
From the horse’s mouth
Itinerary
Highlights
- Ride alongside the cowboys, moving cattle, sorting and monitoring the various herds.
- Farming 87,000 acres the ranchers pay particular attention to conservation, wildlife and the environment.
- A very intimate ranch experience, with normally no more than 4 guests at a time (up to 8 for private groups).
- Enjoy the freedom of riding in vast open spaces.
Dates & prices
Price details
- Rates are per person, calculated on the basis of a 6-night's stay and are based on a shared bedroom and bathroom. The groups are composed of 2 to 4 riders maximum. Private groups can be of 6 riders.
- Longer stays are possible, but all arrivals at the ranch are on Sundays. There is no horseback riding on the day of arrival and there are no guided activities on Saturday afternoong or Sundays at the Chico Basin Ranch. If you spend 2 weeks at the ranch some non riding activities will be proposed like fishing, hiking or others activities outside the ranch (to be paid additionally and locally). Please contact us.
- Your first night at the hotel is not included but we would be happy to add to your quotation.
- Children aged 6-11 years get a discount of around $399/€350/£315 in 2022, or $440/€450/£395 in 2023 (please contact us for the exact rate). The minimum age to ride at the ranch is 8 yo.
- Transfers to or from Colorado springs are not included. Count about $75 per car each way, payable locally.
- Tips to the local team are compulsory in the USA and represent around 10% of the cost of your stay. These are payable locally. Please factor in around $220-$250.
- 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.
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
Logistics
Accommodation
Meals
Additional equipment
Price doesn't include
Meals
Transport
Transfers by car from Colorado Springs to the ranch
Visa fee (ESTA) - this must be arranged in advance
Extras
Insurance
Optional
Accommodation
Equestrian info
Horses
All horses are ridden western style.
Guide & local team
The ranch is supervised by an environment protection association. The terrains and fields of the ranch are managed in an ecological and holistic way. The wranglers and the staff are either employed or volunteers. They are very friendly and do their best to make the most of your stay. Some of them are sometimes a little talkative because of their shyness. Go first and talk with them!
Minimum riding ability
Minimum riding ability
Children under 8 years old can ride inside the ranch. Over 8 years old and if matching the riding level children can join the outside activities accompanied of their parents.
Rider weight limit: 105 kg / 16st4 / 230 lbs.
Pace
Long canters and trot or jog (sitting in the saddle) depending on what needs to be done - working directly with the cattle will be, on the other hand, slow.
Tacking ability and participation
You may wish to take part in the daily tasks of the ranch like watching the cattle, mending fences...
Trip conditions and Requested experience
Although the Chico is a serious working ranch, the team will not expect you to do more than you want.
Equestrian equipment
Front saddle bags
A rope to attach your jacket at the back of the saddle
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.
Travel info
Comfort
Both rooms share a bathroom and open plan kitchen sitting area. A washing machine and tumble dryer are available.
WiFi is available although signal in the rooms can be very weak.
Meals
Dinners are prepared by the staff and taken all together in their personal homes.
If you wish to drink alcohol you have to bring some as the ranch doesn't have a license to and is a BYOB type. (Bring Your Own Bottle).
Climate
- Dry winters with an occasional wind-blown snow. Some very cold temperatures alternating with some surprisingly warm days.
- Windy springs with highly changeable weather, an occasional blizzard, large temperature changes and an occasional gentle soaking rain or wet snow to help nurture the grasslands.
- Low-humidity summers with hot days and comfortable nights -- The Threat of big thunderstorms is always there, and the Plains see some of the most ferocious hail storms of the entire continent.
- Pleasant falls -- often dry.
Overall it is a semi-arid with precipitations gradually increasing as you go eastward into Kansas and Nebraska. Dry winters, wetter springs and summer, highly changeable weather, often windy, and some occasional monstrous thunderstorms with damaging hail.
Tips
Packing list
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
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
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
- Shorts
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend western boots or short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Nightwear
- Pyjamas
Other useful items
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre) - 1 bottle will be provided by the ranch
- Swiss army knife
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
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
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
Our Recommendations
- 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!
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
Sustainable tourism
- Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
- Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
- Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
- Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
- Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
- Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Life on a working ranch
A working ranch holiday in the United States is a riding vacation where you will be asked to roll up your sleeves. Be ready to step in the shoes of the local wranglers, taking part in their daily routine. You will contribute to the operation of the ranch: tasks are varied and concrete, and you might be asked to check and mend fences, move cattle from one pasture to another, help brand and vaccinate the calves... Not for the faint of heart, a working ranch is a great place to push your limits and reconnect with nature.
Staying on a working ranch is an incredibly enriching experience and requires a positive attitude, good physical and riding abilities, and an open mind. The outdoors lifestyle and the routine of the ranch will soon come naturally to you!