Oaxaca Getaway Ride

Discover Oaxaca's magical countryside on horseback. Mount our team of experienced horses and ride along ancient paths with exotic vistas in one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Venture into a timeless way of life as we begin our ride along the cobblestone streets of Teotitlan that lead to the foothills and into the backcountry. Spend some afternoons touring the Oaxaca valley, or enjoy a massage, sauna, cooking class or just relax in the hammock.
The state of Oaxaca is located in the south of Mexico and straddles the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Broad valleys and majestic peaks characterize this geographically challenging state and Oaxaca's microclimates are unique among the world's ecosystems.
Oaxaca is culturally fascinating as well with many diverse native ethnic groups and rich craft traditions. The city of Oaxaca has been declared a Cultural Patrimony of the World by UNESCO and the Zapotec village of Teotitlan, where this ride is based, is world famous for its hand-loomed rug weaving.
You’ll stay at a hacienda-style country home and at an elevation of 5,500 ft. both riding and sleeping are comfortable year round - even during the summer months. Next to individually catered daily rides you can enjoy cooking classes, bird watching, local fiestas and excursions to archeological sites and/or into the Sierra Juarez Mountains. Take some yoga classes especially designed for riders or experience a ceremonial native sauna known as temascal.
Endurance Rider’s Welcome!
The hacienda’s guides & horses regularly compete in endurance competitions, - taking two Best Condition Horse awards and one 1^st place in 2007 in the Mexican National Endurance Circuit, 40-mile category.

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Rates are ‘all inclusive’ all meals, 6 nights accommodation, beer or wine with meals, sunset cocktails,1 yoga class or massage, 5 days of riding.
7 days/ 6 nights   $ 1,650   Single + 0
2008 Dates:
01/27-02/02    02/17-02/23    03/23-03/29
04/20-04/26    05/11-05/17    06/08-06/14
07/27-08/02    08/24-08/30    09/21-09/27
10/19-10/25    11/08-11/14    12/14-12/20
... additional dates for 2 or more riders are available upon request
Small group supplement if only 1 rider $250

Airport: Oaxaca airport
- Mexicana, Aeromexico & Continental airlines all provide daily flights to Oaxaca. Same-day connections between Oaxaca and other US/Canadian cities are available flights through Mexico City.
Transfer: Included
Level:    Low intermediate  (special rides for beginners can be arranged with different guide)
Tack:   Mexican Vaquero, Australian or English saddles. Helmets are available.
Horses:  Quarter and Criollos mix
Min/Max: 2- 6 riders
Min Age: 12
Pace:  All paces
Note: not included are special courses such as 'Creative Writing', 'Fiestas, Food & Culture', 'Power Yoga'
 
Lodgings:
With only twelve guest rooms and a home-style atmosphere, the hacienda is the perfect place to retreat from your busy life. The hacienda’s design, by artist/owner Arnulfo Mendoza, creates a warm sophistication with adobe walls and rustic pine beams. Mary Jane decorated it with hand-loomed textiles, original art and Mexican antiques from their personal collection.  Immerse yourself in a traditional Zapotec village surrounded by ancient culture and stunning panoramic views.

