Packages and Options

Rates Note:

Arrival after 3 PM. Departure by noon.

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!

 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)

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

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months after date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart .
Passport Note
(a) Applicants for Blue Tourist Cards should have a valid passport, return/onward ticket and proof of financial means. (b) Tourist Cards must be kept by the visitor during the entire length of stay as they will have to be presented and stamped on leaving.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above, who can obtain a Blue Tourist Card for touristic purposes from their airline on direct flights, at port of entry, or from the Mexican Consulate before travelling, for 180 days, except nationals of Australia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who can stay for up to 90 days.
Visa Note
(a) Nationals seeking to visit Mexico on business are advised to check with the consulate regarding visa requirements as they may need to apply for a Non Immigrant Business Visitor carnet (FM3). (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements