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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX. |
| South America | Mexico | ||
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General Description
These rides take place in the Valle de Bravo, in the heart of Mexico’s Sierra de Madre, a few hours drive from Mexico City. They start from ‘Finca Enyhe’ a lovely, colonial style hacienda on the edge of the town of Valle de Bravo, which was founded on an Aztec sacrificial site in 1539. Riding out from the hacienda you will explore the surrounding forested hills, circumnavigating the lake of Valle de Bravo and climbing rocky outcrops in the mountains to admire wonderful views of the lake and town, often with the Toluca volcano visible in the background. The hills are a sanctuary for the colourful Monarch butterfly and from November to March you can see a multitude of butterflies, which arrive in their hundreds of thousands to overwinter, sheltering in the trees. The horses stay out along the route at night and riders are driven (or taken by boat across the lake) back to the finca with its immaculate stables, stylish rooms and courtyard with fountain and hammocks. After riding, the bougainvillea covered courtyard, a swimming pool with jacuzzi and a balcony overlooking the lake, are perfect for a margarita sundowner before an evening stroll into the cobbled streets of the town to shop, visit a local spa or sample a traditional bar. Two slightly different itineraries are offered for 2008, the 7 night Classic Ride and the 6 night Relaxed Ride.
Rides are run from fixed dates for 6 or 7 nights between October and early June. Private trips can also be arranged for groups of 6 or more. Please contact us to discuss.
Summary
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Riding: 3-7 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: TB crosses, Quarterhorses, Criollo crosses, Trakehner. | ||
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Pace: moderate, slow in places due to the terrain. | ||
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Riding ability: suitable for intermediate riders and above. | ||
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Weight limit: 100 kg (15st 10lbs). | ||
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Accommodation: private hacienda and 3* hotel. | ||
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Group size: max 12. |
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Dates 2008: |
Classic Ride: New Year Ride: Relaxed Ride: Historic Route Ride *=Low season rate | |
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Season: |
October to May | |
Horses and Riding
The horses are Criollo and Criollo crosses, Trakehner, Thoroughbred crosses and Quarterhorses. Most are used to being ridden both English and Western style; they will neck rein and are ridden in both English and Mexican (western) style tack. They are forward going, sure-footed and responsive and are generally used to a lighter contact with the mouth than most English horses. There is enough variety to offer a thoroughly enjoyable ride for both intermediate and experienced riders. Average height is around 15.2hh with some of the Trakehners and TB crosses up to about 17hh. Groups are normally limited to a maximum of 12 guests.
Hours: There is usually between 3 and 7 hours riding a day, following routes through the hills and forests, with breaks for rests, lunch and sightseeing.
Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you need to be a reasonably experienced rider. You should be comfortable, secure and in control on a well schooled horse at the walk, trot and canter and used to riding in open country and over varied terrain. You should have a reasonably good level of general and riding fitness.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at Finca Enyhe, a beautiful colonial style house set around a bouganvillia and geranium covered courtyard with a fountain in the middle. A wide terracotta tiled verandah surrounds the courtyard with hammocks between the pillars and chairs that are the perfect spot for an evening drink. The rooms are all very comfortable, each with its own character, with local furniture, high wooden ceilings and whitewashed walls. All have their own large en-suite bathroom with wonderful hand painted Mexican tiles. There is a swimming pool and jacuzzi at the Finca.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
Classic Ride (7 nights) - £1250 per person |
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Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, 6 or 7 nights twin accommodation, meals, some drinks and collection from and return to Mexico City as a group on day 12 / day 7 or 8. | |
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Rates exclude - international flights to Mexico, personal medical insurance (compulsory), drinks at hotels and your bar bill at the Finca, any visa fees and personal items such as tips, laundry etc. |
Travel
The meeting point for the rides is Mexico City and you will need to stay the night
before the ride start date in Mexico City (we can book accommodation). There are flights to Mexico from London with KLM via Amsterdam and with several US
airlines via the States - usually day flights, arriving Mexico in the evening. For flights from London budget around £450 to £600 economy return
(fares vary with the airline and season).
Itinerary in Brief
Example itinerary - Classic Ride
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[Arrive Mexico City overnight in hotel] | |
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Day 1 |
Met in Mexico city at 8am then a 3 hour drive to the Valle de Bravo to meet the horses at Finca Enyhe. Lunch before setting off riding, climbing to a high point with wonderful views of the lake and mountains surrounding the town. Dinner and night at the finca. |
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Day 2 |
Ride over wooded hills, crossing open farmland and several streams with opportunities to trot and canter. The horses are left at a small village whilst riders are driven back to Finca Enyhe for dinner and the night. |
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Day 3 |
Breakfast and transfer back to meet the horses. Ride up into thick forest which shelters the Monarch Butterfly Reserve. A guided visit into the reserve, searching for butterflies which rest like leaves on the trees until, warmed by the sun, wings open to show a mass of dazzling orange backs. Ride on to open meadow surrounded by pine forest for a canter and picnic lunch, then follow the valley floor through cultivated fields of maize, beans and sunflowers. In the late afternoon, transfer back to Finca Enyhe for dinner and the night. |
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Day 4 |
A ride through cool pine forests and farmland, passing a number of haciendas, to the base of Cerro Gordo where the horses remain for the night. Time for some shopping, a massage, or to visit the local bars of Valle de Bravo before dinner and the night at Finca Enyhe. |
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Day 5 |
Ride along a forest track, past farms and small villages, the path narrowing as you climb to the ridge of El Divisadero with its tremendous views. Zig-zag down the mountain to the shores of Valle de Bravo lake where you are met by boat and, leaving the horses, cross the lake to return to Finca Enyhe for dinner and the night. |
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Day 6 |
Breakfast, then return by boat to meet the horses. Ride along the lakeshore, then gradually climb away from the lake and over a ridge before arriving at a wonderful colonial hacienda dating back to the 16th Century. Look around its splendid courtyards and archways before riding back through fields of corn and sunflowers and down a steep path to Finca Enyhe. |
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Day 7 |
A leisurely morning ride through the colourful town of San Francsico Mihualtepec, and to a neighbouring ranch. Return to Finca Enyhe for lunch. The afternoon to relax by the pool or for a massage at the spa in town, before a farewell dinner in town (own expense) and the final night. |
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Day 8 |
Transfer back to Mexico City, arriving about midday, for your onward journey. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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