UNITED STATES-T X Ranch Stay
11 days/ 6 days riding from 1495£
Activity :
Level :
Comfort :
The ultimate working ranch holiday. Experience the real Montana, share the lives of a family of ranchers and work as an authentic cowboy! Join the wranglers riding up into the Pryor Mountains where you will gather the cattle, brand and vaccinate them. There are long days on horseback and you camp out each night.
Strengths
- Join the wranglers working 1200 head of cattle in a vast grassland area steeped in history and cultural heritage
- You can participate in all ranch activities on horseback: herding, searching for lost calves, branding, vaccinating and castrating
- The Tylett family will give you a warm welcome - their family have been ranching for 5 generations
- Camp in the territory of the last wild Mustangs
- A real working ranch
Itinerary
Day 1:LONDON - BILLINGS -
Fly from London to Billings Montana. Arrive late afternoon and stay overnight in a hotel in Billings. Billings is a nice little town with good restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 2: BILLINGS - LOVELL -
You will have a free day to explore Billings. You will be met at the hotel between 16:30 and 17:00 and transfered to the ranch (c. 3H drive). Until late June, you will stop en route in a western store for any outstanding purchases (from July the location of the camp will not allow it). Arrive at the camp and meet the horses, cowboys and the family.
Please note: You can choose to rent a car and stay longer in the United States after your ranch holiday. Yellowstone Park is especially worth visiting and is only a 2:30 hour drive from the ranch.
The following program is by no means comprehensive but reflects all the activities in which you are able to participate. The weeks working from the ranch are broken up by the cattle drives.
Day 3: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback
Head to the corral after breakfast to catch your horse, this will involve roping! You will be given instructions first on how to ride western and how to tack and untack your horse.
The aim of the day is to gather 120 cows and their calves and drive them to a new pasture inanticipation of branding the calves the next day. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed along the way. Return to the camp in the evening for a well deserved hearty dinner.
Day 4: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback
Today will be spent "Branding" or marking the cattle. You will ride out to find the herd that you gathered yesterday. Once the herd is contained in the bottom of a narrow valley, so they can not scatter, a large fire will be made in which the irons are placed. Some riders will be responsible for keeping the cattle together in the herd, two others will rope the calves out and seperate them from the rest of the herd. When the calves mother has been identified, the same marking will be applied to the calve. Two riders will then hold the calve on the ground while others mark it with the hot iron, tag its ear and vaccinate it. A well deserved lunch break at midday and then you can switch roles! Hip and his team teach you how to use a lasso and you can quickly get practicing with the herd. Return to the camp early in the evening.
Day 5: LOVELL -
Today you need to move another herd to a fresh pasture in order for the grazed pastures to recover. This will take the whole day because the distances are huge and the cows are scattered. Also you will need to sort the cattle as they will not all go in the same pasture. Return to camp late in the day. This evening practice your roping skills if you wish to as tomorrow is devoted to branding and castrating calves.
Day 6: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback
Another day of "branding" today. The cattle are already in the same pasture, so your first job is to make a fire. Today everyone can help to catch the calves. The older ones will be castrated, this operation only takes a few seconds. Return to camp late in the day.
Day 7: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback
Ride through beautiful scenery towards the Big Horn Canyon. You can see remnants from the past as you ride past abandoned cabins, old carriage wheels, old corrals for horses left behind by the pioneers. It is not uncommon to find arrowheads and it is easy to imagine herds of bison roaming free through these vast areas. You will feel that you have worked hard when you find missing cows and those that need care. Back to the ranch in the late afternoon.
Day 8: LOVELL - 5 to 7 hours on horseback
Today you will move several herds of cattle to new pastures. From up on the mountainside opposite the canyon, you will be able to see the entire ranch and how their land dominates the whole area extending accross to the horizon.
Your last evening at the ranch, the evening will be spent around the camp fire.
Day 9: LOVELL - BILLINGS -
A leisurely breakfast and then a late morning transfer to Billings. Arrive in Billings at c.13:30, you will be taken to your hotel and then the day is free to do as you wish.
Day 10: BILLINGS - LONDON -
Accommodation :
Return flight to London or maybe extend your trip. Why not pay a visit to the beautiful Yellowstone Park, not very far from Billings?
Day 11 -
Accommodation :
Arrive in London
Price details
- International flights are not included.
- The maximum group size is usually 18 riders
- If you are travelling alone and have a single room in Billings, there will be a single supplementary charge added to your invoice.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.
PRICE INCLUDES
Support Team
Team of cowboys on the ranch to assist and guide
Logistic
Several horses equipped with saddle and bridle
Inland transports
Transfers from Billings to the ranch (return)
Accommodation
2 person tents with cot beds
Double room in hotel in Billings for first and last night
Meals
Full board from dinner on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 9
OPTION
Accommodation
Single room supplement if in a single room in Billings
PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE
Meals
Beverages and personal extras
Meals in Billings
Transports
Visa fees (ESTA) at USD $14 per person which must be arranged in advance
Extra
Tips to local team
Insurance
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation
TIPS
Tips are compulsory in USA. The local team expects to get 15-20% of the cost of your stay.
HORSES
Over 100 Quarter Horses all perfectly trained for working cattle. They are energetic, calm and steadfast. All horses are ridden in western tack and are used to western techniques. Western saddles are ideal for spending long hours on horseback.
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY
This is a trip for fit and experienced riders. You must be comfortable and secure in the saddle for several hours and be able to mount from the ground. A good level of physical fitness is required.
