We GUARANTEE you won't find the same horse riding holiday at a lower price through any other source... and if you do, we promise to refund the difference!
from £815 or €925
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We can also facilitate non riders on these trips, please contact us for non-riding rates which are slightly lower.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
Included – All riding, full board accommodation, aperitifs, wine and beer at mealtimes and transfers.
Excluded – Flights & tips.
Getting There
International flight to Barajas airport, Madrid.
Transfer
The transfer is included in the price, and you will be picked up no later than 3pm at the airport. On departure you will be dropped off at the airport midday.
Remember our Horse Riding Holidays GUARANTEE. You won’t find these Horse Riding Holidays (or any of our Horse Riding Holidays) at a lower price through any other source… and if you do, we will refund the difference.
Choose your currency
We can also facilitate non riders on these trips, please contact us for non-riding rates which are slightly lower.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
Included – All riding, full board accommodation, aperitifs, wine and beer at mealtimes and transfers.
Excluded – Flights & tips.
Getting There
International flight to Barajas airport, Madrid.
Transfer
The transfer is included in the price, and you will be picked up no later than 3pm at the airport. On departure you will be dropped off at the airport midday.
Remember our Horse Riding Holidays GUARANTEE. You won’t find these Horse Riding Holidays (or any of our Horse Riding Holidays) at a lower price through any other source… and if you do, we will refund the difference.
Join Emilio Rodriguez as your local guide on a Spanish riding holiday of a lifetime through the stunning Extremadura region of central Spain, 3 hours’ drive west of Madrid. He’s an expert horseman originally from this area, who has ridden all over the world and uses sympathetic techniques to train his herd of beautiful Andalucian and Hispano-Arab horses. You’ll find them happy, confident and forward going mounts, that enjoy their work and are thoroughly adored by their owner. His partner Mamen brings up the rear and makes sure you are very well fed and watered throughout, her picnic tables are legendary and a welcome sight at the end of long morning riding.
There are a variety of different moving trail rides available in the Extremadura region which are nothing short of beautiful and you’ll enjoy a mix of pace, including lots of cantering. Lunchtimes are joyous, with tasty picnics offering fresh baked bread with local cheese and hams. In the late afternoons after crossing through rivers and riding through villages, you’ll arrive at your very comfortable, locally owned hotels and enjoy a typical Castilian dinner, accompanied by great Spanish wines.
Horses – Andalusians and Hispanic Arabs, which Emilio has bred himself, broken and trained. They range in size from 15.2hh to 16.2hh.
Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate to Advanced.
Tack – English saddles, with leather seat savers and mostly snaffle and rubber pelhams.
Weight Restriction – 14 stone / 198 lb / 90 kg.
Group Size – Maximum 8.
There’s a real mix of accommodation, some are rustic guest houses and others luxurious hotels. All of them offer really comfortable rooms with ensuite, a warm welcome and great Castilian food.
Horse Riding Holidays like our Gredos riding holidays are part of the Zara’s Planet collection of Horse Riding Holidays Spain.
Please Ask About
All above ride itineraries are available in full on request.
Conquistadors – Villuercas Geopark
A progressive ride in 5 days riding from the lovely town of Trujillo following East direction to the Villuercas Geopark (UNESCO), getting picturesque villages in the Villuercas Mountains as Berzocana and Cañamero, coming back to Trujillo through the gorgeous landscape of Dehesa, holm and cork oaks woods and pastures, the most emblematic landscape in Extremadura.
Day 1
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Trujillo, 2.5 hours’ drive. Time to visit to the spectacular town of Trujillo before welcome dinner at the hotel with us where we learn about the ride and region on the map.
