Rancho Los Banos in Sonora, Mexico, recently received a visit from a UK national newspaper's roving reporter. Amy Willis, LA-based digital editor of British daily newspaper The Telegraph, paid a visit to the Mexico working ranch earlier this year for the Feburary roundup and, inspired by her incredible trip, wrote this article for the news title.

Today Los Banos serves as an adventure guest ranch

In her piece entitled 'The last Mexican vaquero', Willis pens the life of Diego Madrid, a 70-year-old vaquero who "has spent his life working in the foothills of the Sierra Madres and know the 30,000 acres of desert savanna as if it was palm of his own hand".

Rancho Los Banos's longest-serving vaquero recounts some of his most memorable times on the ranch - from roping bulls on his saddle horn as a brave 18-year-old cowboy, to riding under the stars on 24-hour cattle round-ups. "Nowadays they wait for the sun to come up," says Diego in the article.

Learn more about the life of working vaqueros in Mexico and read the full story here.

Inspired to take a ranch vacation to Rancho Los Banos? For more information and to book, visit Top50Ranches.com

Mexico horse riding holidays offer adventure travelers the ultimate way to experience the culture of the southern Americas. First populated more than 13,000 years ago, Mexico has fused its native civilizations with European culture. Mexico ranch vacations offer fine hospitality, authentic Mexican cuisine, diverse land and plant life and pristine, free and unspoiled backcountry - making for exotic Mexico horseback riding holidays at great value. And none more so than at Los Banos Ranch in safe and secure north east Sonora, Mexico. This private 30,000-acre eco-adventure and nature travel guest ranch is also a genuine Mexican working cattle ranch and wilderness preserve, and located just 50 miles south of the south east Arizona town of Douglas. Los Banos Ranch is best known for its world-class horseback riding and trail rides, along with hiking, walking and trekking wilderness, and box canyon adventures.

Hike through the Sonora desert at Los Banos Ranch

And Mexico horse riding holidays at Los Banos just got better thanks to the ranch's special offers for 2012 - rates that offer such incredible value, they have been chosen as Top50 Ranches' 'Ranch Special of the Month' for March 2012!

Four and five-night stays at Los Banos
Cost: $115/night per guest, based on double occupancy; $135 single occupancy rate
Dates: Valid for stays 10 April - 30 September, 2012
Includes: All-inclusive, round trip from Tucson included

Stays of six or more nights at Los Banos
Cost: $99/night per guest, based on double occupancy; $119 single occupancy rate
Dates: Valid for stays 10 April - 30 September, 2012
Includes: All-inclusive, round trip from Tucson included

For more information and to book, view the Los Banos Ranch profile at Top50Ranches.com

Valentine's Day can be less than fun when you're single, what with couples going all gooey-eyed over each other, your loved-up friends rambling on about their Valentine's Day plans and people asking what you're doing for the big day. You could bury your face in the sand for a few days until it's all over - or you could celebrate being single and jet off for a last-minute vacation to escape the fuss! There's still time to book yourself a Top50 dude ranch vacation for the Valentine's week - after all, there's no better place for lone travelers to take vacation than a western ranch.

You'll never feel alone on a dude ranch vacation

Dude ranch vacations are a wonderful way to meet new people and whether you visit a luxury dude ranch, authentic guest ranch or real working ranch, you will never feel lonely. The unique welcoming and inclusive environment that only dude ranch vacations can provide means you will feel like part of the family and make life-long friends - horses included! The welcoming atmosphere is extended through all ranch activities, from camp-outs and cattle drives to mealtimes, where, on many of the smaller and more intimate ranches, everyone dines together family-style around the dining table.

Women in particular are often worried about the safety of traveling alone, but dude ranch vacations offer a totally safe environment for single travelers, and with all the freedom to access remote wilderness that non-ranch resorts can't offer. Explore remote landscapes and untamed wilderness on horseback, on foot, by boat or mountain bike, whether it's with other guests, by yourself or with an experienced guide.

Or maybe you're looking for a bit of holiday romance on your dude ranch vacation? With many other ranch guests often fellow singles travelling alone, you could just find love in time for Valentine's Day!

