Reservations
Rate your Riding Skills
The Relief Ride is a ride that involves 3-5 hours of riding a day. The ride has been designed in a way that allows riders to choose their riding pace. If you do not feel like matching the pace of the group, you are always free to ride alongside the caravan at a slower pace. If you feel like taking a break from riding, you are always welcome to ride in the support vehicle. The important things is to enjoy yourself and do good along the way!
Please be honest when you answer these questions. It is essential that we have an accurate portrait of your riding skill. Our Relief Ride leaders have full authority to suspend you from a Relief Ride if they feel you are either endangering yourself, your fellow riders, or your horse. Refunds will not be granted under these circumstances.
Please be prepared to answer the following questions.
•How often do you ride?
•How would you rate your abilities as a rider?
•Do you take riding lessons?
•Describe your level of physical fitness.
Beginner: A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
Novice: A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
Intermediate: A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
Strong Intermediate: An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
Advanced: All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handling a spirited horse in open country
"I experienced a profound connection to nature - from riding the spirited Marwari horses through the Thar desert; sitting around the campfires deepening relationships with nine former strangers; lying in a reflective peace in our paisley tents unraveling our particular places in the universe; participating in the inspiring and deeply moving visits to schools and hospitals to support the Rajasthani people.
India's magnificence is overwhelming."
Pamela Baker, Relief Rider
1. Complete a Relief Riders Reservation Form
Download the Relief Riders Reservation form and the Travel Agreement form by clicking here.
You will need to review the "Rate your Riding Skills" information on this page to complete the forms
2. Review the Payment Policy
Please read the payment policy below and secure your reservation with a deposit by check or pay now:
3. Mail your Reservation Forms
Complete and sign both documents, enclose your deposit check (or information about other form of payment) and return by mail to:
Relief Riders International
P.O. Box 615
Great Barrington, MA, 12030
Payment Policy
Payments can be made by personal checks or money orders. Bank to bank wire transactions are also possible for an additional fee of $35.
Deposits
Your deposit secures your reservation. Please understand that we are coordinating not only the trip details of lodging, horses, food etc. but also the purchase of relief supplies: time sensitive medical supplies, food, educational materials, and the herd of goats. These realities have shaped our deposit and refund policy.
If you reserve your trip 6 months prior to our departure date, we will require a deposit of 50% of the total ride fee. If space is available after the 45 day period, you may reserve your trip with payment in full.
Once we have received your deposit, we will send you all the necessary information regarding your trip: information on travel requirements and travel insurance, payment receipt and list of items you will need to bring on your trip.
Final Payment
All final payments are due 60 days before the departure date of our trip. We reserve the right to cancel any reservation that is not paid in full by that date.
Refund Policy
Please understand that because we must purchase non-returnable relief supplies in advance of our trips, we have developed a strict refund policy. We will refund 50% of your payment if your trip is cancelled before 50 days of our departure date. No refunds will be made to those who cancel trips after that date.
Single Supplement
All prices are per person based on double occupancy. We will make every effort to assign single travelers with a gender appropriate roommate. Should we be unable to do so due to having an odd number of riders on any of our rides- The single supplement fee payment will have to be paid for by the single traveler. For an additional fee you may choose single accommodations.
Travel Insurance
Relief Riders International has taken great care to design a ride that is in all its aspects safe and exciting. While it is not mandatory for you to purchase Travel Insurance, we strongly encourage that you do so.
Given the nature of the trip, Relief Ride participants may be exposed to unforeseen injuries while riding in India. We recommend you purchase a comprehensive international insurance plan.
Travelex Insurance policies cover trip cancellation, medical expenses due to accidents, emergency evacuation back to the United States, baggage loss, and expenses due to air travel delays.
The cost of Travelex insurance is based on the insured's age and the cost of the trip. Travelex insurance is only available for people living in the United States. For more information about their coverage, please call their customer service hotline at 1-800-228-9792.
If you are calling Travelex for insurance coverage for our trips, please be sure to refer to our Relief Riders International location number: 21-0022.
Responsibilities of Ride Participants
Relief Ride participants have certain responsibilities to Relief Riders International and to their fellow riders. Participants are responsible for understanding the requirements of the ride, for accurately assessing their capabilities and limitations concerning their riding abilities and physical fitness. Participants with medical problems or special dietary needs are responsible for Relief Riders International of these issues well in advance of the trip.
For the protection of all participants, the ride leader reserves the right to prevent anyone from riding who displays insufficient ability, or whose behavior endangers the safety of other riders, themselves, or the horses. No refund will be made to a participant who is rejected for any such reason, or who is unwilling or unable to complete a tour. Unfortunately, we must purchase non-returnable relief supplies well in advance of our trips. Therefore, no refunds will be made to those who cancel trips within the 30 days prior to the beginning date of a tour they have signed on to.
Participants are responsible for arranging travel to and from the ride's meeting point, for carrying valid travel documents, and for obtaining immunizations appropriate to the destination. Participants are also responsible for understanding what is and is not included in the price as outlined in the detailed ride itineraries.
Anyone who does not want pictures of themselves to be used in promotional materials should notify Relief Riders International accordingly.
Limitations of Liability
Relief Riders International is not responsible for airline accidents or delays, loss of luggage, or medical or customs regulations. If a ride is canceled at any time for a reason beyond Relief Riders International's control, we will refund only the amount the participant has paid to Relief Riders International. Relief Riders International will defer to our outfitters' judgment and decision to alter a ride itinerary due to unforeseeable circumstances.