Day 2
Transfer from Trujillo to Herguijuela. Distribution of horses. It is an easy day, is time to meet the horses. Riding through the Dehesa, the Mediterranean forest, the habitat most similar covered Extremadura thousands of years ago. Comfortable lunch in the countryside with excellent paella, cooked by us at the spot, good wines, salad, fresh fruit and coffee or tea with chocolate and biscuit. After lunch short afternoon to Garciaz where the horses spend the night, no accommodation for riders so, transfer (15 min) to Madroñera. Night and dinner at small and beautiful rural hotel. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 3
Beautiful views of the best-preserved Mediterranean forests. The dominant species are the evergreen oaks, the holm or cork oaks and the deciduous oaks. Comfortable lunch in the countryside, always with starters, main course, salad, fresh fruit, coffee or tea with chocolate and biscuit; good wines, beer, refreshment, the cool box is always open to everyone. Afternoon with magnificent views of the Sierra de las Villuercas, we get the Villuercas mountains in Berzocana, a beautiful small village in the mountains. Night and dinner at very nice rural hotel with spectacular sunsets over the Villuercas Geopark, time on the saddle 7 hours.
Day 4
We can enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas landscape, from the top of the mountains, with great mountainous views all around 360º. On any day riding we can observe Vultures, Eagles, Azure-winged Magpies, Red-billed Choughs, Shrikes and Ravens. Villuercas has been declared Geopark (UNESCO, 2011) because of its Cultural and Natural Heritage and, of course, the great geological value of its relief, with a lot of interesting and visible geological elements. Very rural region, fields with stone walls. Comfortable Lunch in the countryside. Afternoon with good canters. Night and dinner at nice rural hotel, time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 5
Good trots and canters in the morning by the Dehesa. Cattle can be seen everywhere, cows, sheep, goats and Iberic pigs. They still live in a way which is reminiscent of bygone days. After the luxury pic-nic, in the afternoon, good canters to Zorita. Dinner at local restaurant, night at rural Inn. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 6
We will ride in Dehesa Extremeña with good and long trots and canters to return to the beginning of the ride. After the lunch in the countryside, short afternoon to the horse’s place. Time in the afternoon to visit Trujillo town. Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel, departure from Trujillo at 10 a.m., to be at Madrid Airport about 12.30 p.m. so, please flights not before 2 p.m. All riders will be transferred at the same time, if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid before, all riders depart earlier, or we can arrange special transfer at extra cost.
Conquistadors – Extremadura Treasures
A stationary ride 5 days riding with 2 days on a mini trail and visits to Mérida and Cáceres, World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The trail is based in the lovely town of Trujillo and during your stay you will enjoy 2 very interesting visits to the most important towns in Extremadura: CÁCERES and MÉRIDA, both World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Mérida is a real spectacle, with its complex that includes the Roman theatre and amphitheatre built in 8 BC. Cáceres which medieval centre is a UNESCO world heritage site, delimited by Arab walls, cobbled medieval streets, fortified homes and Renaissance palaces.
Day 1
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Trujillo, 2.5 hours’ drive. Once accommodated in your hotel for the week, welcome dinner with your hosts where we learn about the ride and region on the map.
The order of the days can be flexible but during your stay you will have:
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, horses are already tack up, ready to go! we mount up for a lovely ride along the ancient cattle paths between fields and green pastures with carpets of wildflowers. Riding in the surroundings of Trujillo with great views of skyline of the historical town through the quiet paths with stone walls that make you move in time hundreds of years in the area called “Berrocal de Trujillo”.
After the luxury picnic with good local wines (Extremadura red wine is excellent and almost unobtainable anywhere else), in the afternoon, visit to Mérida (45-min drive from Trujillo).
Mérida is a real spectacle, with its complex that includes the Roman theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge cross the river Guadiana. Mérida was founded by the Romans in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, the capital of the Roman province Lusitania, one of the most important towns in Iberia. This afternoon you could visit the historic town and the Roman theatre during a couple of hours. There are audio guides available (not included tickets to Museums and Monuments, guided visits or drinks/snacks in bars). Dinner and night in Trujillo.
Day 3
Today you get to ride through these ancient Mediterranean Forests, with beautiful views, open landscape. In the afternoon, you will ride in the Dehesa and alongside olive trees and vineyards lined by stone walls. Good red and white local wines. After lunch, you will ride for a further two hours in the afternoon, getting the Finca at time to have a relaxing break before your dinner. Finca Santa Marta is a former olive oil mill which was converted into a country inn, situated in the heart of the outstanding natural landscape of the Extremadura Dehesa, with swimming pool and olive grove, still possible to visit the old olive oil mill.
