3rd March 2026
5 riding holidays you need to add to your bucket list
These are the holidays that you never forget. The ones you come home from feeling like a changed person with a new lease of life. They are horse riding holiday bucket list musts.
kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has become a popular ‘bucket list’ riding destination in recent years and for very good reason.
It can be a genuinely restorative experience to learn to live off the land around you and become one with the horse beneath you. Kyrgyz nomads have lived remotely for centuries and learnt to trust their ways of life and the horses they rely on to traverse the mountainous landscapes
This Wild Kyrgyzstan tour is deeply rooted in the Kyrgyz culture and horsemanship. It allows you to learn from the local nomads by experiencing their way of life, eating their food and hearing stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
By day you’ll learn to trust your horse as you travel over mountains and canyons and ride through luscious green valleys. At night, you’ll sleep under the stars in remote tent and Yurt camps.
Find out more here and reserve one of the last 2026 saddles.
Namibia
Namibia is the epitome of a bucket list riding holiday. It’s an incredible place to visit with its everchanging landscapes and charismatic wildlife and it isn’t one to miss if you’re a fit and experienced rider who loves adventure and welcomes challenge.
The Skeleton Coast itinerary takes you through otherworldly terrain and along the coast with the roar of the Atlantic beside you. On calm, forward going and incredibly fit horses, you’ll cover up to 50km a day, galloping across seemingly never ending desert landscapes that could be mistaken for Mars.
Guided by experts who know the desert like the back of their hand, you’ll spend your days exploring the vast landscapes the Skeleton Coast has to offer and your nights sleeping beneath the stars.
Find out more and see the full itinerary here
iceland
Iceland is the country everyone must ride in at least once. It’s also perfect for your first riding holiday if you haven’t been on one before. There is nothing like experiencing your Icelandic horse tolt for the first time, riding through lava fields and rivers with no one around for miles.
Depending on the trip you choose, Iceland has so much to offer in terms of landscapes and views. With the option to ride through volcanic plains and valleys, along beaches, and over multi-coloured mountains, there’s no shortage of incredible scenery.
Arguably one of the best things about riding in Iceland is the opportunity to ride with loose horses. Nothing beats galloping across the Icelandic highlands surrounded by loose horses. It’s something everyone has to experience.
We offer 3 Iceland itineraries, with the Landmannalaugar adventure being our favourite, the Magical Snaefellsnes escape the best all rounder and the Longufjorur beach ride best for those who only have a few days to get away.
south africa / botswana
I would be very surprised to hear if an African riding safari wasn’t already on your bucket list (unless you’ve already been). If it isn’t, it absolutely should be. There is nothing like watching these magnificent animals in their natural habitat on the back of another animal, it feels so right.
The guides know the bush like the back of their hands and are able to take you to well known spots or follow different animal tracks, always keeping a safe and respectful distance. You’ll find true peace in the stillness that comes as you watch these animals roam and graze.
Not only do you get to experience viewing iconic game in South Africa, you get to experience what Botswana has to offer too as this ride takes you into the Mashatu reserve.
The hospitality in South Africa and Botswana is outstanding and you’ll be fed incredibly well with chef cooked meals whilst you sleep in luxury lodges and accommodation along the way. This wild and fascinating experience is not one to miss. Find more information here.
castle leslie | ireland
Not only is riding at Castle Leslie Estate a wonderful experience, but I think it’s important that you have at least 1 ‘luxury’ and ‘leisurely’ riding holiday on your bucket list.
Castle Leslie offers 2 riding experiences, The Happy Hacker Package and The Horse Sport Package. The Happy Hacker package offers the chance to explore the Estate grounds on horseback, with 3 hours of daily leisurely riding. The Horse Sport Package allows riders to improve their jumping skills whilst also being offered the chance to explore the Estate grounds.
What makes this experience truly special though is the accommodation and hospitality offered. The Estate has been beautifully restored and accommodation is in ‘The Lodge’, the social hub of the Estate featuring 50 bedrooms, all designed with comfort in mind.
Meals can be had in either Snaffles Restaurant or Conor’s bar and lounge, both offering the opportunity for exceptional food and dining experience.
The Estate also features other activities such as a spa, archery, clay shooting, fishing and more. Explore the luxury experience Castle Leslie has to offer here.
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