An Unforgettable Ride Across the Southwest
More than a trail ride, the Mustang Border Crossing is a six day odyssey through the wild heart of the Southwest, from a remote mustang sanctuary in Arizona to slot canyons, painted deserts, and the red rock trails of Sedona, before riding straight into the desert light of Utah’s Sand Hollow. Saddle up and sleep under star-soaked skies as you chase sunsets on horseback across some of the most breathtaking terrain in the American West.
Exploratory Ride
Join us as we road test new destinations
Meet your host
Megan came to horses later in life, but she's making up for lost time at a full gallop.
Big Ant learned to navigate the world on horseback after being thrown on his uncle’s farm as a teen, and deems the back of a horse his happy place.
Trip Highlights
- Spending an evening among free-roaming mustangs, ending the day with a quiet sunset meditation in their pasture
- Sleeping beneath a sky so thick with stars you’ll swear you could touch them
- Crossing a landscape that transforms beneath your saddle – from pine-shadowed mountain trails to the red rock vortex of Sedona and the pink sand dunes of Utah
- Forming a bond with your big hearted mustang partner, as surefooted as a mule and smooth as silk to ride
- Swimming your mustang in a vast desert lake, then galloping down a red sand beach as the adventure reaches its thrilling finale
- Jam-packed days showcasing the best of the ‘wild west’, with off-horse adventures woven in to give you a taste of the marvels unique to the Southwest
Details
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Riding levels
Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders.
Some of the trails require long stretches of posting to the trot. All guests need to ensure they are fit enough to post to the trot for long periods of time and confident to lope on a loose rein and do not use their reins for balance.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
Western saddles and either snaffle or bitless bridles.
There is a horn bag to carry your water bottle, and one horse will carry saddle bags for snacks, extra water and a first aid kit. - Horse breed
Previously wild mustangs from the western ranges of the United States, gathered from the wild and trailed by your guides.
- Accommodation
Guests spend two nights camping in canvas tents fitted with cots, memory foam mattresses and all bedding provided, plus one unforgettable night sleeping beneath the stars (weather permitting). There are no showers available on these nights.
The remaining two nights are spent in comfortable, well-appointed Airbnbs.
- Pace
The pace varies from a walk (during technical mountain climbs) through to a canter when the terrain allows. Some of the trails require long stretches of posting to the trot.
- Weight limit
A maximum of 85kgs/187lbs. There is one horse that can carry up to 100kgs/230lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 5 riders.
- Minimum age
18 years of age
- Time in Saddle
On average between 4 to 5 hours in the saddle each day (with one day only offering 2 to 3 hours).
- When to go
April to June, and August to November.
- Languages
Instructions spoken in English.
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- All riding activities outlined in the itinerary
- Private accommodation
- All food, from first day lunch through to last day breakfast
- All road transfers, including airport pick up & drop off
- All entrance fees to tourist sights, parks and off-horse activities
Excluded
- International and regional flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Staff tips (for off-horse excursion hosts and wait staff/drivers etc)
Departure dates and prices
Instalment plans available
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Per person
We'll email you — you'll be among the first to hear when new departure dates are released.
Things to know
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of $104 USD
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Itinerary
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change due to weather conditions and other influencing factors.
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Day 1: Arrival & Orientation Ride
4 hours in the saddleWelcome to Arizona, Globetrotters! After arriving into Show Low Regional Airport, you’ll be transferred to Dos Lomas Wild Ranch, an off-grid wild mustang sanctuary near Snowflake.
Over lunch, you’ll meet your fellow riders and receive a briefing on the week ahead before settling into camp and touring the sanctuary. After being paired with your mustang, you’ll take part in a horse bodywork session with your guide, Ashen, before heading out on your first trail ride. Expect plenty of opportunities to trot and lope as you get to know your horse.
As the sun sets, you’ll enjoy a peaceful meditation session amongst the sanctuary mustangs before returning to camp for a barbecue dinner, campfire stories and your first night under the stars.
