Cascade Ranch, Mexico
Horses
Type of horses:
Quarter Horse, Criollo, Criollo X TB
Nature of horses:
Calm, well schooled, responsive
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16.0 hh
Weight limit:
None within reason
Tack type:
Mexican Charro
Weather
Current Conditions:
Cloudy, 11 C
Forecast:
Fri - Partly Cloudy. High: 18 Low: 6
Sat - Partly Cloudy. High: 20 Low: 6
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Colours of Mexico
£733 per person "Patio Classic Room" double use or twin share
25% single supplement
Transfers are included from Mexico International Airport at 13.00 on arrival and return at 12.30 the following week.
20% supplement for 19 December 2009-3 January 2010
New Ranch Based Programme
£111 per person daily rate
£84 Non riders
£87 çhildren 6-16 years
Transfers will be £30 one way per person paid locally
All horse riding activities,
Three delicious meals per day,
Non alcoholic beverages and wine with dinner,
Excursions as detailed by the programmes
Evening entertainment as detailed by the programme
Hot tub
24 hours high speed internet access
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
The ranch is owned and operated by Ursula, your Swiss born host. Her small ranch offers all levels of rider and non riders five star quality service, fantastic cuisine and a stable of spirited but disciplined horses. The riding at this ranch is unlimited - there are no boundaries or fences throughout the magnificent countryside.
The combination of Mexican hospitality and enthusiasm combined with Swiss attention to detail ensures that guests have a top class holiday.There is the opportunity for many hours riding.
Here you can discover unsurpassed hospitality, scenery and fantastic riding in the heart of Mexico. Ride in this rural countryside which is unchanged by time, ride past farmers ploughing with oxen, longhorn cattle, goats and sheep free grazing on rocky terrain. Cross flowing rivers with tumbling waterfalls, see egret and ducks all from the back of a horse. You may swim with your horses in the tranquil lakes or just splash along the water's edge.
Here you may enjoy a ranch based programme which is flexible or enjoy the Colours of Mexico itinerary which will take you over some wonderful Mexican
countryside on horseback.
For both riders and non riders, multiple excursions can be arranged to places of interest in the vicinity so there is plenty of sightseeing, shopping and visits to some of the the oldest and most important archaeological sites in Mexico. You may be lucky and get to experience many of the traditional feast days in Mexico.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The ranch, which is named after three waterfalls which surround it, is located 7500 feet near the base of the mountains just fifty miles north of Mexico City. The ranch is situated in a stunning valley, miles from the main highway, in what can be described as the old Mexico - sparsely populated savannahs covered in wild flowers lead to several fascinating towns and the important and spectacular ruins of ancient Tula, seat of the Toltec empire.
The ranch can accommodate up to twenty guests although ten guests makes up the average compliment making for an unprecented amount of personal attention to the interests and wishes of individual guests.
It has well appointed rooms with king beds and private baths and tiled showers which open onto a courtyard with a fountain and hot tub. There are two separate cottages with sitting rooms and a porch providing more privacy. The rooms are built of handcrafted stones and are decorated in Mexican country style, bright and comfortable with lots of attention to detail.
The rooms are provided with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner and hairdryers. In every room there is purified drinking water. The rooms have a daily maid service and laundry services are provided. There is also 24 hour internet access.
The food here is prepared by the excellent chef with fresh local ingredients - your three daily gourmet meals are served in the rustic dining room or you can dine outside under the big oak tree. Complementary wines accompany lunches and dinners.
The chef prepares an international cuisine with a definite Mexican slant. Extraordinary attention is given to ensure guests do not have an upset constitution and this includes using bottled water in cooking even for the preparation of soup. A typical supper might be cold avocado soup. chicken in a delicious sauce and end with a refreshing dessert of lime sorbet in vodka. On special feast days you will find the table settings decorated to celebrate the occasion.
The kitchen is open twenty four hours a day encouraging a late night snack or early morning mug of coffee and a well stocked bar is located in the great room for unlimited guest use. Wonderful picnic lunches are taken in quiet scenic spots on the all day rides.
