Comfort
You are joining a family of cowboys who live their lives in harmony with nature.
Before the drive you stay in cabins with running water, where beds are made up for you. There is a solar-powered hot water shower and a washbasin (both within an outdoor wooden block).
During the horse drive the accommodation is in comfortable tents with foam mattresses or you can sleep under the stars. Sleeping bags are provided. Foam mattresses are provided, but you may want to pack your inflatable mattress for comfort sake. There is a toilet tent at each camp. You can bathe in the hot springs and rivers along the route. An authentic chuck wagon will accompany you along the route.
If you come by yourself we will most-likely pair you with somebody of your same gender to share your accommodations. Each cabin and tent (while on the trail) will have individual twin beds) If you are completely uncomfortable sharing your accommodation please let us know before hand and we will see what we can do.
No WiFi and limited phone coverage.
Meals
Expect hearty breakfasts with savoury and sweet choices.
During the trail, lunches will be picnics and in the evening you will have a hot meal of meat, potatoes, vegetables and salad.
Drinking water and soft drinks are provided. Alcohol is not provided.
Climate
There is a continental climate in the mountains, you will be between 2000m and 3300m so it may be hot but the temperature cools down at night. There is little chance of rain but you must always be prepared for this eventuality.
In May, June and September temperatures range from 4 ° C at night to 26 ° C in the day. It can get hot but the temperature cools in the evenings or when it is cloudy. There is a slight chance of snow early in October.
In July and August temperatures range between 12 and 30 ° C with lots of sunshine during the day but cooler at night because of the altitude.
Tips
Tipping is expected in all restaurants (except on some snack meals and in self-service restaurants). It is customary to leave 10-12% of the bill as a tip. Some places you visit automatically add in a tip. It is also correct to tip taxi drivers and extra couple of dollars.
Gratuities at the ranch are included in the cost of your package.
Packing list
Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. There are many lightweight options available nowadays
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
- Warm hat for cold nights when camping
Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare in case one gets wet)
- Warm and waterproof jacket - it can rain at any time of year and the evenings can be particularly cold
- Swimming costume - for swimming/bathing in rivers/hot springs (+ extra swimming towel)
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
- Thermals
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms
- Waterproof over trousers
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps as an extra layer against inclement weather. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful for abundant dew in the mornings or when it rains
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around the camp in the evenings
- Several pairs of warm, thick socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, cold or rain whilst riding. Waterproof gloves can be particularly useful
Nightwear
- Pyjamas or tracksuits or thermals for sleeping in
Other useful items
- Towels - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery or solar charger.
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries/solar powered battery charger and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Swiss army knife
- Field glasses
- Wet Wipes or equivalent (for when washing facilities aren't available)
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
In your hold luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- Swiss army knife (or equivalent)
In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
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
- Pack a soft sided bag rather than a hard-sided suitcase.
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. 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!
- Sleeping bags are provided. Even if foam mattresses are provided, you may pack your inflatable mattress for comfort sake.
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.
- Please take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling.
