The Story Behind Rancho Khepri
Life is a book of stories, and we are the ones writing them with each and every waking moment of our lives. As a chapter began to close for Desiree towards the end of 2023, she ventured off into the countryside of San Miguel de Allende with her young son Ethan to spend some time outdoors and focus on family.
Desiree noticed Ethan’s interest in being a cowboy was steering him away from screen time and encouraging him to explore and engage more with the world around him. She realized it was time for a lifestyle change, and that she wanted her upcoming chapters in the book of life to be filled with family, community, connectivity, and new adventures.
What began as a private horse ranch in Desiree’s mind, grew into an open and inviting space where friends, families, and communities could come together to learn, grow, explore, and celebrate. See how far we have come and where we are going!
Winter
2024
Began searching hidden landscapes for a large, majestic property with access to the mountains and a river. During this time, Desiree thought about the connections between the symbolism of the ancient Egyptian sun god Khepri, and the transformational journey she was experiencing. In the spirit of creation and rebirth, the name Rancho Khepri came to life.
Summer
2024
Discovered a property that was riddled with holes from people digging up rocks and dirt, so it didn’t look like much, but Desiree saw a diamond in the rough. She made a deposit and began moving land to fill the holes and level the area to build horse corrals. The largest hole was the perfect size for a lake, so Desiree decided to fill it with water instead of sand.
Fall
2024
Started drilling in search of a well and testing soil for environmental or structural hazards and the land’s agricultural capacity. The water that was found for the well was surprisingly warm, which triggered the search for a potential hot spring hiding somewhere beneath the land. In the meantime, designs for the first two buildings were being planned to start construction in the spring.
Spring
2025
The foundation has been poured for the garage and padlock, and there’s access to water with the well in place, but the power wasn’t set up yet, and the generators couldn’t handle the energy demand. Construction took a brief pause to get the power up and running. As soon as they had the energy their tools needed, the welders began welding the framing and roof truss on-site.
Summer
2025
Heavy rains flooded the property, bringing construction to a halt until the rain slowed down. When it was time to get back to work, there were a few post-flood repairs made to the road to keep things moving smoothly. The roof went up over the garage and the foundation for the horse stables was poured to start working on the third building.
Spring
2026
Desiree found someone who could create an irrigation system that would bring her Snake River Fire Lookout to life and keep the landscape she was designing hydrated and happy. In addition to water features, Desiree also started building a rest area with lockers, showers, and a bathroom, a restaurant and bar, a sweat lodge for Temazcal ceremonies, and a lavender labyrinth and beehives for the garden.
Fall
2026
By late fall, many projects that are currently underway will be completed, including the snake river, landscape designs, lake of dreams, two additional ponds, and the temazcal sweat lodge. Customized Rancho Khepri entrance gates will also be completed and installed, and a dedicated search for natural hot springs on the property continues.
Coming Soon
The Sanctuary bar and restaurant will be serving delicious food and stunning views, and overnight accommodations are already being planned and designed. Rancho Khepri is expanding onto a second property to make room for swimming pools, additional stables, and a shade structure for horses and livestock. Guests will be invited to travel between properties by horseback.
All Experiences are Personal
Every ride, session, and event is tailored to you — whether it’s a short trail ride or a full-day private celebration.
Horses at the Heart
Our horses are part of the family. We match them thoughtfully with every guest.
Wellness Meets Adventure
From Horse Love Therapy to traditional Temazcal rituals, we blend meaningful experiences with the joy of being on horseback.
A Place to Slow Down
Away from the noise, our ranch offers space to breathe, connect, and create lasting memories.
At Rancho Khepri, we believe the most meaningful experiences happen when you feel truly welcomed. Our horses, land, and team are here to create moments that feel personal, warm, and unforgettable.
Meet Our Horses & Cowboys
- Always Friendly
Our team of cowboys takes great pride in caring for our horses and creating meaningful connections with every guest who visits. Each horse is well-loved and carefully matched with riders to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