Top50 Ranches' Top 10 Dude Ranch Vacations for Singles

1 Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, British Columbia, Canada - With top-notch spa facilities, this is THE ranch to visit if you want some pampering and 'you' time

2 C Lazy U Ranch, Colorado, USA

Julie Goodnight women's clinic at C Lazy U

OK, so it might not quite coincide with Valentine's Day but that doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to a ranch vaca later on in the year - visit May, September or October 2012 and book the Julie Goodnight riding and yoga retreat for women, a true escape from the stresses of everyday life. Learn how to be your horse’s leader and master your equestrian skills through understanding horse behavior from top trainer Julie Goodnight, plus enjoy Anusara yoga from instructor Ellen Mesaros and indulge at the “Lazy U” spa for world-class massages, facials and more.
Not wanting to exclude the singles guys out there, C Lazy U's new Stargazing & Science Learning Getaway is perfect for both male and female singletons, with nature hikes led by a resident biologist and geologist and nightly lectures from the resident astronomer, where guests can view the wonders of the cosmos.

3 Rowse's 1+1 Ranch, Nebraska, USA - Authentic western hospitality and the chance to ride alongside real cowboys on real cattle drives at this detail-oriented working ranch

4 Badger Creek Ranch - Taking just 6 guests at any one time, this working ranch welcomes you to share in their lifestyle: you'll feel like part of the family

5 Burnt Well Guest Ranch - A real working cattle operation where you can get to play cowboy alongside the wranglers - you'll be so busy horseback riding and getting involved in real ranch work, you won't have time to feel lonely

6 Estancia Ranquilco, Neuquen, Argentina - Take a 7-day pack trip into the mountains with a small group of guests and expeirenced guide T.A - an adventure worth traveling alone for!

7 Tod Mountain Ranch, British Columbia, Canada - Tod Mountain is one of the few Canada guest ranches not to charge single supplements for its cabin accommodations, so you can enjoy the whole cabin to yourself at no extra cost.

8 Snowy River Horseback Adventure, Australia - Australia is a lone traveler's haven and this down-under ranch fits right in, offering adult-focused horse treks across breathtaking Snowy River countryside

9 Sugar and Spice Ranch, Texas, USA - Single moms can bring their daughters with them on vaca, for a bonding experience alongside other moms and daughters

10 Rancho Las Cascadas, Mexico - A small, luxury ranch offering guided and unguided horseback rides, cultural tours and European-style pampering

For more information on all of Top50's ranches perfect for singles, visit Top50Ranches.com

Romantic ranch vacations are exactly what every girl wants for Valentine's. Guys, just forget that box of chocolates (come on, a little imagination here), that necklace you saw (jewelry is VERY personal taste - trust us, we won't like it), that oversized teddy bear all men seem to think girls love (we threw away our childhood collection of soft toys for a reason). No, give her something she'll remember forever. A once-in-a-lifetime experience you can remind her of every time you argue - yup, bring up that romantic dude ranch vacation you took her on and you'll have the last word every time. The bonus? You get to unleash that inner John Wayne that's always lurked beneath the surface...

So, where do I start? Top50 Ranches - obviously. Instead of blindly tapping 'romantic dude ranch vacations' into Google and trawling through thousands of results, simply type 'romance' into the search box on the Top50 homepage and the very best romantic ranch retreats will appear.

So I've narrowed it down - where next? Now it's time to get to the specifics - and this is where a bit of research comes in handy. Find out (discretely, now) what kind of level a horseback rider she is. Although most ranches cater for all levels, if she's particularly keen or advanced and wouldn't mind getting stuck into real cowgirl stuff, you'll earn serious brownie points by taking her to a working ranch. Somewhere like Burnt Well Guest Ranch in New Mexico, or Zapata Ranch in Colorado where she'll get the opportunity to ride with bison. Trust us, it's neat.

