Globetrotting’s Most Intrepid Rides
The Patagonia Trail, Argentina , The Maasai Mara Ride, Kenya , The Okavango Delta Ride, Botswana , Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia , Wilderness Expedition, Iceland , Big Horn Cattle Drive, USA , The Namibia Safari, Namibia , Kalahari Desert Safari, Namibia , Andorra Trail, Spain , Tanzanian Wilderness Safari, Tanzania ...
If you’re looking for an adventure that will get you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown, we’ve got plenty of horse riding holidays for you to choose from!
Whether you want to scale the Patagonian mountains or get lost in the vast Namib Desert, whether you fancy face-to-face encounters with Africa’s Big Five game animals or moving cattle through the USA’s Big Horn National Park, these rides will get your blood pumping and maybe – just maybe – change your life.
The Patagonia Trail, Argentina
If you want to ride on the top of the world, come to Patagonia. On this epic ride, you’ll journey through one of the most beautiful, rugged and inspirational landscapes in the world, along trails that few have the privilege to tread. Argentina’s agile, strong and surefooted Criollo horses will astound you as they navigate the slopes like mountain goats. And you’ll be in the safe hands of one of our best-known and best-loved guides, Jakob von Plessen. This man has over 20 years’ experience guiding rides in Argentina and Kenya, and he never fails to bring the perfect balance of adventure, laughter, authentic experiences and local knowledge.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
This horse riding safari will truly knock your socks off in terms of both the sheer quality of the experience and the breathtaking, adrenaline-filled wildlife encounters. The Okavango Delta is arguably Africa’s last unspoilt wilderness, a never-ending meadow filled with flood plains, marshes, forests, islands and more game than you can poke a stick at. With itineraries ranging from five to ten nights, you’ll really be able to get your fill of supreme safari horses, wildlife, unforgettable scenery and exceptional hospitality as you traverse the beautiful Delta.
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Kenya’s Maasai Mara is another must for those looking for the BEST of African safari experiences. You’ll explore some of Africa’s best big game country as you ride your fit, responsive steed from the Loita Hills into the Maasai Mara, an immense national reserve that spreads out either side of the Mara River. Crossing the Mara is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this ride – but having said that, you’ll be hard pressed to isolate one mind-boggling, jaw-dropping moment from the next, be it looking into the eyes of a bull elephant or racing a zebra herd across the plains.
Khovsgol & Arkhangay Rides, Mongolia
There is no better place to explore on the back of a horse than Mongolia, globetrotters. This is the spiritual and ancestral home of the horse, as evidenced by the fact that the hardy Mongol horses flourish on nothing but the natural vegetation of the vast grasslands. But that’s not to say that Mongolia is just one big plateau – on the contrary, the mountains are ever-present, whether framing the horizon or looming high above as you navigate the slopes. Truly, Mongolia is a place of contrasts, where storms blow in and away like feathers, unfathomably large lakes give way to forested mountain passes, and nomads smile in welcome from huts smack bang in the middle of nowhere. This ride will etch itself on your heart forever.
Wilderness Expedition, Iceland
Like Mongolia, Iceland is a country where horses form a huge part of the national identity and way of life. The Wilderness Expedition sees you riding with a herd of around 70 plucky, independent and tough little Icelandic horses. Over seven days, you’ll journey from one otherworldly landscape to the next – think bubbling geysers, sweeping valleys, alpine plateaus, hot springs, volcanoes and lava fields. These landscapes are utterly untouched, and you’ll be staying in rustic mountain huts for four nights – so if you prefer rugged, pristine nature over creature comforts, the Wilderness Expedition is the ride for you.
Big Horn Cattle Drive, USA
Ever wanted to try your hand at living the life of a rancher? Here’s your chance! On this ride you’ll be helping the Kerns family undertake their annual four-month-long cattle drive across Big Horn National Park, where their cattle have been grazing for generations. There’s no molly-coddling on this ride – you’ll ride in all weathers, traversing huge swathes of wilderness day-to-day before tucking in to a campfire dinner and snuggling up inside your teepee. So if an authentic, 1880s-style cattle drive through the American wilds sounds right up your alley, we’ve got you sorted!
Namib Desert Safari, Namibia
Does the prospect of an epic endurance ride across a vast, windswept desert set your heart on fire? Because that’s exactly what you’ll get on this ten day, 400 kilometre ride across the Namib Desert. Not for the faint-hearted, this holiday requires you to be both physically and mentally fit – the days are long, dusty and hot. BUT if you’re up for the challenge, you will be rewarded a hundredfold. From its beginnings in the central highlands, the Namib Desert Safari sees you ride across landscapes that will set your soul on fire before finally arriving at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way you might even see wildlife such as oryx, zebra, warthogs, ostriches and the famous wild horses of the desert.
*P.S. our wonderful ride partners in Namibia also offer a number of other itineraries, including the Kahalari Desert Safari. Please contact us for more information about other itineraries.
Andorra Trail, Spain
This 13 day, 350 kilometre (217 mile) trek through the Pyrenees mountains of Spain, France and Andorra has to be THE most intrepid ride in western Europe. It’s only open to strong intermediate to advanced riders as the riding is at times very technical, requiring a high level of fitness, and occasionally you’ll need to lead your horse over challenging mountainous terrain. But the payoff is a ride you’ll never forget, with views that few people ever get to see. Not to mention a bond with your forward-moving Andalusian steed forged over 11 days straight of riding across mountains, valleys, cliffs, canyons, forests and meadows.
Kilimanjaro Elephant Safari, Tanzania
As part of the same African guided rides adventure (we’re calling it the ‘Out of Africa’ tour), we’re beyond thrilled to be exploring Tanzania, THE destination for elephant lovers! The journey begins in Arusha National Park, where the scenery transforms dramatically from open grassland to rainforest. Then the route passes through farmland and the Maasai plains to the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro, with lakes, waterfalls and fascinating villages to explore along the way. The authentic interactions with local people will definitely be a trip highlight. At night you’ll bed down in a mobile safari camp where the sounds of wild Africa will lull you to sleep and rouse you at dawn.
And there you have it – our ULTIMATE horse riding holidays for those seeking to venture into the unknown astride a strong, willing horse. Saddle up, globetrotters!