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Multi-Day Horse Treks

Stunning views are to be found at every turn on our Upper Mustang Horse Trek  | Sandra Shrubb

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About Horse Treks

Why this activity?Riding AbilityWebinarsFAQsTrip GradingSuggested Training Inclusions and Equipment

A World Expeditions horse trek is a multi-day journey on horseback through remote country, four to seven hours in the saddle a day. Previous riding experience is required; these are not trips for first-time riders.

Ride Mongolia's Khan Khentii mountains, Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan, Patagonia and Nepal's remote regions, on trips of 7 to 16 days with 4 to 8 days on horseback.

You must be in control at walk, trot and canter in open country and able to mount unaided. Many of our remote Horse Treks, like in Mongolia, Central Asian treks & Patagonia, require Intermediate riding experience

The well socialised horses are local working animals - Mongolian and Kyrgyz mountain horses, Criollos in Patagonia - ridden daily by the experienced handlers who know them.

Local horsemen ride with an English-speaking guide, roughly one to every three or four riders. Groups are small, and a weight limit applies, set for the horses.

Come experience the world's remote regions on horseback.

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Yes, on our multi-day treks. You need to be at least a Strong Intermediate rider: in control at walk, trot and canter in open country, able to mount and dismount unaided, and comfortable spending six or more hours in the saddle. These are not trips for first-time riders.

Answer four questions. Can you mount and dismount unaided? Have you ridden at least six times in the past year? Can you hold a rising trot for ten minutes? Are you happy cantering in open country, in a group, on an unfamiliar horse? Four yeses puts you at Strong Intermediate.

Start at least four to six weeks out. Ride if you can - aim for ten unbroken minutes of rising trot and ten of canter in each session, some of it out of the saddle. If you can't ride, Pilates, yoga and strength work build the core, hip and inner-thigh strength that riding uses.

Calm by local standards, which is not the same thing. In Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan the horses live out, are handled seasonally rather than daily, and are ridden by herders who have ridden since childhood. A horse your handler calls quiet will feel forward and responsive to most Australian, European or North American riders.

Your declared riding level, riding frequency, weight and height are sent to the ground operator before you arrive, and your handler pairs you with a horse on that basis.

Yes, and it's set for the horses, not for you. These are compact, hard-working native horses carrying a rider plus gear over long days, often at altitude. The limit is measured in riding clothes and is listed on each trip page.

Stock-style saddles on the Central Asian treks and traditional gaucho saddles in Patagonia - see the individual trip page. Expect to be sore for the first two or three days regardless of experience. Riding jodhpurs or padded tights, riding gloves and half chaps make a real difference.

Your handlers do the saddling, unsaddling and hobbling, but you're welcome to be involved and we'd encourage it. Understanding how your horse is fed, watered and rested is part of the trip. Handlers work with these horses year-round and their methods differ from Western practice — ask questions rather than intervening.

We inspect the operations we sell and we read every post-trip survey, including what travellers tell us about how the horses are handled. Horse culture differs by country and we don't pretend otherwise, but welfare standards are a condition of our local operator relationship, and weight limits exist for exactly this reason.

See the individual trip page. Whichever applies, your helmet must be a current certified equestrian helmet meeting. Ski, cycling and climbing helmets are not accepted, are not safe for riding, and are usually not covered by travel insurance.

Tell your guide straight away. Depending on the trek, you may be able to change horses, ride part of a day and travel by support vehicle for the rest, or step out of riding entirely. Your guide can also ask you to dismount if your riding puts you or the group at risk.

It does depend on just how experienced you are, but not usually. Everyone on the trek has cleared the same minimum riding level, so the spread is narrower than on a general adventure trip. Where terrain allows and group size supports it, riders can be split by pace. Group sizes are listed on each trip page.

Not at all - solo travellers are common on our horse treks and often make up a good share of the group. Days on horseback create conversation whether you plan it or not. Single supplements (optional) and room-sharing arrangements are listed on each trip page.

Anyone who hasn't ridden before, anyone who hasn't ridden in the past year, and anyone who wants a horse that will only walk. It's also not suitable for people with limited mobility. If you want a gentle introduction to riding, a short led ride within a cultural tour will suit you better.

Destinations like Mongolia are long, flat and open - the demand is hours in the saddle on forward-going horses across big country, at low altitude. Kyrgyzstan is mountain riding: shorter distances but steep climbs, exposed ground, scree you lead your horse through, and passes above 3,500 m (11,483 ft). Choose on terrain, not scenery.

Grade 1: Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.

Grade 2: Adventure Touring

These adventure tours sometimes involve travel at high altitude (rarely exceeding 4000m, except on certain trips in Tibet, Peru and India) and may visit remote areas of the world where facilities are often basic. Many of these trips sometimes involve some camping or basic lodging. These adventure tours will often involve long journeys and rough roads. Sightseeing and optional day walks are often included and these days may involve up to 5 hours of physical activity.

Grade 3: Introductory

Up to 5 or 6 hours of physical activity a day at a slow but steady pace.

Grade 4: Introductory to Moderate

Introductory activity with several moderate stages.

Grade 5: Moderate

Up to 5-7 hours of physical activity a day at a steady pace. Terrain may vary and some steep ascents to be expected. Be prepared for variable weather conditions.

Grade 6: Moderate to Challenging

Moderate activity with several challenging stages.

Grade 7: Challenging

Up to 8 to 10 hours+ of physical activity a day, often in remote areas with variable and adverse weather conditions.

Grade 1: Discovery & Cruising

These journeys of discovery and cruises are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2-3 months prior to departure.

Grade 2: Adventure Touring

To enjoy these adventures we suggest you have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a moderately active lifestyle and a positive attitude.

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Grade 3: Introductory

Our introductory trips are not ‘easy’ trips and you will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week, starting at least two to three months before departure. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling. For treks, hill or stair walking with a 5-7kg daypack is also highly recommended at least once a week. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is advised.

Grade 4: Introductory to Moderate

On these adventures you will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week, from a minimum of three months period to your departure. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling - good cardiovascular exercise. For treks, hill or stair walking with a 7kg daypack is also highly recommended at least once a week. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is advised.

Grade 5: Moderate

These adventures require a good level of fitness and health.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45-60 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions, kayaking or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Grade 6: Moderate to Challenging

These adventures require a good level of fitness and excellent health.

Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of aerobic type exercise, four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions, kayaking or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Grade 7: Challenging

On these challenging adventures, you will need an excellent level of fitness.

Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of aerobic exercise, four times a week – such as jogging, hard walking, cycling or paddling. Solid preparation is essential in the months leading up to your departure. For trekking, hill walking with a 7kg pack is a must. On the weekends mix in a relatively demanding bushwalk relatively steep ascents and descents. For cycling, regular biking for one to four hours at a time, with as many hills as possible, will help prepare you for your trip.

The exact inclusions and equipment for each of our adventures is listed once you've found the trip you want. Our trips are generally more inclusive than others in the market place in line with our philosophy of minimising 'extra payments' displayed outside of the main trip price as well as out of pocket expenses once you reach your destination.

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