We booked a one hr ride with chrystal for a carnival cruise to ensenada and it really made the trip. Super affordable and chrystal was great! Our cruise schedule changed due to weather and chrystal was able to switch our appointment with no issues. Crystal picked us up near port and took us out to the horse trail with her cute doggies (puppy snuggle bonus!) Everyone was friendly and helpful and the horses were a lot of fun. Highly recommend! :) read more

This place is awesome, and affordable. If you want to pay quadruple the price go ahead and book an excursion through Carnival, but if you want a good quality real experience book Desert Trails. Chrystal is amazing, and she always comes prepared. You dont just walk in straight lines, and follow directions here. You actually get to guide your own horse, and do what you want. The freedom is what they are notable for as well as their views. Will book again for sure. read more

Very disappointed. We went in March. The booking process was fine but when we got there, the location was kind of sad looking. The horses are in small pens and the cops were there dealing with a neighbor who was complaining about Glenn and Chrystal's dog. It didn't take long to get ready and we set out with two guides and Chrystal, which seemed great. However, Chrystal was on her phone the entire time and one of the guides was taking photos the whole time so one guide was leading two horses on two leads, one with each child. At one point the horses got annoyed being so close to the other and bucked back kicking the other horse. One of the guides grabbed my son so he didn't fall off. He was shaken but kept going. After the ride we went back for lunch. It was fine but there were lots of flies everywhere and the kitchen is filthy so that hurt the experience. Then, they promised to send photos and never did after multiple emails. Finally, two months later, I asked for a credit and Chrystal told me it was my responsibility to bring a camera. You get what you pay for. Cheap prices for a low-quality experience read more

We came across the Desert Trails website when we were planning our trip to Ensenada and so happy we did! Their prices were amazing compared to what the cruise excursions were asking for. They offer rides from 1-4 hours, starting at only $15 but you must pay a 30% deposit to reserve a spot. Glenn picked us up near the port and drove us up to their stable. He was very friendly and told us all about himself and his wife during the 15 minute drive. When we got to the stable, Crystal was getting the horses ready. We were a group of four and they paired us with the horses according to our riding experience. We began our two hour ride with a beautiful trail that starts right outside of the stable. It was quite windy and they both offered to get us jackets. Crystal took us up to the hills where we got a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, the city of Ensenada, and its island. She stopped us along the way and took photos with her camera and should be emailing us soon. She wasn't in a rush to get us back before our two hours ended; she offered to go higher up the hill to get another great view. After our ride, Glenn drove us back into the city and showed us around; he dropped us off near the shops and suggested a few places we should check out for lunch. Overall, we had a great time and so happy we came across their website. Glenn and Crystal were awesome and genuinely love their horses and treat them great. The horses are all well trained and I even did some trotting with my horse, Reo. I would definitely suggest checking out Desert Trails if you are taking a trip to Ensenada. Cant wait to go back! read more

Desert Trails - Halo - Horseback Riding Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

I would highly recommend going on a ride with desert trails. The ride was breathtaking-- so beautiful!! The staff is very kind and friendly. And you can't beat the prices. Book a tour today- you won't be sorry!! read more

We had an amazing time with Chrystal and her team of horses. I highly recommend booking a tour with her. She was so accommodating and sweet and all the horses were so lovely. I was a bit scared as I had never been on a horse, but all the horses were so well trained and behaved I had nothing to worry about. I rode Sahara and she stole my heart. We will definitely be back. read more

I've been trying to make a reservation now for about one week. So far no response; there is another stable nearby named 'All the Pretty Horses" and it took less than 30 minutes to get a response and make a reservation! read more

Both Glen and Chrystal are super nice. The 1.5 hour horseback riding is amazing. The view of the peak of the mountain is super awesome. It's very safe for kids (4 years old riding w/ Mom) to ride. Depending on your preference, they will either use a rope to lead horse or let you control the horse on your own. The price is far more than reasonable. We pay 50% tips and it's still cost only 1/3 comparing to the cruise excursion. We're going to visit them again next month. Highly recommended!! read more

We had a family of 5 and Crystal and Glen were the perfect hosts. They picked us up right on time. On our way to La Bufadora, Glen was our personal guide for the drive which was about 45 minutes. Glen walked down to the Bufadora with us and let us know where to get the pineapple drinks and taught us how to bargain to get the best deals. Where we arrived at their home the horses were saddled and ready to go. I was very impressed with how much they love their horses. My kids were so excited to see their baby colt. The colt was so used to getting so much hands on love by Crystal and Glen that it just walked up to my kids to pet. Our tour lasted a little longer then expected and Crystal had a lunch ready for us when we returned from our ride. She was so thoughtful of my children. They dropped us off at our boat with plenty of time to spare. Their horses are very much taken care and loved. Their hospitality went above and beyond. I am so glad that we booked the with them. I would highly recommend them to all of my friends and family. read more

The ride was absolutely gorgeous and a lot better than on the beach because we got to see a lot more! Almost the whole ride we were viewing 180 degrees of the ocean. Absolutely gorgeous! Elizabeth was our guide and was soo much fun! Thanks Chrystal and Glenn very much! read more

Desert Trails is absolutely amazing. Their tours are laid back and so fun! The horses are wonderfully trained and very responsive. Our guide, Alex was easy going and fun. I had the best riding experience there that I've every had. Do yourselves a favor and ride with Desert Trails, you won't regret it read more

My family and I had a wonderful experience with the horseback riding tour. We took the Carnival Cruise to Ensenada and I had looked up activities to do and found them on yelp. Originally I saw the tour that was offered from the cruise which was very expensive and found this to be very affordable. Liz took us on the tour and she was very accommodating as none of us had ridden horses before. The hike took us to the top of the mountain with incredible views of the ocean. Chrystal picked us up near the dock and also dropped us off in town. I would definitely recommend this riding excursion. read more

I'm a single mom traveling with my 8 year old son on vacation via cruise. We were looking for something fun and exciting to do during our day in Ensenada. We did lots of research and found this gem. Crystal and Glenn are amazing people and so friendly and welcoming. They are super attentive to any questions and concerns you may have. They do their very best to make your visit the best it could be. You can tell they take so much pride and joy in what they do. sooo the details... Coming from a cruise (like I did) they ask you to walk a short way into town. It is literally like a 7min walk from the ship. Glenn will pick you up in his personal vehicle from the steps of a hotel you will wait at. I know for some people this might be an area of concern/red flag but just because they don't advertise with the cruise lines doesn't discount their honesty and integrity or the experience you will have with them. It is about a 15min drive to their place. Once you arrive they introduce you to all the horses, let you pet them, take pics and just get acquainted with them before you take off on your ride. I ended up riding in the same saddle as my 8yr old because he decided he wasn't comfortable going at it alone last minute. There was another mom with her 3 boys on the same ride as us and her 8yr old was able to ride alone (for you parents with small children worried about them going alone). The pace is a very relaxed one so no worries about the horses travelling too fast. They already know where to go as well. During the ride Crystal makes sure to constantly check on all riders and sees to any needs immediately. The horses they have are very well cared for. We chose the 1.5hr ride as it was our first and it was amazing. We stopped atop a plateau and took pics. You can use your own camera and Crystal also brings along a camera to take pics along the way. We opted for the prepared lunch and let me tell you it was delicious!! I actually just could not stop eating. My son is loved it too!! Both Crystal and Glenn joined us in eating so it was really nice to get to know them better. They are honestly great people and so easy going. They shared some new things coming to Desert Trails :) but I can't spoil those surprises-you'll just have to stay turned to their Facebook and website. On the way back Glenn dropped us off in town and gave us a low down on bargaining with the street vendors. He made sure to let me know where is OK and not OK to go as it was just me and my son together. They care as much about your safety as you do! If you decide to visit Desert Trails when visiting Ensenada you will not be disappointed. I would definitely visit them again if I travel here again. Crystal and Glenn you are awesome people and I hope you have so much success in these coming endeavors!!!! ***this is my same review from tripadvisor but some people may not see either one so I thought i'd put it both places read more

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Riding in the hills behind Ensenada was the best part of my trip. Chrystal, Glenn and the two men who work with them are fantastic - and there were burritos after our ride! They're changing locations soon to a spot between Ensenada and Ojos Negros, which is out in the Guadalupe Valley. It's a beautiful spot. I'll definitely hit them up again the next time my partner and I are in Ensenada. read more

My boyfriend and I had a great time riding with Chyrstal! She was so friendly and Glenn was great as well. Their horses are loved and cared for. We went on a beautiful ride through the hills and over looking the ocean. I would highly recommend riding here. What a great experience. We will definitely be back! read more

I was looking for an exciting excursion that I could also include my 4 year old in. I discovered Chrystal and her service through yelp. Booking it was a little different as I corresponded through numerous emails and up until the day our boat left dock I still hadn't put down a deposit and received confirmation or instructions. I did finally get confirmation. If you are looking for an authentic experience, outside of the cruise excursions this is the route to go. The meetup location was easy to find and close walking distance to the port. We joined 4 others and hopped in the back of the truck. One rider was a repeat guest. Chrystal drove us through town and out away from the tourist areas, up a bumpy ride to the hills. As a kid I loved riding around in teh back of a pick up truck and I was happy to be able to give that experience to my son. We felt safe and in good hands on the horses, even though we arent terribly experienced riders. My son rode with me and Chrystal was careful to make sure she held the rope to our horse to make sure we stayed safe. The view is totally worth it! Afterwards part of our group was driven back to port and we went back to Chrystal's for a delicious bbq of tacos. I gotta get that salsa recipe. I would definitely recommend this, if you're feeling adventurous, over any cruiseline promoted excursion. read more

Desert Trails - Horseback Riding Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

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Found Desert Trails on an online search when going to Ensenada on a Carnival Cruise. We got in contact with Chrystal and Glenn a few days before we would be in Ensenada and they were able to fit our group of 4 people in. Glenn picked us up, along with one other couple, right outside the port and drove us out to their home where the horses were waiting and ready to go. Chrystal and Liz introduced us to each of the horses and explained each horses' individual personality before letting us choose which horse we wanted to ride. They showed us everything we needed to know and made everyone feel very comfortable, even if you had no experience riding. It was very easy to see that the horses were very well taken care of, healthy, and loved. Each horse had their own personality which was very fun to see. We rode up the mountain with amazing views of the ocean and surrounding area. Liz and Chrystal took photos of us the entire way and emailed them all to us within two days to enjoy. We purchased a couple of the Wine/Cheese samplers and the Beer/Salsa/Guac samplers to enjoy on their back porch when we got back to their home. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious and well worth the small amount charged for them. Overall, this was our favorite part of the entire cruise and we would absolutely recommend this to anyone and would definitely visit them again next time we are in Ensenada. Thanks again Glenn, Chrystal, and Liz! read more

As a kid, I spent a good deal of time with horses, my wife absolutely ZERO. When we took a cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary, I wanted to go horseback riding, but also wanted my wife to not hate it. There was a ride available through Carnival, but I didn't want to go riding "en masse" on dis-spirited, mal-treated horses. Half the fun of horseback riding is getting to know your ride! When I stumbled onto Desert Trails site, it was pretty apparent that they would be able to give us an experience, not just a ride. We set it up via email and felt very comfortable with Chrystal, both in her response time but also in the way she was so accommodating. On the morning of the ride, Glenn met us at the appointed spot in Ensenada and drove us to the stables. The property is a bit more spartan than what you would expect, but then they had JUST moved onto the new property and are still getting the new stables constructed. We "met" our horses, Cherokee and Reo, two sweet guys who are also best buddies. With Chrystal as our guide, we leisurely ascended into the mountains above Ensenada. The area had recently been hit with a fire, so it was a bit scorched, but all round you could see the plant life re-generating. The views were positively breathtaking, and Chrystal doubled as our official photographer - she emailed us our pictures just a day after our return. I would not hesitate for one nano-second to recommend Desert Trails, especially if you want a more personal experience on some horses who still have a personality. Reo was fun for me, with a bit of experience, Cherokee was perfect for my completely inexperienced wife. Afterwards, we enjoyed beer, chips and homemade guacamole and salsa with Glenn, Chrystal and some of their smaller four-legged kids (very friendly dogs). We felt more like we were visiting with friends rather than taking a tourist-oriented excursion. If you want to go horseback riding, and you are a couple or a smaller family or group, you couldn't do much better than Desert Trails. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. read more

Awesome ride! Awesome experience. Very cool people and you really get an individual experience. Thank you thank you thank you!

Hard to write a review that doesn't read like a copy of everyone else; however, our experience is much the same! Desert Trails is a very casual, low key operation by a couple who clearly enjoy caring for a stable of their own healthy horses, and who enjoy the informal atmosphere of taking interested riders of all levels of experience up the hills to catch a great view of Pacific Ocean and Ensenada Bay area. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We also saved a considerable amount of money compared to what the Carnival Cruise line would have charged for a more regimented experience. By the way, if you choose, you may have a little picnic with Crystal and Glenn after your ride, nothing formal, just sitting around their picnic table after the ride and eating chips and homemade salsa, bbq, tacos and tostadas, while sipping wine and eating cheese. Pick-up and return right by the ship makes this a great time and great value. Highly recommended for those who aren't afraid to step away from the booking desk on the ship. read more

We were taking a cruise with Carnival with our 1 y/o in tow. We were a bit skeptical of we should even get off the boat to explore Ensenada since we've kind of already done that before. Since there was not much to do with a toddler, I yelped and found really good reviews on some horse riding with Desert Trails. I called before even leaving CA and spoke with Glenn who was very nice and helpful. I went ahead and emailed Chrystal asking if I'm able to bring my baby, and she said yes. I carried her through the trails with my baby carrier and it worked out well. We did the hike all the way up the hill with their dog Pico (which was so cute because he followed us the whole time). My baby and I rode Cherokee who was very gentle and my husband rode Rio. We would definitely be back again soon and we totally recommend them. Too bad we didn't get to chow down the best fish taco in town Glenn recommended. Next time, for sure! Thank you for such a memorable time! It was mine and my daughter's first time riding! read more

A great trip for myself and my two kids, ages 6 and 9. After reading the yelp reviews I emailed them and was happy to get a response the next day. We were on the Carnival cruise so they met us in Ensenada, drove us to their home, and took us on the trip. My kids loved it. The pace was relaxed and perfect for my kids. We were on a 1.5h trip in the hills which was what they had recommended and a good length for my kids. Chrystal and Glenn were very accommodating. Afterwards they dropped us off in front of the ship. I would definitely do this trip again. read more

You will not regret this experience! We did the Carnival cruise. My family of 6 (mom, dad, granny, 11, 10, 7) There is not many options for my 7 year old as far as the cruises go. So i got online to see what I could find. I chose Desert Trails because of the great reviews and now totally get it and have to leave my own. Super down to earth. My kids LOVED riding in the back of the truck. Drove through the town and got to see the "real" ensenada. Had a AMAZING time riding. My kids loved it and my 7 year old even had her own super chill horse who just led her right along (Sahara). It was perfect. We also went back to the house for chips and dip and the kids got to play with the dogs. Not too often do you get a real experience and not huge tour group experience. Totally focused around you. plus, the difference is price is unbelievable. THANK YOU for the GREAT memories. One well keep for a lifetime. read more

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Chrystal and Glenn did an amazing job making this experience one of a kind. Glenn picked us up in downtown Ensenada and gave us a brief tour of the downtown area (as first timers it was nice to get a lay of the land). When we got to the house, we were greeted by several friendly dogs. My friends and I played with the dogs until the horses were ready. All of the horses were very well trained (and healthy). We had very experienced riders to a first time rider and we all enjoyed our ride. Chrystal and Glenn made delicious guacamole and salsa as well as were great company. I would highly recommend this experience for anyone traveling to Ensenada. read more

I went with a group of 6 girls and we had a great time. Being our first time in Ensenada (coming on a Carnival cruise), I was a bit wary of just booking off a website, but after emailing and calling, Glenn and Chrystal answered all of my questions on the phone and online. They are an American couple that have been living there for a while so communication was no issue. Glenn took us to La Bufadora and gave us basically a personal local tour with lots of great info on the local culture and tips for haggling and sight seeing. He even knew several of the vendors. We got there before all the tour groups so it wasn't crowded at all. As we were leaving, we saw the tour groups pouring in and it made me soooo glad we weren't being herded in like they were, but had a personal little tour. We then went back to their place, which is close to the port, and half of us went horseback riding while the other half went shopping and vice versa. Glenn knew the city, so it was easy to get around. Chrystal was a great horse guide. The horses were healthy and happy and had lots of personality. They were easy to handle. We had an amazing view of the city and the ocean and got to trot and gallop and have fun with the horses. We made it back to our ship in perfect time so that we wasted no time in Mexico, but didn't get left behind in Mexico. I HIGHLY recommend booking with them. You can't beat their prices and they are just the nicest people ever. Thank you Glenn and Chrystal! read more

