Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1 : Arrival in Tuscon. Take the airport shuttle to your hotel. You are on your own for dinner today.

Day 2 :  Pick up from the hotel at 9 am and transport by van to Rosemont Junction (2 hour drive). Introduction and selection of your horse for the trail. You will then tack up your horse (guides and wranglers will help if your not acquainted with western tack) for a short loop ride along the new section of the Arizona trail north of Rosemont junction. This will help get familiar with your horse and the type of terrain you’ll be riding in.

Day 3: After a good hot breakfast and coffee, we ride west along the Arizona Trail toward the historic ghost town of Greaterville and passing by Kentucky camp into Gardner Canyon. Camp at Gardner Canyon.

Day 4 : After another great breakfast and then we head out on the Arizona Trail over Mt. Wrightson towards Patagonia. Lots of great scenery and part of this trail will take us along a historic and ingenious viaduct into Gardner Canyon where we will camp at an old working ranch corral. Camp at Gringo Gulch.

Day 5 : Today we ride through Patagonia to Canelo Hills. Passing by Harshaw canyon and the historic San Rafael Valley. Camp at Canelo Hill pass.

Day 6 : We ride to Parker Canyon Lake, where we set up camp for the night.

Day 7 :  This ride will be nice and relaxing on relatively level terrain. We’ll stop at Kentucky Camp, (a historic mining camp) for lunch and then ride through oak pine and rich grass lands to Greaterville where we will have dinner. (18 miles). Transfer to the airport hotel in Tuscon after dinner. 

Day 8 :  A hotel shuttle will take you to the airport after breakfast. 

Remember that desert nights can be cool!  Our Arizona climate can sometimes be very unpredictable especially during early spring and late fall.

 Climate the Catalina and Rincon Mountains

Average Precipitation: 27" on peaks; 12" at base
Average High/Low Winter Temperatures (°F): 35/20 on peaks; 65/39 at base
Average High/Low Summer Temperatures (°F): 75/50 on peaks; 101/73 at base

You are required to bring your own climate appropriate sleeping bag and if you prefer, bring an extra mat or roll etc. to lay on top of the cot we provide. We provide pillows, so you don't need to attempt to pack your own unless you are particular! We may have limited spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights, but please try and be as prepared as possible for the potential chilly weather! The word desert is not always synonymous with the word hot!

There is a very rustic hot water shower set up in one of the horse trailers where we each can take a short shower every day either in the afternoon after the ride or in the morning before the ride. Keep in mind -- there is only one shower for everyone and although the shower is basic as they come, it should be considered quite a luxury out in the desert to have any sort to freshen up in! In the morning, hot water is also available from a large pot and wash basins. Although there will always be water available, please remember that it is a precious commodity out here so conservation is the key!

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western Hackamoress
Horses:		Missouri Foxtrotters, Arabian and Arab/Foxtrotter mix, Tennesse Walker
Pace:		Some long riding days. Forward going ride. The gaited horses will not gait throughout the trip. Steep mountain trails. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 16
Weight:		Max 210
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 8 riders

We do take breaks every hour to stretch our legs, but the pace can be quite challenging with long stretches of trotting and cantering where the terrain allows us. 

Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.