I think she'd prefer pampering... That's fine! In which case, go for the ranches with 'luxury dude ranch' listed under their headings, as these are likely to have super-luxurious spa facilities. If she's a slave to the hot tub and won't step out the door without perfectly manicured nails, we'll bet she'll love the treatments and facilities offered by the likes of Canada guest ranch Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, and Montana dude ranches The Ranch at Rock Creek and The Resort at Paws Up.

Relax in the hot tub at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

She's a die-hard romantic... Then you should definitely consider Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, which has been rated #1 for romance. Wine and dine her at the chef's table, enjoy candlelit dinners and moonlight strolls, and movies under the stars. You can even have your own private cabin, where you'll be welcomed with a bottle of wine and basket of goodies. You'll be in her good books with this one.

I'm actually thinking of proposing. Good work! In that case we recommend a suitably dramatic location in which to pop the question. There's nothing like a breathtaking view of the wilderness as a backdrop - trust us, she'll be bowled over and won't be able to say no. We recommend Rancho Los Banos in Mexico, Estancia Ranquilco in Argentina, and Canada dude ranches Siwash Lake Ranch and Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. And if you're really in a hurry to get that ring on her finger, Three Bars Ranch in Canada caters for weddings.

Well, we hope that's cleared up at least some of the confusion over Valentine's Day presents. And she deserves the best, right? Then sleep well knowing that all Top50 ranches have been personally and thoroughly vetted to ensure quality. That's our promise, now act out yours and book that romantic ranch vacation today!

View all of Top50's romantic ranch vacations

Mexico horse riding holidays don't come much better than at Rancho Las Cascadas, which is why Top50 has chosen this luxury dude ranch as January's Ranch of the Month.

Each month Top50 scours its selection of horse riding holidays and guest ranch vacations to pick out one which it feels surpasses its standards of excellence - and, most importantly, offers something unique. That could be anything from ultra-luxurious facilities, to personal touches than make a ranch vacation, to fast-and-furious cattle drives that'll be etched in your memory forever.

For January 2012, Top50 has chosen Mexio dude ranch Rancho Las Cascadas as Ranch of the Month!

Located in a valley on a high mountain plateau lays Rancho Las Cascadas - here it's all about horseback riding over rugged terrain and diverse landscape, for as many hours in the saddle as a guest wishes (or can endure!). Venturing to Mexico for your dude ranch vacation is well worth the mileage, with the extinct volcanic geology of the region creating landscape crisscrossed with ancient lava flows, which have partially eroded over millennia and evolved into a rich landscape of micro-environments. In the 'green season' this measns a colorful riot of wild flowers, while flat fields and quiet, unpaved roads offer exciting galloping opportunities for confident riders.

Just reading about the horseback riding offered at Rancho Las Cascadas on its Top50 profile is enough to send a rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins. Thrilling doesn't even come close to describing the sense of freedom you experience riding over unfenced landscape - there are certainly no artificially constructed trail rides here.

Of course, Rancho Las Cascadas has so much more to offer - year-round sunshine, cocktails in the hot tub and authentic Mexican food, to name just a few. But it's this Mexico dude ranch's unique and thrilling horseback riding opportunities over simply stunning and diverse land that wins it the accolade as Top50's January Ranch of the Month.

Rancho Las Cascadas: In a nutshell

• Internationally renowned equestrian experience in the Americas
• Great open-range horse riding for any ability level of rider
• For the true rider and those who would like to become one!
• Luxury ranch
• Cultural Tours
• Affordable prices
• Phenomenal hospitality and service
• Great food
• Gorgeous waterfalls
• Visit Various famous landmarks such as Teotihuacan, the famous pyramids of the sun and the moon, to the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende
• Solar-heated Infinity Pool with Integrated Jacuzzi
• Hot Tub
• Hiking/Running, Biking, Bird Watching, Yoga, Photography and Painting
• Cultural Experiences

Is there a ranch that stands out for you? Tell us why and we'll consider for upcoming Ranches of the Month!

It’s that time of year again when New Year resolutions are formed - always with good intentions, but normally ditched alongside surplus Christmas puddings and unwanted presents a few weeks into January. Well, 2012 may be the year all that changes. The team at Top50 has come up with some New Year resolution ideas that you might actually keep – and they could be life-changing...

