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 a bird lovers dream, the natural habitats of 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 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 very leisurely allowing you to enjoy your surroundings but there is usually opportunities for some trots and canters too on most days. It is worth noting that this is not a fast paced ride.
The main advantage of this regions climate, from the outdoor enthusiast’s standpoint, is that overall, it is sunnier and drier than other Spanish regions such as the Pyrenees, and this means that you can enjoy outdoor activities such as riding at almost any time of the year.
On the trail rides you could be riding for between four to seven hours a day and so it is important to be as riding fit as possible. 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 good natured, confident and sure footed on the stony paths of the hills and willingly forward going on the flat and sandy glens in the valleys, making them a real pleasure to ride.
On most days you may get the opportunity to enjoy some trots and canters (terrain permitting).
The horses are happy, loved and delightfully 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. You should be competent at walk, trot and canter outdoors.
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 - although help and guidance is on hand should you require it. This does not always apply if the group size is small.
The first and last nights are in a 4* hotel in the historic town of Trujillo. During the trail you overnight in small rural hotels.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conquistadors Geopark | 9 Apr 2023 - 15 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,751.60 |
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| Pilgrimage to Guadalupe Monastery | 16 Apr 2023 - 22 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,751.60 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 23 Apr 2023 - 29 Apr 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,751.60 |
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Book | |
| Conquistadors Geopark | 30 Apr 2023 - 6 May 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,791.28 |
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Book | |
| Monfragüe National Park | 14 May 2023 - 20 May 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,791.28 |
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Book | |
| Extremadura Treasures | 21 May 2023 - 27 May 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,791.28 |
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| Monfragüe National Park | 1 Oct 2023 - 7 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,791.28 |
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Book | |
| Extremadura Treasures | 8 Oct 2023 - 14 Oct 2023 | 6 nights 6 ngts | $1,791.28 |
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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 $188.96 is payable if you are in a single room. 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 2 or 3 people a small group supplement is payable locally and costs:
€100 per person (two people in the group)
€70 per person (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).
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: 5/5Tapas breaks, served with a warm smile will make you want to return again and again - be warned!
In The Saddle says
This is a beautiful part of Spain, very undiscovered and a horse riders paradise.