Mexico - Ajusco National Park Ride

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Day 1
Arrival: Riders are met at the Mexico City airport for the transfer to the ranch. After settling in, take a tour around the ranch and get to meet the horses. Toast the ride ahead with a margarita before a buffet-style welcome dinner! The buffets have daily changing menus and feature local specialties accompanied with quality wines and local beer at lunch and dinner.

Day 2
Ajusco Surroundings: Start the morning with a hearty breakfast before the allocating of the perfect horse to each rider. Set off on a short 2-3hr ride with a route that climbs a hill where there are normally hundreds of goats grazing on the lush grass. For gourmets, on return to the ranch there is a chance to learn some traditional dishes with a culinary master class. After lunch, saddle up to ride to a nearby volcano with views all the way to Mexico City; a perfect sunset spot. As an option, guests have the opportunity to kick up some dust in a four-seat Polaris RZR, riding side-by-side while crossing the mountainous terrain. Whichever choice, riders can immerse themselves in the scenic views of diverse vegetation and mountainous peaks. Return to the farm for dinner. (4-5hr riding)

Day 3
El Capulin Hidden Villages and Wild Horses: With two shorter rides completed, today is a half-day, 5-hour-trail to the hidden village of Capulín, where riders can try the locally prepared beverage “Conejo”, or maybe just an ice-cold “cerveza”. This beautiful village has only 300 inhabitants, with the nearest city a 2-hour drive away. Keep an eye open for herds of wild horses while en route. On returning to the farm, unwind in the Jacuzzi and steam room to ease the muscles. Dinner and overnight at the ranch. (5hr riding)

Day 4
Mountain Riding to Cerro Pelado “Bare Hill” Volcano: After breakfast the riders head out to the huge inactive volcano that can be seen from the farm on a 4-5 hour route. Climb to the top of the volcano for spectacular views and a great photo opportunity. Return to the ranch for lunch. The afternoon is free and there is the option of visiting downtown Ajusco for some western gear shopping and sight-seeing. (4-5hr riding)

Day 5
Departure: For riders who have an early departing flight to catch, enjoy breakfast before being transferred to the airport by one of the drivers. For flights departing later, there is a chance to do a short trail near the ranch, with lunch / dinner provided, depending on times before the airport transfer (chargeable)

The ranch has a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room. There is also a pool table, juke box, bar as well s squash, basketball, volleyball and football courts

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The ranch is well-known for having many breeds, some are suitable for long hours of riding. The Friesian horses (for which the ranch is famous) can only be used in the paddock and on short rides; but for longer rides there of choice of well-schooled horses that are perfect for riding, including Quarter Horses, Friesian, Percheron-Quarter cross, Canadian Warmblood, Tennessee-Arabian mix, Pure Spanish and Gypsy horses ranging from 14hh to 15.3hh (140-160cm).

The warmblood, quarters and criollos are more suitable for long trails in the mountainous areas surrounding the ranch. Usually when out on a ride, the guides mostly walk because the terrain is varied from climbs and descents, to open fields. There are no strict rules at this ranch, riders don't have to stay behind the guides, or in a formal order. 

Strong, fit riders who are comfortable at all gaits and riding on varied terrain in a group. Up to 5hrs riding per day.
Minimum rider age 15 yrs. Maximum rider weight limit 95kg.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

This authentic ranch was built more than 50 years ago as a weekend getaway for its owners, complete with rustic furniture and local architecture. The rooms and suites have all been recently remodelled while keeping an authentic Mexican atmosphere. There are 3 kinds of rooms at the ranch, two classic rooms (included in standard rate) that have their own private bathroom with complimentary amenities, bathrobe, safety-deposit boxes, sitting area with a co-joined balcony with a view to the stables. Alternatively guests can book into a suite that has a private patio with a sitting area, extra closet space and a bigger inside-sitting area. Finally, the upstairs master suite has its own balcony with a great view at sunrise towards Mexico City, and it is possible to have breakfast or dinner on the terrace. This suite can accommodate 4 people and it has two bathrooms, a spacious closet and a private jacuzzi.

Amenities in all rooms include bathrobes, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sewing kits, shoe polish kits, individual soaps, safe etc. There is WiFi available in every room. There is no air-conditioning in the bedrooms as it is seldom needed at this altitude, but each room has its own heater. The ranch has extensive facilities such as a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, two open bars and a pool table. There are also squash, basketball, volleyball and football courts.

All the meals are served buffet-style and the ranch can cater for various dietary requirements with advance notice. The menu is changed often so there won’t be any repeated dishes during the trip. Quality white and red wines are always available at lunch and dinner time. Complimentary Mexican beer is available at all times and there is always fresh drinking water for guests in the rooms and common use areas.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. If Visa’s are required the requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate on request.

General information: At the time of going to print visas are not required for UK passport holders, check www.fco.gov.uk or call on 0207 008 0232/0233 for up to date travel advice.

In Mexico City the UK high commission is at Rio Lerma 71, Col Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico City, Rio Lerma 71,Col Cuauhtémoc ,06500 México City. Tel: (52) (55) 5242 8500 Fax: (52) (55) 5242 8517.

