Spain - Extremadura
The itineraries in Extremadura are in the heart of old Spain and this region hosts some of the country’s best Roman ruins and beautiful medieval cities and villages.
The Monfrague National Park ride, Pilgrimage to Guadalupe, and Conquistadors Geopark are all trail rides where you can expect to stay at multiple accommodations. They all have long hours of riding each day.
The Extremadura Treasures ride has five nights in the same guesthouse, with one night as a mini trail (six nights in total). On three days you ride in the morning, freshen up, have lunch, and then visit local medieval towns of the area: Trujillo, Caceres and Merida. This ride is possible to shorten to the first four nights only for groups of four or more riders.
Extremadura boasts the diverse Monfrague National Park. Here you find Mediterranean forests, surrounded by hills populated with oak forests, rivers and reservoirs. As a result, Monfrague is a haven for wildlife and is home to a range of species including the Spanish ibex, the golden eagle and the Griffon vulture.
You will cover long distances each day, and these hours in the saddle combined with long lunchtime siestas, will result in arriving at your guesthouse quite late into the evenings. Just in time to shower and then eat supper.
All the trails are personally guided by the experienced owner Emilio Rodriguez. Emilio is a quiet man and rider and has a special ability to relate well to his horses leading to even tempered, confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride and be around. At the front he quietly guides you each day, allowing you the chance to breathe the air, listen to the birdlife and take in the wonderful scenery you pass through. His wife, Mamen, works hard behind the scenes to ensure you are met at various points each day, as well and ensuring everything is moved accordingly throughout the trail.
You could be riding for between four to eight hours each day, so it is important to be riding fit. The pace is leisurely with trots and canters being where it is safe to do so and in line with the distance being covered for the day.
The horses are a credit to Emilio and Mamen, and the happy environment they live and train in. Many of the horses are homebred, and all are nicely schooled and responsive. They are ridden in bitless bridles and Emilio encourages everyone to not just ride in the same order all the time.
Riders need to be of Intermediate Plus level: Confident and in control on a forward going horse at a steady canter in the open over uneven ground in a group situation. Has ridden for a number of years.
They are mix of Hispano-Arab, Spanish, Andalucian PRE and Andalucian crosses ranging in height from around 15hh to 16.2hh. They are comfortable to ride, with an enthusiastic walk and an easy canter.
The saddles are comfortable Spanish branded leather GP types. Seat savers and saddle bags are also available.
You may be responsible for feeding, grooming, and tacking up your own horse each day (both first thing in the morning and after the long riding day too) and help and guidance is on hand should you require it.
The first and last nights are in a 4* hotel in the historic town of Trujillo.
The accommodation along the way varies from comfortable guesthouses, to small hotels in towns and villages. These are often family owned establishments who are proud to welcome you. You will have dinner in either a local restaurant or at the guesthouse you stay at that evening.
Most bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, but some accommodations have two bedrooms to a bathroom.
The food is considered highlight for many, with fresh homemade Spanish dishes provided by Mamen, along with refreshing tapas breaks consisting of olives, nuts, Iberian ham and the cheese of La Mancha. Lunchtime is a leisurely and social affair with simple home cooked Spanish dishes such as paella or tortilla, accompanied with salads, fruits, and breads along with wine and tinto de verano. After eating you can siesta with the horses, or go for a cooling swim in the sunshine (depending on your lunch stop location). As is the Spanish way, dinner is late at around 21:00 with a selection of different Spanish dishes to choose from.
If you would like to travel later in the year, perhaps the rides in the Sierra de Gredos may be of interest.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremadura Treasures | 2 Feb 2025 - 8 Feb 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,488.77 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 9 Feb 2025 - 15 Feb 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,522.60 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 16 Feb 2025 - 22 Feb 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,522.60 |
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Book | |
| Extremadura Treasures | 2 Mar 2025 - 8 Mar 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,488.77 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 9 Mar 2025 - 15 Mar 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,641.03 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 16 Mar 2025 - 22 Mar 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,522.60 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 30 Mar 2025 - 5 Apr 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,683.32 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 6 Apr 2025 - 12 Apr 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,564.90 |
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Book | |
| Conquistadors Geopark | 20 Apr 2025 - 26 Apr 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,649.48 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 27 Apr 2025 - 3 May 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,683.32 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 4 May 2025 - 10 May 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,564.90 |
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Book | |
| Conquistadors Geopark | 11 May 2025 - 17 May 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,649.48 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board (including wine with meals); airport transfers from Madrid at a set time.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT a single supplement of £152.26 is payable if you are in a single room (£177.64 in 2025). Single room requests are subject to availability and not guaranteed. The single supplement is refunded if you are willing to share and we can find you a sharer for you.
SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENT
Two riders needed to confirm Extremadura Treasures and Monfrague National Park.
Three riders needed to confirm Conquistadors Geopark, and Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery.
€150 per person if two people in the group
€100 per person if three people in the group
PAYABLE LOCALLY Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments; drinks/snacks in bars; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; tips (c. €35- €50); small group supplements.
NEAREST AIRPORT Madrid
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are included from Madrid airport. If you cannot meet these shared transfer times taxis can be arranged at an additional cost (payable locally).
The meeting point is in Madrid Airport at 15:00 and so your flight should be scheduled to arrive before 14:00.
You will be transferred to your first night's accommodation.
The transfer back to the airport will arrive at Madrid Airport at about 12:00 so flights should depart after 14:00.
Extremadura lies to the west of Madrid. It's sparsely populated which makes it one of the best places for wildlife in Spain.
The climate in Extremadura is continental with hot, dry summers and mild winters. We run the trips from January to May when the temperatures are pleasant for riding.
My mum booked this holiday for us both so I had no real expectations beforehand. The horses were lovely, responsive and a comfortable ride. A true riding holiday! Long hours in the saddle with a wide variety of real rural Spanish scenery. Fantastic scenic riding experience.
Mum and I had a fantastic week, it was a lovely way to spend quality time together and enjoy a great riding experience and I fell in love with my horse!
Anita ,Herefordshire
Overall rating: 5/5
