The morning is cool and clear so you will take an early bus (R04) up to Colonia Paso Ancho which begins north of the Zona Romantica and the Libramento highway. Get off at the new bridge where you will meet your guide, who is a naturalist and longtime local resident. He will match you with the right horse for your three hour ride upriver. This is really a gentle walk through the typical ejido land and settlements established by earlier Mexican families and handed down through generations. In fact, the well-kept horses belong to the cabelleros of the ejido community and are run as a cooperative venture. You will follow the river as you rise more than 4,000 feet into the jungle. Along the way you may see iguana, parrots, butterflies, dragonflies, tropical birds, orchids, and of course the local dogs, horses, cattle and if lucky, the ice cream vendor.
This trip is a photographers dream. Your guide will also take pictures of you on your steed. Depending on the time of year, you will end up at either the canopy tour destination which is owned and operated by the local ejido families, or one of the many cattle ranches. On the way back, there may be time for a cool swim in the river where tiny fish will nibble at your toes and then a stop for a typical Mexican lunch at Moro Paraiso, where you will tie up your horse and enjoy a riverfront table.
COST: Varies depending on time of year and number of people.
Rio Cuale Valley by Horseback Morning (9-2)
