|
Horses
Equitour offers sure-footed horses that are eager to go. In most
cases we use the horses specific to the region you are travelling
in: Andalusian, Arabian, Barb, Hispano, Icelandic, Lusitano, Quarter
Horses, Tennessee Walker and many others. The tour horses are lean
and in very good shape. Going on many trail rides makes them confident
and reliable in traffic: They practically never spook.
Guidance
A guide is assigned to each
group to make sure things run smoothly. They often speak several
languages and through their long-term experience can easily match
a suitable horse to each rider after a short conversation.
Your qualification
The TOUR AND ADVENTURE
RIDES are not suitable for beginners. To really be able to enjoy
your riding vacation you should be well-experienced and
feel confident on horseback in any kind of terrain. You should
at least have had 50 riding lessons, partially in open terrain and
you should be able to master all gaits. You must also be capable
of directing a ?gentler? horse (willing, advancing and confident)
in the right direction and make it keep up to the groups pace. These
are only a few minimum requirements and are meant as a short information.
You will find more detailed information in each program. BUT: please
remember not to be afraid of these unfamiliar horses. We assure
you that our tour horses are not disturbed or neurotic. Throughout
the year they spend many hours a day outdoors and often spend the
night in groups in a pasture. They are confident and of gentle disposition
without lacking energy and temperament. DonŽt worry about long
riding sessions: non of your co-riders are professionals or endurance
specialists. By carefully choosing the proper horse and with excellent
equipment ?hobby-riders? will have no difficulties whatsoever.
STATIONARY- AND TEACHING PROGRAMS
have only one level of qualification
in the event that an experience level is required. Most teaching
programs are generally directed towards beginners. If
you wish to go on rides the minimum qualification is ?1 boot?. Other
programs require higher qualifications.
Riding in groups
No matter if you are travelling
alone , as a couple or in a group, nor if you are European or from
abroad, the love for equestrainism unites us. You will make many
new friends and enjoy the company of people with similar interests.
Needless to say but a successful riding vacation depends a lot on
the capability of the participants to be tolerant, out-going, helpfull
and considerate.The average size of our groups is 10 people: an
ideal amount to assure a quick pace and to keep it interesting for
the riders. Look for more details on other pages.
The host country
Certain conditions must be fulfilled
for before we add riding trips to our catalogue. The trails should
not lead past tourist centers, the countryside must be attractive,
untouched to a large extent and typical for the host country. Some
of our trails lead through nature reserves and national parks that
may even be closed to the general public. Due to the eco-idea behind
our trips we visit these sites with the specific permission from
the local authorities. Unfortunately crossing streets and short
stretches of asphalt is unavoidable. Although we spend a lot of
time and effort having experienced employees regularly check our
programs some details can not be as
well organized as some people would like them to be. This is not
deliberate ? we need to sometimes accept and adjust to the many
individual mentalities of our host countries which tend to prevent
perfection. If you can accept the differences of the host country
with its people, its culture and its different attitude towards
horse care this kind of travel will leave you with unforgettable
impressions and memories.
Accomodations,
eating and drinking
We would like you to get
to know the real side to your host country. You will not be spending
nights in wolrd-known hotel chains but in typical houses far away
from the more popular tourist areas. Since the trails are obviously
no where near hotels you must be prepared for some tranferring
to and from the horses. Unless otherwise stated (e.g. mountain cottage,tents)
the accomodations are in double bedrooms. A small amount of single
rooms are available but should be reserved well ahead of time. We
will let you know the surcharge on request. In almost all cases
the price includes full board and the food is typical of the host
country. Our stationary programs are structured to allow you the
liberty to organize your own program between and after lessons.
Program
controls, problems, claims
Our aim is to keep up or
even improve the high Pegasus-Equitour-Standard that we have been
going by for 18 years and to eliminate occuring problems as fst
as possible. Please inform your tour guide immediately of any qualified
complaints. If the problems are not eliminated to your satisfaction,
notify our office in Basel and do not wait until you have returned
home, as by then your vacation will be over! This refers only to
accurate travel descriptions as can
be found in our catalogue. Tour changes, alterations in accomodations
and pace changes (i.e. due to weather..) will be left to the judgement
of the qualified and experienced guide. For safety reasons it is
paramount that his or her instructions be followed at all times.
Included in your travel documents is an assessment page that we
would like you to fill out after your trip ? informing us about
positive and negative aspects. Feel free to add your improvement
ideas.
Prices, currency,
extra pocket money
Our prices are all-inclusive.
The journey to your destination is not included. You may book your
means of travel on your own or we can be of assistance. Since all
other costs ( transfers, accomodations, horses and equipment, supervising,
and full board) are included you will mearly need to organise a
small amount of pocket money in the particular currency for beverages
and other personal expenses. As you will hardly pass by banks during
your rides we recommend you exchange money before leaving home.
Small hotels are usually not prepared for currency exchange!
Tips
Besides the excellent horses,
who receive treats from almost every rider, the outstanding effort
of the guides are a guaranty for a successful trip. If you are satisfied
with his/her job he/she will be more than happy to accept a tip
at the end of your vacation. Tipping in the USA is mandatory
Vaccination, visas
Each rider must have a valid
tetanus vaccination. Other vaccination and visa specifications can
be found under Dates/ Offers/ Prices on following pages.
Press articles
not yet convinced? Then take a look
at what independent journalists of leading magazines have to say.
|
general
Travel Conditions
guidance
reservation
food & beverage
flight
reservations
prices and extras
vaccination
client's opinion
travel information
horses
programm control
guides
responsibility for defects
equipment
riding in groups
riding experience
tips
accommodation
insurance
video
visa
dictionary 5 languages
press review
|
