Mexico - Route of the Sierras

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Day 1
Riders will be collected by 10:00 am from the Holiday Inn hotel in Santa Fe in Mexico City (a 45 minute drive from the airport), for the one hour drive to the ranch. The ride begins with a serene hour-long ride through sprawling fields of oat crops. From there, the path narrows and follows the gentle murmur of a stream weaving through the forest. Riders will arrive at the cabin to enjoy a delightful meal of traditional Mexican cuisine. The route then continues through a stunning fir tree forest, passing by a spring and trout farm before reaching the breathtaking "Bello Cienega Alta" valley, located 3,000 meters above sea level. The return takes riders down "La Piedra el Rincón," a scenic path offering exceptional photo opportunities. The day's adventure concludes with a ride back to the starting point at the ranch. (4 hours riding)

Day 2
The second day promises a thrilling adventure immersed in nature. The ride begins along a forested trail leading up to "San Pablo" hill, where the dense vegetation provides a serene atmosphere. Riders will ascend to the awe-inspiring "Cigueñal" Valley, a place of unparalleled beauty and tranquility, where a picnic lunch will be served. The journey continues with a challenging climb along a winding road, offering a rewarding descent through a ravine rich with trees and shrubs. The day's route ends at the scenic "Espejo La Ermita" plain before heading back to the ranch for a well-deserved rest. (6 hours riding)

Day 3
The third day is a sensory feast, showcasing even more breathtaking landscapes. A short car ride takes participants to the "Las Navajas" plain, situated 3,470 meters above sea level. Surrounded by towering ocote trees, the ride passes by "La Paloma" ranch and follows a trail to the vast "El Paso del Oso" valley. Riders will cross the "Las Navajas" valley and journey through lush forests to the serene "Doña Gregoria" plain. The highlight of the day is a stop at the picturesque "Los Ajolotes" dam, where lunch will be enjoyed. The return journey winds through streams, dams, and scenic trails, culminating at the "Iturbide" dam junction before heading back to the ranch. (6 hours riding)

Day 4
The fourth day features a visit to the largest dam in the "Cumbres de Sierra Nevada" National Park. Riders will explore the vast and magnificent landscapes of this region, with opportunities for galloping through the "La Ermita" valley. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at "El Puerto," followed by a return journey through ravines, streams, and tranquil forests, concluding another unforgettable day at the starting point. (6 hours riding)

Day 5
The final day offers a majestic ride filled with dramatic landscapes, including cliffs and ravines within the forest. Riders will traverse the "El Conejo" and "La Joya" valleys, marveling at their breathtaking views. A visit to "Los Miradores" provides a chance to capture stunning photographs. The adventure wraps up with a return to Las Margaritas, where a farewell lunch marks the end of an extraordinary journey. Transfer back to the Holiday Inn hotel in Santa Fe in Mexico City for return flights. (4 hours riding)

Read Shawn Hamilton's account of this ride in her insightful blog, Mexican Hospitality on the Route of the Sierras
Join Shawn Hamilton on an escorted ride departing the 24th November 2025

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 has over twenty well-trained, sure-footed quarter horses that expertly navigate the local trails. Guided by skilled local horsemen, riders will traverse safe yet challenging trails through lush forests, high mountains, enchanting valleys, creeks, and deep ravines. The guides, who were born and raised in San Miguel Tecpán, are friendly, customer-focused professionals who have worked at the ranch for years. In addition to being highly skilled horsemen, they are certified in first aid by the Mexican Red Cross, ensuring your safety throughout the adventure. Bilingual staff members are always on hand to assist as well.

Each day includes a breathtaking 5-6 hour ride through the heart of the Mexican countryside, offering a truly intimate experience with groups limited to no more than eight riders. To fully enjoy the trails, participants should have intermediate to advanced riding skills. Riders will use Mexican Charro or Western-style saddles, though English and Aussie saddles are also available. All tack is meticulously maintained, and the ranch features two training rings and more than thirty stables.

Strong intermediate to advanced riders able to control their horse at all paces. Riding up to 6hrs per day. Minimum rider age 18 years. Maximum rider weight 100Kg

The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation in a hacienda with modern facilities such as a large dining room, living room, outside grill. There are four bedrooms with two beds and three bathrooms. Wifi is available.  All meals are included for lunch on arrival to lunch on departure.

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

San Miguel Tecpán, Mexico, has a mild subtropical highland climate. Temperatures range from 11°C to 16°C (51°F to 62°F) year-round, with occasional highs of 28°C (84°F) and lows near 0°C (32°F). The rainy season peaks in August, while December is the driest month. Humidity varies, with April being the least humid and September the most. Sunshine is abundant, averaging 3,460 hours annually.

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).

Wifi is available at the ranch. If using a GoPro 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
Cooler seasons:
Layers are best
Waterproof coat, gloves & trousers
(Seat savers will soak up water in wet weather so bear that in mind)
Warmer seasons:
Lightweight long sleeved shirts – light colours are best
Insect repellent/sun screen
RIDE SPECIFIC
wide brim hat
It can get chilly in winter time, bring sweater or fleece jacket and a good wind breaker.

5 days, 4 nights, 5 riding days with set Monday departures on a between October to June

2025: Monday departures Oct to Jun
2025: Escorted 24 Nov

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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.

San Miguel Tecpán, Mexico, is home to diverse wildlife, including jaguars, coyotes, raccoons, and wild cats. The region also hosts rare amphibians like Schultze’s Stream Frog and a variety of birds, such as the Violaceous Trogon. Its forests—oak, pine, and mesophilic—support rich biodiversity, with conservation efforts in place to protect these species.

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.