Progressive trail ride in 5 days of riding. From Sunday to Saturday 7 days/ 6 nights/ 5 days riding
This is a great ride which combines great riding along the Natural Park of Sierra de Gredos, through the Tormes, Alberche and Corneja river valleys ending with a half day spent in spectacular Salamanca town what will allow you to visit this historic town, which dates 2,700 years back with a great mix of cultures. Salamanca is one of the World Heritage Cities of Spain.
Ride up and down slopes of oak and pines trees; crossing rivers of crystalline waters; nice canters across pastures and open fields along Salamanca province. The small villages along the trail with their beautiful architecture (medieval villages, churches and castles), their traditions in this remote part of Spain with a unique character.
Vast landscapes with unspoilt and well preserve nature, remote Castilian medieval villages, delicious tapas and alfresco lunches, charming hotels, and the end in Salamanca town… a lot of reasons make this new itinerary a great destination for riding holidays in Spain!
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 1º MADRID –NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Sierra de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Your hosts will invite you for a welcome drink in Avila. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos. The hotel has a small Spa, it is possible to arrange a session in the evening before dinner on the first 2 days.
DAY 2º NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS- NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES
Distribution of horses. Will be a short and comfortable day, is time to meet the horses, riding through the Tormes valley and pine forest, open fields with great views of Gredos Mountains. Al fresco lunch with an excellent paella served on table clothes and chairs, cooked at the spot, beside the river Tormes where is possible swimming in summer and autumn. Short afternoon to Navacepeda de Tormes. Transfer to the previous hotel as there is not accommodation in this village. Night and dinner at the hotel. Time in the saddle 4-5 h
DAY 3º NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES-NAVACEPEDILLA DE CORNEJA
A day with great contrasts in the landscape riding along 3 different valleys. The ride will start in the valley of the Tormes River, open flat valley until you reach the tapas break, exquisite tapas and drinks appear around the corner, just when a break is needed! In this moment you will have stunning views of Gredos Mountains. You will follow to the Alberche river valley descending to San Martin de la Vega. up to the Puerto de Chia (about 1,800m altitude) for a panoramic view of the Corneja Valley on one side, and the Alberche River on the other. Stop for lunch another of our gourmet lunches served al fresco on table clothes and chairs in stunning surroundings. In the afternoon you will follow a Roman road descending to Navacepedilla de Corneja. where the horses and clients will spend the night in a charming rural hotel.
Time in the saddle about 6-7 h.
DAY 4º NAVACEPEDILLA DE CORNEJA –EL MIRÓN
From Navacepedilla we descent following the Corneja river since its source to more open valley, crossing. In the morning we lead the horses down hill for 20 minutes.
After the tapas break, we ride down to Bonilla de la Sierra, medieval village with a castle has three wall sections and three turrets of different styles and origins. The main part of the castle was formed by the Tower of Homage, of the 14th century, it has matacanes and round arches, and under the tower is the main yard and the rooms. The castle contains 14th-century paintings.
It was the resting place of the prelates of the Ávila bishopric, and held important episcopal synods, as the one in 1384. Bishop Sancho Dávila had a wall built around the village in the 14th century. Lunch by the village.
Nice afternoon with canters along the flat Corneja valley and the great views from the Castle of El Mirón from where you can see a great view of the landscape of the area to end a fantastic day
Time in the saddle about 6-7 hours.
DAY 5º EL MIRÓN- HORCAJO MEDIANERO
We will ride all day through the Dehesas of Salamanca with holm oaks woods, bulls, and black Iberian pigs. Excellent lunch with a taste of Iberian pork in the countrside. In the afternoon funny canters through the Dehesa and holm oaks to Horcajo Medianero. Horses will spend the night in the fields of monastery of Valdejimena, a magical place. Dinner at night at hotel in the village. Time on the saddle about 6 hours.
DAY 6º HORCAJO MEDIANERO- NAVALES-SALAMANCA
After breakfast you will meet the horses for your final day of riding. This day is a half day of riding in the 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 in Navales. 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. Time in the afternoon to visit Salamanca (WHS by Unesco). 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 hotel.
DAY 7º SALAMANCA- MADRID AIRPORT – Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10 am. To be at Madrid airport at 12 pm. End of the trip. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to 12pm, an alternative transfer can be arranged (at an extra cost).
ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
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 boutique hotels in Gredos, charming rural Inn in villages to delightful 4* hotels in El Barco de Ávila and confortable hotel in the center of Salamanca town. All rooms have private bathrooms. 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.
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 – 2024 | DAYS RIDING | PRICE – 2024 | |
| TWIN ROOM | SINGLE SUP | |||
| GREDOS-SALAMANCA RIDE | JUN 09-15/ SEPT 15-21/ OCT 06-12/ OCT 27-02/ OCT 27-02 NOV/ NOV 17-23 | 5 | 1,890 € | 210 € |
THE PRICE 2024 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.
