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.
This area boasts the Monfrague National Park. Here you will 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.
A warm and friendly welcome awaits you from Emilio and Mamen, who are rightly proud of their Spanish horses. These good natured horses are confident, sure footed and forward going, making them a real pleasure to ride.
The lunchtime picnics allow you to indulge in homemade paellas, Iberian hams and cheese of La Mancha, followed by a siesta in the sunshine.
On all trails roadwork is kept to a minimum and the pace is leisurely allowing you to enjoy your surroundings. There are usually opportunities for some trots and canters too on most days.
The main advantage of this regions climate is that overall, it is sunnier and drier than other Spanish regions (such as the Pyrenees) and this means that you can enjoy riding at almost any time of the year. During the summer and into autumn, Emilio and Mamen also run trails in the Sierra de Gredos region.
You could be riding for between four to seven hours a day and so it is important to be as riding fit as possible. If the guide believes that you are not safe on the horse then you may have to go in the support vehicle.
On most days you may get the opportunity to enjoy some trots and canters (terrain permitting). You should be competent at walk, trot and canter outdoors in a group environment.
The horses are an excellent mix of Hispano-Arab, Spanish, Andalucian PRE and Andalucian crosses ranging in height from 15 to 16.2 hands. They are happy, loved and comfortable to ride, with an enthusiastic walk and an easy collected canter.
They are all ridden in comfortable English GP saddles and bridles. Seat savers and saddle bags are also available. Some of the horse are ridden in bitless bridles.
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. During the trails you overnight in small rural hotels.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremadura Treasures | 8 Oct 2023 - 14 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,753.92 |
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Book | |
| Christmas Ride | 22 Dec 2023 - 26 Dec 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,443.10 |
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Book | |
| New Year Ride | 29 Dec 2023 - 2 Jan 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,443.10 |
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Book | |
| Extremadura Treasures | 4 Feb 2024 - 10 Feb 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,842.73 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 11 Feb 2024 - 17 Feb 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,887.13 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 18 Feb 2024 - 24 Feb 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,887.13 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 3 Mar 2024 - 9 Mar 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,987.04 |
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Book | |
| Extremadura Treasures | 10 Mar 2024 - 16 Mar 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,842.73 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 17 Mar 2024 - 23 Mar 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,887.13 |
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Book | |
| Conquistadors Geopark | 31 Mar 2024 - 6 Apr 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,964.84 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 7 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,942.64 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 14 Apr 2024 - 20 Apr 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,053.64 |
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Book | |
| Conquistadors Geopark | 28 Apr 2024 - 4 May 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,964.84 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 5 May 2024 - 11 May 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,942.64 |
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Book | |
| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 12 May 2024 - 18 May 2024 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,053.64 |
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Book | |
| New Year Ride | 29 Dec 2024 - 4 Jan 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $2,386.67 |
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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 $185.02 ($222.02 in 2024) is payable if you are in a single room. The single supplement for the New Year Ride is $246.68. 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
The progressive trail rides require a minimum of three people to run. If there are less than three people confirmed, the itinerary will be changed to the Extremadura Treasures or similar (centre based with a mini trail).
In addition, if any week ends up with just two or three people, a small group supplement is payable locally and costs:
€100 per person if two people in the group (€150 in 2024)
€70 per person if three people in the group (€100 in 2024).
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: 4/5
