What: Haciendas represent Mexico’s past when the country was divided by Haciendas, and each Hacienda contained it own church, school and agricultural community. Nowadays the surviving Haciendas have been converted to boutique hotels, and working ranches. On this ride you will get to experience five of them riding through the state of Jalisco. The working horses are fine atheletes, the food mellow and easy to digest and the interaction with Mexican culture as it was and as it is  makes this ran interesting, attractive ride. We will operate this ride  year round. 

Dates and Rates:  The ride will operate year round for two or more individuals. It is seven day/six night ride.

Rates are $1500 US per person: double occupancy. 
$1350 per person triple occupancy.

Single supplement: $550

Non Rider: $1100        

Horsesense:  The horses you will ride are working horses used by local cowboys to assist in their work. They will be well trained and responsive good athletes. The riding pace will be suitable for all levels of riders although of course we will separate riders if you have vastly different experience. The flat sandy soil can be just perfect for nice long runs.  The Mexican saddle is bit like a Western saddle and we found them comfortable. The reining system is a bit different then other locations as they hand you joined reins.

What to Expect:

Getting There:  Leon is the nearest international airport and there are regularly scheduled flights from Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.

Room and Board: You will sleep two nights in three haciendas and visit two others. Swimming pool and Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and other spa treatments are available at Hacienda Sepulveda. The meals contained mellow spices and as we drank bottled water, we experienced no stomach problems, a reputation Mexico has picked up and is still guilty of if you drink tap waters and or buy street foods. The town of tequila is in the center of Jalisco and it is the drink of this area.
The aged tequila is something to behold. In addition to use of spa facilities while at Sepulveda, you may opt at small extra cost for a wonderful, dreamy massage.

Alternate Activities: Trip will leave you time for fishing, spa treatment, swimming in pools, mountain bikes if you wish.

Weather: Jalisco enjoys what we consider to be ideal weather. The combination of altitudes ranging from 4500 to 6000 feet but lying within the tropics produces an ideal climate.  The rainy season is from June to September and even during the rainy season in the summer months it is  a very rare day that the sun doesn't shine and a typical day will  begin with cool temperatures rapidly rising to 90 degrees until  around 4pm when the cool breezes bring an hour or so of rain to  cool things off until the cycle begins the next day.  In some areas magnificent thunderstorms provide their own show but seldom last long.  This is Jalisco at its most beautiful with the tropical plants growing at an astounding rate and the countryside colored with shades of green and bright wildflowers. 
From November to May, there is little rainfall and the mornings and  evenings generally require a at least a fall jacket   but again the tropical sun soon warms everything up and by noon you will have a pleasant 70-80 degrees until the sun begins to wane in the late afternoon.  Bring your jackets for the evening, your bathing suits for the daytime. The temperature has a range of more than 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 50 degrees in a 24 hour period!  

Itinerary:

FIRST DAY:  Transfer from Leon International Airport (BJX) to Hotel Hacienda San Rafael. We will introduce you to our horses, riders will pick their horses, after careful selection of mounts and tack help familiarize your  with your horse. Short rides throughout the hacienda fields.  2 hr ride. Special welcome dinner in the hotel Restaurant.

SECOND DAY:  Participate in making your breakfast by learning how to make tortillas (flat corn bread, the basis of Mexican cuisine). Breakfast will be served at the restaurant of the Hacienda. Saddle horses for a Ride to La Sierra de San Cruz ascending to the mountains to several hills with spectacular views. You will see the wood forest of Las Sierras. We will pass by El Maguey and Los Ranchos. 4 hours Ride. Lunch in the Hacienda Restaurant. Free evening: Mountain Bike, hiking, fishing, relax. Dinner al the Hacienda Restaurant. Accommodation in a suite in the Hotel Hacienda San Rafael.  
    
THIRD DAY: Home cooking, breakfast, local Mexican specialties at Hacienda San Rafael. Mr. Jorge Serrano will pick you up in Hacienda San Rafael, and drive you to Hacienda El Ahito (working cattle ranch), 25 min drive. there will be horses ready for today ride. In this Hacienda you will be able to interact with the local cowboys, and participate in the working activities (cattle drive, inspection of pastures and cows, etc.) Today we will ride to El Potrero Las Cañadas where we will help local cowboys to count and check the Cimental cattle. Later we will Ride to El Robozo Ranch (1:30 hr ride) where you will admire the museum of horse tack of Mr. De Alba . Tequila time Lunch in the Ranch with Mr. De Alba and local Charros. In the evening ride back to el Ahito. 6 hrs  ride  Dinner at the Hacienda El Ahito, you might will have the pleasure to seat with the well know Mexican Charro Ernesto "Canonigo" Zermeño. Tequila time at the unique Bar.

FOURTH DAY:  Participate in making your breakfast by learning how to make Chilaquiles (Tortilla Chips, with tomato sauce, cheese and cream, (Mexicans prefer first meal) Saddle horses for count and checking the charolaise cattle. 3hr ride. Lunch in Hacienda el Ahito. Ride to the potrero of Las grullas where the appaloosa mares are.
2 hrs ride. Free evening. Roping demonstration. Dinner at the Hacienda. 

FIFTH DAY: Breakfast. Drive to Hotel Hacienda Sepulveda & SPA. Saddle horses and Leave to Hacienda La Labor.  1:30 hrs ride Special Lunch will be served in the Hacienda offer by Mr. Jesus Vega the owner; you will be able to admire Mr. Vega saddle collection, visit the Hacienda  you will enjoy the unique way of the Mexican roping. You also might see the Cala de caballo, (horse raining Mexican style) performed by a well know Charro. If your group its more than 6, you can request a Charreada demonstration (extra cost) After lunch, ride in the Haciendas Potreros along with Mr. Vega. 2hr ride. Ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda. 1:30 hr. ride. Free evening: board games, mountain bikes, fishing, outside jacuzzi, spa, hiking. Dinner at Mamalena Restaurant.

SIXTH DAY: Breakfast in the Hacienda Sepulveda Saddle horses and ride to Hacienda San Cayetano. 1:30 hrs. As soon as we enter San Cayetano property we will see the Brave Bulls. Then we will continue to The Canyon of the Alcazar, spectacular canyon, at the end of the canyon, you will see very particular rock formations. 4 hrs Ride  Exhibition of registered quarter horses. Lunch in Hacienda San Cayetano, with the Alcazar Family. Ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda  1 hr. Evening: SPA: Holistic massage, sauna, jacuzzy, steam room. Special Dinner in the Hacienda Sepulveda Restaurant.

SEVENTH DAY: Breakfast at the hotel.