Horseback Travel & Equestrian Tradition
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CHINA Why Go There?

The historical regions of Kham and Ando are former Tibetan provinces and home to the descendants of warriors and horsemen. Tibet, deep within the Himalayas, remains a spiritual destination - an abundance of monasteries and fluttering prayer flags set against the grandeur of the high mountains. Travelling through the vast plateaus on horseback is the best way to meet the warm and welcoming nomads who call this harsh environment home.

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  • Attend the Shamalong Festival in Tibet
    Horse race at Shamalong Festival Tibet
  • Pack yaks and mules are used
    Horseback riding trail in Tibet
  • Snow capped peaks of Tibet
    Horseback pack trip with the Shamalong Festival in Tibet
  • Riding into camp in Tibet
    Tibet horseback riding pack trip the Shamalong Festival
  • The equestrian guide with the traditional prayer flags
    Prayer flags in Tibet, China
  • Explore the Tibetian culture with the Tagong Festival
    Horse riding pack trip and Tagong Festival Tibet China

Types of riding holiday

Pack trips with Equus Journeys 

A horse riding expedition takes you on a long-distance itinerant horseback ride with all your baggage, equipment and food carried by either pack mules or horses or a support vehicle. You will ride through isolated and spectacular regions often only accessible on horseback. You will sleep in simple, yet comfortable, tents out under the stars.


Horseback trails with Equus Journeys

A trail riding holiday is an itinerant ride through stunning scenery. You will ride a progressive route through the local landscape and stop at a different place each night. The transport of the baggage, horses and riders is all done by support vehicle. At night, you will sleep in comfortable tents, gîtes, equestrian hostels or charming hotels.


Ranch stay with Equus Journeys

A ranch stay most often takes place on a cattle or horse rearing estancia or ranch - depending on the part of the world you travel to. We choose to send our riders to small or medium-sized, family-run ranches where you can really get to know the owners and workers. Nights are sometimes spent camping out, but more often than not are spent in the comfort of a simple gîte or high quality lodge.


Horseback safari with Equus Journeys

A horseback safari offers a unique chance to explore native wildlife and spectacular scenery on horseback. Routes can either be itinerant, with you camping ‘Out of Africa’ style, or centre-based, riding out each day from a lodge or camp which are comfortable and generally open to only small groups of riders. The horses you will be riding are truly exceptional as they will get up close to the wildlife while you observe.


Dressage with Equus Journeys

A dressage training holiday allows riders to either train and improve or perfect their dressage technique. The riding instructors are highly qualified and by working with perfectly-trained horses, riders will be able to progress and feel the precision of each movement. 


Equestrian stay with Equus Journeys

A centre basedriding holiday offers riders daily trail riding or other equestrian activities from a fixed location with accommodation. The rhythm of the ride is entirely flexible and these rides are often open to non-riders. The type of accommodation varies, depending on the country, from gîte to ranch or yurt to luxury lodge. 


Cattle drive

A cattle drive focuses on the herding of cattle, deer, or sheep working alongside the cowboys, gauchos, pantaneiros or mongols who raise them. Riders joining these drives will get involved in the many different aspects such as corralling, sorting, watching over the herd, branding, and castrating. Nights will be spent under canvas or on ranches, farms or yurts.


Horse drive

A horse drive involves moving herds of horses from pasture to pasture. In general, the riders tasks will involve circling ahead of and behind the herd in order to keep the horses in check, notably the youngsters. Nights will be spent in tents or on ranches and farms.


Natural horsemanship with Equus journeys

Natural horsemanship holidays allows for the discovery or the perfection of ‘Natural Horsemanship’ (ethological equitation), of which the aim is complicity and close cooperation between horse and rider. The instructors have been trained in a variety of methods such as those of Pat Parelli, Monty Roberts and Buck Brannaman, which they have then adapted to form approaches of their own. Accommodation varies depending on the destination and may include gîtes, ranches and guest houses.


Long distance horse ride

An enduranceriding holiday allows for the discovery and perfection of endurance riding through open countryside. This equestrian discipline is suitable for all experienced riders. The usual aim of these types of holiday is to complete the preparation for a long-distance race. Accommodation varies depending on the destination, and may include gîtes and guest houses.


Polo with Equus Journeys

On a polo playing trip, you will be introduced to this invigorating equestrian sport involving 4 players on horseback on two opposing teams. This riding discipline is within the skill-set of any experienced rider. Accommodation varies depending on the destination and may include estancias, hotels or guest houses.


Exploration with Equus Journeys

A trip led by an extraordinary guide with a specialist knowledge of the destination.  Whether it be an open itinerary or a trip full of memorable events, it is often the guide that truly sets these trips apart; the guide’s insight and skill allows for total and unique immersion into different horse cultures found throughout the world.


