- International flights are not included, but can be booked upon request. The first hotel night is not included but we will be happy to organise this for you.
- The group is made of 5-10 riders maximum plus local team.
- The above rates are per person, based on a standard double room with a shared bathroom. There are private cabins available for $250/€205/£175 per couple and $150/€125/£105 per single person, per week.
- The ranch has some single rooms (with shared bathrooms) that they can give without a supplement on a first come, first served basis.
- Return transfer to and from Billings is not included and payable locally in cash (US$120 per person). There are two pick up places: Best Western Clock Tower Inn, and the Airport-at Door 4 at the
west end of the airport.
- Gratuities are not included in the listed price and must be factored into your budget - plan to tip around $315.
- Non-riders are welcome
- An electronic travel authorisation (ESTA) is required to enter the USA. It is your responsibility to organise this. Please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and contact us if you need help.
- The ranch is located on Indian territory. Alcohol is strictly prohibited by Indian law.
IMPORTANT: Your itinerary for the following days may vary depending on your selected week. Please note that some departures include a shorter cattle drive (2 days), then you will stay at the ranch and focus on other ranch-based activities.
ANTICIPATED PROGRAMME 2023
Weeks for Ranch activities:
- Spring/early summer: gathering cattle in the corral, branding calves, veterinary care and shorter drives. Spring is branding time, when the calves are small enough to be handled by a crew of guests and cowboys and foot. Each calf is branded, vaccinated, and males are castrated. Ranches are required by law to brand out cattle to show ownership.
- Summer is not typically cattle drive season, but there are still lots to do. This may include: checking on the herds of cattle and horses grazing on the land, shorter cattle drives to different pastures, monitoring young heifers, seeking out stay cows and calves out on neighbouring ranches, checking water troughs, fencing, etc.. In the summer, the team will also take the younger horses on their first range excursions. This is a great time to visit if you would like a varied week with lots of different options.
Cattle drives and weaning weeks:
April 23 - 29, 2023 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
April 30 - May 6, 2023 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
May 7 - 13, 2023 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
May 14 - 20, 2023 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
Sept 17 - 23, 2023 Gathering cows and calves to wean calves. Long days - round ups.
Sept 24 - 30, 2023 Gathering cows and calves to wean calves. Long days - round ups.
October 1 - 7, 2023 Gathering cows and calves to wean calves. Long days - round ups.
May 21 - 27, 2023 Gather cows and calves, sort pairs, brand calves.
June 4 - 10, 2023 Gather cows and calves, sort pairs, brand calves.
June 11 - 17, 2023 Gather cows and calves, sort pairs, brand calves.
June 18 - 24, 2023 Finish branding, gather and move cows to mountain pasture.
June 25 - July 1, 2023 Riding fence, doctoring for sickness, rotating pastures.
July 2 - 8, 2023 Open Week
July 9 - 15, 2023 Closed Week
July 16 - 22, 2023 Reserved for Photo Week
July 23 - 29, 2023 Rotating pastures, doctoring for sickness, riding fence.
July 30 - Aug 5 ,2023 Doctoring for sickness, rotating pastures, riding fence.
August 6 - 12, 2023 Open week.
Aug 13 - 19, 2023 Open week.
Aug 20 - 26, 2023 Rotating pastures, doctoring for sickness, riding fence.
Aug 27 - Sep 2,2023 Doctoring for sickness, checking water sources, fencing.
Sept 3 - 9, 2023 Begin outside riding. Bringing back cattle, putting out strays.
Sept 10 - 16, 2023 Gathering cows to ranch for weaning. Putting out strays.
October 8 - 14, 2023 Putting cows on fall pasture, looking for unweaned calves.
ANTICIPATED PROGRAMME 2024
Weeks for Ranch activities:
- Spring/early summer: gathering cattle in the corral, branding calves, veterinary care and shorter drives. Spring is branding time, when the calves are small enough to be handled by a crew of guests and cowboys and foot. Each calf is branded, vaccinated, and males are castrated. Ranches are required by law to brand out cattle to show ownership.
- Summer is not typically cattle drive season, but there are still lots to do. This may include: checking on the herds of cattle and horses grazing on the land, shorter cattle drives to different pastures, monitoring young heifers, seeking out stay cows and calves out on neighbouring ranches, checking water troughs, fencing, etc.. In the summer, the team will also take the younger horses on their first range excursions. This is a great time to visit if you would like a varied week with lots of different options.
CATTLE DRIVE AND WEANING WEEKS -
May 12 - 18, 2024 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
May 19 - 25, 2024 Cattle Drive from Wyoming to Dryhead ranch in Montana.
Sept 15 - 21, 2024 Gathering cows and calves to vaccinate calves.
Sept 22 - 28, 2024 Gathering cows and calves to vaccinate calves.
Sept29–Oct 5, 2024 Gathering cows and calves to vaccinate calves.
RANCH WEEKS -
June 2 - 8, 2024 Gather cows and calves, sort pairs, brand calves.
June 9 - 15, 2024 Gather cows and calves, sort pairs, brand calves.
June 16 - 22, 2024 Finish branding, gather and move cows to mountain pasture.
June 23 - 29, 2024 Riding fence, doctoring for sickness, rotating pastures.
July 21 - 27, 2024 Rotating pastures, doctoring for sickness, riding fence.
July 28 - Aug 3,2024 Doctoring for sickness, rotating pastures, riding fence.
Aug 25–31 ,2024 Doctoring for sickness, checking water sources, fencing.
Sept 1 - 7, 2024 Begin outside riding. Bringing back cattle, putting out strays.
Sept 8 - 14, 2024 Gathering cows to ranch for weaning. Putting out strays.
October 6 - 12, 2024 Putting cows on fall pasture, looking for unweaned calves.
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.
Support Team
A team of cowboys from the ranch
Logistic
Choice of several horses equipped with saddle and bridle
1 support vehicle
1 cook
Accommodation
Double or twin room with shared bathroom
Montana bed tax
Meals
Full board from dinner on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 8
Meals
Beverages and personal extras-Alcohol consumption in the ranch is prohibited (Indian reserve).
Meals in Billings
Meals on day 1, 2 (breakfast and lunch), 8 (lunch and dinner) and 9 are not included in the price
Transports
Visa fees (ESTA) which must be arranged in advance
International flights bookable on request
Transfers from Billings to the ranch (return) - see dates and prices
Extras
15% gratuities for the team
Insurance
Cancellation and travel insurances are not included. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend to take out an insurance policy as soon as your travel is booked in case of cancellation.
Accommodation
Hotel accommodation in Billings
En-suite room supplement
Single room supplement