Enjoy the charms of a working farm set in the Negev desert on this short break in Israel. The farm has a whole host of inhabitants all with their own characters and bringing something to the daily running of the farm. Alpacas and llamas are bred and raised for their wool and move around in large herds. Goats are also kept for angora textiles. The large herd of horses ensures there are always plenty of fit and energized horses ready to take guests out to explore the unique surroundings of the Negev desert and the Makhtesh Ramon crater. Your hosts know this area intimately and can take you on rides to see all the most interesting points in the area. You might go into the crater and see wonderful multi-coloured rocks, or take a trip to one of the near-by vineyards and learn about the local wine-making industry, sampling some of the wears while you are there! These are endurance horses, so you will get plenty of faster riding and hours in the saddle. Other activities available on the farm include horseball, llama walks, wool demonstrations, yoga and navigation courses. Several of the team help local search and rescue teams so you know you are in safe hands with them! The weekend can be tailored to your own interests. Having a go at the llama obstacle course is always highly recommended.
There are over 30 horses at the farm with a mix of breeds and sizes. Around half of the horses have Arab bloodlines and are used for the endurance trails. The horses are all well adapted to their environment and have been trained for endurance work. They are well tempered and fit to allow for long canters across the desert and equally steady climbs where the terrain dictates. With exclusive access to horse riding in the Negev Desert and Ramon Crater National Parks, the riding is often fast-paced across open desert or along trails. Trotting and cantering are the favoured paces and used as much as possible. Many of the horses are forward going and most prefer to be ridden with a very light contact. There is a selection of level-headed horses for riders who like to relax a little more on the rides but the horses are generally very keen! The horses are ridden in lightweight western saddles, although a few English saddles are used on some horses. There may be some walking required on steep or rough terrain.
Riders will need to be experienced and capable of maintaining trot and canter for extended periods of time. There may be some rough terrain on the rides and at times riders will need to dismount and lead their horse when going up or down steep ground. Guests are welcome to help groom and tack up the horses but this is not required. The minimum age for this ride is 16 years but the riders must be experienced. It may be possible to cater for less experienced riders on this programme with advanced notice, please discuss this with one of our travel consultants if you are unsure about your riding abilities.
Accommodation is in shared cabins on a farm which provides a base for the riding holiday. Guests will stay either in one of the cabins (2-3 people) or the family suite (3-5 people). Cabins are open plan with a double bed and 2 sofa-beds. The family suites have a double bedroom and separate living area with 5 sofa beds. All accommodations are completed with a spacious bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette (fridge, stove, oven, dishes and tableware), dining table, air conditioning and cable TV. Each cabin or suite also has views of the desert and farm, with a shaded porch overlooking the alpaca and llamas.
There is also an option to stay in 'Studio Khan', a dormitory-style cabin which can sleep up to 20 people (minimum 6 people). The sleeping in the studio is with sleeping bags on mattresses over a wooden floor. With heaters in the winter and cool natural breeze when summer. Blankets and bed sheets are available by request. Outside the studio is a large balcony and an equipped kitchen and large dining tables. There are also several showers and bathrooms and a large and cosy area for a big bonfire or star watching.
This is a 4 day/3 night programme available on Fridays throughout the year excluding July and August when it is too hot to ride. Please note that in the winter (November-February) can get quite cold in the desert.
The area around the farm boasts boutique wineries, a natural cosmetics manufactory, spas, cycling, hiking, galleries etc. Eilat, a seaside tourist resort on the Red Sea, is two hours' drive away where the diving, snorkelling and seafood is superb.
4 days/3 nights/3 days riding. Extensions available on request.