Activities
All through the year there are special events throughout the region, including horse and rider exhibitions. Every village holds fiestas periodically if you are interested in experiencing this part of the Mexican culture. Colourful folklore events sometimes take place at the ranch including traditional dance and music and you may get invited for some impromptu salsa lessons.
The archealogical site of the famous Atlantes of Tula, thought to be the capital of the ancient Toltec people, is a half hour drive from the ranch. On the way back from this site you may also visit Tula's town square and experience the lively Mexican atmosphere.
On Fridays you have the opportunity to experience an incredible, colourful spectacle - the weekly market in Jilotepec, the local town. Here you can buy anything and everything. Drivers from the ranch will take interested guests to town for several hours.
A local artist offers painting courses in oil, ink, pencil and acrylic. Please tell us in advance if you are interested in participating so we can organise some classes (not included).
Further Details
Languages: English, Spanish, German, French
Health requirements: No special requirements
Age limit: None
Tuition: Yes
Included: Accommodation, food, soft drinks and wine with dinner and all riding,, internet access
Not included: Flights, private transfer from airport, alcoholic drinks
Travel Information
It's easy to get here - the closest airport is Mexico City International, a very modern and safety oriented airport. The ranch is located only fifty miles north of the airport,
Transfers on Saturdays at 13.00 and drop off at 12.30 are included on the Colours of Mexico Programme. However, safe transfers can be arranged at other times.
Transfers to and from Terminal 1/ Puerta 8 Mexico City International Airport can be arranged for any time of the day or night and any day of the week. Cost is $45 per person payable locally.
Mexico City has two terminals which are connected by a monorail so the meeting point for all transfers mentioned is Terminal 1/Puerta 8
Any other transportation from a Hotel in Mexico City or from another Terminal or hotel at the airport is $125 payable locally one way (for up to 5 people)
Airport: Mexico City
Programmes
Colours of Mexico
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Itinerary of the Colours of Mexico special week... Day 1: Arrival Day. Airport pick up is at 1:00 pm. Your first, tasty, Mexican Tequila awaits you upon arrival at the ranch. Salud ! - Settle in, get to know the ranch and enjoy the four course Mexican dinner with lovely wines. Day 2: The first ride will take us along the hills to the village of ‘San Agustin Buenavista’. Sunday is a leisurely way of living in the village and a visit takes you to their beautiful old church... a trip back in time. After a nice canter or gallop you will enjoy lunch back at the ranch. Now it is also time to evaluate the riding abilities and if necessary, split the group. - Back on the horses you take another route down to the river. After the crossing there is a steep climb up the rocks. A lovely ride through crops and little ponds leads us to the sunset hill. There you enjoy a long gallop around it, with a final canter to its top where you will enjoy the stunning view of the beautiful countryside which is ready to embrace you during the rides to come. Horse and rider will both enjoy the sun’s glorious display as it slips silently behind the mountain range on the ride back to the ranch. Day 3: A tasty Mexican breakfast and... you are off, following the old, stone paved 'Camino Real' the route which the royals used to travel from one Hacienda to the other. You stop for refreshments at the Hacienda of San Antonio and then follow the road to the old village of San Miguel de Las Piedras. A beautiful little village built into the canyon, its ways paved with river stones. After leaving the village you stop in the shade of the trees along the river where you will enjoy our picnic. If you like you may take a dip in the water. Refreshed again you follow the canyon, pass by giant rocks and climb up the steep tracks to the top of the canyon. On the way back you cross authentic Mexican countryside and finish the day with a nice canter or gallop. Day 4: Today after leaving the ranch you will canter across an open plain. The first hours take you into a shady valley full with old oak trees covered with Spanish moss. You climb to the little sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the coloired virgin of Mexico. After following the river you ride through the village of El Divisadero. Now you are crossing the road into the open country. - Nice canter and gallops take you through the vast cornfields. Crossing the district town of San Francisco Soyaniquilpan de Juarez 'San Pancho' you arrive at the lunchspot and enjoy some great local cuisine. After this break the horses are fresh again for another gallop across open fields on the way back. Before arriving at the ranch