Itinerary
Day 1:  Afternoon pick up from the airport in Oaxaca and transfer to the hacienda. Settle into your room. Have a cool drink on the terrace and soak in the vistas of Teotitlan & its spectacular countryside that are yours for the next week. Meet your guides and horses before dinner. Every evening enjoy a cocktail before our dinners that feature fresh regional Oaxacan cuisine. Our local specialties are savory but never fiery although there is always a fresh salsa on the table for those who like it hot.
Day 2:  Hearty breakfast of fresh tropical fruit, yogurt, homemade granola, Oaxaca estate coffee or our famous hot chocolate along with a different hot & savory breakfast offered daily.
Meet at the stables just below the guesthouse where we match each guest to their horse. Today we head east to the Cuevita, a sacred ceremonial site to the native people of Teotitlan. These trails are lined with exotic vegetation and a gentle ascent offers excellent views of the southern Sierra Madre Mountains.
Passing ancient terraced hillsides we go over a saddlepass gateway to the foothills of the Sierra Juarez. Depending on the pace, the ride around the dam offers good opportunities for extended trots and relaxed gallops. We loop around the foothills returning to the casa for a freshly prepared lunch and time for a siesta. 
The afternoon’s ride skirts the western slope through dramatic volcanic rock groomed with ancient candelabra cacti. Farther along we enter the classic farmland of the valley - alfalfa fields, plow oxen and open spaces for grazing.
Day 3:  Hearty breakfast. We head out at 9 a.m. on our newly improved itinerary that includes this ride to the famous mezcal-making village of Matatlan. Today we wind through the valley on excellent footing that allows for some long, relaxed gallops.  We pass through the quiet craft village of Santa Ana del Valle. After passing through a stand of old-growth cacti we enter an area of fascinating rock escarpments dappled with pre-historic caves dwellings and home to dozens of Cara Cara falcons. As we near our destination the flat valley turns to rolling hills covered in blue agave plantations. Lunch awaits us in Matatlan where you will learn how mezcal is made and of course taste the fine artisan varieties produced at the home of our friend Renaldo Gutierrez.  Our horses overnight in Matatlan but we take a short drive back to the casa. 
Optional afternoon excursion: Explore other sites in the valley of Tlacolula. This is a good afternoon to visit the ancient archeological site of Mitla, famous for its intricate carved stone façades. We leave plenty of time of explore this town’s extensive craft market. Visit the 2,000 year old Tule tree – the widest tree on earth! Stop to see the early colonial church in Tlacochahuaya, decorated in a delightful native Mexican style.  Cost per person $100. - 2 persons / $ 70. 3- 6 persons. Includes English speaking guide, transport and admissions. 4-5 hours.  
Sunset cocktails before dinner.
Day 4:   Hearty breakfast. We depart at 8:30 a.m for the short drive back to Matatlan. Today our return ride covers a completely different route, one that traces the slopes of the southern Sierras, quiet farmlands criss-crossed with soft lanes traversed by plow oxen and pack donkeys. As the trail turns north, fabulous vistas of the majestic Sierra Juarez mountains emerge. In the village of San Juan Guelavia we’ll stop for a snack and offer water to the horses. We pick-up the remains of the ancient Camino Nacional – still lined with paving stones dating to the 19^th century before galloping along one of the valley’s notable boundary trails. Ancient volcanic formations mark our re-entry into the territory belonging to Teotitlan. Cool drinks and another of Reyna’s delicious fresh lunches await us at the casa. After today’s brisk ride we suggest a relaxing afternoon.
Sunset cocktails before dinner.
Day 5:   Hearty breakfast. We head out at 9 am. Today’s ride explores the Eastern foothills that lead us toward the neighboring village of Santa Ana del Valle. We will cross streams, follow narrow goat paths and see how strong our horses are as they transport us to the spine of the pass where the southern Tlacolula valley emerges below. We follow an age-old herder’s trail along the foothills before moving into ever more remote back-country. This trail, ideal for a long gallop, leads us to a spring–fed oasis and natural bird sanctuary. We traverse wide-open rolling hills, the hunting grounds of eagles and ravens. The earthen path that divides the lands belonging to Teotitlan and Santa Ana is a perfect place to pick up the pace before turning north on the ancient road to Tlacolula. Our final homestretch winds through old-growth cactus forests. We will approach the Casa along one of Teotitlan’s quiet cobbled streets passing a recently discovered archeological site. Lunch is served on the terrace.
Optional afternoon Excursion into the Sierra Juarez mountains. Few visitors to Oaxaca ever explore these high mountains at 10,000 feet. We ascend through the virgin forests of Teotitlan to the tiny hamlet of Benito Juarez, famous for its alpine flower gardens. Here gigantic agave rub elbow with massive pine in one of the world’s rare eco-systems. A hike to the lookout offers endless views – map your rides so far! After a short drive past wildflower meadows (and depending on the season -rare orchids) we arrive in Cuajimolyas to visit our friends Guadalupe & Clemencia and see their traditional mountain home, medicinal herb garden & vintage kitchen. Hot chocolate warms us before we head back to the casa.
Cost per person $100. for 2 persons / $70. for 3-6 persons. Includes English speaking guide, transport and admissions. 4-5 hours.
Optional afternoon activity: There is still time for a massage or native ceremonial sauna before dinner – no additional charge.
Day 6: Today’s ride is completely new, a route Mary Jane recently created as part of her endurance training circuit. We ride south across the Tlacolula valley over a gentle pass to drop down into the neighboring valley of Ocotlan – approx. 25 miles. We begin the ride jogging along the outskirts of Teotitlan to pick-up the pace as we head south into the fertile farmlands of the valley. We’ll cross an ancient pass lined with exotic native flora and set our sights on the dry ( usually ) sandy riverbed of the Rio Salado framed on either side with wild cane. The vegetation changes every few miles and no two villages look quite alike. The ride draws to an end as we enter the village of Santo Tomas Jalietza, famous for its back-strap weaving. Our friend Enedino Mendoza will be waiting for us at his ranch where we’ll feast on traditional dishes prepared by his family. After lunch his daughter Abigail will demonstrate her traditional craftwork. Transport waits to take you back to the casa for sunset cocktails and a farewell barbeque. .
Day 7  Hearty breakfast. Transfers to airport or hotel in Oaxaca if you are extending your stay to the city of Oaxaca, a UNESCO declared world heritage site where great shopping and beautiful colonial architecture awaits you.

NOTE: The above itinerary is designed for extended trots and long, relaxed gallops with some walking. The routes will be modified for slower paced rides.

  see slide show

Come on our Perfect Summer Riding Vacation. 
No mosquitoes and low humidity – what more can you ask for.
Our rainy season has come early this year and Oaxaca is already green and dazzling to the eye.  The brief but intense early evening showers have cooled down the temperatures making for comfortable riding even at midday.