Since today is officially the first day of June, here are 6 top vacations for horse enthusiasts. Traveling can be super expensive and intimidating, so I have selected the top vacations at safety and price. I have personally never gone to any of these places, but I definitely plan to once we can travel again!
Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa
Botswana is located in south-central Africa just west of Zimbabwe. It is one of the safest regions in all of Africa and is economically stable. The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's National Parks where elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other big game can be spotted. What makes this park different is you can experience it on horseback! If you are interested in Equine photography, this is the place for you as well! There is a 9-day "equigraphic" safari. It is recommended that you go for 5-10 days for the fullest experience as you live in tents right in the safari. For more information, visit https://www.africanhorseback.com/.
Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Torres del Paine National Park is known for its breathtaking landscapes and is a haven for photographers and hikers, but it is also known for it's guided rides in the mountains. There are glacier rides, ice trails, and mountain rides that range from 1 to 10 days in length and location. There are a total of 8 rides to choose from in this park that you can view and book here.
Golden Circle, Iceland
Iceland is known for its unbelievable landscapes full of geysers and hot springs as well as having their own breed of horse: Icelandic ponies. Icelandic ponies are the perfect size for trail riding and are sturdy enough to have the majority of people be able to ride them. Unlike most horses, Icelandic ponies have 5 gaits: walk, trot, tölt, canter, and gallop. On the tour, you will be able to experience the breathtaking views of Iceland while on horseback. There are tours that last from 1 day to 9 days around Golden Circle. To find out more, check out their website.
Bryce Canyon, Utah, United States
The Bryce Canyon is one of the many canyons in Utah, but it is not a part of the Grand Canyon. It is known for its geological significance and unique horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. The Grand Canyon is typically full of tourists, but what makes Bryce Canyon special is it is actually located 280 miles (about 5 hours) from the most touristy part of the Grand Canyon. It is a little bit more off the beaten path and offers unique rides into the canyon. You can find more information here.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Banff National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains in Canada and has some of the most breathtaking views and over 15 different types of rides to choose from. For longer rides, there are fully equipped lodging and campsites offered. Traveling can get to be expensive but at Banff, prices are kept low as the park has the lowest rates in the area. Along with traditional trail rides, there are also carriage rides available in the summer and sleigh rides in the winter. You can learn more at. https://horseback.com/.
I hope you guys were able to learn something new in today's article, I know I sure did! If you read all the way to this point DM me on Instagram at @TheJuniorEquestrian and let me know which location is your favorite and I'll give you a story shoutout!
Best wishes
-Alison:)