How do I rate my riding ability?
When selecting your riding vacation, please keep in mind your riding ability and make sure to be truthful about your experience level. This information helps the local destinations match you with the appropriate horse for your vacation and helps us match you with the appropriate trip. We want you to have a great experience riding on your vacation.

Below are some definitions to help you rate your ability.
Beginner = Never ridden or has very little background in horseback riding.
Novice = Capable of walk, trot and short canters.
Intermediate = Walk, trot, and long canters. Rides regularly.
Strong Intermediate = Walk, Trot, Canter and Gallops. Rides regularly, firm seat and is comfortable and confident in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
Advanced = Everything listed above plus independent seat and elastic hands. Able to handle a spirited horse.

Why Equitrekking Travel?
Customer Service
Our award winning preferred provider of travel services helps you to fulfill your horse riding vacation dreams with ease. You can book your horse vacations through our team, fellow equestrians who are dedicated to answering your questions and pairing you with horse riding holidays to suite your needs and dreams. 

Should you so choose, we'll make the rest of your trip planning easy by booking your airfare, rental car, additional city stops and more. Contact us to set your trip.

Quality
We’ve hand picked our favorite horse riding holidays around the world, so you can feel good about where you’re going on your equestrian vacation. For the past few years, Equitrekking host Darley Newman and her crew have been riding horses all over the world and filming horseback riding with local people for the Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking travel TV show. Equitrekking journalists and producers are equestrians and travelers and the destinations listed on Equitrekking Travel are our favorite.

Travel Agents add an extra level of quality assistance and expertise. Should you wish, they can put the rest of your trip into action; recommend other area or city stops before or after your equestrian vacation; and book your airfare, rental car, travel insurance and other travel arrangements. Packing lists, pre-departure packets and lots of goodies including the Equitrekking DVD sampler and branded items are also included. 

Fair Price
Prices listed on EquitrekkingTravel.com are the same low prices as those offered by each outfitter or stable located in the U.S. and around the world. We’ve worked hard to feature trips that are not only diverse with high quality local hosts and horses, but also priced reasonably. The difference is that we provide extra services, booking incentives, first-hand knowledge and expertise from right here in the USA. Many vacations are all inclusive, so you know exactly how you'll spend on your travels, leaving you room to budget for those one of a kind gift items you might want to take back home or added savings.

Watch Before you Ride
We’ve filmed many destinations that you see on EquitrekkingTravel.com and include video clips with listings, so that you can get a sense of where you’re going before you get there. Our first-hand knowledge is helpful in matching you with a vacation. We're on the cutting edge of riding vacation planning, continually globetrotting to find the best equestrian vacations.

Travel Like a Local
Local riding guides in each destination featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com help you to feel more like a local than a tourist, giving you a deeper, richer travel experience. 

Are there other incentives for booking a trip seen on EquitrekkingTravel.com?
When you book a trip through Equitrekking Travel's preferred travel agent you become a member of Club Equitrekking and receive the following complimentary gifts:

• Pre-departure trip document emailed to you with detailed packing information, your itinerary and more.  These are sent to you in an eco-friendly email version
• $50 off the next Equitrekking Travel vacation you book within a year of your date of departure. If it’s been more than a year, you’re entitled to $25 off your next trip. Increase your discounts by joining Club Equitrekking before you book. Learn more about Club Equitrekking.
• Equitrekking Bookmark*
• Free Equitrekking branded t-shirt*
• DVD sampler with two bonus Equitrekking episodes from Costa Rica and Ireland, plus the new season's latest video preview and a video preview of equestrian vacations.*
  
  * These items are only available to ship to U.S. or Canadian addresses. Those who do not reside in the U.S. or Canada will instead receive a free online version of Virtuoso Life magazine.

Who is Equitrekking Travel? 
For the past few year’s, our crew of equestrians and producers, including host Darley Nemwan, have traveled the world enjoying horseback riding adventures and filming them for the Emmy award-winning travel television series Equitrekking, which is broadcast on PBS stations and international networks around the world. Along the way, we’ve met wonderful local people at ranches, resorts and stables, who know their area well and enjoy sharing their culture with others by leading travelers on riding tours on their local breed of horses. We know first-hand that horseback riding with the locals is a wonderful way to explore a new area, get off the beaten path to see stunning natural scenery and get up close to local wildlife.

EquitrekkingTravel.com includes our favorite horse riding vacations, whether you dream of riding through Ireland’s lush green countryside, saddling up at a dude ranch in Wyoming or exploring Costa Rica’s rainforest. We have a special place in our hearts for Ireland, an equestrian's dream playground. We've visited each of these destinations three times, so are a great resource to advise you on where to ride on your next Ireland vacation. 

We have a passion for horses and travel and want you have just as much fun as we do on your vacation. We realize that you may only get one vacation a year or even less! That’s why Equitrekking Travel features diverse riding vacations, many of which include local sightseeing, additional days in international cities, contact with local people, and other sports and activities so that your vacation is a complete experience.

EquitrekkingTravel.com includes lots of information so that you can read more about each destination, watch video clips, see photographs, get packing tips, reading lists and more.

We want you to have a great vacation, so please contact us so we can help you find the best vacation to suite your dreams and riding ability.

Why take a horseback riding vacation?
When you explore a place on horseback, you ride with local people in their local riding style on their breed of horses. These locals will show you the best of their area, without the conventional limitations of roads, paths or most importantly, distance. This is a great way to travel, because you’ll learn things that aren't found in the guidebooks. You may also make new friends, meet other travelers who share similar interests and experience adventure on an active, eco-friendly vacation.

