FAQs
Do you have a question about your riding holiday? If so you’re in the right place. This FAQ page covers the questions we’re most often asked but if yours isn’t answered here, or you need more advice, please get in touch. Between us, we’ve been on all the rides we offer and we’re always happy to give you personal, up-front advice from our own experience. We’ll help you plan your perfect trip.
Does it matter if I book alone?
Definitely not. Lots of people book alone and the rides make a wonderful holiday for single travellers. You’ll be joining a small group of like-minded people and will be well occupied each day (without the feeling of being ‘herded’ around) but with the freedom of your own personal space when riding. Everyone has an interest in common and most people end up getting on very well together, even if they wouldn’t necessarily meet on a day to day level. Its amazing how you bond after an exhilarating canter!
How are room prices quoted?
Prices quoted are based on twin accommodation and if you book alone, a supplement is usually payable for a single room, although single supplements are not always compulsory. They apply in different ways on different rides. On many safaris, camping or farm-based rides, where the ride operator owns the accommodation used, single travellers will not be charged a supplement as long as they are prepared to share a twin tent or room with another (same sex) guest if numbers on the ride, or at the camp/lodge require. For rides that use hotels, prices are generally calculated assuming two sharing a room and there will be a supplement for single occupancy.
As a single traveller, am I required to share a room with someone else?
Not always, although you will be asked to if the number or mix of guests requires and you have not paid a single supplement. On rides that use hotels or guesthouses, prices assume twin room occupancy and a supplement will be payable if you book alone unless there’s definitely a room-mate for you. On these rides, if you ask us, we’ll try to find you a sharer, but we cannot guarantee to do so. If we do not, the supplement will be charged. On a few rides, if hotel(s) have a limited number of rooms or only offer simple dormitory accommodation, single rooms are not always available even for a supplement. Please contact us if you have any questions about single supplements.
I used to ride a lot but have not ridden regularly for several years. Do you think I will cope?
All our rides are geared towards people who have some riding experience (we do not arrange rides for complete beginners) and most are suitable for those of an ‘intermediate’ level and above. However this, and the riding fitness required, varies from ride to ride. Hopefully the individual descriptions on this website will give you a good idea whether a ride is a suitable choice for you. Please read the detailed Information Sheet on each ride which will tell you more carefully (these can be downloaded as a PDF from the relevant webpage or contact us and we’ll send to you). Please also contact us to chat about any rides that interest you – suitability varies from person to person and the best way to find out is to talk to someone who has been before. In any case, once you have decided to book, we always suggest doing as much riding as you can in the months before you go, so you feel confident and relaxed on the first day and will be fit enough to fully enjoy your holiday, rather than worrying about being stiff or letting anyone down. General fitness and flexibility help too – so if you can’t ride as often as you’d like but are generally fit, that will really help.
How do you assess rider ability?
The ‘nutshell’ guides on this website include an indication of the riding ability we think is required for each trip. There is more detail too on the Ride Information (available as a PDF) and we’ll ask you to chat to us, give some background and complete a form before you booking is confirmed. As a brief guide, in assessing your ability we assume that:
A ‘novice‘ rider has some riding experience and would normally be expected to have had some formal riding lessons/tuition as well as some experience hacking out in open country. He or she will be able to mount and dismount without help, will be able to apply the basic aids and will feel comfortable, reasonably well balanced and in control on a well behaved ‘schoolmaster-type’ horse at a walk, for shortish periods of rising trot and at short periods of canter.
An ‘intermediate‘ rider is a rider who is secure, well balanced and in control on a well-schooled horse at all paces, from a walk to a fast canter in open country (need not want to jump) and over varied terrain. He or she will also be confident of riding for several hours at a time.
An ‘experienced‘ rider is all of the above and rides regularly. He or she is relaxed and adaptable on different horses in different environments, has an independent seat and soft hands, and is capable of handling a spirited horse in open country.
Can I arrange an exclusive private ride?
YES. Most rides we offer are open for you to join as an individual, couple or group of friends but we can also arrange private rides exclusively for your own group. These can have a standard itinerary or if you prefer, an itinerary tailored as far as possible to suit the group. Please contact us if you are interested.
I have my own horses, ride a lot at home and am an experienced rider….. I like the idea of a riding holiday but I do not want to ride nose to tail on a 'ploddy' horse.
Our ride selection process is strict and the quality of the horses and riding is probably the most important ingredient we look for (we know that if you are riding for a week or more, enjoyment of your horse is so important). Our customer list included top event riders, jockeys and trainers and our rides use well-schooled, forward-going horses that are fun and enjoyable for even the most experienced rider. The guides we work with also have lots of experience in matching horse and rider – so please don’t worry; we think you will be pleasantly surprised!
