Oaxaca, Mexico

A week-long adventure that begins at a small farm in Tlacolula Valley outside of Oaxaca City and ascends on horseback into the surrounding Sierra Juarez mountains to cross the Continental Divide.

The route winds through local villages and follows trails that have been used for centuries. Oaxaca, well-known for its vibrant culture and culinary traditions, also houses incredible biodiversity. Over the course of the week, we ride through cactus forests in the valley, oak forests dripping with Spanish moss, high elevation agave growing over 8 ft tall among the pines, and forests of flowering bromeliads and orchids. Ride the personal horses of an ex-endurance rider and enjoy a mix of slower riding over more hilly or technical terrain and some longer trots and canters on open roads and trails. Some steep sections of the trail require us to dismount and walk.

Each night we stay in eco-tourism cabins managed by Los Pueblos Mancomunados — a collection of Indigenous communities organized for sustainable tourism that supports cultural preservation and the environment. We have picnic lunches along the way, packed with Oaxacan specialties — local cheese, fresh salsas and salads.

Guided by a resident of Oaxaca for over 40 years with extensive knowledge of the region’s cultural and biological diversity, the ride is capped at four guests and offers an intimate group experience through rural and peaceful Oaxaca. This may be the only time we offer this expedition so save your spot early!