Day 4
Good trots and canters in the morning by open natural landscape. Natural landscape and cattle can be seen everywhere, cows, sheep, goats and Iberic pigs. They still live in a way which is reminiscent of bygone days. After the luxury picnic, in the afternoon, good canters to Trujillo. Dinner and night in Trujillo.
Day 5
This day the riding will be in the morning, with beautiful views of the best-preserved Mediterranean forests. Rolling hectares of holm oaks, the classic landscape in Extremadura “Dehesa”. Comfortable lunch in the countryside, with starters, main course, salad, fresh fruit, coffee or tea with chocolate and biscuit; good wines. In afternoon transfer to Cáceres for a visit to this historical World heritage site by UNESCO. Dinner and night in Trujillo.
The Old Town of Cáceres, just a 30-min drive from Trujillo, is a World Heritage site and every corner is full of charm. The Old Town is a wonderful medieval and renaissance complex full of history and palaces. This afternoon you will visit Cáceres for a couple of hours (not included tickets to Museums and Monuments, guided visits or drinks/snacks in bars). Visiting Trujillo and Cáceres feels you have stepped back in time or in the middle of a medieval movie. And it’s for this very reason that Game of Thrones chose Cáceres and Trujillo as a filming location!
Day 6
After breakfast at the hotel, horses already tack up ready to go! We mount up for a lovely ride along open natural landscape. Green open spaces and cattle can be seen everywhere. Lovely picnic lunch with an excellent paella cooked at the spot with good wines. Time in the afternoon to visit Trujillo, very historic town with a mix of cultures, still exist Roman remains from the Roman town, on the top of the town there is an spectacular Castle founded in the 10th century by Arabs, in the main square many beautiful palaces built by Spanish Conquistadors during the 16th-century and the equestrian statue of Pizarro. Many storks, eagles, swallows can be seen circling the nests on the roof of the churches and palaces in the Plaza Mayor, very good atmosphere. There are also two museums – Casa-Museo de Pizarro and Centro de Visitantes Los Descubridores (not included tickets to Museums and Monuments, guided visits or drinks/snacks in bars). Ideal way to discover this lovely town of Extremadura, which invites you to explore its cobbled streets on foot. Night and dinner at beautiful hotel.
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel, departure from Trujillo at 10 a.m., to be at Madrid Airport about 1 p.m. so, please flights not before 3 p.m. All riders will be transferred at the same time, if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid before, all riders depart earlier, or we can arrange special transfer at extra cost.
Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery Ride
This ride starts in Trujillo and finishes in Guadalupe town, world heritage site by UNESCO with the impressive Monastery of Guadalupe from 14th century.
Day 1
Meeting point at Madrid Airport, transfer to Trujillo, welcome dinner at the hotel where we learn about the ride and region on the map.
Day 2
Transfer to our place. Distribution of horses. Riding through the “Dehesa”, cultural landscape exclusive of southern and central Spain. Dehesa is a multifunctional agrosylvopastoral system (a type of agroforestry). Used primarily for grazing, they produce a variety of products including non-timber forest products such as wild game, mushrooms, honey, cork, and firewood. The tree component is oaks, usually holm (Quercus ilex) and cork (Quercus Suber). Dehesa is an anthropogenic system that provides not only a variety of foods, but also wildlife habitat for endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial eagle. Short afternoon through flat terrain to Madroñera, night and dinner in rural hotel, time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 3
Departure after breakfast, we ride by the cattle trail to Zorita. Beautiful riding in the morning with opportunity for good canters through the Dehesa where cattle can be seen everywhere: local cows, sheep, goats and Iberic pigs. Lovely picnic in the countryside, riding in the afternoon to Zorita. Dinner and night at rural Inn. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 4
A lovely day riding following the greenway, an old railway built in the 20s that due to the Spanish Civil War was never finished. Along the greenway, we will see objects and buildings that remind us that there would have been a railway. During the ride we can enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas Mountains landscape (Geopark by UNESCO). Dinner and night at rural hotel in the countryside. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 5
Departure after breakfast, we will go through the vineyard in Cañamero, famous in Spain for good wines and olives groves. Here the landscape changes to the beauty of Villuercas mountains, we can see Ruecas river canyons. We will follow the greenway. Dinner and night at rural hotel. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 6
This day is a short day from Cañamero to Guadalupe we will go through the Cañada Real. We can enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas landscape. On any day we can observe Vultures, Eagles, Azure-winged Magpies, Red-billed Choughs, Shrikes and Ravens. Villuercas has been declared Geopark (UNESCO, 2011) because of its Cultural and Natural Heritage and, of course, the great geological value of its relief, with a lot of interesting and visible geological elements. Comfortable Lunch in the countryside, time on the saddle 4 hours.
