There’s no place like Kansas

This year it’s Kansas’ Sesquicentennial, a celebration of 150 years of statehood. To mark the milestone, Ranch Rider is offering discounted stays at the Moore Working Ranch, located just 45-minutes south west of historic Dodge City. Recently named as one of the “top ten western towns,” Wyatt Earp once walked its streets, the Boot Hill museum (built on the original location of the infamous Boot Hill cemetery), filled with over 20,000 artifacts.

Situated in a region where the legend of the drover has reached almost mythical proportions, at the Moore Working Ranch opportunities to round up and drive the herd are endless, the real cowboys teaching guests how to rope steers and even break young colts. Owning over 300 longhorns, the ranch has stayed true to its past, as between 1875 and 1885 more than 2.5 million of these famed cattle were trailed from Texas into Dodge City. Team penning and barrel racing are popular horseback games, and the wide-open prairies, rolling hills and rocky terrain make for a challenging ride. 7-nights only £795pp (save £200pp) no single supplement, including accommodation, all meals, ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes transfers £105pp and return flight from £689pp. Offer valid on all July and August stays.

Happening only once every five years, the Moore Ranch also runs an 80-mile cattle drive to Medicine Lodge. Guests can enjoy coffee brewed over the open fire before trailing the longhorn cows through the scenic Gypsum Hills and across the mid grass prairies. A chuckwagon always joins the ride, the hearty western fare at the end of the trail cooked in traditional dutch ovens. An experience that mirrors that of the pioneering drovers, cowhands have the option to stretch out on a bedroll under the star filled skies or sleep in a teepee. 8-nights £1,595pp (no single supplement) including accommodation, all meals, ranch activities, taxes, gratuities, horse, tack and equipment. Excludes transfers £105pp and return flight from £689pp. Departing 10 September.

In addition, Ranch Rider features several self-drive itineraries in its portfolio, allowing visitors to see more of the Sunflower State. Starting in Kansas City and ending in Lawrence, the “Contemporary Cowboy” tour includes stops in Abilene, host of the Central Kansas Free Fair from 03-09 August, one of the top five large outdoor rodeos in the US; and Wichita, the now bustling metropolis still paying homage to its western roots at the Old Cowtown Museum. Topeka is another major highlight, the state capital home to the Kansas Museum of History, which is currently featuring a celebratory sesquicentennial exhibit entitled “150 Things I love About Kansas”. A visit to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (the only unit of the National Park System dedicated to this environment), has also been incorporated, before reaching Lawrence, rated among the top fifteen in The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America. 7-night Contemporary Cowboy self drive from £450pp (two sharing) including accommodation and car hire. Return flight from £689pp

For more information:-
Ranch Rider; 01509 618811; info@ranchrider.com; www.ranchrider.com. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
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