1. Curb your spending Dude ranch vacations don't have to mean blowing the budget - check out these special offers from USA dude ranch Alisal Ranch, Canada guest ranch Tod Mountain Ranch and Argentina dude ranch Estancia Los Potreros. These special offers and discounts will see you saving $$$s on dude ranch vacations in 2012.

2. Travel to another continent Journey south of the equator for a horse riding holiday at Snowy River Horseback Adventure in New South Wales, Australia. Ride in ‘Man from Snowy River’ country as you embark on horse treks along bush trails and mountain ash forests. Or venture to neighboring New Zealand for a horse riding holiday at Beaumont High Country Experience, an authentic working cattle station where you can try your hand at sheep mustering. This 18,000-acre high-country sheep station offers incredible terrain over which you can choose to go horseback riding, on ATV tours, or hiking.

3. Take more ‘you’ time Blood pressure rising to the max? Overworked and stressed out? Then vow to take some more ‘you’ time in 2012. And what better way to relax than get away from it all on a dude ranch vacation at a luxury ranch with a spa? Dude ranches such Triple Creek, The Resort at Paws Up, Lone Mountain Guest Ranch, C Lazy U Ranch and Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge all offer wonderful surroundings in which to relax, de-stress and recharge your batteries. Relax in the pool or hot tub, take a leisurely horseback ride through peaceful scenery, and relax in the tranquility of it all.

4. Shed those Christmas pounds! Feeling the after-effects of all that Christmas overindulgence? Beat the post-festive bloat and put a spring back in your step with an energising and invigorating horseback riding adventure at an authentic working ranch like Burnt Well Guest Ranch, Estancia Huechahue, Rancho Los Banos and Bonanza Creek Ranch. With long, fast-paced days spent horseback riding, you’ll soon be feeling fighting fit!

If you’d rather shed those extra pounds without having to exert yourself so much, you could instead opt for dude ranch vacation at a ranch specialising in healthy cuisine. After all, there’s no better way to detox than by sampling delicious healthy cuisine whilst on a western ranch vacation.Top50 recommends Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, which specialises in gourmet, healthy cuisine. Even special diets such as 'Eat for your blood type' are incorporated into its extensive menu!

5. Reduce your carbon footprint Go green with a dude ranch vacation at a ranch with ethically sound practices. Free Rein Ranch creates ethical menus based on locally sourced produce, as the Canada dude ranch advocates the '100 mile diet', buying as much produce from local suppliers within a 100-mile radius. Chico Basin Ranch uses traditional methods to complement innovative management programs to sustain the Colorado working ranch's natural resources, and its sister ranch, Zapata Ranch, takes a similarly holistic approach and runs recreation, education and outreach programs as part of its ethical strategy.

6. Learn a new language Take up Spanish, whether it's brushing up long-forgotten schoolday skills or learning from scratch. Best of all, it's a great excuse test your skills on a ranch vacation at dude ranches in Argentina – such as Estancia Los Potreros, Estancia Ranquilco and Estancia Huechahue. Ride with the gauchos and practise your Spanish lingo - and probably pick up some authentic phrases along the way!

7. Take up a new sport Ever fancied trying something new on horseback - Polo, for example? You can do just that on a dude ranch vacation at Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina. Or maybe try your hand at non-riding activities offered by one of the Top50 dude ranches, such as cycling, golf, tennis, water sports, skiing and other winter sports, or fishing. Top50 has hundreds of dude ranch vacations, working ranch vacations and guest ranch vacations perfect for trying something different.

8. Spend more time with your family Dude ranch vacations offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family, and family dude ranches are ideal for getting away with the kids. Family dude ranches such as Majestic Dude Ranch and Lone Mountain Guest Ranch offer brilliant children’s programs, and Elk Mountain Ranch even has a full children's program for 3-7 year olds.

9. Spend more time with your partner If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, head to one of Top50’s adult-oriented dude ranches with your loved one - such as The Ranch at Rock Creek, Bonanza Creek, McGinnis Meadows and Rowse's 1+1 Ranch Quiet and secluded, such dude ranches offer great couples' ranch vacations.

