Porcupine Hills Cow Camp weeks:
Long hours in the saddle and lots of cattle work in a wonderfully scenic setting, highlight this adventure.
After spending a night at the home ranch, you move out to the cow camp in the Porcupine hills. A fixed base camp if your home for the next days. A usual day would see everyone in the saddle by 9:30 AM and back to camp around 5:00 PM.
For the first day, however, everyone is in the saddle by 11:00 AM returning to camp at 6:30 or 7 PM. A mid-day break is taken for lunch (which is packed along. Breakfast & Supper are served at camp.
The last night of your adventure will be back at the ranch lodge where a hot shower, barbecue steak dinner and campfire with entertainment will be waiting for you after your final days ride.

Ranch weeks have a full riding program with 5 to 7 hours in the saddle each day. You take part in daily ranch activities, which may include riding with your hosts to check cattle, participate in cattle drives, roundup, branding, fence mending and calving.
Guests are often amazed at how eager ranching neighbours are willing to help each other. For instance,  in the springtime Keith can often be seen arriving at the neighbours with a truckload of guests - the spring  is "branding" time and this activity always requires extra help to gather, corral, rope and hold cattle. While many guests choose to observe, others, with Keith's able mentoring can't wait to get their hands dirty.
After hours, guests often gather around the campfire or indoors in the family room, around the piano or TV and VCR. Stories are traded, experiences embellished and it is not uncommon for a song or two to be heard, as the Lane's entertain guests and encourage them to join in on a session or two. A library and board games are available also. Outside a cedar hot tub completes the picture of a great way to cool your heels before climbing into the rack for one of the best and well earned sleeps you have ever had.

Lethbridge, South Alberta, -  Altitude: 929m - 

Sleeping bags are Provided, client's do not need to bring their own!!

You can count on personalized service, gentle quality horses and a complete supply of tack. Riding boots are required; slickers are recommended. For camps in June and September long underwear and a hot water bottle are useful. Also, on camp trips bring a duffel bag to pack along; extra luggage can be stored at the ranch. Bug spray can be purchased in Alberta.

Guests stay in a comfortable tent camps away from the Ranch House in the beautiful Porcupine Hills.  The tents are 12 X 14 and able to easily handle two people with lots of room for there gear as well.


                                   
Accommodation at the ranch  is within the main ranch house Guest quarters are upstairs on a private floor. There are 2 spacious double bedrooms that share a bathroom; a third large bedroom, with ensuite abthroom, can accommodate 4 persons. Each room looks out and over the bold and beautiful landscape.
Outside a cedar hot tub completes the picture of a great way to cool your heels before climbing into the rack for one of the best and well earned sleeps you have ever had.

 

Meals are always a highlight at the ranch. The ranch raised beef, fresh produce, and scrumptious home-made baking always keeps guests anticipating their next meal. Don't expect to diet here! Seems the fresh air, ranch activities, and different pace (relaxation) take the appetite to a new dimension.

We do not carry to Vegan diets.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

In order for guests to enjoy one of our Western Cow Camp experiences, they should have at least intermediate riding experience and be able to ride for long periods of time. The terrain is varied as is the pace but most of the riding is done at a walk or trot. Cantering or galloping is only done when necessary to bring the cattle back into line or keep them going in the right direction.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter horse, paints, Appaloosa and mixed
Pace:		Most at a walk and trot, some canters to bring back cattle into the herd, rough and hilly terrain. 5-7 hrs in the saddle | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 16	Max 75
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 3	Max 5

In order for guests to enjoy one of our Western Cow Camp experiences, they should have at least intermediate riding experience and be able to ride for long periods of time. The terrain is varied as is the pace but most of the riding is done at a walk or trot. Cantering or galloping is only done when necessary to bring the cattle back into line or keep them going in the right direction.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: 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 as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognised for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.