Splendours of Marrakech
8 days with 5 days of itinerant excursion
1 990 euros TTC flight not included
Départs : 07 June 2008, 20 September 2008

Level : Comfortable in all 3 baits - Beginners accepted
Physical condition : In good shape
Comfort : Superior comfort category hotels and bivouacs

This excursion is centered on authenticity and the discovery. Sumptuous mountain landscapes, with the passage of the plateau of Kik, the eucalyptus forest, pink bay-trees, the sights of the lake Lallah Takerkoust, where we sleep one night. Lunch at the famous village of Ouirgane. And of course, one visit and shopping journey in Marrakech and two nights in a Riad.

THE PANTANAL EXPEDITION RIDE
July 25 –August 3, 2008 - An exclusive ride of “Adventures on Horseback” combining two very
8 riders : $3, 875 per person in twin accommodation - 6 riders $4,167 per person in twin accommodation
Départ : 25 July 2008

Level : It is important to have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience over varied terrain and to control a horse in any given circumstance. No beginners.
Physical condition :
Comfort :

The Pantanal, or “Brazil’s Wild Wet” as labelled by Susan MacGrath in the August 2005 issue of National Geographic, is still a well-kept secret that stretches over 42,000 square miles along the upper reaches of the Paraguay River, a few degrees north of the Tropic of Capricorn. A unique environment with a contracting annual flood cycle, it is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Western Hemisphere. The terrain is open and veldt-like making it perfect for animal and bird watching. June is the most agreeable time of year to visit the Pantanal when the temperatures are cooler and the humidity and mosquito population at their lowest.

The ride takes place in the Rio Negro area, a part of the Southern Pantanal that has retained its original pristine characteristics thanks to strict environmental protection laws. Closely monitored conservation parameters allow the wildlife to cohabit with the cattle ranchers who own most of the land and have been working the savannas for over a hundred years. The beautiful white humpbacked zebu cattle, called nelore, is a breed that thrives here. Our mounts are the sturdy pantaneiros: criollo horses that have adapted to the environment over generations by acquiring a larger lung capacity enabling them to walk very fast through water (their hooves are impervious to the water). To increase their stamina, they have been cross-bread with quarter horses. Trained to work the cattle, they are extremely comfortable to ride, sure-footed, generous and courageous. We will spend 5 nights/6 days in the Pantanal riding from fazenda to fazenda (ranch) staying at three fazendas in diverse areas of this vast eco-system.

A Colonial Estate – The next two days (3 nights) of the trip are spent in colonial splendor, at fazenda “Caete”, a beautifully restored 19th Century privately owned estate situated half way between Sao Paulo and Rio. Here the scenery is punctuated with hills, forests and in parts tropical vegetation - last vestiges of the Atlantic rain forest. We will relax in another idyllic environment, enjoy great cuisine and socialize with our charming hosts. Riding is obviously on the program with the owner who will saddle up his Quarter horses and show us his state of the art property where he breeds Santa Gertrudis cattle. For those who prefer a change of pace, his wife Heather has some attractive alternative suggestions!

Magic of the far south
8 days with 6 days of itinerant excursion
1990 euros TTC vol non-compris
Départ : 22 November 2008

Level : A l’aise aux trois allures
Physical condition :
Comfort : Hébergement en Hôtels et bivouacs grand confort

With this excursion, D’Aventure & Co proposes to you to discover the spectacular Ziz valley. A program marked by contrasts and the magic of the Desert. Fairy landscapes when the dunes, from true moving sculptures in form of draped, pass from the pink to gold then to the red as the sun rises. This splendid site will make you appreciate the vastness of the sky in the desert. It’s there that has been shot the movie « the Mummy » in the nineties. We will camp there in the purest traditions of the famous adventurers of the beginning of the 19th century.

Stay 8 days with 6 days of itinerant excursion (4 to 5 hours of horse riding per day). The group is made of 6 to 12 riders. Only adults (more than 18 years) can sign up to this trip.

Patagonian Marvels
12 days including 6 days on horseback
3 500 euros all included, except flight
Départ : 07 Décember 2008

Level : Comfortable with all 3 paces - Beginners accepted
Physical condition : In good shape
Comfort : Superior comfort

How can one say “no” to Argentina and Patagonia, one of the most mythical lands on Earth, universal world reference for horses, polo, Gauchos, nomad Mapuche Indians, Criollo horses, fine Cuisine and wine !

During this trip we'll ride across the Neuquén lakes region, along the Chilean border, at the foothill of the Andes Cordilliera, through endless prairies and forests, close to glaciers and volcanoes, through natural reserves full of wild animals. We will stay at one of the largest and luxurious Patagonian Estancias (more than 100.000 acres).

Of course, there will also be some partying in Buenos Aires, tango bars, not to mention shopping in all the boutiques every honourable rider dreams of !