10. Catch up with old friends Call your girlfriends and get 'em on a ranch vacations at Rancho Los Banos in Mexico - the working ranch and guest ranch is offering a Ladies' Special in August 2012, the perfect excuse for a budget girlfriends' getaway.

Inspired? Browse all of Top50's ranches to find your own way to keep your 2012 New Year Resolutions!

Dude ranch vacations in winter don’t have to mean sleigh rides, snowy trail riding and curling up by a huge log fire to escape freezing temperatures. If your idea of a winter ranch vacation is to find some sun, Top50 has plenty to offer...

Temperatures of up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees centigrade) are not uncommon temperatures in Arizona during winter. To make the most of the warmer climes this US state offers, head to Rancho de los Caballeros for a winter dude ranch vacation. Enjoy horseback riding over 20,000 acres of rolling hillsides and wide open spaces in the Sonoran Desert, and try team penning in the arena. With golfing, tennis, a full-service spa and outdoor swimming pool, you won’t believe that it’s winter on your dude ranch vacation! Open between October and May, and offering a great children’s program, Rancho de los Caballeros is also perfect for family Arizona dude ranch vacations out of season.

Mexico has a similar winter climate to Arizona, so head to a Mexico dude ranch for your winter horseback riding holidays. Los Banos Ranch is the place to go if you want adventure from your Mexico ranch holiday. This genuine Mexico working ranch offers world-class horseback riding, cattle work and trail rides, along with hiking, trekking and box canyon adventures. If you love horseback riding and the outdoors, this sunny ranch is the place to come for your winter horse riding holiday.

Another Mexico dude ranch is Rancho Las Cascadas, a small luxury ranch where guests’ needs are always placed first. Leave all snowy thoughts of winter behind as you relax in the infinity pool with a cocktail, or saddle up and go horseback riding across open countryside and through rock mountain paths.

Rancho Las Cascadas:

Winter is the perfect time to travel for an Australia horse riding holiday if you want some winter sun. Snowy River Horseback Adventure, in New South Wales, enjoys summer temperatures during the northern hemisphere’s winter months, so you can get a tan whilst enjoying horse treks through ‘Man from Snowy River’ country. This is one horseback riding holiday that’s worth travelling the extra miles for.

Neighboring New Zealand also offers horse riding holidays in a great climate when winter sets in for the northern hemisphere. Beaumont High Country Experience operates its guest season between November and April, so escape the throes of winter and enjoy sheep mustering at this authentic working cattle station. Aside from offering great horseback riding holidays through the backcountry, Beaumont also takes guest on a jet-boat excursions, where you’ll ride through white-water rapids!

Known as the Sunshine State, California guest ranches are surely the place to go for a warmer dude ranch vacation during the winter months. The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is a 10,000 acre working cattle ranch, blending incredible horseback riding opportunities with luxury accommodations and facilities, as well as first-class spa services and fine dining.

Another California dude ranch is Rankin Ranch, as working ranch with a great reputation for family dude ranch vacations. Although the excellent children’s program doesn’t run during winter months, kids and adults alike with enjoy the supervised horseback riding opportunities, complete with trail riding and lessons in the arena – and don’t forget the outdoor pool for added fun and relaxation.

For some real sunshine, head south of the equator to Argentina working estancias for horseback riding holidays with a difference. Estancia Huechahue allows guests to sample life on a Patagonian working estanica, whether it’s horseback riding, horseback pack trips across the Andes, hiking to see Indian burial caves or rafting on the River Alumine. Enjoy the summer temperatures with a soak in the hot tub, a swim in the river and a BBQ dinner on the river bank.

Estancia Ranquilco is another Argentina working estancia, remotely nestled in the foothills of the Andes and boasting 100,000 acres on which to enjoy winter horseback riding holidays. Take a horseback riding pack trip into the mountains, and swim your horse through remote mountain lakes on your horse riding holiday at this Argentina working estancia.

