Progressive ride in 6 days riding. Trip on horseback crossing Avila province to Salamanca province, on Wednesday to the medieval picturesque town of Candelario in Sierra de Bejar continue to Salamanca town with a visit to the world Heritage site by UNESCO the last day.
This is a progressive ride in 6 days riding from the Gredos Mountains to Salamanca. The riding is varied in pace and scenery taking you through changing landscapes, vegetation and local village building traditions.
Salamanca, town of the culture, is probably best known for having the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe.
This charming town untouched in its architectural purity has been declared world heritage site by UNESCO.
The ride to Salamanca starts in Navarredonda de Gredos and progresses to the West and then North to Salamanca. We will ride in the area of Sierra de Candelario and Sierra de Bejar a very lush area with its microclimate, then following the Tormes River further North. The predominant landscape is holm oak woods and pastures where we can see black bulls.
The ride finishes in Alba de Tormes.
The peace of riding is moderated with walk, trots and canters every day. Usually, when the terrain allows for a safe canter, we canter. In the mountains, in many areas the terrain does not allow for trotting or cantering so we enjoy walking with breathtaking views around.
LEVEL OF RIDING
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group and in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. On the rides you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
GUIDE
Every ride is personally guided by the experienced Emilio, with an experience over 30 years as equestrian guide he is a terrific guide. Emilio is expert rider and has a special ability to match his horses with riders. He is leading the groups with his confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride, you will always feel very safe. He is English speaker.
HORSES
Excellent PRE horses, Hispano-Arabs, born at home, very much loved, very well trained, beautifully looked after and good natured, very easy to ride. They are all well fed and in great riding shape.
TACK
We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
HELMET
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
Day 1 MADRID – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Navarredonda de Gredos, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
Day 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS-ANGOSTURA DE TORMES
Distribution of horses. Following the Tormes River at the bottom of the valley with beautiful views of Gredos Mountains, lunch at the countryside with luxury pic-nic, riding in the afternoon downhill to Angostura de Tormes, where the horses spend the night, transfer to El Barco de Ávila for night and dinner in 4* hotel for 2 nights. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 3 ANGOSTURA DE TORMES –EL BARCO DE AVILA-BECEDAS
Departure after breakfast we will go through the cattle trail to Barco de Avila, a medieval village from 12th century with a roman bridge and castle. Lunch beside the bridge over the Tormes river with beautiful views to the medieval castle. In the afternoon riding to Sierra de Bejar and Becedas, the last village in Avila province, where the horses spend the night. We transfer the riders to El Barco de Ávila. Time on the saddle 7 hours.
Day 4 BECEDAS-CANDELARIO
This day is short (half day) from Becedas to Candelario we will go through villages of peculiar feature.
Afternoon free to visit Candelario, a picturesque village, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The church, walk up the steep streets and walk along the channels that collect water from the mountains, magnificent examples of architecture.
Dinner and night at charming rural Inn “Artesa”, in the center of the town. Accommodation and an excellent restaurant where you can taste the most traditional Castilian cuisine. Time on the saddle 4 hours.
Day 5 CANDELARIO-NEILA DE SAN MIGUEL-GUIJO DE AVILA
Northward to Salamanca through Puerto de la Hoya, we will get Neila de San Miguel and stop for tapas-break at very special church. Lunch at Medinilla. In the afternoon the landscape is open and flat and we will reach the Occidental Cañada Soriana, one of the main paths in Medieval Spain.
We will spend the night at Guijo de Avila at a rural complex in very comfortable cabins, with nice views of the Tormes River. Time on the saddle 6 ½ hours.
Day 6 GUIJO DE AVILA – HORCAJO MEDIANERO
We will cross the Tormes River by Santa Teresa´s dam, a huge water reservoir. We will ride all day through the Dehesas of Salamanca with holm oaks woods, bulls, and black Iberian pigs. Lunch by small river. In the afternoon funny canters through the Dehesa and holm oaks to Horcajo Medianero. Night and dinner at monastery of Valdejimena with horses very close to us. You stay in a very special place, a chapel, and then you might have to share a bathroom. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
Day 7 HORCAJO MEDIANERO – ALBA DE TORMES
This day is a half day riding in morning along the Eastern lands of the province with beautiful and clear horizons bathed by waters of the Tormes River, lunch near Alba de Tormes. The history of Alba de Tormes is linked to Santa Teresa´s life and death, where the body rests in one of the convents. This is the end of the ride. Time on the saddle 4 hours.
The horses travel back home by truck and we transfer riders to Salamanca town, 20 min driving.
In the afternoon you can walk along the streets of this historical town, world heritage by UNESCO, visit the most important monuments, The Plaza Mayor with its arcades is particularly impressive. Dinner at a restaurant located at the Plaza Mayor. Night in the heart of Salamanca at a 4* hotel.
Day 8 SALAMANCA– MADRID
After breakfast, departure from Salamanca at 10 pm, on time for flights, departing Madrid after 2 pm. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive at Madrid before noon, we can arrange transfer (at extra cost).
ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
Please get in touch with us for any further information
The accommodation and the customer attention in every aspect of the rides is all to an excellent standard.
The accommodation along the way varies from charming rural Inn in villages to delightful 4* hotels in El Barco de Ávila and in Salamanca town. All rooms have private bathrooms (not at the monastery day 6, you stay in a very special place, a chapel, and then you might have to share a bathroom for one night). Every of them very clean and comfortable.
Single rooms are possible on request with a single supplement.
The food is one of the highlight of this trip, Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you in any unexpected place with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. Lunchtime is relaxing and social affair with delicious home cooked Spanish dishes as Paella, Tortilla Española, bbq, salads, etc. followed by a siesta in the peaceful countryside.
After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you have a choice from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes, your dinner is at your guesthouse accommodation. All the drinks are included during the meals, excellent Spanish red and white wines, beer, canned drinks and water.
There is Wi-Fi in every place we stay and is for free, not at the monastery on the 6th day.
There are towels, shampoo and liquid soap in each room and in some places they have hair driers.
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
The accommodation has been carefully chosen by us, due to the quality and also for the place for horses, they will rest in a field next to the hotel, when is possible.
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and also to move your luggage, so you have access to your luggage during the day at least 3 times or when is necessary. The service along the rides is outstanding.
| RIDE | DATES – 2023 | DAYS RIDING | PRICE – 2023 | |
| TWIN ROOM | SINGLE SUP | |||
| GREDOS-SALAMANCA RIDE | SEPT 03-10 | 6 | 1,930 € | 175 € |
THE PRICE 2023 INCLUDES
The price is per person and includes: all transfers from/to the meeting point (MADRID AIRPORT), all meals from the welcome dinner on the first day to the breakfast on the last day, white and red wine, water, beer, canned drinks with lunch and dinner, accommodation in twin bedded rooms with privet bathroom, riding, horses, tack, English speaking guide, luggage transport and excursions described in itinerary. All to an excellent standard.
NOT INCLUDED
International flights, single supplement, alcoholic drinks other than wine with dinner, massages, items of a personal nature and gratuities.
MEETING POINT?
The meeting point is Madrid Airport for all the itineraries. Emilio, Mamen or both will do personally the transfer. Telephone number in case of delay: +34 635 433 079 (Emilio)/ +34 609 833 783 (Mamen)
MEETING TIME?
The meeting time is at 3:00 pm, so please flights not after 2 pm. The transfer Madrid airport –Navarredonda is included. The transfer from Madrid airport to Navarredonda is about 2 hour.
The transfer back to the airport on the last day from Salamanca will be at 10 to be at the airport about 12 pm, so please flights not before 2 pm.
All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs a different transfer we can arrange transfer at extra cost.
TRIP LENGTH?
The Gredos-Salamanca itinerary is 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days riding from Sunday to Sunday. The length of the ride it is around 180 km
WEITGH LIMIT?
90 Kgs / 198 Lbs.
NUMBER OF RIDERS?
Min 4 to Max usually 10
NON RIDERS?
The ride is suitable for non-riding companions; they can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish can rent a car in Madrid too. They can move in their own and join the group for dinner.
LEVEL OF RIDING?
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. On the rides you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
WHAT I NEED TO BRING?
We recommend you to check the weather forecast before coming, always is important to bring sunglasses, sun cream, a rain coat, swimsuit and towel in summer for swimming in the mountain rivers.
WHAT TYPE OF TACK?
We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
DO I NEED TO WEAR HELMET?
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
It is a condition of your booking that you take out a travel insurance covering you for all medical expenses, injury, cancellation, baggage and personal effects for the entire duration of your trip at the time of booking.
If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.
WI-FI?
There is Wi-Fi in every accommodation we spend the nights and is for free.
AGE LIMIT?
There is not an upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy, keep in mind we are long hours on the saddle for 4 to 7 hours a day. Minimum riding age is 10 years old, competent riders, accompanied by an adult.
WHEN CAN I RIDE WITH YOU?
We are opened all year round, so it is possible riding with us in Gredos or in Extremadura all around the year.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COME?
In Gredos we offer the best ride dates, allowing you to admire Gredos at its best depending on the time of year: spring, with the famous broom in bloom, summer with opportunities for swimming at lunch stops and the autumn with the colorful rides.
DO YOU CATER FOR SPECIAL DIET?
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
The climate is dry Continental weather. Springs soft temperatures around 18ºc with sunny and cloudy days, excellent time to ride. Summers are dry, sunny, temperature during the day around 25º, 28ºc good for pic nics beside the rivers and swimming.
Autumn usually Sept, Oct, are months with temperatures around 18ºc, sunny and cloudy excellent time to ride in Gredos.
The temperatures in the night are lower in spring and autumn, but the hotels are comfortable and central heating. Not humidity area and not mosquitoes either.
