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Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

USA - ARIZONA : HORSE RIDING TRAILS ON ANCIENTS AND MONUMENT VALLEY TO GRAND CANYON...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

SPECIAL OFFERS ON ALL DEPARTURE DATES - please see our rates below

ITINERARY

TRAIL OF THE ANCIENTS - MONUMENT VALLEY

Sunday
Guests will be picked up at 04:00 pm at Cortez Airport and driven to our camp in Cottonwood Wash where the trail adventure starts.

Monday
Everyone gets acquainted with his horse for the trail on a short ride to ancient dwelling sites in a hidden canyon below an impressive stone arch as well as other hidden settlements, tombs and lookout towers (~5h, 15 miles)

Tuesday
Today we'll ride up Brushy Basin to the top of the sage covered mesa and loop around and back into cottonwood wash. Along the way we'll stop at several Anasazi villages hidden and untouched for over 1000 years. (~6 h, 20 miles)

Wednesday
We ride our camp up Cottonwood wash and will descend the impressive Comb Ridge via an narrow trail called the old Mormon trail. We follow the original mormon trail down the ridge to Arch Canyon for another visit at a huge cave and remnants of an extensive Anasazi village. Breathtaking scenery of rock cliffs and canyons are the highlights of this scenic ride . Our camp is set among huge cottonwoods along Comb Wash. (28 miles, 8 h)

Thursday
long ride south along the towering sand colored cliffs of Comb Ridge to a camp site at an old "round up " Corral will be the days adventure. Long stretches of trotting and cantering on this sandy stretch will add a feeling of being one of the first explorers of the area. We will finish the day camping under a beautiful star-lit sky. (20 miles, 6-8 h)

Friday
The grand finale of the first week takes us into the spectacular Valley of the Gods Lunch break in the midst bright red sandstone towers and a chance for picturesque sunset fotos of Monument Valley will be the highlights of an exciting day. The endless sand dunes between these spectacular red rock towers invite for a fast and interesting ride. Camp will be back at Comb Ridge corrals. (30 miles, 8 h)

Saturday
This day is reserved for the departure of one-weekers and the arrival of other guests. The remaining guests have the opportunity to visit the famous Anasazi museum in Blanding, ride to the San Juan river for a swim or just relaxing in camp while transfers are taking place. The evening will see the arrival of the new guests in time for dinner under a wondrous sky.
(pick-up for new guests is Cortez Airport at 8:00pm). One-weekers stay the night in a hotel in Cortez and fly back the next day (Sunday).

Sunday
We head south along the San Juan River towards Mexican Hat. Along the way you will see how this old town got its name. The upside down sombrero made of red sand stone can be seen from a distance in contrast to the natural, colorful painted hill sides of the San Juan. We will camp for the night in the area. (28 miles, 8h)

Monday
We transfer to Oljato and meet our Navajo guide in front of the old Trading Post. The ride will lead us through sand dunes along red rock walls and canyons east towards the prominent volcanic intrusion called El Capitain where we spend the next two nights. (18 miles, 6 h)

Tuesday
Today we ride into the famous Mystery Valley. Ancient Anasazi ruins and hidden canyons and unforgettable views will make this day a very special ride. We return to camp at the base of El Capitain for another relaxing night under a majestic sky. (20 miles, 6)

Wednesday
This ride is one of our highlights. We ride up to Hunts Mesa following hidden trails through spectacular canyons for a 3 dimensional panoramic view over Monument Valley . An old sheep herders trail leads us down from Hunts Mesa into Kane Valley were we spend the night. (30 miles, 8 h)

Thursday
From Kane Valley we ride into Monument Valley and will see all the grandeur of the valley made famous by Western Movie Star John Wayne. Our trail drops down into the Valley behind the famous Totem Pole. We are in for a treat of authentic Navajo meal and entertainment. ( 18 miles, 6 h)

Friday
Our guide will take us through Monument Valley today for a visit of the most famous formations like " Stagecoach", "the hand", "the three sisters"," rain god Mesa" and other famous sites from movies and TV will accompany us along the way. In the late afternoon we transfer back to El Capitain for one last night in Monument Valley. (20 miles, 6-8 h)

Saturday
After two weeks of a fantastic and memorable trail, we leave by car to Cortez where we spend the last night in a hotel.

Sunday
Transfer to Cortez airport for your return flight.

TO THE GRAND CANYON TRAIL

This riding trail begins in the center of Arizona, between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Mountains, forest and lakess made up the particular landscape of this region and are really different of what we thinking about west America.
We propose you a 2 weeks horseback trail that ends at the Grand Canyon, where the last night is provided in a hotel on the rim and a dinner with a unique sight.
For the two week trails, you have to arrive at Phoenix and departure is from Flagstaff. In case of one week trail only, the arrival and departure on Saturday, in the middle of the ride, is to/from Flagstaff.

Day 1 - Saturday
Pick-up at Phoenix airport at 07:00 pm and transfer to Houston Mesa Horse Camp (~ 1 ½ hour drive).
Dinner and night in camp.

Day 2 - Sunday
After a hearty cowboy breakfast we’ll select our horses and ride the Houston Mesa loop for a nice and leisurely getting acquainted ride. Lunch on the ride.
Dinner and night in camp. (~15 miles)

Day 3 - Monday
This morning we willl leave Houston Mesa horse camp to the Est Verde river. On the way we will visit the ancient Anasazi village Shoofly and continue on to the Highline trail which will take us to our camp by Geronimo trailhead. Camp is on a seasonal creek in a beautiful pine covered canyon.
Dinner and night in camp. (~ 28 miles)

Day 4 - Tuesday
Today we continue along the scenic Highline trail from Geronimo trailhead up to the Mogollon Rim. We will have lunch at the tunnel and than return to the camp at Geronimo trailhead.
Dinner and night in camp.