Like the idea of a winter horseback riding holiday in Argentina and want to incorporate a spot of polo into your winter dude ranch vacation? Then head to Estancia Los Potreros, an Argentina working estancia offering just that. As well as trail riding, this working estancia offers horseback riding opportunities like lassoing, moving horses and taking part in traditional ‘gaucho games’ – and, of course, polo! Hop aboard one of the estancia’s polo ponies and learn a new sport on your Argentina horse riding holiday.

Estancia Los Potreros:

What are you waiting for? Escape the snow, wind and rain of winter and head for some winter sun on a Top50 dude ranch vacation, guest ranch vacation or working ranch vacation.

Climbing on-board a horse on a guest ranch vacation is extreme enough in itself, but if you’re looking for even more adventure from your horseback riding holiday, Top50 Ranches has some wild and wonderful western ranch experiences that’ll really get the adrenaline pumping.

Serious riders will love the true adventure and unparalleled remoteness of Estancia Ranquilco. Nothing gets you closer to nature than pack tripping in the wilderness, and guests visiting this 100,000-acre Argentine estancia can do just that in the foothills of the Andes. This is no donkey ride, however; you’ll learn to pack and lead a mule, and saddle and care for your horse as you spend 10 days packing in the mountains near Chile, camping under the stars in the pristine wilderness of Patagonia. Strong, calm, sure-footed horses will take you through remote valleys, over huge mountains and along narrow, steep and rocky trails. Entailing a three-hour horseback ride just to get in and out of the estancia, this horseback riding adventure is not for the faint-hearted.

Above: Pack-tripping at Ranquilco

If you prefer the saddle of a bike to that of a horse, Majestic Dude Ranch in Cortez, Colorado, has just the thing. Located near Durango, a town famous for its outdoor adventure activities, Majestic offers more extreme adventure opportunities that you can shake a water-ski at. Aside from a top-notch horseback riding program, Majestic boasts lake water sports, river floating and white-water rafting on its schedule of activities. But the highlight here lies in a small basement tucked away under the luxury lodgings – home to a brand new, top-of-the-range set of mountain bikes. With a bike and safety gear to fit every age and size, Majestic will kit you out with everything you need for the highlight of its cycling program – the famous Phil’s World, one of the top 10 cycle trails in the United States. Located high in Mesa Verde National Park, this network of single-track trails features half-mile climbs, a ‘rollercoaster’ section and several jumps – making this twisting, turning, up-and-down mountain trail one of the fastest growing destinations for mountain bikers the world over. Accompanied by Majestic’s cycling guide, you’ll experience the ultimate adrenaline-fuelled ride with stunning mountain scenery to boot. Guests are so won over by awe-inspiring cycling program, they’ve even been known to take a bike home with them!

Above: Unbeatable cycling program at Majestic, with access to world-class mountain biking trails

For the same stunning Colorado terrain but tackled from the back of a horse, head to neaby Chico Basin Ranch in Colorado Springs – the ultimate in working ranch vacations. The third-generation ranch operation’s day-to-day activities will dictate the nature of your stay, so expect to get your hands dirty and a sweat on your brow. And if you’re looking for frills then you’re best headed to the nearest hotel in local Colorado Springs, because you won’t find any here – this is the real ranch experience with true working cowboys. With the chance to spend more than eight hours in the saddle each day, a ranch vacation at Chico Basin is not one for the fainthearted, requiring boundless energy and enthusiasm – not to mention seatbones of steel!

Above: Herding the cattle at Chico Basin

A working ranch vacation at Chico’s sister ranch, Zapata Ranch in nearby Mosca, is equally challenging – but for very different reasons. Still a working ranch operation but with a more luxurious feel, Zapata offers its guest the unique challenge of moving bison herds aboard real cow horses. A completely different experience to moving traditional cattle herds, riding with bison requires quick reactions, skill in the saddle and nerves of steel! Horseback adrenaline rushes don’t come better than this, but for those preferring to get their kicks out of the saddle, whitewater rafting trips down the Arkansas river will provide Zapata guests with the ultimate in extreme adventure experiences.

