Mexico - Hacienda to Hacienda Trail

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from FT of Preston on 04/06/2021

Please be aware this is a sample itinerary and subject to change, for example sometimes you may start at  Ranch of la Puerta del Coche and complete the ride in a different order.

Day 1
Arrive at the airport and transfer to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan; this Hacienda has belonged to the Gomez Portugal Family for more than 400 years, and riders can expect a warm welcome. Lunch at the hacienda and relaxing afternoon and evening. The group can relax or enjoy the hacienda's trail by the river which is perfect for bird watching. Dinner around a bonfire and star watching.

Day 2
After breakfast, saddle the horses for today’s ride, approx 3.5 hrs. to the 1200 hectare Sabindas Ranch. Ride along the trails and paths for approx 3 hours, visiting the Sabindas Dam and enjoying view of the oaks and rocky formations. This semi-arid property has lots of Cactus, Nopales, Garanbuyos and Desert Palms. Lunch at the Ranch with the hosts, other riders and cowboys. Make your own tacos and try the excellent salsa, a cold beer, and off course, a good Tequila. Finish off with music performed by the guides. In the afternoon ride back to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan in time for a stunning sunset on horseback. Arrive at the Hacienda just after dark for dinner and share stories of the day.

Day 3
Breakfast at the Hacienda Tlalixcoyan before saddling the horses head out next to the irrigation canal of the Cuarenta dam. There are opportunities to gallop today, riding along the muleteer trails through the alfalfa and corn fields. After a 2hr ride, arrive at the village of San Miguel del Cuarenta and continue along a wooded path next to Lagos river to reach La Soledad Casa Rural for lunch. Ride a further 2.5 hrs towards Hacienda La Puerta del Coche for the night in spacious and comfortable rooms. Riders can enjoy the thermal swimming pool before dinner in the restaurant.

Day 4
After breakfast, meet the horses for the day's ride on the Ranch of la Puerta del Coche to help the cowboys in their daily work. This could include cattle drives and herding, and sometimes branding and vaccinating the cattle.  During the day, visit the 2 dams of the property on a very special ride with the cowboys. Lunch at the hacienda and the opportunity to hike on the trails, mountain bike or just relax in the pool. Dinner in the restaurant and overnight at the hacienda.

Day 5
After breakfast ride to Hacienda Santa Rita. Pass the large dairy stables dairy stables and head towards Hacienda San Nicolas along an old trail to visit this timeless Hacienda - complete with its own private Bullring! Take a break before continuing the ride, passing by the village of Primero de Mayo and crossing the Lagos river. Follow the trail to arrive at the spectacular Hacienda La Estancia, one of the largest in the region. Enjoy a warm welcome from the hosts before having lunch in the antique furnished dining room. After lunch, relax by the swimming pool or the hacienda gardens. A light dinner is be served in the dining room around 8:30 pm. Overnight at Hacienda La Estancia.

Day 6
Breakfast at the Hacienda before heading to the horse stables. Ride past the reservoir and enjoy some lovely canters before following the ancient 'silver road', 'The Camino Real'. Some parts of the old road have a wall of adobe along both sides and riders will see the old brick bridges. Continue past a deserted hacienda “Cieneguilla” a beautiful opportunity for photos, before passing the nearby Hacienda La Labor de Padilla to follow a trail beside the Lagos River.   After approx. 3.5 hrs, arrive to the Hotel Hacienda Sepulveda & Spa, one of the best Hacienda Hotels in the region.  Dinner in the Mamalena Restaurant with a good range of dishes to choose from. Overnight in a suite in Sepulveda.

Day 7
Relax over an a la carte breakfast in the Hacienda garden before meeting the horses to ride to the Hacienda San Cayetano. Approx. 1.5 hrs along a rural road, continue to The Canyon of the Alcazar.  Today is a cross-country ride with lots of adventures, ascending and then descending the hills through the Canyon.  Arrive at the Ranch after a 3.5hr ride. The hosts welcome riders with a courtesy drink and snacks. Pita will explain Equinotherapy, something she has been doing for the last 20 years, while Juan will demonstrate handling the horses with the charra rein. Spend a lovely afternoon with this friendly family and enjoying the atmosphere of this hacienda. Get back to the horses and after a short ride (approx. 1.5hrs) arrive to the Hotel Hacienda Sepulveda.  Tonight enjoy hotel facilities, Swimming pool, hot tub, the bar, or a relaxing massage in the Spa before dinner in the restaurant. 

