Stay in a small family ranch to enjoy daily activities
38.539443279482, -104.6355279
This working cattle ranch has hosted guests for vacations that revolve around a large-scale working ranch since 2000. Guests are intimately involved in all ranch life to the extent that they desire, whether this be on horseback, fixing fences or putting feed out for the cattle. We have found that making a contribution to the daily ranch activities gives our guests the biggest thrill, so programs have been developed to include guests so that they are a part of the daily work’s success. There are ample opportunities to take time off on your own for hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming or fishing in one of the ranch’s 5 lakes. During the spring and fall, there is a bird banding station works on the ranch because it is one of the biggest migratory flyways in Colorado. There are over 320 birds on the Chico Bird list.
RANCH HORSE RIDING STAY, CATTLE WORK
INDICATIVE ITINERARY*
Because the Chico is a professional working cattle ranch, days can be long. We recommend that guests take time to ride at home before coming so that they can fully enjoy the adventure of working on a horse with cattle. We do not recommend that people with less than intermediate riding skills participate in our programs, unless they are athletic and do not mind being sore.
A weeklong stay is 6 nights, beginning on Sunday and ending Saturday at noon. If guests decide to stay longer than 6 nights, please be sure to note that we do not offer activities from 12pm on Saturday through Sunday. These are off times for our ranch staff and horses. There are no guided activities on the day of arrival.
A typical day always includes riding out to move cattle for part of the day, and then spending time doing other activities in the afternoon, different every day. We try to schedule the week so that the shorter riding days are at the beginning and gradually becoming longer as the week passes. This practice varies depending on riding abilities and weekly ranch work schedule. For example, people with a high level of riding skill can go right into long days in the saddle.
It is important to note that even though the Chico is a serious working ranch, we do not expect guests to do more than they want, which means we leave ample time for relaxing or designing shorter days to accommodate whatever personal preferences a guest has.
MEETING:
Sunday afternoon directly at the ranch. Paying transfer from Colorado Spring airport anytime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
DEPARTURE:
Saturday after breakfast. Paying transfer to Colorado Spring airport between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
TRANSFERS:
Colorado Spring Airport transfers are between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. $ 75 per transfer by car to be paid directly on site.
RIDING LEVEL: 
This stay is open to riders of all levels but it is recommended to have experience of outdoor riding.
GUIDE:
Local English speaking guide.
GROUPS:
Up to 10 riders.
RYTHM:
You ride 4 hours per day on average.
HORSES:
The Ranch breeds quarter horses. The stallions and broodmares are carefully selected according to their character. They are adapted to long working days and live in herds. All the foals are broken in and trained on the ranch.
TACK:
Western.
ACCOMMODATION:
In a historic ranch dating from the early 20th century, recently renovated and equipped. There are two bedrooms available with a queen size bed and bunk beds. There is a shared bathroom between the two bedrooms. WIFI is available on site.
MEALS:
All meals are included from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day.
Breakfast and lunch are prepared by the guests with groceries provided by the ranch. Dinners are prepared and hosted by a different ranch team member each evening.
Alcoholic drinks are not included. You can bring your drinks.
2024 PRICE / PER PERSON :
In shared bedroom: 3150 €
Single bedroom supplement if you do not wish to share: on request
Colorado Spring transfers: 75 $ / trip / car, payable locally.
Tip: 15% extra to be paid on site.
Booking fees: 15 €
Price may be revised downward or upward depending on variations in the $ / € exchange rate.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse and tack rental, supervision, daily equestrian activities (excluding day of arrival and departure) full board accommodation, taxes (5.13%), financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, alcoholic beverages, lunch on arrival and departure day, transfers from / to Colorado Spring airport, mandatory 15% gratuities, activities not included in ranch activities, everything that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
FLIGHTS :
Flights are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request (free service).
CLIMAT:
Santa Rosa area
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Average High Temperature (°F) | 55 | 59 | 66 | 75 | 83 | 91 | 92 | 90 | 84 | 75 | 63 | 55 |
Average Low Temperature (°F) | 25 | 27 | 33 | 40 | 49 | 57 | 62 | 60 | 53 | 42 | 32 | 25 |
Average High Temperature (°C) | 13 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 13 |
Average Low Temperature (°C) | -4 | -3 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 0 | -4 |
Average Precipitation (days of rain) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NOAA
SAISONS:
L'abondance de divers types de paysages, l'air clair avec un ciel principalement bleu et les roches diverses et colorées donnent au Nouveau-Mexique sa magie proverbiale "Land of Enchantment". En raison de son emplacement au sud et du fait qu'il se trouvesous le vent des Rocheuses, le climat du Nouveau-Mexique n'est pas humide et en été assez chaud. En hiver, il peut faire froid, en raison de l'altitude (le ranch se trouve à 4500 pieds). 310 jours de soleil, associés à un climat doux et sec et à 4 saisons distinctes. Une humidité très faible signifie que même lorsque les températures augmentent, l'été est toujours agréable et les hivers ensoleillés sont relativement doux. Les précipitations annuelles moyennes sont d'environ 9 pouces, et l'humidité relative moyenne n'est que de 44 pour cent. Veuillez noter qu'une faible humidité et un ensoleillement abondant signifient que les cavaliers doivent rester hydratés en buvant beaucoup d'eau. Les cavaliers doivent également utiliser un écran solaire pour la protection de la peau. Les rayons UV sont plus forts à des altitudes plus élevées.
PRINTEMPS-ETE:
Le Nouveau-Mexique est synonyme de beau temps et les saisons de printemps et d'été ne font pas exception. Le climat désertique élevé avec une très faible humidité rend les températures confortables, avec des maximales moyennes au printemps autour de 69 degrés F et des minimums quotidiens moyens autour de 44 degrés F. Les maximales quotidiennes de l'été sont d'environ 89 degrés F et les basses sont d'environ 64 degrés F.
AUTOMNE:
L'automne est une saison spéciale au Nouveau-Mexique. Les matinées sont fraîches et agréables, réchauffées par le soleil éclatant; les peupliers se colorent d'un beau jaune le long du Rio Grande; et les marchés de producteurs saisonniers portent des fruits frais et du chili rôti. L'automne au Nouveau-Mexique est souvent appelé «été indien» en raison des températures chaudes en début de saison autour de 70 ° F / 21 ° C. L'été persiste encore en septembre et début octobre, avec une météo plus hivernale qui s'installe en novembre.