Five Haciendas Ride

A beautiful ride that takes you through  Mexico's heartland from hacienda to hacienda. Ride over rolling hills into the mountains and to the  spectacular Canyon of Alcazar with its very particular rock formations. Canter across sandy trails and interact with the local cowboys, and participate in their working activities. Of course all this comes with true Mexican hospitality. Overnights are at three different haciendas - ranging from five-and four- star boutique hotels with exquisite spa facilities to a more authentic working hacienda with its unique bar and local Tequila.
This unique riding experience transports you into the past where you will encounter the Mexican culture with its sometimes overwhelming traditions, beautiful architecture and exquisite gastronomy. The traditional cuisine is formed by Mexican dishes prepared with organic vegetables from the “huerta” or brought fresh from the town market so you can  enjoy the finest Mexican meals throughout your stay. Being one of the selected guests of these three haciendas, this will be an experience you will never forget!

IT-MXIR03
Rates include accommodations at three different haciendas, all meals, one holistic massage, 15% taxes, city tour of Lagos de Moreno, 6 riding days with 3 to 6 hrs per day, English speaking professional guide
8 days/  7 nights   $ 1,750  Single +550
Non Rider rate:  $ 1,095
2008 Dates
07/27-08/03    08/10-08/17    08/24-08/31
09/07-09/14    09/21-09/28    10/05-10/12
10/19-10/26    11/02-11/09    11/16-11/23
11/30-12/07    12/14-12/21    12/28-01/04
 -- other weeks are available on request for 2+ riders.Four and six night stays can be arranged
  
Meeting:     Lagos de Moreno
Airport:       Leon/Bajio (BJX),
                    Guadalajarra (GDL)
                or Aguacalientes (AGU)
Transfer:    Included from Leon
                or Aguacalientes
Taxes:        15% taxes are included
Gratuities:  10% - to pay locally
Transfer:    Transfers included from Leon
Horses:       Quarter, Arabian, Mexican
                   Criollo Thoroughbred
Tack:           Mexican Charro, also
                   1 Western & 1 English saddle.
Level:          Intermediate
Pace:        The riding pace will be according to riding level and we will separate riders with different experiences. The flat sandy soil is perfect for nice long canters.

Min/Max:  2-12 riders
Min Age:   14

Horses:  The horses are working horses used by local cowboys to assist in their work. They are well trained and responsive.  
Flights:  Leon is the nearest international airport and there are regularly scheduled flights from Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.

Accommodations:
You will sleep in three haciendas and visit other two.
Hacienda Sepulveda

This 5-star hacienda was built in 1684 and has recently been refurnished to cater to the modern world with eleven spacious suites, you can be part of a colonial version of Mexico with all the commodities of home! Each of the lavishly furnished suites offers an individual decorating style with unique natural scenery. There is nothing better than the pool and SPA after a day in the saddle; holistic massage, steam room, Jacuzzi and sauna.
Traditional Mexican gourmet cuisine is offered at the Mamalena Restaurant.
Hacienda Rafael
Hacienda San Rafael was constructed in the 19th century and is one of the oldest and most unique in the region. It is a place where you can rest, relax and live along with nature in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere. The hacienda has been completely renovated, but at the same time it is still rich with the history of the revolution and the charm of the original structure. Today it offers 6 exclusive suites designed and furnished with a very typical Mexican enchanting atmosphere. Enjoy Mexican living in an antique, colorful and charming hacienda surrounded by one of the most colonial and beautiful cities in the heart of Mexico - Lagos de Moreno. Nature, flowers, piñatas, mariachis, tequila! Where silence and peace will delight your soul. Sorry no pool. Meals are prepared with fresh garden ingredients in the traditional Mexican ways.
Hacienda el Ahito
This is a family house on the estate offering a very personal ambiance. There is a very unique bar that reminds you of "old Western times". Less amenities, but lots of charm.

