Comfort
The Ranch has 43 rooms and a private hacienda (5 rooms) for private use. Our rates are for a standard room with one double bed and one single bed, en-suite. Deluxe rooms (up to 4 people) can also be booked. Each room has a fridge, hairdryer, safe, and iPod station. Pool, sauna and hot tub available. No TV in the rooms. A/C in all rooms.
Meals
A la carte breakfast and continental buffet.
Lunch is salads, sandwiches, biscuits and fresh fruit.
Dinner is usually family style with a BBQ and an assortment of sides and desserts.
A buffet with snacks and drinks (hot drink/lemonade) is available during the day.
All meals are taken at the ranch except on full day rides (picnic lunch).
Climate
Tucson has a desert climate and there can be an important temperature gap with day and night. Spring and summer can be extremely hot, especially in July, and you may experience showers. The riding activities are adapted in the summer with early starts and sunset rides to avoid the heat of the day.
Guide and local team
You are looked after by a team of local wranglers
Tips
Tipping is an instituition in the United States. In all restaurants - except certain snack bars with self-service -, it is expected that you leave around a 10 - 12% tip. Certain tourist hotspots will also add a service charge.
It's also considered 'good manners' to leave a 1 to 2$ supplementary tip to taxi drivers.
Regarding tips made to the team at the ranch, it is customary to give them to the lead cowboy who will then share it out amongst the rest of the team.
Packing list
Head
-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
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- Waterproof jacket - the rains can be difficult to foresee in the summer and it's better to be prepared. Please do not bring ponchos.
- Casual clothes for the evening
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
- Swimsuit
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps to protect against thorns. 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
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.
- 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!
Other useful items
- Water bottle.
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
-Mosquito repellent
-Insect bite relief cream
- Chapstick
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
- You may wish to take some photographs or postcards of your home with you to show your hosts.
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.
-Please take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling.
