Ranch Rider has added riding holidays in Montana, Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma to its latest brochure and the specialist is also expanding its Africa collection and introducing Tanzania in 2016.
(TRAVPR.COM) UK - December 20th, 2015 - In 2016, Ranch Rider will celebrate its 20th birthday, the specialist tour operator offering riding holidays for everyone. Managing Director Tony Daly, booked a horseback adventure at Arizona’s Tanque Verde Resort Ranch in 1995, his seven night stay in the Grand Canyon state sparking a passion for the old west and the cowboy lifestyle. A year later, Ranch Rider was born, the travel company’s website including working, guest and resort ranches in North America. Handpicked by a team of people who share a love of saddling up, the complete portfolio has grown from just 20 ranches to over 70 properties across the US, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
Ranch Rider has added riding holidays in Montana, Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma to its latest brochure and the specialist is also expanding its Africa collection and introducing Tanzania in 2016.
Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, comments, “With WestJet announcing direct flights from London Gatwick to various Canadian destinations* and America’s National Park Service celebrating its centenary there will be even more reason to hit the trail next year. Canada is currently great value for British travellers and several of our US ranches are close to the country’s national parks. Montana’s Lone Mountain offers riding and hiking within Yellowstone’s boundaries and departing on 06 March, Colorado’s Zapata Ranch will host a photography holiday focused on the spring migration of the Sandhill Cranes - the property lying adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. An exciting addition to our 2016 round up, Montana’s Bar W Guest Ranch is a mere 23 miles from the Glacier National Park and the Double R Guest Ranch at Grapevine Canyon runs a weekly ride to the Chiricahua National Monument, this hidden treasure under the management of the National Park Service.”
After years of indulging in riding holidays, David Leishman made a life-changing decision to escape from the rat race, his end goal to set up Montana’s Bar W Guest Ranch. Situated beside Spencer Lake, the 3,000 acre property is a mere three and a half miles from Whitefish, its mix of folksiness and style landing the location a place on Frommer's Budget Travel "Top Ten Cool Towns” list. In addition to trail rides, guests can watch the horse trainers in action, help with ranch chores, fish for big pike or try their hand at archery and clay pigeon shooting. More challenging escapes, the ranch also offers “Cowboying on the Great Divide,” the cattle drives covering 50,000 acres from the Blackfeet Reservation Basecamp (seven nights departing 04 June & 17 September). Popular weeks, in May and September the ranch goes Cowgirl Up; team penning, barrel racing, a cocktail reception and a honey and hot cream rock foot massage included in the six night stay. (departing 22 May and 25 September). Lodge, cabin and glamping accommodation is available, the two luxurious canvas tents nestling in a pasture filled with wild flowers and horses. Six nights from £1,369pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers of £60 (group of four) from Glacier Park International Airport and return flight from £859pp. Departing 15 April to 31 October.
Whether beginner or expert, at Arizona's Double R at Grapevine Canyon guests have the run of the 64,000 acre ranch. All day rides are offered six days a week, two of the most popular horseback adventures including the Chiricahua National Monument’s “Wonderland of Rocks” trail and the ruins of Old Fort Bowie ride: the fort built in the 1860s to protect wagons travelling along the infamous Apache Pass. Lessons are available for greenhorns and experienced equestrians, and out of the saddle, historic Tombstone and artsy Bisbee are nearby attractions. The accommodation is based in individually furnished, ensuite cabins or casitas. Seven nights from £1,095pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers of £260 (per vehicle) from Tucson and return flight from £839pp. Departing year round.
Colorado’s Latigo Deluxe Guest Ranch is set high in the Rockies, its 550 acres surrounded by pine and spruce forest, glorious aspen groves, sage hillsides, and inviting alpine meadows laced with crystalline streams and beaver ponds. Family fun all the way, the three separate kid’s programmes cater to children from three to 13 years - even a night spent sleeping in a tipi on offer to tots. Adults have the option of slumbering under the stars on the High Meadow overnight pack trip; target shooting, team penning and beginner’s cattle round ups giving guests a taster of the cowboy lifestyle. For those with more experience a six night Autumn cattle round up will depart on 18 September. The rustic accommodation consists of six suites with three bedrooms and four with one bedroom. Six nights from £1,895pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities (including riding), use of ranch facilities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £235 and return flight from £839pp. Departing 05 June to 24 September.