At least one of us here has also been on each of the rides we offer, so have a very good idea of the type of rider they will suit. We hope the details on this website and in our Information Sheets will answer any questions you have, but please do not hesitate to call us to chat – we’ll do our best to fully explain the type of riding involved and can put you in touch with guests who have already been if you wish.
What is your rider weight limit?
Maximum weight limits (in riding clothes) are given in the relevant ride summary. These are very important, so please take careful note of them. In certain cases, we can make special arrangements for riders who are a little over the specified weight limits, but as changes to horses and itineraries might be necessary, this can only be done if we have prior notice before you book. There may also be an extra cost for a second (or third) horse. If you are interested in any ride and close to the weight limit, please contact us to check.
What type of accommodation is offered?
It varies with each ride. It might be hotels, guest or farm houses, private haciendas or camping. The ”In a Nutshell” summary on each ride will give you an idea and our PDF Information Sheets which have full ride details will tell you more about the facilities to expect.
What camping options are there?
Camps – The camping facilities vary quite considerably on different rides. On some camps are very simple; on others, you’re really living in a luxury canvas-sided hotel. We’ve assessed standards using categories ranging from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) whilst taking all things into account. There will always be variables (and if different camps are used on different nights, facilities may vary), but the following is a rule of thumb:
1 – Sleeping in the open, help required around camp, streams for washing, open-air loo.
2 – Small 2-man tents, mats to sleep on, streams for washing, help around camp required, the guide prepares food, wine usually available.
3 – Small 2-man tents, mattresses, limited washing (showers/hot water some nights), open-air loo, some staff, generally good back up, food and wine.
4 – Bigger tents, mattresses, hot showers, good staff levels, back up, food, full bar.
5 – Large safari tents with beds, private loo (long drop or flush), hot showers daily, plenty of staff, excellent back up and food, full bar.
5+ – Semi-permanent camp with walk-in furnished tents, extras such as decking, flush loo, running water, and sometimes a pool.
Please see the detailed ride descriptions, the galleries and ask us if you’d like to know more.
Is insurance included?
Personal insurance is NOT included and it is essential that you arrange your own medical and travel insurance for your holiday. You cannot take part without cover for medical emergencies and we also strongly recommend cancellation insurance in case you have to cancel for an unexpected reason. This should be taken when you pay your deposit to ensure you have cover from that moment on. Under our booking conditions and agreements with our ride operators, your deposit will, and some or all of your other payments may, be forfeit on cancellation. We will enforce these terms whether or not you have insurance! Please take the time to protect yourself. Ride World Wide is not authorised under Financial Conduct Authority Regulations to sell or advise on insurance so we cannot give you any advice on suitability, but there are several all-round travel and adventure travel policies on the market you can choose from. You need to make your own investigations and we recommend contacting an FCA regulated insurance specialist for advice. As with any insurance, it is essential to select your policy with care and to check the detailed terms, conditions and policy wording to ensure it will meet your needs. For example, the policy may require the use of protective clothing, which when riding, may mean a hard hat – different insurance companies take different views and you must check the policy wording carefully. It is also vital that you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions or check ups you are undergoing to your insurer before taking out cover and that you note any restrictions in cover relating to these.
What about visas, health and inoculations?
When we confirm your booking, we will send you general information on the health and vaccine requirements for the country you will be visiting. This will signpost you to further sources of information – as health is a very personal matter you should always take qualified, personal medical advice.
We will also send you general visa information for the country you will be visiting – although we recommend you check requirements with the relevant consular website or by telephoning the appropriate Embassy / consul in London (or your home country) for advice. Ensuring you comply with visa requirements will be your own responsibility.
Are you licensed and bonded?
YES Ride World Wide Limited is fully licensed and bonded in the UK so you can book with confidence. We are members of ABTOT – The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited – which provides financial protection under its ATOL Franchise and The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (‘PTRs’) for Ride World Wide, ABTOT number 5074, ATOL number 6213. For more information on how you are protected see ”How to Book – Next Steps” on the menu above and paragraph 6 of our Booking Conditions.
What happens if I need assistance abroad?
As you will be joining a personally organised, small group adventure, you will be with a dedicated locally based guide and support team who will be on hand to assist you in the event of any emergency. Before your departure, when we send you your final itinerary, we will supply you with all the local contact names and numbers you need, as well as our own 24 hour emergency contact numbers. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, you can call ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on +44 (0)1702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT-protected travel company. Further details of your rights in these circumstances are set out in The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 which you can access here: PTandLTARegulations2018
Is my payment secure?
Ride World Wide has been organising riding holidays for nearly 30 years. We work with reliable, well-established ride operators we know well and all holidays booked with us are financially protected in accordance with UK legislation. This protection is through our membership of ABTOT and under its ATOL Franchise and The Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations 2018 so your payment is secure. See further information on our bonding protection above for details of how the protection applies and ask us if you have any more questions.