PACE
Riding at all paces - walk, trot and canter over varied terrain through pleasant pastures, forests, peaks, lakes and rivers.
TACKING ABILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Each rider is responsible for their horse, so you will groom, tack and untack your horse. You can feed and water your horse if you wish.
TRIP CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED EXPERIENCE
Good physical condition is required. The climate is continental, so hot in summer while enjoying the mountain air, cold in the Autumn to very cold and snowy in the winter.
EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
Western tack
Saddlebags provided
You can also bring leather straps and spurs if you wish.
COMFORT
Two man tents, with camp beds heated by a wood stove. Based around a log cabin where meals are prepared.There is no running water, the water is heated every night (solar or wood-fired). Showers and toilets in outdoor sheds. A cabin dining room serves as a place to relax and socialise when the weather is not so good.
CLIMAT
Meals
- American-style breakfast: tea, coffee, toast, eggs, sweet and savoury options
- Picnic lunch
- Copious hot meals for dinner
Water is available at the camp.
Alcohol is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own drinks.
Support Team
Guide and local team
Your guides and ranchers will be Loretta and Hip. They are lovely and quick to make their guests comfortable. With their daughter Desiree and the rest of their team, they will share their daily lives with their guests and welcome you to their household as if you were family!
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
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
- Sleeping bag. You need at least a comfort factor down to minus 5 celsius, but would recommend at least minus 8 or 10 celsius
- Sleeping bag liner - silk, cotton or fleece - adds an extra layer
- inflatable mattress
- Pyjamas or tracksuits or thermals for sleeping in
Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided with a capacity of 60-80 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.//
- Hard sided suitcase are not permitted on this ride as your luggage is carried by packhorses. It should be soft sided with a capacity of 80-100 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.
- 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!
- Tall riders may benefit from taking a pair of long stirrup leathers with them (the local stirrups are adjustable but are sometimes limited in length)
- Even if foam mattresses are provided, you may pack your inflatable mattress for comfort sake.
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
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries 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
Miscellaneous
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- Please take your rubbish home with you. There are no recycling facilities in XXX, so take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling
- You may wish to take some photographs or postcards of your home with you to show your hosts. You may also wish to take some crayons, colouring books etc for the children
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
To enter the United States of America, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by Australian, British, Canadian and other EU nationals.
All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports require a valid USA entry visa.
Visas
Visas are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days, except:
1. Nationals of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland and Romania, who do require a visa as they are not included in the Visa Waiver Program
Visitors to the USA travelling under the Visa Waiver Program must obtain authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the USA, if arriving by air or sea. It is recommended that applications are made at least 72 hours prior to travel but you may apply at any time prior to travel. Airlines must now deny check-in to passengers without a valid ESTA. There is a US$14 fee.
An ESTA is valid for two years, so if you've applied for one previously, ensure it's still valid.
When applying for ESTA-authorisation and entering the passport number, the number 0 must not be replaced by letter O as this can lead to problems upon entering the USA. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.
Canadian citizens do not require an ESTA, but permanent residents of Canada who are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must obtain one.
Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program and need to obtain a visa.
Addresses of consulates
- Paris | Ambassade des Etats-Unis
2, avenue Gabriel
75008 paris
Tél. : 01.43.12.22.22
Fax :
- Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis
4101 Reservoir Road, N.W.
20007 Washington D.C.
Tél. : +1 (202) 944 60 00
Fax :
info@ambafrance-us.org
- US Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
W1A 2LQ London
Tél. : 020 7499-9000
Fax :
HEALTH
There are no vaccinations required for entering the United States. If you are entering from a yellow fever endemic area (or you have been to one within 7 days of entering the country), you may be required to show proof of immunization. Recommended vaccinations include Tetanus(Lockjaw), Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Rabies vaccinations are sometimes recommended for wilderness travel and/or wildlife volunteer projects. Lyme disease is endemic in the northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest areas and transmitted via blacklegged ticks
Travel insurance that provides medical coverage is a requirement for visitors to the US. Only emergency cases are treated without prior payment and treatment may be refused without evidence of insurance or a deposit. All receipts for services rendered must be kept in order to make a claim. Medical care in the United States tends to be quite expensive, especially for emergency treatment provided in hospital settings, paid for out of pocket.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides will require your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.
TELEPHONE AND JET LAG
The dialling code for the USA is +1
The country stradles a number of different time zones. Eastern Daylight time (eg. New York) is GMT -4. Mountain Daylight time (eg. Montana) is GMT -6. Pacific Daylight time (eg. California) is GMT -7.
BUDGET AND MONEY
The US Dollar, is the national currency of the United States. One dollar consists of 100 cents. Frequently used coins are the penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢) and quarter (25¢). 50¢ and $1 coins also exist, but are rarely used. Frequently used banknotes are the $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes. $2, $50 and $100 notes can also be found, but are rarely used.
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card, as it is common to request pre-payment or a credit card imprint for hotel rooms and car hire, even when final payment is not by credit card. Be sure to check with your card issuer for current surcharge rates imposed for use of the card outside your home country. You should also inform your issuer that you are travelling for a specified period so your card is not flagged or temporarily suspended.
Bank-issued debit cards are accepted at many businesses in the US; however, using them to pay for many travel-related expenses, such as car hire and hotel rooms, often incurs a surcharge, deposit, or a hold on your account.
VOLTAGE
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin
Nights in luxury camps with proper beds and linen. Toilets and showers are usually provided.
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