At Oklahoma’s A Bar Working Ranch wannabe wranglers will have a chance to earn their spurs. A commercial cattle operation, the owners market over 10,000 cattle a year while also raising performance horses and a herd of over 100 broodmares. Situated on original deeded Cherokee lands, the lush grassland, known as the Badlands is genuine Native American territory and was once home to the Wichita and Osage tribes. Homesteaded in the late 1800’s, original wagon and cattle trails line the landscape and western all the way, the ranch has links to the cowboy philosopher, Will Rogers. Fishing and Oklahoma history talks are alll part of the holiday, the daily activities including shipping, processing and health management on horseback. Branding and cattle drive weeks are available in season and guests can watch the experts train the ranch’s Quarter Horses. Based in the main lodge, the accommodation is furnished with king or twin beds and either private or shared facilities. Seven nights from £1,285pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities and taxes. Excludes transfers of £40pp from Tulsa, gratuities left to discretion and return flight from £839pp. Departing 01 April to 30 November.
Tanzania is the latest addition to the Ranch Rider Africa collection, the tour operator offering three mobile horseback adventures in the country’s unchartered northern reaches. The Amboseli ride will take experienced equestrians across the western base of Mount Kilimanjaro toward the Kenyan border and the Amboseli National Park. A chance to engage with the Maasai tribe, the journey covers pastoral farmlands and a wide array of wildlife including elephant, zebra, giraffe and the elusive gerenuk inhabit the open savannah, thick scrublands and desert flats. A safari filled with dramatic vistas - Mount Merupo, Namanga, Longido and the roof of Africa spied are visible from one of the remote campsites. Six nights from £3,179pp (two sharing) including accommodation (private villa one night with butler, private chef and waiter, tented ensuite camping five nights) all meals and local beverages, all riding, private guide and transfers. Departing 25 March. Additional rides and departures on request. Excludes gratuities and return flight from £895pp.
Renowned conservation photographers Michael Forsberg, Dave Showalter and naturalist John Rawinski are scheduled to host a special photography holiday at Colorado’s Zapata Working Ranch. Departing on 06 March, the five night stay will focus on the spring migration of the Sandhill Cranes. Sunrise hikes across the Great Sand Dunes National Park are bound to entice budding shutterbugs, around 20,000 cranes flying in huge packs, this aerial spectacle set against the dramatic desert landscape. The photographers will be on hand to help guests capture images of the migration, cowboy lifestyle and 2,500 strong herd of wild bison, the adventure also including horseback rides across the dunes. From £1,659pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, photography intstruction and use of ranch facilities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers on request and return flight from £859pp.
Montana’s adult only Triple Creek Resort Ranch will be introducing a new Cowgirl Gourmet Getaway in 2016. Available in January and February, the package is the perfect recipe for women hoping to indulge in all things culinary. Cooking classes, wine tasting, an evening at the chef’s table (Chef Jacob Leatherman once honoured with an invitation to showcase his skills in New York for a James Beard Foundation Dinner Event: the foundation inspired by legendary cook, Julia Childs), a cross country horseback ride with a fireside gourmet lunch, daily yoga classes and a one hour massage feature on the luxury escape. Stretching across 600 acres, the ranch’s 23 log cabins nestle amongst the towering pines. Six nights from £2,836pp (two sharing) including accommodation in a luxury cabin, meals (inc. house wines/spirits/beer), most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £859pp. Any day departures.
Ranch Rider offers add on seven night self-drives in the US and Canada from £545pp (two sharing) including car hire and accommodation.
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For further information please contact Ranch Rider on 01509 618 811. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
Notes to Editors:
* WestJet recently announced new non-stop flights from London Gatwick to several Canadian destinations, including Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, beginning in May, 2016. The pleasing exchange rate makes Canada one of the best value destinations for Brits and travellers can expect to save even more on flights as the airline is offering competitive introductory rates.
Top Ten 2015 Ranch Rider Destinations:
1. Montana
2. Arizona
3. Colorado
4. Wyoming
5. British Columbia
6. Idaho
7.South Africa
8. Saskatchewan
9. South Dakota
10. Alberta
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