Above: Get the chance to ride with Bison at Zapata Ranch in Colorado

For off-roading at its most extreme, head to the untamed natural environment of New Zealand for the Beaumont High Country Experience. A good level of fitness is recommended for the backcountry horseback riding over diverse, hilly terrain – whether it’s on full-day rides personally guided by a station owner, or week-long remote pack trips through the ranch against the backdrop of the Southland’s great mountains, where you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d just stepped into a scene from Lord of the Rings. For those preferring wheels to hooves on their guest ranch vacations, the excitement and adventure of four-wheeling in the high country awaits. Or if water sports are more up your street, travel to nearby Clifton for a thrilling jet boat adventure, crossing Lake Hauroko to the mouth of the Wairaurahiri River where you'll encounter some of the most intense and exciting white-water rapids New Zealand has to offer.

Above: Imagine you're in Lord of The Rings at Beaumont High Country Experience, New Zealand

While you’re ‘down under’, why not hop over to Australia for a Snowy River Horseback Adventure for a ranch vacation? With two to five-day treks across the snowy river countryside, Snowy River offers riding country that’s second to none, with each day in the saddle offering new adventure and diverse landscape to explore. This is no easy ride, however, and is certainly not for the fainthearted. Covering an average of 30 km each day, you’ll need to be riding fit; but the hard work will be worth it when you spot wildlife such as emu, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, echidna and deer, and herds of brumbies – Australian wild horses – along the way.

Above: Horseback adventures at Snowy River, Australia

If it’s remote wilderness you’re after, Rancho Los Baños ticks all the boxes – don’t expect to see a sign of civilisation for miles at this Mexican ranch. Safely located at the foot of the Sierra Madre in secure northeast Sonora, this travel destination is unlike anywhere else; a unique kind of guest ranch vacation catering to new-generation adventure travellers. The wilderness is comparable to the likes of Zion, Kenya and Tanzania, making for backcountry horseback riding you won’t find elsewhere. The vast, rugged and diverse land offers up a whole host of adventure pursuits, making for a 30,000-acre personal playground; whether it’s canyoneering or bouldering in the canyons, trekking in the rocky mountains, exploring the country by jeep, white-water rafting or a night-time safari, Los Baños guarantees a thrilling, challenging and fun-filled adventure.

Above: Landscape like no other at Los Banos Ranch in Mexico

For an equally remote adventure in the USA, Triple Creek Ranch’s Selway Wilderness Rides offer guests horseback riding in an area so secluded it cannot be reached except by airplane. A plane ride to the top of the Rocky Mountains in the Bitterroot National Forest brings guests to their horses and tack, ready to set off on rock ledge trails, across rivers and through fields, before fishing in pristine streams loaded with trout. Strictly for cowgirls, November sees ‘Klicks for Chicks’ – a 62-mile, women-only endurance ride. Venture into deep canyons, over mountain passes, past crystal clear lakes and through pristine meadows, to discover the last frontier of the Rocky Mountain West.

Triple Creek is located in the secluded Rocky Mountains

If the only thing that could drag you away on a ranch vacation are wild horses, then The Hideout Guest Ranch in Wyoming is the place to go. Home to a McCullough Peak wild Mustang herd, this luxury dude ranch offers the rare and unique opportunity to ride with wild horses. Says The Hideout’s manager, Peter De Cabooter: “Just last week, close to 50 wild horses came to circle the guests while we were out herding cows.” The Hideout, also a fully operational working ranch, has several Mustangs in its string of guest horses that head wrangler Ramon Castro has tamed and trained himself. Head to the ranch in September for The Hideout’s ‘Mustang Package’, and you can ride one of Ramon’s Mustangs to go exploring for the wild herd across the ranch, before attending the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Texas, in which Ramon himself will be competing. Horse riding holidays don’t come wilder than this!

Ride with wild horses at The Hideout Guest Ranch, Wyoming

Whether you head to one of Top50's dude ranch vacations, guest ranch vacations, working ranch vacations we know you'll have a great time. Or book a riding holiday estancia Argentina or a riding holiday, or to a working ranch in New Zealand, or go horse trekking in Australia, either way Top50 can help you find that ideal ranch experience.