Day 8 
Enjoy breakfast before setting off from Sepulveda towards The Equestrian Centre where Eugenio Macias, a very well know horse trainer and horse whisper will demonstrate the art of Natural Horsemanship. Learn about natural horsemanship, and ride in the arena. Try team penning with the cattle, learn how to rope, and practice riding skills in the arena and the Mexican style of riding. Have a 'Ranchero meal' (Cowboy lunch), a cold beer or Tequila, music, and meet other riders and horse people before heading back to Hacienda Sepulveda. In the afternoon, drive to the Unesco World heritage city of Lagos de Moreno, a beautiful colonial town. After a short tour in the downtown area, drive back to the Hacienda Sepulveda to enjoy one final dinner together.

Day 9
Breakfast in the Restaurant Mamalena and morning at the Hacienda, before transferring to the Airport. 

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 horses used on this trail are mainly Quarter horses and Mexican Criollo, they are fit, responsive and willing ranging from 15hh - 16.2hh. The tack utilised on trail is mainly Mexican although there are 2 Western and 2 English saddles available too upon request. Mexican Charro saddles differ slightly from Western as they have wider horns at the front and 2 grips at the back which were traditional used to help the Charro riders hold on during Charreadas (rodeos). The rides tend to start at 10am with a break for lunch after around 3 or 4 hours. In the afternoon there is then 2 or 3 hours of riding. There is 1 guide to 5 riders. 

This trail is suited to intermediate riders who are happy and secure in walk, trot and canter. Experience over rough terrain is also beneficial, as is controlling a horse in open spaces. Riders should be fit and ready for the 4-6 hours of riding per day. Riders are not required to groom and tack-up their horse and help with feeding etc but can do so if they wish. Not suitable for non-riders. Minimum rider age 14 years. Maximum rider weight 130kg.

The weight limit for this ride is 264 lb/120 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The hotels and B&B's used have been chosen for their charm and quintessential Mexican atmosphere, from the colonial style architecture to the warm hospitality and excellent food. On several nights riders will be hosted by the owners of the hacienda's, giving a real insight into true Mexico and making them feel part of the family. Bedrooms throughout the trail have twin or double beds with private bathrooms. Other facilities include sitting rooms and verandahs and there are swimming pools on some nights.

Breakfast is a big occasion in Mexico and guests are invited to help prepare their own breakfasts if they like, such as 'Chilaquiles' which are tortilla chips with tomato sauce, cheese and sour cream or 'Molletas' which is bread with beans, ham and cheese. You will also find eggs cooked to your liking, bacon, cake and a selection of juices such as orange, lime, watermelon, carrot, pear, papaya and pineapple.

Lunches may be a saddlebag picnic depending on your chosen activity and there is often a BBQ lunch or dinner with a variety of grilled meats as well as fresh salads and vegetables. Drinks during meals can be put onto a tab and paid at the end of the day or holiday.

Meal timings are roughly based on the following: Breakfast; 7:30 to 9:30am, lunch 2:30 to 4:30pm and dinner, 8:00 to 10:00pm.

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

This ride boasts year-round good weather with an average of around 22 celsius in the daytime. January and December can be chilly in the early mornings and evenings. The rainy season is July to September with the rain mostly coming at night and it can be humid at this time of year.

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.

There are no specific health requirements in the area of the ride although do remember sun block!

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).

Camera's can be charged overnight with suitable adaptors (US style). There is mobile phone reception at Hacienda Supluveda but there are parts of the trail where there is none. There is free internet access at Hacienda Supulveda. If using a GoPo please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

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
Sleeping bag (Comfort Zone -10°c to 10°c )
Sweater
Warm jacket
Torch
Recommended Currency: Dollars, U.S Dollars or Euros

9d / 8n programme with 7 riding days. Available year-round, dates on request for 2 or more.

2025 TBC

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.

Other activities arranged on some of the hacienda's: fishing, bird watching, hiking, games, painting and pottery. There is always something else to take part in in addition to the riding!

Wildlife which may be spotted during the trail: deer, coyote, wild cats, raccoon and armadillo. Local flora includes, amongst others: cacti, nopal, organo, bisnaga, mezquite, pirul, encinos, robles, pine and oaks.

Horses are a big industry in the area of Lagos de Moreno; it is known as being the capital of the Quarter Horse in Mexico and is a very important region with around 700 horses in training. The Charreada, a competition similar to that of a rodeo and Mexico's national sport first began in Lagos and it is said that the first Vaqueros (cowboys) who travelled to California were from Lagos.

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.