Beautiful BC on Icelandics British Columbia Canada Come ride with us into the beautiful Canadian wilderness on the amazing Icelandic horse! Visit beautiful British Columbia, stay in a cozy log cabin and explore the wilderness by Icelandic horse. Situated on 300 acres and bordering Provincial Crown land, our facility offers riding treks on numerous trails of the spectacular surrounding countryside. Guests enjoy the comfort of rustic log cabins with electricity, bathroom w/ shower, and a tv. Wireless internet available. Meals are served in a Gazebo with large sun deck and a hot tub. Our guests discover breathtaking views and a rich wildlife habitat on horseback. Curious about the Icelandic horse? A lesson is given before heading out on the trail so that rider and horse understand each other and work well together. Riders have the opportunity to experience the wonderful smooth gait and gentle nature of our much loved horses. We invite you to spend your holidays with us - climb into the saddle, take a breath of fresh air, and ride. Guest Ranch Family Vacation Ride with Gaited Horses Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Center-based ride Meeting: Ranch near Vernon Airport: Kelowna Transfer: Vernon Riders: Min 2 riders Max 4 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

    GST (VAT)  5%

Rates Note:

If we cannot find another rider to share, single supplement fee applies.

Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfer from Vernon included.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Late afternoon arrival and meet your hosts. You can settle in to your cabin, stroll around the farm and visit the horses, relax and meet any other guests during happy hour with a nice glass of wine and coffee.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in cabin

Day 2 (Monday): First Ride
After a good nights sleep and a lovely breakfast, we will start with an introduction to the Icelandic horses. A brief evaluation and assignment of horses is followed by some riding instructions in the arena, coffee and cake, and more bonding with your horse on the oval track. Next is a lunch break and then all riders are off for the afternoon ride through the establishment's attractive forest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in cabin

Day 3 (Tuesday): Backcountry Ride
Tuesday is a serious day of riding into the exciting backcountry with a good chance to see some of the local wildlife. It is not uncommon to see coyotes, deer, bears, baldheaded eagles, and grouse. Lunch will be a trail picnic. Ride back to the facilities and relax .... the hot tub awaits!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in cabin

Day 4 (Wednesday): Wine Tour (no riding)
Today we take a break from riding and go visit some of the famous Okanagan wineries. You will get to sample award winning wines and have a delicious lunch in an orchard. We come home in the afternoon where you can relax in the hot tub, hike, or do one of the many fascinating activities possible in this area. At 7:30 pm we meet you again for a real Canadian barbecue.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in cabin

Day 5 (Thursday): Scenic Ride
After a nice, hardy breakfast we again mount up and ride through the Canadian forest to the top of the mountain where a stunning view overlooking the open country valley awaits you. We will have a tasty and fun picnic lunch at this viewpoint and after a few hours of descending the hill, we finish our ride with a nice tolt. This ride offers nice views of the Okanagan Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in cabin

Day 6 (Friday): Departure
On this day you will ride your favorite Icelandic horse on a beautiful, wilderness trail. Experience more of the Canadian wilderness. We will return to the facilities for our last lunch together, around 2 - 3 pm. Then we say, "Till we meet again"...
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

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Other activities for non-riders
-Wine tours: Thanks to a blessed climate and excellent growing conditions, the Okanagan wine industry is booming. We can arrange canoe & winery tours for a winery visit with a taste of the robust and flavourful local wines.
-Kayaking, tubing, and fishing on the Shuswap river.
-Okanagan and Kalamalke Lake for water sports.
-A first class downhill ski area is found on SilverStar Mountain.
-Mountain Biking.
-Paragliding.
-Golf and much more.....

                                                Vernon area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	36	41	52	62	71	78	85	84	74	58	43	36
Average Low Temperature (°F)	25	27	33	40	47	53	57	56	48	40	32	26
Average High Temperature (°C)	2	5	11	17	22	25	30	29	23	14	6	2
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-4	-3	1	4	8	12	14	13	9	4	0	-3
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	7	5	5	6	7	8	5	5	5	8	9	8

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The months of May, June and September, it is usually warm during the daytime, but can get cool in the evenings. During July and August you can expect temperatures in the low 70's to mid 90's Fahrenheit (18 to 30 C).

