This ranch season, there’s even more reason to hit the trail with riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider...
(TRAVPR.COM) UK - June 30th, 2017 - This ranch season, there’s even more reason to hit the trail with riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider. In August, the Great American Eclipse will sweep across 14 states, and what better way to see the spectacle than on horseback; Wyoming and Colorado are introducing new ways to go glamping and neighbouring Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday, the tour operator lining up a list of ranches and parks where guests can get the party started.
After the team’s May visit to the Grand Canyon state, Ranch Rider announced it was adding the recently reopened, Rancho de la Osa to its collection - a three day stay at the ranch included in the NEW Classic Arizona Adventure. The state will also have star appeal this summer, Val Kilmer, who famously played Doc Holliday in the movie “Tombstone,” making plans to visit the inaugural “Doc Holiday Days,” the event scheduled to be held in the historic city of Tombstone on 12 and 13 August.
Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments, “We might be six months into 2017, but the best of the ranch season is yet to come. We are expecting additional last minute bookings for the Calgary Stampede, with this year’s event (07-16 July) themed after Canada’s 150th birthday, and included in our current riding holiday sale, guests of the Lonesome Spur Working Ranch can enjoy savings of up to £535pp on the annual Crow Tribe Ride & Last Stand reenactment.”
On 21 August the Great American Eclipse (the first total solar eclipse in mainland United States since 1979) will sweep across 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina. Billed as the country’s biggest tourist event of all time, guests of Wyoming’s Goosewing Working/Guest Ranch will have access to exclusive viewing areas, as the property is situated on the path of totality. Now fans of the fascinating “Wild West” era can cosy up in the ranch’s hand-crafted wagons, each one converted into a luxurious suite with individual bathroom. Activities on offer include horseback rides across the stunning Yellowstone Plateau (home to elk, moose, mountain sheep, antelope, bear, and eagles), hiking, fishing, and shooting. Each wagon also comes complete with its own Polaris Ranger UTV allowing guests to explore the beautiful Jackson Hole Valley. Authentic Western glamping, the campfire is set in the middle of the circle of wagons. Family wagons available. Six nights from £1,929pp and from £1,639pp (six to 12 years) including accommodation, ranch activities (including riding), use of ranch facilities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes return transfers £170 (per group) from Jackson and return flight from £889pp and from £774pp (under 12 years). Departing from now through 03 September.
Available in July and August, Ranch Rider will be offering stays at a NEW tented wilderness camp in the Centennial state. The Zapata Cattle & Bison Ranch is located on the eastern wall of the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, the camp set in the middle of the 50,000 acre wild bison pasture. Highlights include, guided hikes to the Zapata Falls with the ranch’s naturalist, horseback rides amongst the 2,000 strong herd of wild bison and in-camp massages. A truly atmospheric escape, in the evening guests will be able to kick back around the campfire while enjoying the night sky, notable as one of the darkest in the world. Six nights from £3,100pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities (including riding close to the bison herd and across the Great Sand Dunes National Park), use of ranch facilities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes guided hikes with naturalist, in-camp massages, transfers and return flight from £945pp. First departures 23 July and 30 July.
Celebrate Canada’s 150th: Saskatchewan’s Historic Reesor Ranch has a special connection to Canada’s 150th anniversary. The owner’s Great Great Grandfather, Senator David Reesor, and his Great Great Uncle, the Honourable, William McDougall (also known as a Father of Canadian Confederation), both played a part in forming the country in 1867. The ranch will be recounting stories from its historic past all ranch season long, and marking the occasion on their Annual Cypress Hills Wish Ride, departing 09 September. The horseback adventure is being oragnised in aid of Children’s Wish Foundation and each rider must raise at least $100 US dollars to participate in the one or four hour ride. The 150th celebratory evening festivities will include live music, a silent auction and a special BBQ supper with a sesquicentennial birthday cake. New for 2017, the ranch has added two hour ATV Guided Tours to its list of pursuits. Seven nights from £1,126pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities and taxes. Excluding car hire from £361 (fully inclusive), gratuities as left to discretion and return flight from £989pp. Departures June through September. N.B. Participation/fundraising for the Wish Ride is optional and all ranch guests will be invited to attend the 150th celebration. The Children’s Wish Foundation is the largest and only all-Canadian wish granting charity dedicated to granting wishes to Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
If you’re bringing the brood, British Columbia’s Three Bars Guest Ranch offers a special Ranch Kid’s Program for children aged from seven to 12 years, the guides stopping off on the horseback trails to build forts, catch frogs and go gold panning. The child friendly facilities include a petting zoo and pool, with hiking, fishing, river rafting and mountain biking, adventurous alternatives to saddling up. Another reason to visit, Banff National Park is a mere two hour drive from the ranch, and this year entry to all of the country’s national parks will be free to mark Canada’s 150th birthday. Top things for families to do include, taking a trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, wildlife spotting on horseback with with Banff Trail Riders (from six years) and exploring the glacial lakes by canoe or kayak. Six nights from £2,204pp (two sharing) and from £1,820pp (six to 12 years) and from £2,048pp (12-18 years) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £361 (fully inclusive) and return flight from £899pp and from £783pp (under 12 years). Prices relevant to 25 June - 26 August departures. Guest season runs up to 04 October.