The Mexican Embassy in the U.K is at 16 St George Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1LX. Tel: 020 7499 8586 Fax: 020 7495 4035 Email: mexuk@easynet.co.uk.

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

The ranch enjoys a sunny and warm climate all year. However June, July and August are much wetter due to the rainy season. Winter is mostly dry and temperate and the climate is suitable for riding all year round. Mexico City has a temperate humid climate and the average annual temperature is 16 degrees Celsius (60F). The highest temperature usually occurs from March to May from 25 Celsius (77F) and the lowest temperature at night in January (5°C, 41°F). Summer is the rainiest season in Mexico City.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Health authorities have classified Mexico as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

On arrival in Mexico City and other high altitude areas, you may feel a lack of energy, shortness of breath or headaches.

Drink only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Mexico and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

In Mexico the supply voltage is 127V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 127V).

Phone coverage - the ranch has excellent mobile phone coverage and fast Wifi connection in all rooms. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

We recommend bringing some layers of warm, comfortable clothes. The average temperature in the daytime is around 21°C but during the night the temperature can drop to 5°C. The varied terrain also means the temperature is very variable on the rides.
Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone
Plug adaptor (Mexico uses a 2-pin plug)
Lightweight long sleeved shirts – light colours are best
Insect repellent/sun screen

Provided by hosts
- Riding hat
- Each room is equipped with bathrobes, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sewing kits, shoe polish kits, and individual soaps.

5 day / 4 night / 3 riding days (+1 if late departing flights allow a short ride)

2025: Available on request throughout the year
Peak Season: 13 - 20 Apr; 20 Dec - 4 Jan 26

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Sons of the Shaking Earth - Eric Wolf. A wonderfully readable introduction to Mexican history.

The Maya (Ancient Peoples and Places) - Michael D Coe

Aztecs: An Interpretation - Inga Clendinnen. A fascinating, thought-provoking and vividly dramatic look into the heart of Aztec society.

Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans - Alan Riding, is an excellent guide to understanding modern Mexico and its love-hate relationship with the United States.

So Far So God: A Journey to Central America - Patrick Marnham. A vivid account of a trip from California, through Mexico to the badlands of Central America. The title comes from the saying 'Poor Mexico! So far from God, so close to the United States.' 

Like Water For Chocolate - Laura Esquivel. This book created a huge interest in things Mexican when it was published in 1989. Set in rural Mexico at the time of the revolution, the novel manages to combine fantasy with recipes. 

All the Pretty Horses - Cormac McCarthy. A poetic tale of three young latter-day cowboys riding south of the border.

European novelists have long been attracted by Mexico. Graham Greene's 1930s travelogue The Lawless Roads and his great novel The Power and the Glory; Aldous Huxley's Beyond the Mexique Bay and DH Lawrence's burdensome The Plumed Serpent, which is intent on asking all the big questions about Mexican life.

The Mango Orchard: The extraordinary true story of a family lost and found   A young Englishman who travelled in Columbia, Guatemala and Mexico, in part to trace the fascinating story of his great grandfather's adventures in Central America a century ago. There is a great twist at the end, which we won't spoil.

Of course a mandatory copy of Lonely Plant Guide is invaluable.

Squash, basketball, volleyball and football courts

Much of the riding takes place within the Ajusco National Park. The park's fauna consists of many mammals such as bats, shrews, opossum, volcano rabbit, squirrel, least weasel, skunk, coyote, and bobcat. There are three common snake species in the park: milk snake, rattlesnake, and plain-bellied water snake. The main bird species observed in the park are: house sparrow, barn swallow, lark, chalk-browed mockingbird, woodpecker, blue jay, black vulture and even golden eagle.

The ranch is located in the beautiful countryside of Ajusco, a small town near Mexico City. It is situated between many inactive volcanoes and is approximately 2700m above sea level. The surrounding mountains offer stunning views, where all of the Valley of Mexico can be seen, including the city and its skyscrapers, Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl and Nevado de Toluca volcanoes, and parts of the Valley of Cuernavaca can all be admired.

Mexico is a vast country. The Sierra Madre and Rocky Mountains run south from the border with the US. The interior consists of an elevated plateau.

Northern Mexico is dry and desert-like, while the south is mountainous jungle containing the ruins of ancient Mayan and Aztec city complexes.

These indigenous civilizations are credited with many inventions including: building pyramid-temples, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, highly-accurate calendars, fine arts, intensive agriculture, engineering, an abacus calculation, a complex theology, and the wheel. Without any draft animals the wheel was used only as a toy. The only metals they apparently knew how to use were native copper and gold.

The people of Mexico today are a mixture of descendants from Spanish and other immigrants, mainly Europeans, who settled in Mexico from the sixteenth century onwards, and mestizos - mixed European and indigenous ancestry, as well as the many indigenous groups. It is a nation where affluence, poverty, natural splendour and urban blight rub shoulders.

Mexico is also one of the worlds most bio-diverse countries with an incredible and colourful array of fauna and flora.

Mexico is six to eight hours behind GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code is +52.