Seeing a place on horseback gets you off the beaten path to some beautiful natural areas where a lot of people don't venture because they are remote or lesser visited. This makes the trip very special. When you ride to explore a place, you’re more aware of your surroundings and thus will notice more than you would if you were walking or biking or in a car. This includes stunning scenery, local culture and wildlife.

Vacations listed on EquitrekkingTravel.com include ranches, estancias and local outfitters. This means that you’ll ride their horses in their riding style, which is challenging and fun. You can also feel good about supporting small local businesses around the world. Whether you’re a beginning rider or more experienced, there are great riding vacation destinations for all levels of riders. You’ll be traveling with active, like-minded travelers, so you may meet some new friends.

What if I'm traveling alone?
Many of our trip participants are individuals traveling alone. Taking a horseback riding vacation can be a great way to meet new friends, because you are traveling with others who also share an interest in horses and travel. On many of the trips featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com, people traveling with friends, partners or their entire family!

Can I go on a riding vacation if I’m a beginner?
Equitrekking Travel features riding holidays for all levels of riders, beginning and experienced. It’s very important to choose a trip that matches your interests, skill level and physical abilities. Please check out our recommended trips for beginning riders, which includes recommendations for vacations where you can improve your riding skills or work on a specific discipline. If you’ve never ridden, consider taking horseback riding lessons in your home area before you travel. This will help you get your riding muscles in shape and give you more confidence on the trails. Check out Equitrekking Travel's Best Picks for Beginning Riders and Training.

What if my travel companion does not want to ride?
There are lots of great horse riding vacation destinations that are ideal for groups of riders and non-riders. These include multi-sport vacations, where you can combine horseback riding with other activities like golf, fishing, sightseeing, hiking, whitewater rafting, wine tasting and more. Please check out Equitrekking Travel's Best Picks for Multisport and Non-riding Compantions.

How can I prepare for riding holidays?
Taking riding lessons is a good way to prepare for your equestrian vacation and helps you get in shape to ride. Spending time around horses before you travel will help you feel more comfortable on your trip.

You can learn more about where you’re going by watching horseback riding travel videos on EquitrekkingTravel.com and find ideas for what to pack in the packing list section of each trip.
    
Are there equestrian vacations for the whole family, even my children?
There are many great riding vacations for families. Many of the riding destinations accommodate young riders, helping introduce them to horses and learn to ride. There are also vacations to fit your family of riders and non-riders. Please see Equitrekking Travel's Best Picks section for these top picks.

Can the ranches, outfitters and horse folks at each vacation spot meet my special dietary requirements? What if I am a vegetarian?
Please let us know if you have any special requests. With prior notice, we will alert each outfitter, ranch or vacation destination. Also, when you fill out your booking form to reserve your trip, you will be asked to include this information.

What is included in my Equitrekking Travel riding vacation cost?
Each vacation page outlines what’s included in each vacation price. Many vacations include accommodations, some or all meals, a horse and tack, a guide, transportation of personal belongings on trail rides, and more, giving you great value for the trip price. Each place that is different and unique, so what’s included is listed under each individual equestrian vacation.

What is NOT included in the listed cost for each Equitrekking Travel trip?
Airfare, insurance of any kind, optional tips for your guide, excess baggage charges, airport taxes (if any), cost of medical immunizations, visa or passport processing fees, and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.), etc. However, Equitrekking Travel's Preferred Provider of Travel Services, an award winning travel agency, can book your airfare, rental car, additional days in destinations and more. By providing a full service travel agent, EquitrekkingTravel.com makes it easy for you to take an equestrian vacation. They will also recommend travel insurance to you. Specific itineraries for each trip will give you more complete information on what is included and what isn't for your trip.

Do I need insurance?
Riding horses is dangerous and involves risk. Accidents do happen. Many of the riding vacations listed on EquitrekkingTravel.com take travelers to remote locations. That’s the beauty of riding, but it also means that medical facilities may not be nearby. We highly recommend that you carry health, accident and travel insurance. We recommend Access America. Insurance can be secured at the time of your booking.

What do I need to know about traveling abroad?
For information about possible dangers or other conditions at the locations where you will be traveling, you should contact the Travel Advisory Section of the United States State Department. More information is available online.

For medical and health information, you should contact the Public Health Service at (301) 443-2403.  For more travel information online, also visit The U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

To view a list of U.S. Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Missions visit www.usembassy.gov.

Are group discounts available?
Please contact us with your special requests or to request group discounts, which are available at some destinations.

How do I obtain a passport or Visa?
Information on how to obtain a U.S. passport or renew your U.S. passport is listed on the U.S. Department of State’s website. 

Visas may be required for your destination and are not included in the prices listed on EquitrekkingTravel.com. We recommend www.perryvisa.com.

Important Links:
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Section
U.S. Centers for Disease Control
View a list of U.S. Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Missions.

What is your booking policy? What is your cancellation policy? How much is the deposit for this trip? When is the final payment due?
You may book a trip featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com through our preferred provider of travel services, a Virtuoso travel agency.

Deposits: At the time of your booking, your reservation will be held on a courtesy basis for one week, at which time a $600 deposit will be due.

Final Payments are due 45 days prior to departure.

Cancellation policy for customers: Is as follows:
- Once deposit is made, deposit is completely nonrefundable.
- Once final payment is made:
            45 days until 8 days prior to departure - lose 50% of cost of trip
            within 7 days of departure - completely nonrefundable  


Please contact us with any further questions.