Horse riding holidays in Asia

Why visit Asia on horseback?

The charms of Asia have excited travellers for centuries and that is still the case today because this vast and varied continent literally attracts millions of tourists every year.

Asia offers first class horse riding vacations in places as diverse as attractive, each of them providing a unique experience, ancient towns whose history has always been connected with horses, where you’ll find a different outlook on life as you travel along its trails and talk to people, and they’ll all agree that the best way to see this place is on horseback.

Asia: A continent that touches you and a journey to the origins

Asia is the birthplace of the first horses, the Przewalski horses, which still roam freely in the Mongolian wilderness. For that reason, horses are closely related to the history of this continent.

Equestrian tradition is a part of every country you visit here, in search of Horse Riding Holidays.

The equestrian routes and trails that you choose to ride here will take you directly into the culture and traditions of local people; there are plenty of options – Buddhist festivals in Tibet, or horse and camel fairs in Rajasthan, impossible challenges in Mongolia or the calmness of Israel. The choice is yours!

There is an abundance of vast and magnificent landscapes, which have remained intact since men and their conflicts weren’t able to alter them, and that’s where its charms lie.

When it comes to Equestrian Tourism everything has another dimension. The combination of landscapes, climates, culture and history make this destination one of the places that must be included on your bucket list of the “once-in-a-lifetime things you must do”.

Some Horse Riding Holiday options in Asia

India

India is a vast land of big contrasts, with countless kilometres of horseback routes and trails.

If you visit India on your horseback riding vacations in Asia, you’ll find a combination of colonial magnificence and authentic local culture, and enjoy some hustling cities and peaceful villages equally.

Home to some of the world’s first organized civilizations in the Indus Valley, India soon became a commercial route connecting the East with the West. Most of the roads and paths that were part of those routes can be visited today on horseback; a journey to the past and an exclusive cultural experience.

Gradually annexed by the British East India Company at the beginning of the 18th century and colonized by the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century, India became a modern nation state in 1947 after a long struggle for independence.

Today, India is a multiplicity of some the largest religions, ethnic groups and historical traditions in the world.

Riding opportunities are apparently endless in this spectacular region. Some rides can be customized to satisfy individual needs, but most are safari type, which enables lots of time to enjoy the flora and fauna of the area. You can gallop across deserts and plains, and cross the hills knowing that luxury tents, hot showers and tasty food will be waiting for you at your next stop.

There are many Equestrian Tourism alternatives in India. If you want more information, see all our suggestions for your Horse riding holidays in India.

Israel

If you choose Israel, you’ll be surprised by its wide variety of geographical features that make it a spectacular country for riding, from the vast deserts to the green valleys, the mountain ranges and the coast.

The Dead Sea is considered a “must-see visit”, while Nazareth and other parts of the Galilee are also very popular among tourists.

Israel is famous for being the “Holy Land”, an important place for some religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with many tourists coming here every year to visit Jerusalem, in particular.

In addition to its fascinating historic and religious importance, this region is geologically diverse and offers great opportunities for horseback adventures.

Today, Israel is a very developed country and approximately 85% of its population speak English. This country has the highest standard of living in the Middle East, and a strong and stable economy.

If you choose this destination for your Horse Riding Holidays, you’ll have the opportunity to see many of the most outstanding aspects of its history and discover the hidden treasures that mass tourism can’t see.

Exploring the Judean Desert, travelling around Jerusalem with an expert host and even visiting King Solomon’s stables. The options are many and varied.

Jordan

If you decide to travel around Jordan on horseback, you’ll have the opportunity to recreate the feeling and the experience of Peter O’Toole’s epic movie, “Lawrence of Arabia”, as you ride in the Wadi Rum Desert, in the same places where most of the scenes were filmed.

But there is more, much more.

The image of the ancient city of Petra, carved into the rock over two thousand years ago, has been the first impression that most people had of Jordan for a long time.

Even though Petra is one of the most incredible attractions of the Middle East, Jordan offers the riding traveller so much more than that.

Jordan is a land of fascinating beauties and contrasts, and you'll be able to explore the splendid deserts and the captivating wilderness of Wadi Rum on horseback.

Don't miss the opportunity to ride the ancient spice, silk and incense trade routes that cross over the stunning mountains of Petra and northern Jordan!

There’s a lot to see in Jordan, Roman cities in ruins, Crusader castles, desert fortresses and very relevant biblical sites.

Jordanians are passionate and proud people and the country really welcomes visitors with open arms.

Mongolia

Mongolia is a land of blue skies, limitless spaces for riding and the cradle of real nomadic horse people.

A country that gives off peacefulness, Mongolia is one of the few places where nature can still be found in its original state, creating a magical setting for a horseback experience. Riders can find here fresh air, natural springs, sand dunes in the Gobi Desert and high mountains, endless steppe and deep forests.

If you are looking for Adventure in its pure state, you must choose Mongolia as your horse riding destination.

You will discover the beautiful and rugged Altai Mountains, where your hosts are still exploring new horseback trails every year. You'll have to be prepared for anything, but you'll be rewarded with an experience like no other you've ever had on horseback before.

Along the way on horseback, you can discover many historical delights such as stone monuments, the remains of ancient buildings, paintings, etc.

This country is rich in flora and fauna with a total number of 138 mammal species, 449 bird species, 75 fish species as well as many types of amphibians and reptiles.

The Mongolian horse is one of the most important breeds among the indigenous horses of Mongolia.

This horse has a double purpose: it’s mainly used for riding and pulling carts, but also for milk production. The average height for males is 128 cm, for females it is 120 cm, but their sizes change according to the environmental conditions.

Horseback riding vacations in Asia offer an enriching and unique experience. As you ride around its interesting and varied countries, you can enjoy a different outlook on life that will leave an indelible mark on your memory for the rest of your life.

Do you also love the idea of exploring Asia on horseback?

Download our free eBook on equestrian tourism in Asia and enjoy an adventure in these untouched landscapes where the horse is always present.