Horse Riding Holiday News July 2008

Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX.
UK - Telephone: +44 (0)1837 82544 or Fax: +44 (0)1837 82179

World Wide Horse Riding Holiday Destinations

Africa

  • Kenya Without doubt some of Africa's best big game country, the rolling Loita Hills to the vast Masai Mara - any safari here is memorable but on a horse it is the experience of a lifetime! We offer a choice of riding safaris in Kenya, from challenging 10 night 'mobiles' for the adventurous rider to tailor-made lodge based safaris for those who want flexibility, a choice of activities and a comfortable base at night. All include great game viewing and very personal service.
  • Botswana From the grassy floodplain and crystal clear waterways of the Okavango Delta to the arid plains of the Kalahari desert, Botswana is a land of tremendous contrasts. It is also very unspoilt, a top choice for game viewing and a fantastic place to ride. You have two horse safari options in the Okavango Delta, surely one of Africa's most beautiful and unspoilt big game areas, and can also ride in southern Botswana's Tuli block, bordering the great Limpopo River. Safaris in both areas are 5 to 10 nights and run almost year round.
  • Tanzania Our riding safaris in Tanzania are adventurous mobiles run in true safari style. They explore the remote wilderness country just south of the Kenyan border, between Amboseli National Park to the north east and the Serengeti to the far west and follow routes across vast un-touristed plains, with the peaks of some of Africa's highest mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Longido and Mount Meru, visible on the horizon. Safaris run from set dates for 8 nights or can be tailor-made for groups.
  • South Africa An ideal year-round destination and four safari choices to suit riders of different abilities and preferences. Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are private safari lodges where flexibility and personal service are key - top choices for a family, a honeymoon or small group of mixed ability riders. Keen riders looking for variety can combine riding with game, cattle work, polocrosse, riding lessons and much more in a stay at Horizon Horseback Adventures or you might choose a 'Big 5' riding safari for spectacular close up viewing of elephant and other game.

Asia & Middle East

  • India These rides are in Rajasthan, one of India's richest regions historically and home to many fascinating cities, temples, palaces and monuments. They follow routes across country, through rural farmland, desert scrub and subsistence villages, with nights spent in a combination of ancient Forts, palace hotels and tented camps. Rides are 10 to 18 nights from set departure dates between October and March and tailor-made departures are possible on request.
  • Kyrgyzstan An exciting choice for the adventurous rider! 12 night rides starting and ending with a night in the capital Bishkek, then tracing a route through the magnificent alpine scenery of the Tien Shan mountains, with camps set up ahead at night.
  • Mongolia One of our wildest destinations and still practically untouched by western influence. The horse is an essential and integral part of life and local culture in Mongolia and we offer four riding itineraries exploring different regions. A wonderful choice for the adventurous traveller looking to visit somewhere 'different'.
  • Jordan Easy access from the UK, guaranteed winter sunshine and an amazing desert experience - Jordan has so much to offer. Rides are for 9 nights and include 6 days riding in the extraordinary Wadi Rum desert as well as a visit to Jordan's 'must see' sites - Petra, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.
  • Turkey Where east meets west, Turkey is a fascinating combination of cultures. The riding here is in Cappadocia, a wonderland of rock towers and troglodyte villages. The 7 night itineraries take you through the heart of Cappadocia and also to wilder plateaus and valleys which few tourists explore. Accommodation is either in guesthouses, boutique hotels or, for the adventurous, in simple camps. Add a few nights in the wonderful city of Istanbul to make this experience even more memorable.