Evening to visit Guadalupe town and the Monastery. Dinner and night at Guadalupe Monastery Hotel. The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe is at a location of great beauty, overlooking a valley surrounded by high mountains (Villuercas). The town of Guadalupe, built around the Monastery, whose foundation on 1337, offers in its buildings a unique style with a traditional architecture.
Day 7
After breakfast, departure from Guadalupe at 10 pm, on time for flights. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid before, all riders depart earlier, or we can arrange transfer (at extra cost).
Monfrague National Park Ride
Progressive ride in 5 days riding, from the lovely town of Trujillo following North direction to the Monfragüe National Park, the largest and best-preserved Mediterranean forest worldwide.
The Monfragüe National Park is a wonderful place to visit for Mediterranean flora and ornithology. Located close to Trujillo, with the Tajo River running through it, the Monfragüe National Park is unique; it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2003.
Day 1
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Trujillo, 2,5 hours’ drive. Time to visit to the spectacular town of Trujillo before welcome dinner at the hotel with us where we learn about the ride and region on the map.
Day 2
Transfer to the horses (5 minutes). Distribution of horses. Easy day riding, time to meet your horse, in the morning riding through open landscape with beautiful views of Trujillo town. It is possible to see bulls, sheep, goats, in freedom in the countryside, when we go riding through the “Cañada Real Puerto de Miravete”. On this trip, “Monfragüe National Park” we will ride through the “Cañadas reales”, Spanish medieval network of paths for cattle movement, 75 m wide, perfect for riding. Short afternoon to Jaraicejo, very nice medieval village in the National Park, night and dinner in rural hotel, time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 3
Departure after breakfast, we ride by the cattle trail to Torrejón el Rubio. Good trots and canters in the morning through the Dehesa. Another luxury pic-nic is waiting for us in a beautiful spot in our way. In the afternoon, riding with great views of Sierra de Gredos in front of us. Dinner and night at beautiful 4* hotel with SPA and swimming pool, where we spend 2 nights. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 4
Departure after breakfast, we will go through the National Park to Salto del Gitano, we cross the maximum protection area of the park, the National Park Reserve, for that we need special authorization. We get the highest place in the Sierra de las Corchuelas, surrounded by oaks, unique and incomparable views to enjoy peace and pure nature. We can see Tajo River canyons. Lunch beside the river Tajo and after lunch time to visit the cliff “Salto del Gitano” to admire the black storks, vultures, Egyptian vultures and imperial eagles just a few of the many birds that nest in the “Salto del Gitano”. Come back to Torrejón el Rubio, same hotel than previous night. Dinner at 4* hotel. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 5
This day is a beautiful day from Torrejón el Rubio to Aldea del Obispo, we will ride through the “Cañada Real”. Lunch beside the Almonte river, amazing enclave where the Cañada Real cross the river by another beautiful medieval bridge. After lunch riding to Aldea del Ovispo. Dinner and night at lovely country house. Time on the saddle 7 hours.
Day 6
This is a short day from Aldea del Obispo to the beginning of the ride in Trujillo, we will ride through the “Cañada Real”. Fantastic lunch with paellain our base with magnificent views of Trujillo town to say goodbye to our wonderful. Time in the afternoon to visit Trujillo. Farewell diner in Trujillo main square with your hosts. Time on the saddle 3 hours.
