Rancho Las Margaritas

5 Days | From £2185pp

Mexico ( Best airport: Mexico City)

An adventure through the heart of central Mexico, where mountain landscapes meet warm, authentic hospitality. This short five-day trail takes you deep into the Sierra Nevadas, although you are only an hour’s drive from Mexico City. The riding takes you across high plains, forested valleys, and hidden canyons. Along the way, you’ll experience traditional ranch life, feast on home-cooked Mexican cuisine, and stay in charming rural lodges. Ideal for confident riders seeking natural beauty, cultural immersion, and genuine connection – this is Mexico at its most welcoming.

The Riding

The riding is varied and well-paced, taking you across a range of terrain from forested trails to open valleys and high plains. The ranch itself covers five hectares and borders the Cumbres de Sierra Nevada National Park, providing direct access to fantastic off road riding. You’ll tackle steep climbs heading to altitudes of 3200m which offer panoramic views across the surrounding valleys. Canters take place across plateaus and are long and relaxed, all the horses are extremely responsive and respond to light aids.

The daily schedule for this trail begins with a hearty local breakfast at 8:30 in the morning; saddled up and riding by 10:00, you will ride for about three hours and then enjoy a delicious lunch deep in the mountains by 13:00 in the afternoon. After lunch, you will ride for around two more hours and return to Rancho Las Margaritas for evening drinks. A delicious dinner will be served at 18:00 and a campfire with Mexican music will be started for all to enjoy and chat.

Level of Riding and Fitness

You’ll need to be a confident rider secure in walk, trot and canter, and with a reasonable level of fitness to enable you to spend most of the day in the saddle. There are some narrow, steep paths to navigate so you should be comfortable with this. The weight limit is 100kg.

Guides and Group Size

The guides on this ride are all expert local horsemen and you are usually also accompanied by the ranch owners. All guides are friendly and customer orientated local riders, born and raised in San Miguel Tecpán, they have been working at Rancho Las Margaritas for several years. They are all highly skilled horsemen and are first aid certified by the Mexican Red Cross so you’ll be in very safe hands. The group size is a maximum of 8 riders.

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The Horses

The ranch is home to over twenty well-trained Quarter Horses, known for their responsiveness, fitness, and steady temperament on the trail. Ranging from 15hh to 16hh, these horses are sure-footed and experienced, handling steep climbs and descents with confidence, they really know their job. Ranch owner Alejandro is a respected breeder in the region – his trophy-filled room speaks to the quality of his horses and his dedication to the breed.

The horses are well-cared for both at the ranch and one the trail, the routes encompass natual water sources for them to drink and rest and many of the horses are homebred and part of the family.

Tack and Riding Equipment

Riders typically use traditional Mexican Charro or Western-style saddles, each fitted with a sheepskin seat for added comfort on long rides. These saddles are ideal for the terrain and style of riding on the ranch. English and Australian saddles are also available if preferred, ensuring riders can choose what suits them best. All tack is carefully maintained, reflecting the ranch’s high standards of horse care.

Accommodation and Dining

During your stay, you’ll be accommodated in a beautifully restored hacienda. The house features four spacious bedrooms with twin beds and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll have access to WiFi, a comfortable living room with TV, a large dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. Outside, there’s a garden, a grill for outdoor meals, and the stables are just a short walk away.

All meals are included from lunch on arrival to lunch on departure. Expect hearty, home-cooked Mexican dishes. Snacks and cold drinks are always on hand in the fridge. Meals are a highlight of the trip, whether you’re dining in the hacienda or enjoying a picnic in a remote valley with warm tortillas and traditional fillings cooked over an open fire. One memorable stop includes riding through forestry to a local restaurant, tying your horse outside, and having lunch with local ranch hands – just like stepping into a classic Mexican western.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Riders are collected by 10:00am from the Holiday Inn hotel in Santa Fe in Mexico City (a 45 minute drive from the airport) and transferred to the ranch (a one hour drice). Your adventure begins with a relaxed ride through open fields, followed by a narrow trail alongside a stream winding through the forest. After about an hour in the saddle, you’ll arrive at the a remote cabin, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Mexican dishes. In the afternoon, you’ll ride through a majestic fir tree forest, crossing a clear spring before reaching the high-altitude valley of Bello Cienega Alta, perched at 3,000 metres above sea level. From there, you’ll descend along a scenic route called La Piedra el Rincón. Your ride finishes back at the departure point, where you’ll transfer to the ranch for dinner, drinks and a well-earned rest. Riding time: 4 hours

Day 2 Today takes you deeper into nature. You’ll start on a scenic road before heading up San Pablo Hill, surrounded by dense forest and lush vegetation. As you climb, you’ll arrive at the serene Cigueñal Valley, where you’ll stop for a peaceful picnic lunch. The afternoon ride follows a more challenging route - winding through a wooded ravine lined with thick brush and trees. Eventually, you’ll reach the peaceful Espejo La Ermita plain, then retrace your route back to Las Margaritas for the evening. Riding time: 6 hours

Day 3 This day is all about reaching new heights - literally. After a short vehicle transfer, you’ll begin riding across the vast high plains of Las Navajas, at an altitude of 3,470 metres. The air is fresh and clear, and you’ll be surrounded by the distinctive ocote trees that thrive at this elevation. You’ll pass near La Paloma Ranch and ride into the spectacular Paso del Oso Valley, before continuing through the forest to Doña Gregoria Plain. Midday, you’ll pause for lunch by Los Ajolotes Dam, a beautiful and peaceful spot. The return journey leads through forested trails, past small creeks and dams, ending at the Iturbide Dam junction, where transport will take you back to Las Margaritas. Riding time: 6 hours

Day 4 Today’s route takes you to one of the crown jewels of the region: Capoxi Dam, the largest dam within the Cumbres de Sierra Nevada National Park. You’ll start the ride galloping across La Ermita Valley, then continue on to El Puerto, where you’ll stop for a picnic lunch surrounded by natural beauty. The ride back meanders through wooded ravines and flowing streams—scenic and peaceful all the way to the end. Riding time: 6 hours

Day 5 On your final day, you’ll explore dramatic forested cliffs and ravines, riding through the spectacular El Conejo and La Joya Valleys. One last highlight: the panoramic viewpoints at Los Miradores, where you’ll pause to soak in the incredible views. Afterward, you’ll return to Las Margaritas for a celebratory farewell lunch to mark the end of the trail.