Transfer Option:

Day 1 : Arrival in Phoenix. 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 after breakfast and transfer to Battleaxe Road near the Gila River. In the afternoon we’ll take a short ride along the Arizona trail through Saguaro covered hills to the Gila River for a swim. (10 miles)

Day 3: Today's ride will lead us over old cowboy trails from White Canyon to Picketpost Mountain. We will encounter beautiful yellow and ochre stratified rock outcroppings and other fantastic movie worthy rock formations. 2000 ft. elevation change. (16 miles )

Day 4: Today is an early start day. We will make a long ride up Queen Creek, across some beautiful landscape to Frazier Canyon where we will turn west into the canyon and follow it deeper into the Superstitions and some really rugged terrain before we come out at our next camp at Peralta Trail head.

Day 5: We follow the Dutchmans trail all the way into first water. Great views of the weavers needle and nice climbs in and out of canyons. Camp by first water.

Day 6 : Morning stop over at the ghost town of Goldfield. Continuing the ride down the Great Western Trail to the Salt river. Camp near the Salt river. (25 miles)

Day 7 : We’ll ride Bolder Canyon Trail to Canyon Lake. The end of the trail takes us back to camp where we will enjoy a farewell dinner before loading up and heading to Phoenix for our last night and long hot shower.

Day 8: Hotel shuttle to the airport in the morning.

   .. subject to changes

Arizona climate can sometimes be quite unpredictable during early spring and late fall - so do be fully prepared for the highs and the lows, the dry and the wet!

The average daytime winter temperatures in the region are (°F) : 35 / 20 on mountains peaks ; 65 / 39 at mountain base

The average daytime summer temperatures in the region are (°F) : 75 / 50 on mountains peaks ; 101 / 73 at mountain base

IMPORTANT: Please remember that the desert night times can be cool, contrary to your first instinct when you hear the word 'desert' !

Since these trips do not incorporate pack horses to carry our gear, we do not have a weight or quantity limit on your luggage. The luggage as well as all other gear will be transported in our support vehicle.

On these camping rides we provide:

• all camping gear (except sleeping bags). You must bring your own sleeping bag as we don't have these for rent. We have a few old spares to use over your own but we do not rent them or recommend you use them in lieu of your own.  
• roomy tents with 2 camping cots in each.
• basic hot showers in camp
• three meals a day (hearty breakfast, bag lunch on trail, and a varied dinner menu). Please let us know of any special dietary requests at the time of booking.
• we do not provide beverages other than coffee, tea and water, but you are welcome to bring your own, or the cook can purchase it for you (at cost) when he goes to town for supplies
• horses and tack (including canteens and saddlebags)
• friendly, knowledgeable staff (all guides are First Aid certified)

The first and last nights are at a local hotel nearby the airport in Phoenix. Roomy three season tents w/ cots and pillows are provided. There are spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights. A very rustic and basic hot shower facility is available one of the support vehicles, but please remember there are lots of riders who need to use it so your time is limited. Additional hot water is available from a pot and wash basins to accommodate those wishing only to shave, wash hands or freshen up with a face wash. Although there will always be water, PLEASE remember that it is a precious commodity in the desert - conservation is a key word around these parts!

Tasty camp meals will be prepared in a modern day chuck wagon, served in a variety of daily menus throughout the ride. Dinners are frequently beef, pork, chicken, or pastas, with fresh vegetables, bread or rolls, potatoes or rice and occasional southwestern meals all served family style around the table. Breakfast consists of eggs, pancakes, toast, biscuits, potatoes and gravy, bacon and sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea, and cocoa for all the cowgirls and boys!

Drinking water and water bottles are provided; bring flavored drink mix (iced tea and fruit punch) and electrolytes are encouraged here in this southwest heat.

Currently, our Phoenix hotel accommodations are provided by the Quality Inn in Tempe, AZ
1550 South 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281   (480) 967-3000 

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

Tack:		Western Hackamoress
Horses:		Missouri Foxtrotter, Arabian and Arab/Foxtrotter mix, Tennessee 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

You must be able to walk, trot and canter with confidence and stamina! Good physical condition is required to ride 6 - 8 hours per day. We do take breaks every hour to stretch our legs, but the pace can be quite challenging with long stretches of trotting and cantering wherever the terrain allows. Saddle bags and canteens will be provided for you. You will choose your mount in the beginning of the trail, which will be yours for the rest of  your time with us. You will be expected to groom and saddle your own horse, of course we'll help you and make sure everything is how it should be before heading out, but this is a really important part of forming a bond between you and your special partner!

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.