Family Trip

During a family horse riding holiday, the pace of the ride, the riding level, accommodation comfort and guides are chosen to suit the needs of a family riding together. The transport of the luggage and of the riders and horses is done by support vehicle. Non-riders are often welcome on these holidays. A family horse riding holiday is also a fantastic opportunity for non-riders to get into the saddle for the first time.

Riding levels

Each of our trips is assigned a minimum level of riding ability required. This reflects whether there is technical riding required; the terrain to be covered; the liveliness of the horses; the length of the riding days and the riding fitness required.




For novice riders, these riding holidays will give beginners the chance to get used to being in the saddle. In general, a beginner/ novice hasn't learned how to canter and has not yet mastered rising trot. They are able to mount safely and to control a horse at a walk. 



For intermediate riders who are at ease at 2 paces (walk and rising trot and are starting to canter in a forward seat) out in open countryside. The intermediate rider is able to mount and dismount their horse unassisted, use basic riding aids, ride at a rising trot for at least 10 minutes, to change and control the pace from a walk to a trot and comfortably canter over short distances.



For experienced riders who have mastered all 3 paces (walk, rising trot, canter in a forward seat) over uneven terrain. The experienced rider rides regularly, has a good seat and is confident of their own ability. They are able to control the horse at speed and change direction of their horse at any pace and in any circumstance as needed.



For advanced riders who have mastered all 4paces (walk, rising trot, canter gallop in a forward seat) over uneven terrain on all types of horses including those that are very spirited. The advanced rider rides regularly has good physical fitness, has good soft hands and has the ability to gallop for long stretches without getting tired.



For all riders, whether they are novices, intermediate level, experienced or advanced. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance training, natural horsemanship, trail riding orcentre based safaris.



For beginners and intermediate level riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capability of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.



For beginners, intermediate level  and experienced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.



For intermediate level and experienced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtraining,endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.



For intermediate level, experiencedand advanced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtrainingendurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.



For experiencedand advanced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtraining,endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

Comfort

Each of our rides has been assigned an expected level of comfort

Nights in tents, outdoor dining

Nights in hotels, guesthouses, B&B's or homestays. Double or twin rooms with bathrooms.

Nights in luxury or boutique accommodation. Rooms have private bathrooms. 

Nights in basic shelter such as a mountain hut/cabin. Usually dormitory beds with shared bathrooms.

Nights in yurts, the traditional housing in Central Asia, with beds and sometimes stoves for heating.

Nights in luxury camps with proper beds and linen. Toilets and showers are usually provided.

Ideal For Families

These rides are ideal for families and offer maximum flexibility

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Non riders

Non riders are welcome to join their riding friends as activities are available for them such as riding   lessons for beginners, cyling, walking, fishing, golf...

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AVAILABLE RIDES

  • The Kham Riders (Tagong Festival)

    15 days / 8 days riding from 3416$

    A trail ride in the heart of Kham in eastern Tibet, home to the proud Khampas warriors. After visiting an amazing equestrian Tibetan festival, spend 8 days on horseback riding LEARN MORE

    ACTIVITY : LEVEL : COMFORT :

  • The Kham Riders (Shamalong Festival)

    16 days / 8 days riding from 3988$

    A wonderful horseback trail in Tibet, discover a historical region full of stunning scenery and ancient tradition. Your specialist guide will introduce you to Tibetan nomads and you will attend LEARN MORE

    ACTIVITY : LEVEL : COMFORT :

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Did you know?

The Khampas warriors were members of a Tibetan armed group which fought against China's occupation of Tibet from the 1950's until its downfall in 1974. Also called Buddha's Warriors, the groups main aim was to defend and preserve the Tibetan way of life after communist China invaded the western region in 1950, destroying the monasteries in eastern Tibet in 1956.

Initially forced into an uneasy compromise with Beijing, the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 and the local Khampas tribesmen revolted, forming a resistence movement which employed mainly guerilla tactics against the Chinese army. They set up base camps in a remote Himalayan region bordering Tibet, called Mustang, but life was hard and food was sparse and it has been said that many Khampas resorted to boiling their shoes to eat.

Khampas warriors were known to be skilled horsemen and they would gallop out of Mustang into Tibet to harrass the Chinese and then gallop back again. The annual horse festivals are a celebration of Khampas history and an opportunity for them to show their skills on horseback - with riders hanging of the sides of their saddles and scooping silk scarves from the ground at a full gallop, or twirling muskets over their heads and firing at targets on the ground.

Both of our horseback trails in Tibet include a horse festival attended by Khampas warriors: Tagong or Shamalong.

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Early bird discounts
Get 3% off all trips booked before 31/12/2019 for a departure in 2020.
Terms and conditions:
  • This 3% early bird discount applies to the cost of the trip, and excludes transfers & supplements, international or domestic flights, and any additional services.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other current discount.