RANCH

Working cattle estancia near Cordoba, Argentina. Ride with gauchos and experience Argentine hospitality, lovely accommodation and learn to play polo. All levels.

This estancia is a multi-generational, very traditional 4,000 acre/1,500 cattle ranch located 650km north of Buenos Aires, offering a warm welcome and insight into the gaucho life. With a large variety of landscapes: pampas, bush, marshland and river, this is a paradise for botanists and ornithologists. The perfect location for a mix of horseback riders and non-riders alike.

Combine the essence of the Argentinian experiences: Ride on the pampas at all paces, learn cattle work from the gauchos on a working estancia, learn to play polo with the locals and visit Buenos Aires in one convenient holiday. This ride is aimed at riders and accompanying non-riders.

Stay at a old colonial house in the Cordoba region of Argentina, in this centre-based ride, exploring the area on gaited Peruvian Paso horses, learning about the culture and cattle traditions. Novice riders onwards can enjoy a stay here, with optional riding, hiking, tennis and relaxing by the pool.

This horse riding holiday is exclusive to Unicorn Trails, combining the best of a wildlife safari and cattle work in the largest tropical wetland in the world. Forward going Pantaneiro horses, comfortable fazendas and a night in hammocks with plenty of cultural highlights.

Rio Grande do Sul highlights in one itinerary starting with a 3-day trail around the lagoons, beaches and wetlands of Lagoa do Peixe National Park on Lusitano horses. Then transfer inland to ride Criollos on a trail of dramatic canyons and waterfalls with lush green rain forest in the bottom and open grass plateau above, stopping at small fazendas to join the cattle work of the local gauchos. Comfortable ensuite accommodation throughout.

Experience Canada's wild west on this working guest ranch at the foot of the Coast Mountains in western Canada. Relax and get away from modern life in this uninhabited landscape, riding out for 2 to 3 hours a day, in small groups aboard quality horses. There are plenty of activities to keep non-riders busy. This destination offers the tranquillity of a remote location, comfortable accommodation and riding for all levels.

This relaxed guest / cattle ranch in Saskatchewan has plenty to explore. Ride the trails where the Blackfoot Indians once followed. Experience the cowboy way of life under the endless sky of the Canadian prairies and overnight in simple log cabins with en-suite rooms.

Experience Alberta in all its autumn glory just an hours drive from Calgary. Unlike pack trips, this ranch-based vacation provides comfortable accommodation to come home to each evening, making this trip particularly special. Breakfast and dinner are served in the guesthouse, while lunches are held on the trail as a picnic. Riders will need good riding fitness and be comfortable at a walk, trot and canter to fully enjoy this trip.

This is a ranch-based trip staying at two locations, one on each side of the Continental Divide. Start the week riding through the stunning Kannanaskis Country of Alberta and then load the horses in the trailer and drive to British Columbia for the last few days of riding through the larch forests. For intermediate riders onwards with the opportunity for faster riding were the terrain permits.