Do You Have The Thing For Horses? Then Try Horseback Riding Tours
For nearly any kind of vacation or adventure travel, Mexico is a tough destination to beat. Boasting nearly every comfortable climate, a variety of terrains from jungles and deserts to beaches and snow-capped mountains, you’ll never run out of things to see and do. Between the five-star resorts and the fascinating Maya and Aztec ruins, your body and brain will get all the pampering they can handle, however long you decide to stay. There’s so much to see and experience, you’re likely to pack your vacation itinerary so full of traveling and activities that you’ll need to take a break from your own holiday :but fear not, as Mexico has you covered there once again. If you want a few days to really get away from the hustle and bustle of either regular, workaday life, or your too-busy vacation schedule, a horseback ride in the Mexican north will be just the ticket.
You, Your Steed, and the Great Wide Open
Horseback rides are a great way to put your harried itinerary on pause, and let yourself be swallowed up in the beauty and grandeur of authentic nature. Leave your cell phone behind as you trot out into the desert scrub, past cacti and sagebrush, feeling the wind on your face and the sun on your skin. You’ll find it difficult not to take a deep breath and feel the true tranquil serenity of the wide open spaces that humans rarely venture permeate you through and through. Best of all, you’re not confined to a narrow trail; dismount and walk around at your leisure, letting your curiosity and imagination take the reins. Most horseback rides take place on private land, which is enclosed by protective but well-concealed fences that keep out any unwanted intruders or wild animals. Though you’ll be miles away and far out of sight of any trace of civilization, you’ll never have to pause for a second to worry about your safety. A combination like that is hard to come by, to say the least!
Brief Excursions
Since the trails are fenced in on private, well-tended property, you’re much less likely to encounter snakes or any other kind of potentially dangerous animals; the biggest worry you’ll have is deciding how long of a ride you want to take. Depending on your level of experience, you may opt for a short ride in the morning, when temperatures are cool and you can enjoy a two- to four-hour stroll as the sun breaks over the desert vista. If you’d like more of a challenge, one- to three-hour rides are available later in the day, when the sun is higher and the going gets significantly tougher.
A Long Sojourn Amidst the Sagebrush
If a lengthy trip is what you’re in the mood for, a full-day ride might be more your speed. These longer treks, which last between 5-6 (or as many as 8) full hours, often take you outside the boundaries of the protective fences, though you’ll be equipped with both route maps and a knowledgeable guide the whole time you’re out in the wilderness. Plenty of drinking water and a packed lunch are essential; you’ll leave in the morning, and lope back to the ranch just in time for a sumptuous supper at dusk.
For some, not even a whole day out in the wild is enough to satiate their lust for adventure. If that’s you, a multiple-day ride may just fit the bill. You’ll wander far beyond the fences with your guide pointing the way, but never so far that home base can’t send a car to fetch you and your steed if a hot shower and soft bed sounds better at the end of the long day than camping out in the bush.
Between rides, you can take your leisurely time at the ranch, kicking back by the pool; a dip in the water will sooth your tired limbs and feel especially refreshing on your skin after a long day’s ride. A well-stocked buffet will be on hand to fill up your grumbling stomach, and your horse will be just as well tended to, so you’ll both be ready to ride again the next day. If you find yourself a little saddle-sore after dismounting back at the ranch, a deep-tissue massage will be just what the doctor ordered, soothing your tired muscles and ushering you off to an early bed, so you can greet the next day with vim and vigor, ready to hit the trail once more.
Believe it or not, these are just the industry standard options that you can find at nearly any ranch which offers horseback excursions. Depending on where you chose to set out from, you may also be able to partake it hot tubs, saunas, or, if you’re still in the mood for nature but not so much wandering, join a bird-watching trip led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
Maya and Aztec Cities by Horseback
If lush jungles are more your speed, and you’re interested in ancient ruins more than desert landscapes, you should know you can also visit many of the famous Maya archaeological sites in southern Mexico and Guatemala on horseback as well. What better way to distinguish yourself from the throngs of package-tour backpackers than by showing up on your very own stallion, and disappearing back into the jungle while everyone else is piling into their buses? Wherever you are in Mexico, horseback is the way for adventurers to travel in style. The luxuries can just be your little secret!
Looking for special trips? Travelers find each other at the Adventure Travel Community. This article was written using Horseback Riding Tours for inspiration.