Horse riding holidays in USA, the Saguaro Ranch ride.

Ride Description

The ranch, based at the foot of the ruggedly beautiful Tucson Mountains, adjacent to the Saguaro National Park, Arizona, is set in nearly five square miles of lush desert. Longhorn cattle come in for water every day but with the timeless aura of a working western cattle ranch, you also have the benefits and comforts associated with a top quality destination.

Whether horseback riding is new to you or you are an experienced rider, the varied riding programme will fit your needs. You will enjoy the guided, western-style horseback riding with friendly wranglers, fine horses, and scores of scenic trails. There are slow scenic rides through the Saguaro cactus, brisk fast rides and exciting mountain rides.

Three times a week, guests have the chance to work cattle in the arena. Experienced riders love it but if you are a beginner the ranch will have you team cattle penning within a few days.

There is something for everyone here. You have the freedom to stay as busy as you want or to do as little as you like - you will find a variety of activities from a relaxing nap at the pool to an exhilarating horseback adventure. You can make your stay as "horsey" or as "horseless" as you want.

The ranch has been in the family since 1965 and their goal has always been to carefully blend the family approach and personal touch of a traditional ranch with the service and quality of a fine resort.

Food & Accommodation

As this is a dude ranch, you will be able to learn some of the skills of a cowboy but sleep in far more luxurious lodgings than any cowboy will have done. You will stay in one of the ranches forty one rooms, all of which have air conditioning and a charming patio.

Some suites have fireplaces and Jacuzzi bath tubs. Most of the rooms have a private bath, however, two have showers only and the rest have a bath and shower combination. Each room is tastefully decorated in a regional south western style with art and accents from nearby Mexico. Views are of the mountains and cactus gardens.

Complimentary, wireless internet service is available in guest rooms and throughout most of the ranch.

For those looking for that extra touch of luxury the ranch's deluxe suites have their own fireplace, whirlpool tub and king-size bed. Washer and dryer facilities are open to all guests.

The ranch is well known for its delicious, home cooked and plentiful meals. During your stay here you will dine like a true cowboy with the chance to savour traditional ranch cookouts, steak barbeques, hayrides and Indian oven dinners.

You can saddle up and enjoy a breakfast outside cooked the old fashion way with cast iron skillets, grills and steaming coffee pots. Blueberry pancakes never tasted so good.

The Indian oven dinner is the ranch's signature meal which is a whole dinner of roast beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, bread and cake all cooked with mesquite in a traditional Indian oven.

Three daily meals are included in your package, breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner is always three course. You definitely won't go hungry here!

Activities

Your stay can be as "horsey" or as "horseless" as you like. Guests are welcome to make use of the ranch's extensive library, heated swimming pool and indoor hot tub.

In addition to riding the ranch offers a range of other activities to both riding and non riding guests. These include hiking, tennis, basketball. volleyball, table tennis, horseshoe, shuffleboard, football, air hockey and billiards. There is a versatile Sport Court with floodlit courts for the evenings and a recreation room and movie theatre.

The Fitness Centre offers spa services, massage or working out whilst the recreation centre is great for quality family time as well as making new friends. The Fitness Centre has everything you could want for a great work out - modern equipment, Sirius satellite music, beautiful surroundings and a sauna. The licensed massage therapist offer Swedish, Deep Tissue and Hot Rock treatments (not included in the price)

For children there is a playground, sports court and games room and the ranch's very own petting zoo has deer, miniature horses, llamas, potbellied pigs and pygmy goats.

Of course, if you are simply looking for a place to relax you are free to sit on the patio, in the cosy living room or in the Happy-Hour Saloon. The Rearing Horse gift shop will satisfy the most avid shopper. Free, wireless internet access is available and the Business Centre offers a computer and printer

Evening entertainment includes moonlight bonfires and cowboy entertainment, an astronomy show with large telescopes, line dancing lessons, nature and animal programmes and many other fun and educational programmes.

The Saturday rodeo is a weekly tradition and three times a week there is the opportunity to try Team Cattle Penning. Hot Air Ballooning companies and a Golf course are situated within easy reach of the ranch. Tuscon is home to many championship golf courses.

