Transfer and Other Options:

Sample Itinerary:

Note: This is a sample itinerary for two of several camps we may use. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.

Day 1 Arrive in scenic Torrey — lodging will be specified with confirmation of ride reservation. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. At 8 pm, meet at the lobby for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.

Day 2 After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance to our headquarters, located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. Transfers will be provided as needed. Here, we'll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9 am) for the Slickrock Trail ten miles southeast of Torrey, or the Great Western Trail two miles north of Torrey. The Slickrock Trail leads to Happy Valley, Golden Throne overlook, Wildcat Gorge then to your basecamp on Pleasant Creek. The Great Western Trail will take you up Sand Creek to the Velvet Ridge, then to Hells Hole, Sand Creek Falls and your camp at Wiff's Pasture.

Day 3 After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Pleasant Creek basecamp you'll ride to Meeks Lake, Pleasant Creek meadows and the Boulder Top at Behunin Point before returning to a hot shower and cold drinks. From the Wiff's Pasture camp you'll ride to Snow Lake and the Flat Top on Thousand Lakes Mountain where the views of the canyon lands are indescribable. As always, you'll return to camp in time to relax and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.

Day 4 Daylight at the Pleasant Creek camp brings the prospect of visiting Scout Lake, Long Lake and spectacular Bowns Point via the Elderberry Trail. Riders at the Wiff's Pasture camp will spend their final full day on the Saddle Pass Trail with its stunning views of Hell's Hole, Sand Creek Gorge and the Fremont River Valley. After lunch you'll return to camp via Billings Pass and the Cathedral Valley overlook.

Day 5 Riders at the Pleasant Creek camp will follow Keller's Trail to the breath taking vista on Chokecherry Point, then across the Terrace to Pleasant Creek Falls. After a hearty breakfast, riders at the Wiff's Pasture camp will spend their final full day on the Saddle Pass Trail with its stunning views of Hell's Hole, Sand Creek Gorge and the Fremont River Valley.

Day 6 After packing personal gear and breaking camp, Pleasant Creek campers will use a different access back to the Slickrock Trail and return among the multi-hued Navajo sandstone domes littered with volcanic boulders where you'll exchange your saddle seat for the short drive back to headquarters. From the Wiff's camp you'll take the Sulfur Basin trail to Torrey Knoll and the Bingo and Torrey town overlooks. After a short drive you'll arrive in Torrey late afternoon.

Note: The above sample itinerary is subject to changes at the tour operator's discretion.

Utah's portion of the Colorado Plateau region is a semi-arid tableland or steppe ranging in elevation between 3,800 ft. and 11,500 ft. with vegetation classified as upper-Sonoran to Alpine. This landscape is famous for it's dynamic elevation changes with hundreds, even thousands, of feet change literally in one step.

It is generally dry with most precipitation falling as snow in the winter and occasional thunder storms during the summer. Higher elevations are cooler and receive more moisture than lower environs. Hondoo's trips explore the lower, slickrock and pinyon-juniper forested areas on spring and fall trailrides. In the heat of the summer, ponderosa-pine or aspen-spruce forests form the backdrop for experiencing the canyonlands. Trip temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees daytime or 40 degrees at night. With warm days and cool nights, it is best to layer your clothing to maintain comfort and you should always pack rain gear just in case.

GENERAL CLIMATIC FEATURES

Essentially, Utah's climate is determined by its distance from the equator; its elevation above sea level; the location of the State with respect to the average storm paths over the Inter-mountain Region; and its distance from the principal moisture sources of the area, namely, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Also, the mountain ranges over the western United States, particularly the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges and the Rocky Mountains, have a marked influence on the climate of the State. Pacific storms, before reaching Utah, must first cross the Sierras or Cascades. As the moist air is forced to rise over these high mountains, a large portion of the original moisture falls as precipitation. Thus, the prevailing westerly air currents reaching Utah are comparatively dry, resulting in light precipitation over most of the State.

TEMPERATURE

There are definite variations in temperature with altitude and with latitude. Naturally, the mountains and the elevated valleys have the cooler climates, with the lower areas of the State having the higher temperatures. There is about a 3° F decrease in mean annual temperature for each 1,000-foot increase in altitude, and approximately 1.5 to 2° F decrease in average yearly temperature for each one degree increase in latitude. Thus, weather stations in the southern counties generally have average annual temperatures 6 to 8 degrees higher than those at similar altitudes over the northern counties.

PRECIPITATION

Precipitation varies greatly, from an average of less than five inches annually over the Great Salt Lake Desert (west of Great Salt Lake), to more than 40 inches in some parts of the Wasatch Mountains. The average annual precipitation in the leading agricultural areas is between 10 to 15 inches, necessitating irrigation for the economic production of most crops. However, the mountains, where winter snows form the chief reservoirs of moisture, are conveniently adjacent to practically all farming areas, and there is usually sufficient water for most land under irrigation. The areas of the State below an elevation of 4,000 feet, all in the southern part, generally receive less than 10 inches of moisture annually.

Meals are provided beginning with lunch the 2nd day and ending with lunch the last day. Southwestern style cooking is featured and special diets are accommodated.

Camps

All trail rides utilize a base camp arrangement with daily forays to different points of interest. This allows us to spend less time packing and unpacking, and more time riding and seeing the country. Campsites are located in primitive, backcountry areas which we seldom use more than once or twice each season. Low- impact camping techniques are practiced. Tents provide our home away from home. Cook tent, dining tent, shower tent and latrine tent round out the facilities. Chairs are provided.

Trail conditions range from good to rugged, over rough and rocky terrain. Distance covered between camps usually range from 6 to 12 miles (3 to 6 hours in the saddle) although longer or shorter days do occur. We sometimes divide the group and approach camp from different trails, with one group going the rugged or longer route and the other taking the gentler way. Side rides from camp are customary on short days. Stops at scenic features and Indian rock art panels are common. Geology and history are emphasized. You may use your personal horse.

Meals are included from Lunch on Day 2 to Lunch on Day 6.

CAMPING Trailrides Include:

*All taxes and land-use fees--nearly 14%.
*All ground transportation from Torrey, UT & return.
*First night motel lodging in Torrey.
*Four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry.
*All meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six, including fresh produce, hot and iced drinks.
*Canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy).
*Sleeping bag, cot and foam pad.
*Camp chairs, coolers and other camp amenities.
*Waterproof gear bags, water bottles, saddle bags and tack.
*Seasoned mountain horses.
*Guides/wranglers, cook, camp-jack and interpretative specialist.

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.