NEW Ranch Holiday & Classic Arizona Adventure: In May, the Ranch Rider team visited four Arizona ranches including, the Rancho de la Osa - the latest addition to the specialist’s Arizona collection. One of the most historic properties in the west, the colourful guest ranch - which reopened earlier this year - combines Native American, Spanish and Mexican influences with ranching, political and Hollywood celebrity narratives. Its scenic trails have been frequented by US Presidents and legends like Pancho Villa; the Marshall Plan and Margaret Mitchell’s classic “Gone With the Wind” were both drafted on the property and even American icon, John Wayne, fell in love with its 590 acres – his favourite room still available to book. Activities include scenic walking rides and fast paced horseback adventures, cattle drives along the Mexican border, fat tyre electric bike excursions, tours of the adjacent 130,000 acre Buenos Aires wildlife refuge (home to jackrabbits, roadrunners and deer) and guided hiking close to the majestic Baboquivari Mountain range. Ranch Rider is including the ranch in its NEW Classic Arizona Adventure, the itinerary departing on 15 November. The riding holiday will feature stays at Tucson’s White Stallion Guest Ranch, the Tombstone Monument Ranch and Sasabe’s historic Rancho de la Osa. Nine nights from £1,979pp (two sharing) and £2,169pp (no single supplement) including activities, meals (except one), lodging, all transfers, tax and service charge. Excludes return flight from £879pp.
Val Kilmer To Ride Into Tombstone: Val Kilmer, who famously played Doc Holliday in the movie “Tombstone,” is making plans to visit the very same Arizona Old West town this summer as part of a festival that pays tribute to the gunfighter. The first ever annual Doc Holiday Days, is scheduled to be held in Tombstone on 12 and 13 August. If you’re thinking of joining in the festivities, Ranch Rider suggest booking a week long stay at the Tombstone Monument Ranch.
Tony Daly, comments “The event will really add something special to your riding holiday and with Val Kilmer hopefully available for ‘meet and greets,’ it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans of the “Wild West” era.”
Seven nights at the Tombstone Monument Ranch are priced from £1,244pp (two sharing) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £879pp.
Colorado’s Elk River Guest Ranch launched a cookbook on 19 June by Head Chef, Susan Roth - the dishes at the ranch combining the hearty with the healthy and including many locally-grown and raised foods. A full blown foodie, Susan always uses the freshest local ingredients available and she plants her own vegetables and herbs. Dining highlights at the ranch include, a hayride to the teepees where guests enjoy their evening meal in the open and the weekly candlelight dinner in the saloon - the wranglers hosting the kids cookout and smores event while parents feast on “adult only” cuisine and company. Six nights from £1,730pp (no single supplement) and from £1,548pp (seven to 18 years) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities and taxes. Excludes transfers £135 return (up to four pax) from Yampa Valley, gratuities left to discretion and return flight from £859pp and from £748 (under 12 years). Departures from now through 23 September. NB. Child rate only available with minimum of two adults booking.
RIDING HOLIDAY SALE ON NOW! Ranch Rider has rounded up a selection of the best deals in the USA, Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Botswana with savings of up to £535pp (no single supplement). The list includes a discount of £192pp on summer through autumn stays at Arizona’s Tanque Verde Resort Ranch & Spa. Spectacular horseback adventures, desert nature walks, mountain biking and more are on offer at the ranch. Riding holidays here are also perfect for younger, John Wayne’s and Calamity Jane’s - those from age six heading off on trail rides. The ranch's supervised children’s programme runs year round and is open to kids aged from four to 12 years. Seven nights from only £1,159pp (two sharing) and from £1,155pp (four to 17 years) including accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £890pp. Full ranch stay price £1,347pp (two sharing). Offer valid on departures from now through 31 October. Subject to availability.
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For further information please contact Ranch Rider (01509 618 811)
Notes to Editors:
Ranch Rider is an independent riding holiday specialist. The UK tour operator is owned by Managing Director, Tony Daly, a life-long equine enthusiast for over four decades. Daly’s passion for the North American West led him to establish the travel company over 20 years ago, his knowledge of everything from working cattle ranches to luxury tailor-made cowboy escapes unsurpassed in the world of equestrian adventure. Currently, the company’s team of expert consultants share over 80 years combined experience of riding holidays. The Ranch Rider collection includes handpicked properties in the USA, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania.
Ranch Rider also offers add on self-drives in the US (from £695pp), Canada (from £669pp) and South Africa (from £550pp) including accommodation and car hire, and NEW for 2017, beach stay extensions in Mozambique (three nights at the Machangulo Beach Lodge from £1,029pp, two sharing).
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