Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Horse riding is up there with the UK’s favourite hobbies and there are plenty of places across the country where you can trot, gallop and canter to your heart’s content. But how about further afield? It might not be the first activity that springs to mind when booking a holiday, but horse riding offers a novel way of exploring a new place. From casual cantering to dedicated lessons, you can get to know your destination on horseback with the help of a trusty steed. So, whether you’re a seasoned jockey or first-time equestrian, saddle up for our list of the best horse-riding holidays around the world.
1. The Coffee Region, Colombia
2. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
3. Laikipia, Kenya
4. Khugno Khaan, Mongolia
5. Colorado, USA
6. Rajasthan, India
Very few tourists know, but the best way to discover Colombia is actually by horseback. We would suggest that you step into the shoes of a Llanero - or Colombian Cowboy - to explore this wonderful country, but apparently, they prefer to go barefoot, so instead step into their stirrups and feel liberated as you canter across endless plains, chasing wildlife and drinking in the diverse and theatrical landscapes. A favourite spot of ours is the Cocora Valley in the country's coffee region, where you can ride through the beautiful valley, taking in the stunning mountain scenery and spotting the native wax palm trees, which can grow up to 200 feet tall.
Image by Shawn Appel/Unsplash
Iceland's long summer days, where the sun hardly dips beneath the horizon, provide plenty of daylight hours to explore the country's starkly beautiful scenery by horseback. Icelandic horses are known for their gentle temperament, so are perfectly suitable steeds for beginners and children. Spend a morning exploring the mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, alongside your knowledgeable guide, and feel closer than ever to nature.
Kenya's wild and rugged Laikipia countryside is home to a wealth of varied terrain, including wooded acacia gorges, tangled riverine thickets and cedar forests. A mobile horseback safari allows you to access remote areas which vehicles can't reach, while galloping alongside the locals (namely rhinos, elephants, lions, zebra and giraffes). We'll put you in the hands (or hooves) of the best riding safari tour guides, so you can experience Laikipia and 'The Big Five' with no other tourists in sight. A particularly special spot is Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where you can ride within a 600-acre northern white rhino enclosure, with Mount Kenya acting as an incredible backdrop. Horse riding holidays don’t get much wilder than this.
For a riding tour with a feminist edge (we hear you, Jessie from Toy Story), ride to the Khugno Khaan mountain in Mongolia and discover an enchanting renovated monastery. The temples here were rebuilt by a mother and daughter duo, descendants of a monk who was killed during the Communist purges. Next, ride on to a private camp where you’ll be hosted by traditional herders and local families, and learn to herd yaks to the camp, milk the mares and separate the goats from the sheep.
Image by Luca Zordan/Gallery Stock
Now you really can 'step into the boots' of a cowboy and participate in the full range of a rancher's daily work while staying at a Colorado ranch. Contribute towards and learn about this way of life by gaining a hands-on experience against the majestic backdrop of the San Luis Valley. Learn about important land conservation processes, bison production and monitoring heard health during your immersive and informative horse riding holiday.
Participate in one of the finest equestrian programmes in India and ride fantastic Marwari horses (known for their inward-turning ears), owned by the Rohet family, across the desert scrubland around Jodhpur. If you’re lucky, you may even get to race alongside Black Buck antelope, a species native to India. There’s no better way to end a full day of riding than in the lap of luxury, so rest your mane overnight in a luxurious 'camp' in the desert, complete with a bathroom and running water.
Written by Luisa Watts
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
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Where are the best places for whale watching? We’re glad you asked. From the picturesque Icelandic town of Husavik to the coastal haven of Mirissa in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of destinations to marvel at these majestic creatures. Picture this: the air is still and all you can hear is the creaking of the catamaran and the odd, excited whisper. You scan the horizon, desperate to spot the tip of a fluke or a distant plume of whale breath.
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