeks through the oak leaves, and forest gives way to fruit orchards and farmland as we approach Yavesia. We’ll ride right under that massive stone arch that a hundred years ago belonged to a working hacienda. There’ll be time to relax or explore Yavesia on foot before a short drive to Amatlan, your lodging for the next few days. Traditional grilled dinner with the famous Oaxaca tasajo beef and chorizo sausage. Local storytellers will relate the regions colorful history of silver and gold mining.
Day 4: Following breakfast we take a drive back to Yavesia where the horses are overnighting. We ride out of Yavesia along a country lane that follows a lazy stream through rolling farmland, perfect for a long, relaxed canter. We ride upwards to this day’s first stop in the village of Francisco Madero, a village of flower gardens and fruit orchards. We travel along the ancient trail that leads to La Trinidad, in an area known as El Rincon – the far “corner” of the Sierra Juarez. These villagers are very friendly and our arrival is quite exciting for them so be prepared to say “Hola” to everyone. We’ll stop for lunch and to water the horses. From this eastern vantage soak up the views of Amatlan on the other side of the deep Rio Yavesia valley. We follow a gentle trail through groomed oak forests to our next stop in San Andres Yatuni where uniquely constructed adobe homes distinguish this village. We meander our way down to the river where we pick up the pace in the direction of Yavesia. Relax over cool drinks in Tia Juliana’s charming flower garden or amble along the banks of the stream lined with wild watercress and nasturtiums.
A short drive back to our cabins for hot showers and home cooking. Locals musicians will come to entertain us under the stars. This is a full day with six hours of riding.
Day 5: Following breakfast we return to Yavesia to begin our ride along the west bank of the Rio Yavesia. Our first destination is a visit to the ruins of the hacienda of Cinco Señores, known for its impressive stone aqueduct. A steady ascent moving at all paces leads up to a trail that is in reality marks the boundary between villages. In the middle of nowhere we’ll come upon the ruins of the church of San Antonio as we descend once again to the river. This was silver mining country right into the early 20th century and we’ll pass numerous caves and abandoned entrances to the mines.
The horses will be ready for a drink when we arrive at the secluded banks of the Rio Yavesia. After crossing the river it is all ascent, great for a fast gallop. Feast on the endless views as we approach our lunch stop in the colonial village of Lachetao. Fieldstone walls and cobbled lanes signal our arrival at our friend Magdalena’s tiny café. Right across from the café the horses will graze in the courtyard of the ancient church – worth peeking into!
After lunch we wind our way up through the village to the rolling country lanes that stay to the west of the Rio Yavesia. Return to the cabins in Amatlan, dinner and star-gazing.
Day 6: Today the horses will meet us at our cabins and we’ll begin a gentle ascent that weaves between a seldom travelled mountain road and old trails tucked into the oak and pine forests. We’ll pass by old homesteads and ancient aqueducts. The shady Tarajea’s trail ascends through oak forest’s dripping with silver moss before giving way to massive agaves and pines as we near 10,000. feet. Our final riding destination is Cuajimaloyas where we’ll arrive at the home of friendly village folks for a hot lunch in their traditional adobe home and tour their medicinal herb garden. Transport will be waiting with your luggage to take you back to Teotitlan in the valley of Tlacolula. Perhaps you’d like a massage before dinner?
Day 7: Departures/ transfers after hearty breakfast.

Other Info
Meeting: Oavaca
Airport: Oaxaca
Transfer: Oaxaca airport

Climate: The high elevation of 5,500 ft of this trip allows riding excursions even during the hot summer months.

The average temperature in Oaxaca - except for the coast - is 18° C. There are several types of climates in the state. The valley of Oaxaca is temperate. In the mountainous areas, with altitudes above two thousand meters, the weather can be cold.

Any rainfall in Oaxaca tends to come from afternoon showers, with the day starting out sunny, clouding up, raining and then clearing again.

Sierra Juarez Ride

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