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World's great horse treks
The best way to discover the world is on its oldest form of transportation
Horse riding with local people is an adventurous, eco-friendly way to discover pristine locations that are not always featured in guidebooks. The diversity of destinations you can explore on horseback means riding is often the best way to experience our world’s varied terrain, especially in far-flung locations.
So saddle up on a journey through the lava fields of Iceland, Ireland’s dramatic beaches, Turkey’s ancient villages, America’s national parks and beyond. Here are 15 of the best global horse riding destinations you’ll want to consider adding to your bucket list.
1. Cappadocia, Turkey
A pleasingly idle way to see Turkey's old villages.
Cappadocia's lunar-like landscapes are a sublimely exotic place to explore on horseback. Trek back in time from village to village, meandering amid otherworldly fairy chimneys -- the bizarre rock formations for which the region is famous -- past Byzantine churches, centuries-old monasteries and underground cities.
You can meet Turks still living a traditional lifestyle in old villages carved out of the area’s soft rock. You can camp out under the stars or stay in family-run pensions and cool cave hotels, feasting on tasty local cuisine and strong Turkish tea.
Rates: Half-day to 13-day tours range from €35-1,220 (US$46-1,625) per person.
Kirkit Voyage, Amiral Tafdil Sokak 12 Sultanahmet, 34400 Istanbul Turkey; +90 212 518 22 82; www.kirkit.com
2. Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Irish hills meet Irish hospitality.
Most visitors tour the Ring of Kerry in a car or tour bus, but why not immerse yourself in it? Ride horses by tranquil lakes and mountains and along dramatic beaches, steering clear of the lonely hawthorn trees that stand beside old cottages. Locals say these are a sacred meeting place for fairies.
The O’Sullivan family, who are well versed in local lore, have been leading riders here since 1968. Don’t be surprised if Mr. O’Sullivan greets you at the end of the ride with a well-deserved dram of whiskey to ease your sore muscles.
Rates: 1 hour for €35 (US$46) and six nights/five days for €1,295 (US$1,724) per person.
Killarney Riding Stables, Ballydowney, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland; +353 64 66 31686; www.kerrytrailride.com
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3. Okavango Delta, Botswana
If there were any crocs here, they'll have scattered.
Watch out for crocodiles as you splash through winding canals while darting from island to island to track zebra, giraffe, elephant, leopard and hippo through the lagoons of the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world.
Flying in from the cool safari town of Maun, you’ll understand why horse safaris are such a good way to unobtrusively observe the abundant wildlife here. Nights are spent at Macatoo Camp on a private game reserve.
After riding, relax with sundowners, candlelit dinners and snooze in unique tree house or luxury tent accommodations.
Rates: Starting at £360 (US$559) per person, per night.
African Horseback Safaris, P.O. Box 20671 Maun, Botswana; +267 686 1523; www.africanhorseback.com
4. Golden Circle, Iceland
Call these ponies ... if you dare.
Glide through lava fields on Iceland's distinctive small horses. Their unique way of moving, called the tölt, allowed Icelanders to use horses as the sole mode of transportation for centuries.
You'll combine riding with visiting Iceland’s top sights, including the mighty Gullfoss waterfalls and hot springs, and get to spend nights on local farms soaking in hot pools under the stars.
When in Iceland, do not refer to the horses as ponies. This is a cultural blunder. Icelandic horses are small, but these strong Viking horses are said by Icelanders to be so tough that they can’t possibly be called ponies.
Rates: One-hour trek €49 (US$65). The Golden Circle eight-day tour costs €1,598 (US$2,128) per person.
Ishestar, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland; +354 555 7000; www.ishestar.is
Also on CNNGo: 10 trips to soothe your soul
5. Wadi Rum, Jordan
Desert survival, Bedouin style.
Conquer the panoramic landscapes of Wadi Rum -- The Valley of the Moon -- and learn about desert survival with nomadic Bedouin tribesmen on their strong Arabian horses.
The Bedouin are thought to have been some of the original breeders of Arabian horses. Wadi Rum's epic landscapes featured extensively in the Oscar-winning film "Lawrence of Arabia."
Here you can see 2,500-year-old petroglyphs, stunning sandstone formations and surprising wildlife. Combination tours take travelers to Petra and the Dead Sea.
Rates: 10 days/nine nights starting at US$2,280.
Terhaal Travel and Tourism, P.O. Box 911558 , Amman 11191, Jordan; +962 6 581 3061; www.terhaal.com