Europe



  • France Stay at a lovely 18th Century Manor house and ride out each day to visit private chateau, bastide towns, truffle farms and more - or join a 'progressive' ride from historic village to village, staying at different hotels at night. These rides are the perfect way to get to know France's Dordogne.
  • Georgia If you are looking for something different and enjoy exploring off the beaten track, Georgia is a very exciting option. Bordered by the Great Caucasus Range, the Black Sea, Russia and Turkey, it is a crossroads between east and west and boasts a remarkable blend of cultures, many fascinating archaeological sites and wonderful unspoilt countryside. 9 night rides start in the capital Tbilisi and are a must for any adventurous traveller!
  • Greece These rides explore the unspoilt Pelion peninsula on Greece's east coast. There are two 7 night itineraries to choose from, either riding across the peninsula from one coast to the other, or combining your choice of daily riding with excursions and time to relax on the beach.
  • Hungary If you are an experienced rider seeking top quality horses, our rides in Hungary will suit you well. Many of the horses used are trained to event to an international level and your guide has ridden with the Hungarian International event team and is one of Hungary's top breeders. There are three 7 night itineraries to choose from, each exploring a different region, from the great plains of the Puszta, to the historic cities of Eger and Tokaj.
  • Italy Good horses, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and plentiful wine - you'll feel you've really got to know Tuscany and not just visited! We have 5 different ride choices, with several challenging long distance rides tracing routes from village to village and also rides based at a rural farmhouse which are ideal for the less confident rider or for anyone wanting flexible riding hours.
  • Portugal Southern Portugal often boasts Europe's best weather in spring and autumn and much of the coastal Alentejo province is protected parkland reserve that is wonderful to explore on a horse. 7 night rides are run year round and you can choose accommodation at the ride centre or excellent value camping accommodation in summer. A fun and relaxed holiday choice.
  • Romania With horses still used to plough fields, to pull hay carts and drag logs from the forests, visiting Northern Romania is like stepping back in time. See it before it changes too much! You can choose an 8 or 15 night itinerary including collection from Bucharest, 5 or 10 days riding and also guided visits to the world famous painted monasteries in Bucovina.
  • Spain A fantastic climate and a great tradition of horses make Spain one of the top places to ride in Europe and it lives up to expectations. If you haven't ridden there already, you definitely should! We have a choice of carefully selected holidays, week-long rides in four different areas, some using Spain's unique Parador accommodation, and also some weekend breaks.

North America

  • Wyoming A super ranch choice for the serious rider. The Bitterroot Ranch is in a remote valley in north-west Wyoming's Absaroka mountains, 16 miles from the nearest tar road. It is family owned and run and is specifically geared to riders with over 100 riding horses and miles and miles of riding country to explore. Week-long stays between May and September include daily riding out, with cattle work often an option.
  • Montana The Flynn Ranch in Montana is ideal for experienced riders looking for a personalised ranch holiday. Small and family run, Flynn Ranch takes only 4 guests at a time (up to 6 for private groups) who join in with daily ranch activities. There is always lots of cattle work, moving, checking and rounding up stock, and you can also join a genuine cattle drive on certain dates in the summer months.

South America

  • Argentina Land of the gaucho, with many huge family owned ranches or Estancias, Argentina is a must for any horse lover visiting South America. We work with Estancias in southern Argentina's Lake district and in northern Argentina's Cordoba province, and a stay at either is the perfect way to experience the traditional Argentine way of life, its top quality horses and wonderful landscapes. Stays are flexible in length and tailored to suit.
  • Argentina to Chile For many people, the ultimate ride in South America is a trip across the Andes and these rides are proving incredibly popular, with good reason - fantastic riding on both sides of the border, the highlights of, and contrasts between, the two. 10 night rides are run from set dates between December and March.
  • Chile Top choice for dramatic and breathtaking mountain scenery. The 7 night High Andes Ride is a challenging adventure for those who love high mountains. In southern Chile, Torres Del Paine National Park is a 'must see' with immense glaciers, turquoise lakes and towering granite cliffs . Rides are for 11 nights, camping at night or staying at local Estancias and hotels for an insight into the local way of life. Run from set dates between November and March.
  • Ecuador A ride in Ecuador is one of the best South American choices if you enjoy local culture and meeting local people in the area you visit. You will see Indian farmers and shepherds with herds of sheep and llamas, colourful Ecuadorian cowboys, markets and craftspeople. Accommodation is in historic Haciendas and hotels or local lodges, camps and small inns
  • Mexico These rides take place in the Valle de Bravo, in the heart of Mexico's Sierra de Madre a few hours drive from Mexico City. Accommodation is at 'Finca Enyhe' a lovely, colonial style hacienda on the edge of the town of Valle de Bravo and riding out from the hacienda you explore the surrounding forested hills, circumnavigating the lake of Valle de Bravo. There are two slightly different itineraries with a choice of a 7 or 8 night ride.
  • Peru Visit the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu, Cusco, capital of the ancient Inca empire and explore the mountain pastures, highland terraces and small, mountain villages of Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas. These rides follow a 'progressive' route with nights in a combination of comfortable lakeside camps and lovely hotels close to some of the world's most remarkable ruins. Long rides are 11 nights with shorter trips possible on request.
  • Uruguay Rides in Uruguay include visits to authentic local estancias, National Parks and historic forts and plenty of contact with local people as well as some wonderful riding on wide, open pastures, beaches and sand dunes. They are a great choice for anyone wanting to visit one of the lesser-known South American countries and you will leave with an in-depth knowledge of local Uruguayan life and culture.

Australasia


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