Mexico Camping Adventure

The following morning, the kitchen staff has coffee ready by 8:00 AM, with breakfast served at 9:00 AM. After finishing your meal, you gather your belongings, saddle your horses and set off at 10:30 AM. You navigate further down the ravine and into the rolling hills and valley below. Eventually, you arrive at a tiny town called La Sauceda, famous for its tasty home-cooked meals at various roadside diners.

After savoring a delicious meal and a few cold beers, you continue across the valley towards your next campsite at the base of a mountain known as El Misterio del Chorro, which translates to "the mystery of the mountain's spring." This name refers to a spring located high up in the mountain. However, it won't be until the next day that you'll uncover the secrets this mountain holds.

On the third day of your ride, you'll ascend into the mountains, exploring lush oak, Encino and pine forests. Along the way, you'll take breaks in these woodlands and at picturesque viewpoints. As you approach the summit, you'll uncover a secret that has been hidden in these mountains for the past two centuries.

You'll cross the Misterio del Chorro and ride on until you arrive at the small rural community of Joya de Cortés. This name honors a precious jewel that Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés presented to the Virgin of Guadalupe in gratitude for saving his life by healing him after a bite from one of the world's most dangerous scorpions, the Centruroides Limpidus, or striped bark scorpion. After a rest in La Joya de Cortés, you'll continue on and set up camp for the night in a nearby valley.

The next day, you journey through rolling hills and semi-arid chaparral, aiming for Coyote Canyon. Along the way, you pass through a cattle ranch called La Lobera, or The Wolves Lair, where you take a break to swim in its reservoir. Afterward, you continue until you arrive at the rural village of San Isidro de la Cañada.

In San Isidro, you enjoy a tasty home-cooked meal at a small casita on the edge of the Cañada de La Virgen, or Canyon of The Virgin. Legend has it that the canyon and its river (La Virgen) got their names when a campesino discovered a geode that revealed the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe within its crystalline structure.

Following your delightful meal, you descend into Cañada de la Virgen and reach its riverbank for a rest stop. Those who wish can take another chance to cool off with a swim. You then cross the canyon and make your way up to the high desert plains, where you can spot a 1600-year-old pyramid and archaeological site that served as an ancient solar and lunar calendar.

After crossing the plains, you return to the dramatic midsection of the canyon known as Coyote Canyon. On its northern rim, you pause to take in the breathtaking views and mentally prepare for the abseiling challenge that awaits you on these cliffs the next day.

Later, you wind down to a part of Coyote Canyon called Los Alisos, named for the Alder trees lining the river in this secluded area. Here, in this densely wooded section, you set up camp for the night, and if you listen closely, you might hear the howls of wild coyotes that inhabit the region.

The following morning, you pack up camp early to head to the quaint homestead of Boca de la Cañada, a traditional ranching and farming community nearby. Here, you'll get a chance to experience life on a classic Mexican cattle ranch and farm. One of the first tasks for the cowboys is to milk the cows, and you'll be able to observe, learn about and assist them with this essential duty.

Afterward, you’ll take the fresh milk to Doña Beatriz’s home, where you can see how ranch-style cheese is made daily. You’ll also discover the process of making traditional corn tortillas and enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast featuring these items along with other fresh, organic ingredients. Once breakfast is finished, you’ll return to the stunning cliffs you visited briefly the day before.

This time, instead of riding down into the canyon, you’ll rappel down the impressive 50-meter cliffs. Following this thrilling experience, you’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the magnificent canyon on horseback and on foot. You'll have opportunities to swim in the mountain spring and rain-fed river, as well as hike along its banks in search of naturally occurring geodes filled with beautiful quartz crystals.

After having breakfast and packing up the campsite, you set off for your final destination, San Miguel de Allende. Your last leg of the journey takes you through a nearby canyon, where you'll encounter a truly magnificent tree, remarkable for its size, beauty, and longevity. This Montezuma cypress (sabino or Ahuehuete) is situated in the community of La Huerta, beside the Rio Laja near the Presa Allende dam. The circumference of its trunk at the base exceeds 10 meters, and its branches provide generous shade for those who approach the spring that flows from its roots. Oral traditions and some records suggest that it dates back to the early wars of conquest in the 16th century. According to legend, after a fierce battle at Puerto de Calderón in 1531, the indigenous people sought peace and decided to construct a chapel dedicated to Christ of the Conquest. At the spring's edge, they planted a small Montezuma cypress brought from Acámbaro as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

This tale may very well be true, as there are known specimens of this native species (Taxodium mucronatum) that are over 500 years old, such as the famous Arbol de Tule in Oaxaca and the Arbol de la Noche Triste in Mexico City, along with historical Montezuma cypresses in Chapultepec Forest. Like these, the grand Montezuma cypress in La Huerta stands as a silent and imposing witness to the history of its region.

After taking a rest in the shade of this magnificent tree, you begin the final stretch of your incredible journey along a historic railway route that once served as a secret hideout for Mexican revolutionary Francisco (Pancho) Villa. This path follows the banks of the Presa Allende reservoir and leads to a breathtaking viewpoint where you can take in the vast landscape you’ve ridden during your trip.

Eventually, you arrive in the charming colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. You explore one of its neighborhoods, visit Benito Juárez Park and admire its stunning historical downtown area, concluding your ride at the main plaza with its iconic gothic cathedral as your backdrop.