you pass the village of San Agustin Buenavista with its church finished by 1701. Day 5: Heading out north you will pass little villages on the way to the Lake District. Passing along some of the lakes we arrive to Santa Maria Macua, a beautiful village built into the mountains. Experience the Mexican way of life. Leaving the village you climb up into the mountains and have our picnic on the mountains ridge from where you may admire the mighty canyons and it's typical Mexican landscape from above. The way back takes you through Heroes Carranza, a dreamy little village with an enchanting old church. Here you will take a refreshment before cantering or galloping back to the ranch. Day 6: The longest ride will take you today to the Cathedral of Canalejas. Through open fields you pass the village of Zaragoza, from there you canter cross country to arrive at the wells of Mexicaltongo next to the village of El Tejon. Then the route takes you up through the hills of Jilotepec over to Canalejas where you climb the little mountain with its Cathedral on the top. After the visit of this beautiful Cathedral where many weddings are held you ride down into the village of Canalejas where you will enjoy the real Mexican Tacos at a place well known by us. On the way back through ever-changing countryside you will have several opportunities for a relaxed canter or a speedy gallop. Day 7: Today you will “saddle up” for the morning ride, which takes you 2,000 feet up the mountains. The countryside changes quickly as the sure-footed horses begin the climb beyond the small villages into the mountains where the landscape is filled with cactus and tequila plants. Now you have the chance to swim with horses before you take a last afternoon ride, depending on your likings, galloping across open plains and through the fields or visiting the old hacienda of San Agustin after crossing the beautiful antique bridge ‘Puente del Muitlé'. Day 8: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your last day at the ranch. Say goodbye to your horses and then you head for Mexico City - arriving at Benito Juarez Intl. Airport Terminal 1 at aproximately 12:30 |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | All riding levels |
| Type of ride: | Trails |
| Total riding time: | 8 days 7 nights riding as per itinerary |
| Departure dates: | 3-10 January, 10-17 January, 24-31 January, 31 January-7 February,7-14 February,14-21 February 28 February-7 March, 7-14 March, 14-21 March,,28 March-4 April, 4-11 April ,11-18 April, 25 April-2 May, 2-9 May, 9-16 May, 23-30 May, 30 May-6 June,6-13 June,20-27 June, 27 June- 4 July, 4-11 July.18-25 July, 25 July-1 August,1-8 August,15-22 August,22-29 August, 29 August-5 September, 12-19 September,19-26 September, 26 September-3 October, 10-17 October,17-24 October, 24-31 October, 7-14 November, 14-21 November, 21-28 November, 28 November-5 December, 12-19 December, 19-26 December, 26 December-2 January 2010 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
New Ranch Based Programme
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Rides on the stationary programme will allow you to ride twice a day if you wish - morning and afternoon. Rides vary between 2-4 hours and you can decide whether or not you wish to do the ride or some other activity. Day 1: You will be transferred from the airport and taken to the ranch so you can settle into your comfortable accommodation. Your first, tasty, Mexican Tequila awaits you upon arrival at the ranch. Salud! Settle in and have a nice four course Mexican dinner with local wines. Day 2: The first ride may take you along the canyon to the village of Xochitlan de Las Flores. You may visit the beautiful old church... a trip back in time. After a nice canter or gallop you will enjoy lunch back at the ranch. Now it is also time to evaluate the riding abilities and if necessary, split the group. Back on the horses you may take you on another route down to the river. After the crossing there is a steep climb up the rocks. A lovely ride through crops and little ponds leads us to the the sunset hill. There you enjoy a long gallop around it, with a final canter to its top where you will enjoy the stunning view of the beautiful countryside which is ready to embrace you during the rides to come. A canter or gallop will take you back into the sunset. Horse and rider both will enjoy the sun’s glorious display as it slips silently behind the mountain range. Day 3 - 7: A tasty Mexican breakfast and... you will be off. Each day your ride will take you in a different direction with new riding country to explore. These rides will be tailored to suit you and your riding abilities. Day 8: Departure after breakfast - arriving back in Mexico City . |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Beginner - Advanced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Flexible 2-8 hours, rides morning and afternoon |
| Departure dates: | To suit |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |