The Rancho Experience
A fun way to make a difference.  All proceeds benefit Las Rancheritas.
The Rancho Tour is an opportunity to meet the weavers of Las Rancheritas and experience life in a rural village.  The 16 women are the descendants of the Otomi pyramid builders.  . This is an intimate hands-on experience where you will be invited into the homes of the villagers to experience the following: Tortillas made by hand, cooked on a wood fired comal and decorated using an ancient process followed by a delicious traditional lunch, Medicinal herbs and other traditions that have been used by these indigenous people for millennia, A short lesson in the ancient language of he Otomi taught by an elder, traditional stone carving demonstrated by a master,  Rug hooking demo and shopping in Las Rancheritas store.
The tour is an excellent learning experience for children 8 and and up and great opportunity for photographers. Our general tour are Thursdays 12:30 – 5:00. The cost is $40 US or 750 pesos and includes transportation, lunch and the our. Tours leave from in front of St. Pauls Episcopal church on Cardo 6. You must have a reservation.
Email: info@rughookproject.com  Bring extra cash since There are also wonderful crafts to purchase at great prices.
If you have a group of 8 or more you can arrange for a private tour:
info@rughookproject.com
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3 Reviews on “The Rancho Experience Benefiting Las Rancheritas”
I took this tour in 2019, the last time before COVID that I was able to visit San Miguel.
I loved taking part in the tour and highly recommend it.
I bought the most magical hooked pillow cover…a beautiful cow with blue spots.
The Otomi people welcomed us with warmth and grace.
Hope you will include this tour while in San Miguel.
The women of this town are strong and talented and are contributing so much to keep their culture and their community vibrant and alive.
Cathy Blauer
This is a unique and well organized tour. A must
This was a wonderful opportunity to get out into the country and learn about life on the Rancheritas. We saw corn grinding, tortilla and salsa making and had a delicious lunch. All the women were delightful!
At another house, we saw how to make a mango liquado and received a glass full.
This was followed by a demonstration of indigenous medicinal plants. Each was passed around to see and smell.
The ladies also showed us how they prepare tuna (cactus) fruits and samples were passed to taste. There was another type of cactus fruit also that looked like berries.
The last house included a lesson in Otomi language and the little store full of hooked rugs. Every kind of design imaginable and sizes from coaster to door mat. These are made of wool and have greatly increased the standard of living for the women involved with the cooperative project.
The women who run the tour have a long standing relationship with all the women involved and have been instrumental in marketing the hooked rugs.
Don’t miss this opportunity!