Wow! My boyfriend and I cruised into Ensenada on the Carnival Imagination and were so excited to have Glen patiently awaiting us for our trail ride in the Ensenada countryside. Glen and Crystal felt like old friends- we had such a sweet time getting to know the couple and hearing about their life in Ensenada. I've grown up with horses and was keen to have a laid back trail ride without an overbearing trail guide- Elio was just what we needed he stayed right by my boyfriend's side the entire time making the inexperienced rider feel safe and secure while I was free to have a little more "rein"- excuse the pun- to enjoy riding Halo as i pleased. The horses are safe, experienced on the trails and so sweet to spend time with. I would highly recommend this ranch as a place to rent horses from as well as to make some new friends at! Enjoy! read more

I never rode a horse before. Glenn and Chrystal were very professional and made sure that we were very safe. They made sure that we knew how to handle the horse and have a fun time at it. We were able to enjoy a wonderful gorgeous desert trail and got a wonderful overlook of the ocean. Highly recommend this trip. read more

Was there 9/23/15 and had great riding experience. My wife and I went with our two adult children and our two granddaughters aged 2 and 5. First of all they picked us up at a convenient location in town aprox 10 minute walk from our cruise ship. Later returned us to same point, which seemed like a safe tourist location. Small riding operation run by Chrystal & Glen who are two Americans from Oregon who came to Ensenada 20+ yrs ago & started this riding business. Our concern was to have a safe ride & have fun at the same. They delivered on both. Our little girls rode with their parents and Chrystal and Glen even walked along side of the horses that the children were on to make certain we were comfortable. It's scenic from the hilltops and we felt safe in that none of us are experienced riders. Also thought it was fairly priced. If you are into polo type setting this is not for you. They clearly like their animals and they seem well cared for. For us it was well worth the listed price. read more

My girlfriend and I sailed into Ensenada on a Carnival cruise. We wanted to go horseback riding so began looking at excursions through Carnival's website. Carnival has advertised horseback riding for just over $70 pp. I decided to do an internet search for horseback riding in Ensenada and stumbled upon Desert Trails. The first thing that attracted me was the price but then I began reading past reviews from other customers where they were all positive and full of energy. I emailed Chrystal and Glenn with some questions I had about booking times, pickup location, etc. Their response was prompt and very personal so I decided to book the 2-2.5 hour ride (this is probably enough unless you are accustomed to riding horses). The total cost was less than 1/2 of what it would have cost me to book a ride through Carnival. Glenn picked us up near the ship and gave us an overview of the city on the way to their ranch. I felt very comfortable with Glenn from the moment I met him. He was very personal and friendly. We arrived at the ranch after about a 15 minute drive where Chrystal was prepping the horses for our ride. When Chrystal approached us I realized we were about to have an experience similar to hanging out with friends who owned horses. There were no big crowds (only my girlfriend, Chrystal, and I) and the horses were eager to hit the trails. We had the best experience ever! The ride was absolutely amazing and very personal. We rode to the top of the mountain overlooking breathtaking views of the coastline while Chrystal took awesome video and photos along the way. We wanted to ride a little more so Chrystal excitedly took us down another trail before heading back to the ranch. We had the best time ever! We could have easily paid more than double than we did for a much less experience through one of the local "buffet" horse riding ranches. Desert Trails is the best experience and absolutely the way to go! You will not be disappointed and will leave Ensenada with a most memorable experience. In the future, we plan to drive down to Ensenada from the Los Angeles area and hang out with Chrystal and Glenn. These are some of the most amazing people and the horse ride was the best part of our whole cruise experience. This is a must do! Paul read more

My husband, 9 year-old daughter and I, along with another couple from our ship, booked the 1.5 hour horseback riding tour. I had booked in advance, and Chrystal was very good about getting back to me on all of my questions through our email correspondences. They have several options, so it all depends on what fits best for you and/or your group. In addition, Chrystal and Glenn truly want you to have the best time; we had also intended to visit La Bufadora with them, but we were told the conditions may not be the best that day, and they simply didn't want us to be disappointed. We opted out of that portion of the visit, but the horses were well worth it! Their horses are beautiful, well-groomed, and are cared for a great deal. Chrystal and Glenn were very open, honest, and trustworthy. Everything they told us, whether by email or in person, was true. I particularly liked being part of a very small group, and I felt like we got to really experience a piece of Ensenada. read more