Comfort
At the ranch (3 nights): Different types of accommodation facilities are offered at the Ranch: chalet, lodges, river tents and even Native American tipis. They all include beds with linen, private bathrooms (except river tents), porches and mountain views. There are no TVs in the rooms. There is Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas. The ranch also boats great amenities: there is a TV room, library, saloon, hot tub, heated swimming pool, archery range, badminton/volley ball court, and a nearby river. The ranch is small and intimate in size, with a maximum capacity of 36 guests. Laundry facilities available at an extra cost.
On the trail (3 nights): camp is set-up ahead of time and consists of comfortable walk-in safari tents, with made-up beds (no sleeping bag necessary). A shower tent and a toilet tent are available.
Meals
All meals are provided for on this holiday. The food at the Ranch is Croatia- and Mediterranean-inspired, with everything prepared from scratch with the best ingredients, either grown on-site or locally sourced.
Lunch is a simple picnic carried in your saddlebags.
Dinners: 5-course meals at the ranch, simpler camping dinner during the trail.
Extra drinks and alcohol are not included but can be purchased locally at the ranch.
Vegetarian diets and specific dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Climate
The ranch is located in the Velebit Nature Park at 700m above sea level. The mountain climate is pleasant during the warm months, April to October where the temperatures range from 15-30C during the day and 0-15oC over night. During the cold months, November to March, temperatures hover around 0C and drop well below 0C during the night.
Guide and local team
The ranch staff has great knowledge about the region and are all English speakers.
Tips
At the ranch gratuities are not included in the listed price - plan to tip around 5-10%.
Packing list
Important: You should adapt this list according to your departure date. Remember that whatever the season, nights are cold and bad weather is always a possibility.
There is no formal dress code at the Ranch, although most guests dress "Western casual" (jeans and a shirt!).
Head
- A riding helmet is MANDATORY. Helmet makers (GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème) now offer horse-riding helmets that are ventilated, strong, light and comfortable.
- Sunhat: cap for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust
Upper Body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Short or long-sleeved shirts (to provide protection from the sun) or T-shirt in a quick-drying material
- Lightweight fleece or jumper.
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare one in case one gets wet)
- Warm Goretex-style jacket (water-proof and breathable) in case of rain.
Legs
- 2 pairs of riding trousers or jeans or chaps - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on a holiday to ensure they don't rub.
- 1 change of trousers (riding trousers or jeans)
- Casual clothes for the evenings (jeans or walking trousers)
- Waterproof over trousers
- Thermal trousers for cold days or for sleeping in
- Cotton or synthetic underwear (non-irritant)
Hands and feet
- 1 pair Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps or long boots.
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding
Night gear
- Pyjamas for sleeping in
Other useful items
- Camping towels
- Small bumbag to be worn whilst riding
- A soothing cream may be useful to treat areas irritated by long hours in the saddle
- Backpacks are not to be worn whilst riding. Everything should be kept either in pockets or in a bumbag : lip balm, sun screen, small camera, glasses, rope etc.
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Torch for moving around at night
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Vitamin C tablets
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc..
- 10cm wide bandage
- Painkillers
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
General information
- We recommend taking any valuables, such as your camera, iPod, iPad, medicines and glasses etc. in your hand luggage.
- 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!
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals.