11 Thrilling Horseback Riding Vacations for the Year of the Horse
Amangiri |
Utah, United States
Set against 900 acres of protected desert in southern Utah, Amangiri is a study in stillness and scale, where minimalist stone architecture rises seamlessly from sculpted sandstone. From here or nearby Camp Sarika, there’s no more elemental way to explore than on horseback. Ride to hidden corners of the property, including Broken Arrow Cave near ancient petroglyphs and dinosaur remains, then venture farther to the red cliffs of the Paria River region, which unfold along Long Canyon’s sweeping trails. Retreat to modernist suites, indulge at the Aman Spa and let the mesa-embracing pool reflect the vast landscape you’ve just explored.
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Triple Creek Ranch |
Montana, United States
That quintessential Wild West unfolds beneath your horse at Triple Creek Ranch, in every season. Spring brings wildflower meadows; summer stretches beneath endless blue mountain skies; fall scents the air with Ponderosa pine; and winter trails glisten with fresh snow. Rides begin on the ranch, led by experienced wranglers for all skill levels, from leisurely excursions to lunch rides complete with a packed picnic from the kitchen. Once comfortable in the saddle, practice your cowboying on a Cattle Drive or a cross-country ride through the 26,000-acre sister property, CB Ranch, for a fresh perspective of the Bitterroot Valley. Along the way, elk and deer roam, eagles soar and panoramic views of the Montana Rockies stretch endlessly.
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The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection |
Virginia, United States
Hooves crunch along leaf-carpeted paths, and the air carries the scent of pine and autumn wildflowers as even-tempered mounts guide you through cathedral-like copses and stony ridges at The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection. Birds of prey circle overhead, Blue Ridge peaks rising in the distance, while meadows sway and creeks tumble beside you. Riders of all abilities can explore this ever-changing landscape on guided excursions, encountering deer, foxes and other woodland inhabitants along the way. Young guests can meet and groom the horses before taking a lead-line ride in the corral or simply enjoy a hands-on encounter. Stabling is available for those bringing their own horse, making horseback riding vacations here as personalized as they are breathtaking.
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Rancho Santana |
Tola, Nicaragua
Horseback riding vacations unfold across Nicaragua’s wild and colorful landscapes at Rancho Santana. From the peaceful starting point of the stables, riders can choose their own rhythm—trot along jungle paths, amble through nearby villages while waving to smiling locals, follow natural roadway trails to hidden beaches and turtle preserve or ride along the shore as the sun sinks into the Pacific. For experienced equestrians, take the reins on an advanced Stallion Dancing ride, showcasing Nicaragua’s unique horses in motion, inspired by local hipica parades. Beyond the saddle, the hotel is set on 2,700 acres of rolling hills and five pristine beaches, all yours to explore at your own pace, with the 6,000-square-foot spa providing the perfect place to unwind.
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Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel |
Maundays Bay, Anguilla
As horses’ hooves clip-clop in a gentle rhythm along Maundays Bay, sand flies, the surf sparkles and a tropical breeze whips through your hair at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel in Anguilla. Ride at a leisurely pace through shallow waves, trot along some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches or take a lesson at the island’s Equestrian Centre to perfect your stride. Experienced riders can feel the thrill of galloping along the shoreline under the watchful guidance of skilled instructors. All that riding works up an appetite—head to the Cap Shack for a toes-in-the-sand experience with mouth-watering local dishes and freshly caught seafood or visit Pimms, established in 1987, for elevated Anguillian cuisine and Caribbean classics.
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Hacienda Bambusa |
Armenia, Colombia
Not all horsepower is measured on a racetrack. At Hacienda Bambusa, owned by the family of Colombian Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, it’s felt in the steady rhythm of hooves against soft earth. Horseback riding vacations here wind through La Maria Nature Reserve, past bamboo groves and banana plantations, and across valleys where two rivers meet beneath the Central Andes. Cross shallow waters, ride forested trails and pause for a homemade lunch before returning to the vibrant eight-bedroom finca, where afternoons are best spent kicking back beside the deep blue tiled pool or unwinding on the shaded terrace, coffee in hand, the countryside stretching out in every direction—you are in Colombia’s “coffee triangle,” after all.
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Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio |
Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
In Uruguay, art and adventure share the same horizon. Horseback riding vacations at Estancia Vik José Ignacio come with a side of gaucho grit and Atlantic breeze. Set on 4,000 rolling acres just beyond José Ignacio, this isn’t your typical rustic ranch—it’s a haven of art, where contemporary canvases hang inside and herds of Criollo hooves drum across the pampas outside. Ride out with real-deal gauchos, canter past grazing cattle and native birdlife, or, if you’re feeling bold, trade trail time for private polo lessons with top South American pros. Then swap saddle for sundowner, returning to an estancia where asados, big skies and barefoot luxury prove that style and saddle time make surprisingly perfect partners.
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Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa |
Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
Hooves meet powdery sand as the Indian Ocean stretches endlessly at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa, set on a private island off the Mozambique Coast. Rise with the sun or ride into its golden farewell, cantering along pristine beaches, nudging waves aside with each step and letting the breeze tousle your hair as freely as your horse’s mane. Dolphins dart alongside, sand dunes roll like golden waves and from July to September, humpback whales add a dramatic encore. After your ride, return to your villa dotting the coast. What’s on the agenda next? Deciding whether tomorrow will bring dune boarding, sailing or deep-sea fishing.
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Praia do Canal |
Algarve, Portugal
Where cliffs meet endless Atlantic waves, Praia do Canal invites riders to leave footprints and hoofprints along Portugal’s wild Vicentine Coast. Guided by calm, well-trained horses suited to all skill levels, rides wind across sandy beaches, rugged dunes and coastal trails. Each trot and canter reveals a fresh perspective on this preserved landscape, where endemic flora and fauna appear at every turn. Back at the retreat, modern, minimalist rooms and suites offer a serene contrast to the raw beauty outside, while the infinity pool, Esteva Spa and locally inspired dining provide the perfect way to relax and indulge after a day in the saddle.
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Istoria Hotel |
Santorini, Greece
The volcanic sands of Perivolos Beach stretch out like black silk as riders set off from Istoria Hotel, where former stables have been transformed into chic suites. Gallop along the shoreline with the Aegean waves at your side, weave through sun-dappled vineyards and climb hills for panoramic views that make the island feel endless. Each ride pulses with the energy of Santorini itself, from the heat of the sun to the rush of the sea breeze. As the sun dips behind the cliffs, return to your suite perched above the beach, where the infinity pool mirrors the cobalt sea and the spa offers a sanctuary to savor the island’s volcanic drama in serene luxury.
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explora Patagonia |
Torres del Paine, Chile
The Patagonian wind whips past as riders and their spirited mounts carve a path across the vast, untamed plains of explora Patagonia. With expert gauchos at your side, you thread through Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve of forests, wetlands and steppe, eyes drawn to distant peaks and condors circling overhead. Each ride is a thrill—one moment gliding across open valleys, the next following hidden trails where guanacos watch in quiet curiosity. Your horse becomes a trusted companion, moving in harmony with the land beneath you. For advanced riders, Patagonia’s wild terrain offers boundless freedom—a playground of mountains, rivers and sky that leaves you exhilarated.
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