Day 5 - Wednesday
We continue along the highline trail to the logging community of Pine, than we follow the Arizona trail east into and out of Oak tree Canyon towards the Mazatzal wilderness area.
Dinner and night in camp.
(~26 miles).

Day 6 - Thursday
Today we will transfer the camp to the overland trail south of Williams. We will pass by several stores for some last minute and souvenir shopping. A short ride around the camp in the afternoon is possible if time permits. Dinner and night in camp.

Day 7 - Friday
We will ride north on the Overland trail used by native Americans as well as later on by farmers and soldiers to cross the rim from the lower desert regions to the high alpine regions. Aspen, Pine and Fir trees as well as elk and antelopes will be our constant companions along the way. We'll camp in a large meadow along the trail. (~30 miles)

Day 8 - Saturday
Today is the pick-up/drop-off day for one weekers . The two week guests will undertake a loop ride overlooking oak tree canyon which ends in Sedona's red rock area. A short Endurance run up KA hill will reward us with incredible views of the neighboring peaks and valleys. (~20 miles)

Day 9 - Sunday
Today we will continue the ride to and across the interstate and further into elk country. Camp will be in a hunters camp along the great western trail. Lots of trots and canters along the way with plenty of opportunities to see large herds of Elk and Antelopes. (~ 28 miles)

Day 10 - Monday
A loop ride along the Beale Wagon route is on the program of today.(Beale's Wagon Road, which followed the route that was later to become the famous Route 66 across the Southwest (generally followed now by Interstate 40), was actually a faster and safer route to California than the much more popular Gila Trail to the south through Apache territory --- but it was avoided by most emigrant parties after news spread of the tragedy that befell the first party that attempted to follow it. Although almost forgotten now, the disaster was so notorious at the time that it wasn't until the opening of a railroad along the route, followed by the development of the automobile, that this historic road became widely used.
Dinner and night in camp. (~18 miles)

Day 11 - Tuesday
On we ride following the Great Western trail north out of the heavily wooded areas into the cedar covered hills and endless plains leading to the Grand Canyon.
Dinner and night in camp. (~ 30 miles)

Day 12 - Wednesday
A long ride to Moqui station. The terrain offers ample chance for long trots and canters again. We’ll cross the historic Babbitt ranch. Dinner and night in camp. (~ 29 mi)

Day 13 - Thursday
From Moqui station we continue along the Arizona trail to Grand View tower. Along the way we will have some stunning views of the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Dinner and night in camp. (~ 16 miles)

Day 14 - Friday
We will undertake a ride through the wooded areas along the rim with plenty of chance to view the abundant wildlife and in the late afternoon you will get a chance to visit the Grand Canyon village for some souvenir shopping and a sunset at the Canyon. Last night will be spent in a lodge at the Grand Canyon.

Day 15 - Saturday
Transfer from the hotel back to the airport.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

The horses are mainly Arab purebreds crossed with the traditional horses of the American West: Foxtrotter and Quarter horse. Also the horses are Appaloosas, Arabians, Quarter Horses, Mustangs and Missouri foxtrotters bred.
All of them work with the cattle and are used to the steep relief.
Certain horses are specialists in Reining and other particularities of the western horsemanship. If you want to, Dominique will initiate you into those particularities with great pleasure.
Also, some of the Arabs purebred are trained for endurance race.

Tack

The tack is western with comfortable cordura saddles. Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided.

Required riding level
The trail rides' rhythm is quite intensive, from 5 to 7h each day in the saddle, but they can adapt themselves to the level of everyone. However, it is necessary to be able to easily manage a horse at the 3 paces, to have certain endurance in the saddle, and to know how to look after your horse (grooming, saddling, and unsaddling).

What to bring
Boots or comfortable shoes for riding.
Comfortable clothes, short- and long-sleeved shirts, warm clothes for the night (always cool in the desert)
Chaps, hat, torch, bath towel, raincoat
Sleeping bag, camera, sun cream
The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Nights are spent in comfortable roomy 3-4 person tents , with rubber mattresses, pillows and a trailer with the toilet equipment (hot shower but with limited water).

In the morning, you have to prepare your lunch which will be carried in the saddle bags. This allows you to make your own meals as you desire.

Beverages without alcohol (water, soda, fruit juice...) are provided on the trail.
If you want alcohol beverages, you have to buy it before going on the trail (in Cortez for example)

The last night of the rides is provided in hotel. In Cortez for the Monument Valley and near the Grand Canyon for the Arizona center to Grand Canyon trail. This allows you to take a return flight at any hour of the day. We use hotels with airport shuttle.

DATES AND RATES

Single supplement

- 80 € (70 €) for one week trail
- 150 € (140 €) for two weeks trail

Only for riders who ask for a single room. Those who are willing to share, will not pay the supplement even if they are finally in a single tent/room.

Flights to Phoenix, Flagstaff (Arizona) or Cortez (Colorado)

Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.

RATE INCLUDING

RATE NOT INCLUDING

- flights to the starting and finishing point of the ride
- meals in Cortez, Phoenix and Flagstaff
- alcohol beverages
- tips
- personal expenses
- optionnal insurances : more information...

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Anne, the specialist for this destination

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

Vaccines-Health
It is necessary to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.

REFERENCE :CH121-monument-valley