Ranch America
The cost: all meals, accommodation and activities are included in the brochure price.
Locations: Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, the Dakotas, Utah and New Mexico.
Holiday types: ranch stays, horseback holidays, cattle drives and white-water rafting.
When: usually May to October but year round in Texas, Arizona and California.
Accommodation: mostly in well appointed cabins with all facilities. Few ranches offer TV and telephone in rooms. Riding holidays feature camping equipment.
Facilities: these vary but usually include TV lounges, dining and snooker rooms, swimming pool. Some also offer Jacuzzis, tennis courts and other sports facilities.
Food and drink: breakfast, lunch and dinner. All ranches cater for vegetarians. Some offer free alcoholic drinks and wine with dinner. Those that don’t have a liquor licence encourage clients to bring in their own.
Insurance: specified cover needed for riding and white-water rafting.
Airport transfers: because of the distances involved, the cost could be around $150 round-trip for a party not using a hire car. Some ranches offer free transfers.
Gratuities: around 15%, collected at the time of booking.
Sample price: seven nights at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, costs £1,375, including flights, until the end of August and £1,255 during September. Children up to 11 are charged £1,005 or £895 respectively. Transfers to and from Tucson Airport are free; gratuities are £110 per adult with reductions for children.