Horses

Type of horses: Quarter horses and others

Nature of horses: Well behaved and well schooled

Number of horses: 120

Height of horses: 14 - 16.2 hh

Weight limit: None within reason

Tack type: Western

Further Details

Languages: English

Health requirements: None

Age limit: None

Tuition: Tuition is not included but is available at an additional cost.

Included: Transfers, accommodaton, all meals and drinks but not alcohol or canned drinks and team cattle penning and recreational activities.

Not included: Flights, tennis lessons and massages, riding lessons.

Travel Information

Flights are to Tuscon and we can arrange transfer to the ranch from there. Cars may be rented at the ranch by the day, or rented at the airport upon your arrival at the airport.

Airport: Tucson

Programmes

Saguaro Ranch Stay

This programme is suitable for everyone from the beginner who would like to have their first lessons in the warmth of the Arizona sun, to the experienced rider looking for exciting trails.

Your hosts want you to enjoy every minute you spend in their home so are keen to let you choose the activities you would like to take part in and the accommodation you stay in.

This programme can be tailored to suit you. You can choose between tuition or trails and take advantage of the the ranch amenities. Your stay can be as "horsey" or as "horseless" as you want. Please contact the office to discuss your requirements.

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 15

Ability description: All abilities welcome from beginners to experienced

Type of ride: Trails and cattle work

Total riding time: Riding every day except Sunday

Departure dates: Open all year except July and August

Pricing: Prices are per person

February 17th - April 26th 2008
Single: £943
Single Deluxe: £1174
Economy Double: £738
Standard Double: £814
Deluxe Double: £921
Suite: £943
Deluxe Suite: £1085
Additional Persons: £516
Hacienda (Minimum 4 people): £4360
Family Suite (Minimum 4 people): £3680

August 31st - October 4th 2008

Single: £1008
Deluxe Single: £893
Economy Double: £532
Standard Double: £572
Deluxe Double: £616
Suite: £660
Deluxe Suite: £747
Additional Persons: £396
Hacienda (minimum 4 people): £3061
Family Suite (minimum 4 people): £2462

October 5th - December 20th 2008

Single: £821
Single Deluxe: £1092
Economy Double: £675
Standard Double: £733
Deluxe Double: £786
Suite: £835
Deluxe Suite: £959
Additional Persons: £449
Hacienda (Minimum 4 people): £3,819
Family Suite (Minimum 4 people): £3,142

December 21st 2008 - January 1st 2009

Single: £901
Single Deluxe: £1253
Economy Double: £791
Standard Double: £867
Deluxe Double: £960
Suit: £1014
Deluxe Suit: £1160
Additional Persons: £516
Hacienda (Minimum 4 people): £4,652
Family Suite (Minimum 4 people): £3,834

Cowgirls Only Special

This programme is suitable for the novice or experienced rider and is just for the girls! A chance to indulge yourself, relax, bask in the warm Arizona sun, make new friends, learn new skills and rejuvenate your soul in the beautiful Arizona Sonoran desert while the flowers bloom.

Your time here is for you to enjoy as you wish and therefore can be as horsey or as horseless as you wish. You can have your own horse to groom, tack up, bathe and learn to ride, or, if you prefer, turn up for a leisurely trail and leave the horse care to the professionals.

To make the your stay extra special your programme includes a margarita welcome party, a one hour massage, guided daily hikes and nature trails, country western dance lessons, a hay ride and a cookout. Those who wish can also take part in other activities including aerobic classes, stretch classes and south west cooking classes and other programmes of interest especially for women.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 10

Type of ride: Trails and tuition

Total riding time: Flexible

Departure dates: 2009 dates to be arranged.

Pricing: The price of this programme is inclusive of accommodation, all meals, horse riding and daily lessons, airport transfers, one massage, margarita welcome party, tax and service charge.
Single Occupancy: £492
Double Occupancy: £455

Summer Extravaganza

This is an opportunity to escape to a stress free, safe haven for a few days with no worries about what to do, where to eat or what to wear. This is blue jean country and attire is casual.

Bask in the warm early summer sun and enjoy the multitudes of desert blossoms on the palo verde trees, ironwood trees, saguaro and cholla cacti. Every turn you takes provides the perfect picture moment. You will also have the delight of seeing the frolics of the new crop of longhorn calves. There are 4 horseback rides daily (except Sunday).