With Juan Manuel

Juan Manuel is a shaman who knows the flowers ... plants ... herbs ... and birds ... with a vast knowledge of the area, the history and the folk lore of San Miguel de Allende ... who wants to share his joy in the campo.


What do we do? We take a walk in the campo ... have a picnic or bar-b-q ... and usually take a burro to carry what we don’t want to. Occasionally we ride a burro.


Burro Trekking has recently been optimized in that all treks are now custom designed for you and your group.


If you want a trek ... Contact us and we will begin working together. What kind of trek do you want? Easy? Challenging? Overnight? Something from our list? Something new? Something for kids? (They trek at half price.) Talk to us!!


Unless otherwise noted, for a short day trek prices are 200 each with a minimum of 1,000 pesos. If transportation has to be arranged ...that is ... more than 3 people need a ride provided ... then there is an extra fee.


For a longer day trek, it is 250 per person, with a minimum of 1,200 pesos. Transportation same as above


These prices include food ... burro ... some transportation ... perhaps a guard for the vehicles.


If you would like to add to your group, then we can help you advertise on the forum and / or we can send out a mailing to see if other Trekkers would like to join you.


You get to decide things like ... we want dogs ... or ... no dogs cause we want quiet times to watch for birds. You can specify no smokers. You decide if time is important to you cause you have an evening appointment ... or ... we are relaxed and let the day have its way with us.



Changing info, like dates, is in the blog to your left

Descriptions, photos and fixed info is to your right


This site is designed to be interactive. Email us ('contacting us' right column) or leave comments below entries.



Reservations are by email. Use link in each trek description ... or ... see Contacting Us in your right column.


Thursday, December 6, 2012

All treks are now done your way


Hey Trekkers!!!

Burro Trekking has recently been optimized in that all treks are now custom designed for you.

If you want a trek ... contact us and we will begin working together. What kind of trek do you want? Easy? Challenging? Overnight? Something from our list? Something new? Talk to us!!

Unless otherwise noted, for a short day trek prices are 200 each with a minimum of 1,000 pesos. If transportation has to be arranged ...that is ... more than 3 people need a ride provided And it isn't covered with a ride share ... then there is an extra fee.

For a longer day trek, it is 250 per person, with a minimum of 1,200 pesos. Ditto the transportation.

These prices include food ... burro ... perhaps a guard for the vehicles.

If you would like to add to your group, then we can help you advertise on the forum and / or we can send out a mailing to see if other Trekkers would like to join you.

You get to decide things like ... we want dogs ... or ... no dogs cause we want quiet times to watch for birds. You can specify no smokers. You decide if time is important to you cause you have an evening appointment ... or ... we are relaxed and let the day have its way with us.

Our Tuesday Market "treks" remain fun and there is usually a group forming.  They are only 100 pesos. So if you want this, just contact us. 


Reservations remain by email. Use link in each trek description ... or ... see Contacting Us in your right column.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Rancho de Cabra . Sunday 11 November


This trek can be longer or shorter ... but it is always up.  Not for the faint of heart.  Still it is doable as we have had two 70 years olds come along on the longer version.  And despite rumors ... they returned ... alive and well. 

We go up.  There is a lovely resting area ...an old indian ceremonial spot.  From there three options are available, take your pick or take all.  Further up for more views.  A side trip to a spring.  And another side trip to petroglyphs.  

A look at the pictures here will give you a good idea if this is for you.  And for many ... it is their favorite. 

Driving       30 minutes total, 15 minutes each way
Trekking     3 hours 
Lunch 1 hour 
Cost  250 pesos
Level Not for the faint of heart ... 
                however those building fitness can do just part 

Meet Mega 9:30am 


Reservations are by email.  Click here to reserve



Tags:  burro donkey trek trekking san miguel de allende guanajuato mexico plants flowers attraction adventure countryside tourist things to do shaman

Monday, November 5, 2012

Presa Canyon Birding . Wednesday 7 November


Presa canyon birding . Wednesday 7 November 
 
This is different cause we go down rather than up.  Driving from Mega to the base of the presa, we turn south below the dam, park and then enter the canyon.  While not long or difficult, there is a lot to see especially since this is a gathering place for birds that winter or pass thru central Mexico. 

Driving       1 hour, 30 minutes each way ... ride share and / or van 
Trekking      1.5 hour
Other 1.5 hours of watching and lunch and enjoying 
Cost  200 pesos
Level Anyone 
Meet Mega 9:30am

This is 4 hours max  ... so we will be back by 1:30 or earlier

Reservations are by email.  Click here to reserve

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Sunday 28 October ... Doña Juana


My favorite trek so far.  Totally delightful, the trail leaves the pueblo of Doña Juana, and winds gradually upwards, criss crossing a stream until we get to a large, shady oak tree with plenty of stone “chairs”.   Oak Creek Canyon if you will.  It really feels like you have had a worthy trek in a remote setting and the views satisfy something in your soul.  At the oak we have a snack the lunch burro carried and then you have a choice of resting for a while or of going on up the steeper bits to a silver mine.  When the more ambitious get back we have lunch and then we all return together.  

This is great for kids in that it is not too steep.  We can even arrange for extra burros for those who would prefer their trek by burro back. 

Driving 1 hour, 30 minutes each way
Trekking 3 hours
Lunch 1 hour 
Cost 250 pesos ... burro back 100 extra. 
Level Anyone.  Very adaptable, from burro back to a bit challenging. 
Meet Soriana 9:30 am  ... (request Mega if that is easier for you.)

So plan on more than 5 hours all inclusive.

And get on our mailing list ... that is, "follow us" by email ... to receive our updates.  How to do that is on your right.


Tags:  burro donkey trek trekking san miguel de allende guanajuato mexico plants flowers attraction adventure countryside tourist things to do 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Secrets of the Tuesday Tianguis . alternating Tuesdays

Today we did our inaugural market meandering.  

Overheard:

So that is why they hand you the taco that way!  as we learned how to properly eat our breakfast.

An aphrodisiac!?!?!

Wow ... the flavor is what?  Palm sugar and anise? 

I'm bringing my brother!  He needs some of these herbs. 

It's like string cheese ... only better!

This is GOOD!  And mole is that easy to make?!?!?!  (The good had 21 ingredients ... but I will create mole magic using only it and 2 more.) 

As my friends can attest, after three years I thought I knew everything.  But it was a packed 2 hours of all new stuff.   And home came quite a few items I would never have thought to try ... except now I know how and what to do with it. 

Juan Manuel is a guy who knows his way around a market.  After all, he was a professional chef.  And he loves to share.  

When:   We will be going alternating Tuesdays and limiting the groups to 5 ... so everyone can hear and share. 
Where:   We will meet at Mega ... 9:30 ... orange umbrella near the over ramp ..and learn how to take the bus from there ... and back.
How much:   100 pesos 
How.     Make reservations here

Tuesday      30 Oct 
Tuesday      13 Nov
Tuesday      27 Nov 
and alternating Tuesdays from then on 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Aqua Espina . Wednesday 24th . easy

It is time to offer two levels of treks.  Those for the "A" group ... which is usually Ahead ... and the "B" group ... which is usually Behind. 

The A treks will soon be on weekends ... because these people are usually younger and perhaps working.  These are a continuation of what we have been doing.  Sometimes the trek is suitable for everyone, where the B group will rest at the lunch spot while the A group goes on wearing themselves out. 

The first of the B treks ... also known as (Sin) Burro Fitness Treks ... will be Tuesday the 16th if enough sign up ... or more probably Wednesday the 24th.  

It is to Aqua Espina.  It involves first a canyon where we will stop for a simple lunch ... a truly good deli type sandwich, pink lemonade ... then more trail til we reach an Indiana Jones lost pyramid and surrounding ruins.  We will scramble around a bit, and then take another path back to the car. 

This is called Sin Burro cause there ain't gonna be one!  But we will carry your lunch!!!

Begin:   Bodega parking lot ... orange umbrella ... 9:30 am 
Drive:   15 minutes there and 15 minutes back 
Trek:    1.5 to 2 hours including lunch and looking at plants and things
Return: About noon to Bodega

Price:    150 pesos 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Suggested Treks

When we have enough interest we will offer the following.  So let me know if you are intrigued by any.  Email us here


Tuesday market 

We will join Juan Manuel ...  on a jaunt thru our local tianguis ... farmer's market ... to see  what is on offer ... fresh chicken ... fresh fish ... green grocers ... herbalists ... honey ... how to pick it ... how to use it.  As this one involves no lunch ... and obviously no burro ... it is less expensive. We only need 4 to go ... so grab some friends and email us. 


Weekend treks


Some people still work ... fancy that?!!?  and would like some weekend treks to recover from the stress of it all. 


Later in the day 

We usually begin at 9, but we have those who like a lie in and would like to start later.


Something less challenging 

One delightful and sprightly 93 year old really wants to go ... but would prefer something specifically designed for a group of those more into strolling mode. 


Trail Running 

Turns out Juan Manuel is the second fastest 5 K runner in this part of the Bajìo ... kids included.  He grew up here ... running ... and training ... on indian paths.  So he knows all these wonderful out of the way trails to train on.  One of our trekkers is also a runner and suggested we organize a group that runs once a week ... with Juan Manual taking them to interesting and different places. 

Again, this would be shorter, only for runners ... batteries and lunch not included.  So less expensive.  What we would need are some driving runners so we can get everyone to where we all need to go. 


Shamanic massages

In addition to knowing what plants help you, Juan Manuel also knows how to work with your muscles and your re-alignment in healing massages.  He charges 200 pesos for 25 minutes in the comfort of your home. 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Thursday 11 October ... Cruz del Palmar

Thursday, 11 October ... Cruz del Palmar


This one is to the pyramids and ruins in Cruz del Palmar.  These are lesser known pyramids.  While only 15K away ... It is a 45 minute drive there ... followed by a 1.5 hour slow, reasonably level walk but with some small canyons.  Then climbing around the ruins along the river.  The Franciscan fathers had a capilla there.  If you are lucky you will find an arrow head.  We will enjoy a simple lunch ... good and filling and varied.   Then walk back. 


Also note ... this is a long day.  

Driving       1.5 hours, 45 minutes each way
Trekking     3 hours 
Lunch 1 hour 

So plan on more than 6 hours all inclusive 


This one is could handle 1 or possibly 2 more.   Email us here.

We went and scouted it out this morning.  Turbo watched from the "parking lot" as Juan Manual and Iliarion Maya cross the bridge back from the burro and the capilla where we will begin the trek. 






Rancho de Cabra . 27 Sept 2012

This magical inaugural trek was with 10 people including our "burro" Adàn.

For the pics and story ... please click on the Rancho de Cabra link to your right.