Itinerary 
Day 1:  We will meet you at the airport in Leon(BJX) and transfer you to the Hacienda San Rafael. After settling in, we will introduce you to the horses. After a careful selection of mounts and tack you can familiarize yourself with your horse on a short 2 hour ride throughout the hacienda fields.  You will be able to see La Presa de las garzas, and some potreros of la Hacienda. After freshening up we meet for a special welcome dinner. Overnight at the hacienda."
Day 2:  In the morning you can, if you wish, join the chef for breakfast and learn how to make tortillas (flat corn bread, the basis of Mexican cuisine). Breakfast will be served at the restaurant of the Hacienda. After a nice breakfast we saddle the horses for our today’s ride to La Sierra de San Cruz. We ride down the mountains crossing several hills and through the woods of Las Sierras - take in the spectacular views over the countryside. Passing El Maguey and Los Ranchos, you will see La Nopalera with lots of Nopales and cacti. After a four hour ride we return to the hacienda and enjoy a well deserved lunch.  The afternoon is free for mountain biking, hiking, fishing or just relax. Dinner and overnight.   
Day 3: Again we enjoy a home cooked Mexican breakfast with local specialties.
Mr. Jorge Serrano, or better known as Pancho, will pick you up at the Hacienda San Rafael, and drive you to the working cattle ranch Hacienda El Ahito). Horses will be ready and waiting for you. We will ride to El Potrero Las Cañadas with its large herd of Cimental cattle. Here we will be riding with the local charros (cowboys). We may help with working cattle, check pastures, count the stock etc.  Later on we sya goodbye to our cowboy friends and ride to El Robozo Ranch. Here you can admire Mr. De Alba’s museum of horse tack. He has collected more than 150 pieces, most of them are antiques. He will tell you all about the history and how the Mexican style was developed. Then it is Tequila time at his bar (try the best of the real Tequila) before joining Mr.de Alba and the charros for lunch.
In the afternoon we ride back to Hacienda el Ahito were you will be able to see the huizachera. Dinner and overnight at the Hacienda el Ahito and maybe we will have the honor to dine with the with the well known Mexican Charro Ernesto "Canonigo" Zermeño.  More Tequila time at the unique Bar of the hacienda, were you will see trophies and memorabilia from the owners.
Today we were in the saddle for about six hours.
Day 4:  After breakfast we will drive to the Hacienda Sepulveda & SPA.  From here we mount our horses and depart for Hacienda La Labor on a 1 ½ hr ride.
At the hacienda we will be invited to a special lunch by the owner Mr. Jesus Vega. After lunch He will show you his saddle collection, show you around the hacienda, where you also may see a demonstration of the unique way of the Mexican roping and the Cala de caballo, performed by a well known Charro.
For larger groups (6+)  you can request a Charreada demonstration (extra cost).
After lunch Mr.Vega will accompany us on a two hour ride across the hacienda
Property. Then we say our farewells to our host and ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda. Passing some of the potreros of Hacienda La Labor, you will see the Swiss registered cattle that have won many trophies. We continue along the Lagos River and through the Olmos forest, one of the tallest trees in the region. We arrive back at the hacienda by mid afternoon. The rest of the day is at your disposal for some more mountain biking, fishing or relax at the swimming pool or in the Jacuzzi.
Dinner tonight is in the Third Patio restaurant.
Day 5: After breakfast we ride to Hacienda San Cayetano, this ride offers a nice view of the local landscape on a six hour ride.We will pass through village of the El Chipinque and leave the Hacienda de Santa Ana to our left. We then ride through a mezquital (lots of mesquites)  and pass the La Presa de Santa Ana Dam on our right hand. Here we encounter some amazing rock formations at the back part of the dam.The trail then takes us to el potrero de Las Palmas with its many palms of the desert. We continue to the canyon of El Cañon de los Alcaza. Here you will notice how the landscape changes, from desert palms, to pines and encinos.
We will ride through the canyon, cross a small creek, and then later on climb a small hill to enjoy a beautiful view. Now we descend to Hacienda San Cayetano, where we will enjoy a lunch prepared by the owners - the Alcazar family. After some rest and socializing we start our ride back. Leaving the hacienda you may see some of the brave bulls that are raised on this hacienda. Passing El Monte Ranch and Mezquite woods we ride along big pasture fields to return to Hacienda Sepulveda – just in time to relax and get ready for our evening SPA treatment (holistic massage). A special traditional Mexican dinner with live music will round off a fantastic day.
Day 7: This morning we will have breakfast in the gardens. Then we get ready for our three hour ride across the 1,000 acre ranch of el Monte.
We ride along river beds, through pastures and corn fields on well maintained trails that allow us to stretch out and let the horses go a bit.  We meet back at the hacienda restaurant for lunch. In the late afternoon our guide will take us on a tour of the colonial town of Lagos de Moreno. Here we visit its beautiful plazas and historical buildings. In the historic downtown area you will have the opportunity to visit the antique store Montecristo and shop at the equestrian Charro store "El Malecon"
Optional:  Charreada (if its available)
We meet back at the hacienda for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast and transfer to the airport in Leon.

Climate:  At an elevation of 5,700 feet this region has a very pleasant and moderate climate with an average temperature of 19 degree Celsius. With warm summers and mild dry winters the vegetation of the area is primarily nopal cactus, savila (aloe vera), agave, maguey, huizache, and mezquite trees.

see Slide Show