Comfort
Accommodation is at the ranch, in rustic cabins — there are six in total, including one family cabin. Please note that bathrooms and toilets (dry toilet) are shared.
Electricity is supplied by generators and solar panels. The restaurant is lit with oil lamps.
Cabins are heated with wood stoves.
There is no cell service at the ranch, but limited Wi-Fi is available.
If booking a Wagon Trek add-on: you will stay in basic teepees. Sleeping bags provided unless you want to bring your own.
Meals
Breakfast and hot dinners are served in the ranch restaurant.
- Breakfast is continental
- Lunches are sandwiches or wraps, taken as picnics during full-day rides.
- Dinner is at the ranch and usually western: burgers, lasagna, steaks, schnitzel, salads, potatoes…
Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on site.
Vegetarian or vegan meals are available — please specify at the time of booking. Any food allergies must also be indicated when booking.
Climate
Calgary experiences long winters and short, hot summers. The climate is very influenced by the elevation of the city and the proximity of the Rocky Mountains.
Summer evenings can be quite cold; the average minimum in summer is 8 ° C and frost can occur in any month of the year.
Most of the precipitation falls from May to August; June sees the heaviest rains on average.
Autumn is the driest period. The averages for this period are around 20 ° C. Night temperatures; however, frequently drop below 0 ° C.
Tips
In Canada, it is customary to leave a tip - primarily in restaurants and other service-based establishments. Expect to leave around 10-15% of the bill.
At the ranch: Depending on how much you enjoyed the service and their help, tips can range between 5% and 10% of your total bill. It’s really up to you!
Packing list
Please make sure to pack according to your dates - the following is a guide which is not particularly season-specific.
Head
- Helmet - strongly recommended. Equus Journeys recommends that you bring your own in order to ensure a proper fit
- Sunhat, for when you're not riding
- Wollen hat in case it gets cold at night
- Sunglasses, with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts to provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Thermal clothes
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold (at least two)
- Waterproof gear: good quality rain coat and waterproof trousers - the rains can be difficult to foresee and it's better to be prepared
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Waterproof over trousers. Please don't bring ponchos, as some of the horses may not be used to them
- Warm leggings
- Casual clothes for the evening
- Swimsuit for bathing in the river or/and in the lake, or just in case there is somewhere for a dip!
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short hiking boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps to protect against thorns. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged, and because they can be slippery when navigating certain sections on foot.
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful for abundant dew in the mornings or when it rains
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers - something comfortable for the evenings
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding and the evenings can be cold. It gets windy and cold in the mountains as well.
Nightwear
- Pyjamas
Other useful items
- A good swiss army knife (please make sure to pack it in your checked luggage)
- Towels - camping ones will dry and pack more easily
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc) whilst riding
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around the ranch at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
Toiletry bag and personal items: please refrain from packing too many perfumed creams or soap as they do attract wildlife. Ideal is biodegradable soap, a small microfibre towel, toothpaste and brush, and deodorant.
Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
Our Recommendations
- Backpacks should not be worn whilst riding. Saddlebags are provided and we recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