Helmets are required and available to borrow if needed. Insurance is mandatory.
 

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

Travel insurance documents (mandatory)

RIDING GEAR

Two pairs of riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (mandatory)

Riding gloves

Rain suit – pants and jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Warm jacket and sweater (heavy coats for early spring and fall)

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

Bandanna

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste)

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Moisturizing Cream

Camera and enough extra films

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

 

Average ratings from 10 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date elizabeth surerus 7/24/2013 suzanne stevens 9/6/2012 kathleen (suzy) graham 7/30/2010 ronald zatman 7/9/2010 nancy johnson 8/8/2008 kathy edgell 7/4/2008 maria reinitz 5/27/2008 tina handerhan 4/12/2007 mary jean baker 11/24/2006 peggy hoyt 8/13/2006

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights will be spent in the same location.

Description
Located on the doorstep of the Canadian wilderness and far from any bustling cities, your experience is sure to be peaceful and memorable. Nestled in the beautiful region of the North Okanagan, our region produces world-famous wines and mouth-watering fruits. We delight in sharing with our guests locally produced and in-season items! Our facility sits on over 300 private acres of spectacular and undulating countryside. Enjoy the comfort of your cabin, and also feel free to relax in our central meeting area (lovingly referred to as “the Gazebo”), where we serve meals and snacks throughout your stay. Here you will also find our outdoor hot tub! We are very proud to live in the Okanagan Valley, and welcome you to enjoy our beautiful place in the world with us. Every season here offers something beautiful for the senses! Laundry is available at no extra cost.

2 log cabins
- Main room downstairs contains kitchenette, living room, and bathroom
- Upstairs loft can hold up to 3 single beds or 1 double
- TV and electricity
- WIFI

Room Occupancy
The single supplement fee will not be applied if we are unable to find another rider to share.


Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

Food is home-style and prepared using locally sourced and in-season ingredients as available.
All breakfasts and dinners are served in the lounging/dining building and central kitchen.
Lunches are sometimes in the dining building as well, although we have 2 days where we do a picnic-style lunch on the trail, and one day during the wine tour where we have lunch at Grey Monk Winery.

Guests are free to bring their own alcohol.

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate most dietary restrictions with prior notice.
 

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

Tack:		Icelandic
Horses:		Icelandic
Pace:		Moderate. Walking with interspersed tolting. Sometimes trot and canter. 4-5 hours riding per day. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 5 out of 5)    Novice+
Age:		Min 12
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 4 riders

Pace
You will be riding for 4-5 hours per day at a moderate pace walking with interspersed tölting. Sometimes trot and canter as well.

The Icelandic Horse
Our passion for the Icelandic horse is ever growing and the resort owns a large herd of purebred Icelandic Horses consisting of breeding, riding and young horses with high quality bloodlines.
The Icelandic Horse is an extraordinary animal, still possessing the natural five gaits and traits of the old European Viking horse. They have the three basic gaits: walk, trot and gallop, and two extra gaits: tölt and pace, of which the tölt is most popular. In tölt, the horse moves its legs in the same sequence as in walk. Tölt is a very comfortable and pleasant gait that can reach a high speed. Pace is a gait of speed and power in which both legs on either side move in unison. Pace provides a very spectacular sight and a magnificent experience in the saddle. Because the Icelandic Horse has had no carnivorous enemies, it has an ingrown friendly nature. This contributes to its easy temperament and unafraid personality. The rough terrain and nature in Iceland has led to its amazing stamina and hardiness. The height of Icelandic horses is 13 - 14.2 hands. These small but strong horses can easily carry a rider up to 220 lbs.

Experience a ride on the Icelandic Horse - it's an unforgettable ride!
 

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 recognized 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.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	1
USA	2
Other EU	3
Visa Required?
British	No/4
Australian	No
Canadian	N/A
USA	No
Other EU	5
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	N/A
USA	No
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.