Day 7
After breakfast, departure from Trujillo at 10 a.m., on time for flights. Transfer is 2,5 h, so please flights not before 2 p.m. All riders will be transferred at the same time, if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid before, we can arrange transfer at extra cost.
North Transhumance Ride & South Transhumance Ride
The transhumance trail on horseback from Extremadura to Gredos Mountains in spring (North Transhumance ride) and from Gredos to Extremadura in autumn (South Transhumance ride) follows the Cañadas Reales, medieval cattle droves, north direction to Sierra de Gredos, crossing different regions and riding a long distance from the winter pastures in Extremadura to the summer pastures in Gredos Mountains and vice versa in the autumn.
Day 1
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Trujillo, 2,5 hours’ drive. Time to visit to the spectacular town of Trujillo before welcome dinner at the hotel with us where we learn about the Transhumance on the map.
Day 2
Transfer from the hotel in Trujillo to the horses’ base (5 min), distribution of horses. Riding through the “Cañada Real”, Lunch in the countryside with excellent paella cooked by us at the spot. In the afternoon beautiful riding crossing Almonte river with its impressive medieval bridge to Jaraicejo. Night and dinner in very nice rural Inn, time on the saddle 5 hours.
Day 3
Departure after breakfast, we ride in the morning in opened countryside trough Dehesas and beautiful landscape. Good trots and canters in the morning. Lunch in the countryside. In the afternoon a short ride to Casas de Miravete, a small village in a spectacular enclave in the Monfrague National Park. Dinner at local bar with good local food and overnight at rural Inn. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 4
Riding in the morning along the “Cañada Real”, with impressive views of Sierra the Gredos in front of us. Crossing the Albalat Bridge (16th century) over the Tagus River, one of the important public works built during the reign of His Catholic Majesty Charles I of Spain and V of Germany with a great shield in relief of Emperor Charles with the double eagle. Pic-nic by the Tagus River reservoir water. Riding in the afternoon to Navalmoral de la Mata. Dinner and night at small hotel. Time on the saddle 7 hours.
Day 5
Departure after breakfast, we follow the Cañada Real in a flatter area with good trots and canters. Here the Cañada has an unusual wide of 200m. Horses spend the night at Las Ventas de San Julian, transfer for dinner and night at amazing “Parador de Oropesa”, a medieval castle restored and converted into a luxury and magical 4* hotel (dinner “a le carte”, drinks not included). Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 6
Departure after breakfast, we continue following the Cañada Real, here the landscape changes, we ride along the reservoir water close to Navalcan with beautiful views of the Gredos Mountains. Dinner and night at lovely rural Inn in Navalcán. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 7
This day is a beautiful day from Navalcán to Mombeltrán, this day we change the Cañada to take another Cañada to go to the Gredos Mountains. Beautiful views, Toledo province is left, and we cross to Avila province in Castilla y Leon. Dinner and night at hotel in Mombeltrán.
Day 8
After breakfast we start to climb the Roman Road with more than two thousand years old, very well preserved. It was used for the Roman armies and the transport of metals crossing the Sierra de Gredos through the abrupt mountain pass Puerto del Pico. Later on, it worked as cattle drove in the medieval time, despite the passage of centuries, is still in good condition. We ride on the Roman road up the mountains with amazing views, crossing the picturesque mountain village. Cuevas del Valle.
When we get the Puerto del Pico, at the end of the Roman road, the landscape change very much, beautiful mountainous landscape. Lunch at local restaurant at Puerto del Pico, after lunch riding in very different landscape, green mountain pastures with stone walls and the highest peaks of Gredos in front of us to finish the amazing horse-riding trip.
Day 9
Breakfast at hotel, departure from Navarredonda de Gredos at 10 a.m., to be at Madrid Airport about 12.30 p.m. so, please flights not before 2 p.m. All riders will be transferred at the same time, if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid before, we can arrange special transfer at extra cost.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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