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Central and South America

The Conquistadors brought horses to South America and each country has its own variation on the Criollo breed - the traditional South American working horse. Variety is the spice of life and the enormity of the continent offers plenty of that! From trail rides through the spectacular scenery of Argentina and Chile, to the high Andes of Peru and Ecuador and on to the fertile valleys of Cuba; or riding holidays from comfortable estancias with the chance to play polo. South America is always colourful and vibrant.

see all our rides

  • Ridind in the Sacred Valley, Peru
  • Chagra riding an alpaca, Ecuador
  • Playing polo in Argentina
  • On horseback at Torrel del Paine national park
  • Riding on the beach in Uruguay

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

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Riding in Latin America

South and Central America is full of colour and vibrancy and the extensive continent offers a wide variety of riding holiday experiences for all abilities.

TRAIL RIDES move on almost every night so that you are experiencing different landscapes each day. There are trail rides through remote areas where the only option is to camp or trail rides where you can stay in comfortable accommodation each night.

Camping trail rides include :

Chile - Discover the Atacama Desert or Chile - Torres del Paine Glacier ride

Trail rides staying in comfortable accommodation include:

Peru - Sacred Valley ride or Uruguay - Gauchos, pampas and oceans

PACK TRIPS are adventurous trail rides where the paths are so remote that your belongings are carried by pack animal such as horses or mules. These rides are often at a slow pace because of the pack horses but the scenery is spectacular.

Argentina - Crossing the Andes at Aconcagua

Mexico - Sierra Madre Mountain Trail

RANCHES AND CATTLE DRIVES. Experience life as a horseman of South America - Argentine gaucho's, Chilean baqueano's or Ecuadorian chagras. Get hands-on and participate in annual activities such as horse-moving or cattle driving.

Ecuador - Chagras Experience

Chile - Torres del Paine horse moving ride

Argentina - Estancia Huechahue

CENTRE BASED RIDES. A riding holiday where you can do as much or as little riding as you wish. Explore scenic trails or learn a skill such as Polo - the choice is yours.

Argentina - Estancia Los Potreros

Ecuador - Hacienda La Alegria


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EQUUS JOURNEYS, Horseback travels and Equestrian Traditions around the world

Horseback riding in ASIA - Riding holidays in EUROPE - Horse rides in LATIN AMERICA - Horseback riding safaris in AFRICA

Rides in MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA - Cattle drive and Ranch holidays in NORTH AMERICA