Stunning Locations for Horse Riding Vacations
Horse riding vacations vary enormously. You can choose to ride across the limitless Mongolian steppe for nine hours a day, dining with nomads and resting under huge skies; or head to Spain, encumbering up for a couple of hours before kicking back in the Jacuzzi of a comfy, country hotel.
Trot through the African bush with the major Five for company, or tour back in time with a expedition in conventional Transylvania.
However, there are continually a some elements. You need to love horse riding and experience helps; there are a numerous expeditions for newcomers, but the essentiality of a horse riding vacation is adventure, and no novice rider will canter from one side of a mountain to another.
It helps to be sociable too – you ’ll be indulging in a shared love with like-minded people, so their company should be a enjoyment, not a pain. finally, the horses come first.
No matter how tired you’re at the end of a long ride, their comfort, food and water take priority; once they ’re happy and rested, so will you be too.
Most horse riding vacations do assume you have at least some experience on horseback already, but not all.
However, need to introduce the kiddies to the sport, or haven’t been in the saddle for some time, If you ’re new to horse riding.
Regions similar as Catalonia and Tuscany are ideal for easygoing trots and canters across idyllic terrain.
More master riders might want to look further afield to places alike as Mongolia, Jordan or India, where confidence, physical health and a readiness to endure occasionally enough elemental conditions reward you with vast expanses of spectacular horse country to explore.
Horseback riding weekend getaway
The Willamette Coast Ride is a onetime in a life span experience that offers riders a chance to see some of the most beautiful and varied scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
We offer this experience for only twelve weeks per year during the months of May through October. This equestrian vacation is a progressive ride that covers terrain in three truly distinct surroundings.
Riders will experience the picturesque farming land of the Willamette Valley and ride through portions of coastal range mountains – Oregon’s temperate rain- forestland and the awe inspiring coast where the majestic Pacific shapes Oregon’s beachfronts.
Our ride is an intermediate to advanced level horse ride and the capability to canter is needed. We operate under permit by Siuslaw National Forest and are an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.
Horse Riding Vacation Destination
1. Mongolia
Genghis Khan conquered an entire empire from horseback, yet despite that Mongolia’s unadulterated nature and pure beauty – illustrated by infinite skies and rolling steppe against a collision of mountains and sand dunes – purely screams freedom.
However, this is a chance to truly immerse yourself in nature at its most liberating, If you love riding in the great outdoors.
You ’ll be led by herders that spend their lives on horseback, and have numerous occasions to immerse with domestic communities as you tour.
2. Wales
Embark on a fantastic horseback expedition from the England/ Wales border all the way to the coast, at the Dovey Estuary, on one of our most popular Wales horse riding vacations.
Small group tours are led by guides friendly with the unmarked trails that lead you through wild hills and valleys, overnighting in small inns and lodges over the course of a week.
You ’ll be responsible for feeding, grooming and tacking your own horse throughout, so hope to become truly attached.
3. Catalonia
The Pyrenean foothills outside Girona are sublime territory for equine riding, offering a good mixture of terrain for masterful riders as well as those new to life in the saddle.
Expert instructors instruct a variety of styles, then lead you on scenic rides around stormy countryside, lakes, canals and trails once used by highwaymen.
It’s a great option for families with youngish children, with gentle ponies available and an plenty range of other activities nearby.
4. France
The Poitou-Charentes region is a rural pocket of western France, where the hospitality and general bonhomie of shared lodging is just as enticing as the country.
Leisurely rides in the surrounding areas can be combined with lessons, or if you ’re already a confident rider then you can take a tour of a domestic vineyard, explore near medieval villages, or take a picnic out to enjoy in a lush green valleys.
5. Iceland
In the summer, the sun barely sets in the Land of Ice and Fire, while the snowier months are heated by hot springs and saunas – all great for long days on horseback.
Tough Icelandic equines carry you at the tölt, a pace between a trot and canter, through wildlife-rich canal deltas, geothermal valleys, flowery meadows and over black sand beaches on small group rides led by domestic guides.
6. Poland
However, consider Poland’s Bieszczady mountain range, If you ’re seeming for a unique destination in which to saddle up.
Then you ’ll ride through unspoiled wilderness of fields, canals, forestland and hills, either staying at domestic guesthouses, or camping outside.
Guides fill you in on the region’s tumultuous history around the fire in the sunsets, with all routes and distances acclimatized to the average member of the group.
7. Ecuador
Embark on a week-long small group ride from the foothills outside Quito into Ecuador’s glorious High Andes.
Follow ancient Incan trails, appreciate snow- capped volcanoes and Andean condors, stay at luxurious and significant haciendas, and enjoy the immersion into indigenous culture that comes naturally when travelling through rural areas at a slower pace.
While designed for intermediate riders this trip can also accommodate newcomers, with assignments available, and you’ll also appreciate a many days acclimatising ahead set-off, as you ’ll be riding at altitude
8. Argentina
Trek alongside gaucho guides through remote mountain terrains and camping at family- owned fincas, or for the more intrepid, follow in the (hoof) prints of San Martin on the fabulous Crossing of the Andes from Chile to Argentina.
Horses are used to occasionally rough terrain, and these tailormade tours are an ideal way to experience Argentina’s big-name gaucho culture.
9. Romania
The foothills of the Transylvanian Carpathians make a superb base for year round equine riding vacations. That’s right, you can canter through the snow then, a magical experience.
You’ll be provided with a equine suited to your size and capability, with a range of breeds available including Lipizzaner and Arabs, and also ride out to explore medieval villages that look frozen in time, unfenced pastures and meadows, and ancient forest.
10. South Africa
South Africa is a fantastic destination for family equine riding vacations.
Beyond the riding you’ve got culture, history, the chance for games alike as polocrosse, wine tasting and, of course, your horse riding can also be combined with big game safaris in some of the world’s topmost national parks suchas Kruger.
11. Belize
In Belize’s Maya mountains, the guarded Caribbean forest of Mountain Pine Ridge is rich in flora and fauna.
It’s anymore that you ’ll find Blancaneaux, Francis Ford Coppola’s ultra luxe Balinese- style mountain hotel – well positioned, close to Caracol Mayan point and overlooking a small canal and waterfall.
As well as a health spa and pool, the resort has stables from which you can arrange sunrise rides through the rainforest, trail rides that take you from pine to rainforest while seeking out hidden waterfalls, and sunset rides to the near national park.
12. Indonesia
A short flight from Bali, this less visited Indonesian island is covered in pristine rainforest and traditional rice paddies, fringed with white sand beachfronts and dotted with thatched bamboo houses, while the island’s inhabiters still prefer to follow the traditions of their ancestors and resist modernistic development.
On the remote west beach, Nihi Sumba Luxury Retreat offers indeed more seclusion with its own private beach, in ultimate luxury and undeniable style.
You can explore the surrounding countryside and visit near villages on horseback, or canter along the sand of the private beach.
13. Turrialba, San Jose
The Turrialba Valley, near Costa Rica’s San Jose, is a wild and verdant stormy landscape just awaiting to be explored.
From the grand colonizer house and gardens of Casa Turire lodge, guests can set out on horseback to explore the surrounding landscape of coffee plantations and mountainside, sugar and macadamia farms, and Angostura Lake, with a domestic vaquero to guide the way.
14. Rural Rajasthan, India
Experience the wild setting of this enduring desert riding on fine specimens of the hardy Marwari breed. Immerse yourself in the spiritual nature of this rugged desert landscape, looking out for India’s rare and stunning Black Buck as you go.
Whether you ride out at evening, sunrise, or indeed take amulti-day hack through the wilderness, contemporary desert palace Mihir Garh will set you up in style.
15. Cuba
The vibrant colonial megacity of Trinidad, with its cobbled streets, light-coloured houses and mountainous background, is a charmingly old- world setting from which to set out on a horseback exploration.
For a real treat, ride out on one of Finca Kenia ‘s ten beautiful equines into the surrounding valley past abandoned sugar mills and plantation houses.
You ’ll pass farm houses, crop fields and plenty of chickens and piglets crossing your path.
16. New Zealand
The Taharua Valley enjoys some of the most distinctive, beautiful and unspoilt scene in New Zealand.
Trails through Poronui, a remote acre high- country property, lead through lush native beech and fantastic forestlands, across Manuka covered hills, open grassland and gentle streams.
From an beginning novice right to amulti-day travel, this is a comforting riding experience for anyone.
17. Mozambique
With its crystal clear waters and pristine white beachfronts, this corner of paradise in the balmy Indian Ocean is the perfect place to relax and wind down.
To complete the postcard-perfect image, Azura Benguerra provides tailor- made private trail rides both inland and along the beachfronts, and is extensively regarded as one of the finest beachfront riding destinations around.
18. Brazil
The world’s largest wetlands area, Brazil’s Pantanal remains of the most unspoilt and abundant habitats in the world, rich in tropical flora and abundant in wildlife alike as macaws, toucans, anteaters, otters and jaguar.
In a protected spot, on a stretch of the Rio Negro, you ’ll find Barra Mansa lodge, a five- room lodge which is positioned on a typical Pantanal farm. Then, guests have the option of taking part in farm activities, similar as navigating the wetlands on horseback
19. Mexico
Lush green coffee plantations across the Colombian hills are the setting for Hacienda San Jose, an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside on equine back, with the another option of riding through the characterful city of Salento and between the soaring palms of Valle de Cocora.