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Day 2: White Mountains, Petrified Forest & Painted Desert
5 hours in the saddleThis morning you’ll load up the trailers and drive approximately 1 hour to Arizona’s White Mountains for a scenic 13-mile ride through rugged mountain terrain. The trails offer a mix of winding forest tracks and open stretches, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery from the saddle. A picnic lunch is enjoyed along the way.
Back at the ranch, you’ll swap riding boots for walking shoes before visiting the remarkable Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. As the evening light transforms the landscape, you’ll explore these otherworldly natural wonders before returning to camp for dinner around the fire.
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Day 3: Sedona & Flagstaff
5 to 6 hours in the saddleAn early departure takes you to Sedona (approximate 3-hour drive), famous for its towering red rock formations and spectacular desert scenery. Today’s ride winds through some of the region’s most iconic landscapes, offering incredible views at every turn.
After lunch, you’ll load up the horses and head to another trail (10min drive) to enjoy a shorter ride and rock scramble before cooling off alongside your horse in a nearby river. Later, you’ll continue to Flagstaff, where the horses settle in for the night while you enjoy a hot shower, a soak in the hot tub and a well-earned dinner at your Airbnb.
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Day 4: Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon & Page
Optional 2 hours in the saddleToday swaps the saddle for adventure as you travel to Page, Arizona. A guided kayaking and hiking excursion takes you through the stunning waterways of Lake Powell and the narrow sandstone corridors of Antelope Canyon, with opportunities to swim, explore and photograph the dramatic scenery.
After a picnic lunch and a visit to the famous Horseshoe Bend lookout, the afternoon remains flexible. Depending on conditions, you may visit the Grand Canyon, try your hand at barrel racing and roping, or saddle up for a sunset ride through the surrounding desert landscapes.
Tonight, you’ll camp at Vermillion Cliffs Arena, with the option to sleep beneath the stars if conditions allow.
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Day 5: Sand Hollow State Park, Utah
4 to 5 hours in the saddleYour final riding day takes you across the border into Utah, stopping first at the impressive Kanab Sand Caves (1 hour drive) before continuing to Sand Hollow State Park (1 hour drive).
Here, red sandstone cliffs meet sparkling blue water, creating a spectacular setting for your farewell ride. Spend the day riding along sandy beaches, splashing through the shallows, swimming with your horse and enjoying exhilarating gallops beside the lake.
Later, you can relax at your Airbnb before heading out for a celebratory farewell dinner.
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Day 6: Departure
Non-riding dayAfter breakfast, you’ll transfer to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport for your onward journey (2 hour drive).
We recommend booking an afternoon flight, or extending your stay to experience a little more of Las Vegas before heading home.
Transfer information
Guests will need to fly into Show Low Regional Airport in Arizona (SOW) on day 1 of your ride. Pick up is scheduled for 11.15am so please ensure your flight lands no later than 10.45am to give you time to disembark, collect luggage and meet the transfer service.
Departing flights will need to be booked out of Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada and can be anytime after 1pm on the final day.
Please note
Pick up and drop off is at the respective airports only (no hotel collection or drop off).
Accommodation
You will spend two nights camping in canvas tents fitted with cots, memory foam mattresses and all bedding provided (tents are equipped with heaters, fans and lanterns for comfort), plus one unforgettable night sleeping beneath the stars (weather permitting). Long drop toilets are available, but no showers when camping.
The remaining two nights are spent in comfortable, well-appointed Airbnbs.
Food
Expect generous, home-cooked meals inspired by the flavours of Mexico and the American Southwest, with plenty of hearty ranch-style fare thrown in for good measure. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced locally, including organic produce and pasture-raised meats, while the eggs come fresh from the ranch's own flock of much-loved chickens.
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
Stories from the saddle
Horse Breed: Mustang
Few horses capture the spirit of the American West quite like the American Mustang. Descended from Spanish horses and shaped by life on the open range, the Mustang is known for its intelligence, stamina, and sure-footed nature. While often associated with wild herds roaming the western plains, these remarkable horses also make exceptional partners on…
