Portugal - Wolves and Wild Horses
The Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of Portugal is home to the Iberian Wolf and a rare breed of horse called Garrano. The scenery is dominated by granite rocky mountains, dense oak forests, narrow valleys, rivers and groves of birch.
The Wolf is not easily seen although you might see their footprint or hear their howl at night. The wild Garrano horses are much easier spotted and you frequently pass herds of horses.
On the Wolves & Wild Horses 7 night itinerary you have three day rides with picnics and three half-day rides so there is time to go on non-riding excursions and learn more about the area. It is also possible to stay for the first 4 nights instead if you are short of time.
There are normally a maximum of six riders but can be more on occasions.
The horses are mainly Lusitano purebred and crosses and one or two Garrano horses. You should be confident at walk, trot and canter, in the open and over rough terrain.
The riding is mostly at walk due to the terrain with occasional fast canters. You need to be confident cantering in a group.
Please note that on this holiday you are involved with the preparation of the horses including collecting them from their fields, grooming, and tacking up prior to the ride. Also at the end of the ride you will help wash down your horse. Help is at hand if needed.
The 7 night itinerary includes three half days' riding and three day rides with picnic lunches.
You stay each night in the same accommodation.
Two alternative accommodations are used depending on the number of people booked on a particular week and will be confirmed to you a few weeks prior to your holiday. You stay either at Falagueiras House near the stables or an apartment in Assureira hamlet which is 3 km south of Castro Laboreiro. Each apartment in Assureira has been tastefully renovated with a sitting area and kitchen. Two of the apartments have two bedrooms (with private bathrooms), and one is a studio apartment with its own bathroom.
Dinner is provided for you at your accommodation or sometimes in a local restaurant, and lunch is either a picnic or at your house.
The owners believe that “we are what we eat” so the meals are an important part of the itineraries. Delicious and healthy vegetarian friendly meals are planned and prepared according to a standard Mediterranean diet. All the meals are made with fresh and organic ingredients and seasonal vegetables. Most of the vegetables are produced in their own vegetable garden.
Rides run from April to November and from Saturday to Saturday for the 7 night itinerary. The 4 night itinerary is from Saturday to Wednesday.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves and Wild Horses (4 nights) | 24 May 2025 - 28 May 2025 | 4 nights 4 ngts | £1,074.03 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 24 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 31 May 2025 - 7 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 7 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Full | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 14 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Full | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 21 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses (4 nights) | 21 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2025 | 4 nights 4 ngts | £1,074.03 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 28 Jun 2025 - 5 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 5 Jul 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 12 Jul 2025 - 19 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 19 Jul 2025 - 26 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 26 Jul 2025 - 2 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 2 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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| Wolves and Wild Horses | 9 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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| Wolves and Wild Horses | 16 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 23 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 30 Aug 2025 - 6 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 6 Sep 2025 - 13 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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| Wolves and Wild Horses | 13 Sep 2025 - 20 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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| Wolves and Wild Horses | 20 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 27 Sep 2025 - 4 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 4 Oct 2025 - 11 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 11 Oct 2025 - 18 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 18 Oct 2025 - 25 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,513.45 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; all meals; riding and non-riding excursions as per itinerary.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of £171.98 for the week to guarantee a single room. There is no charge if willing to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Transfers; bar bills; snacks and drinks outside meal times; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Porto.
TRANSFERS from Porto Airport are €100 per person return at set times.
Shared transfers are possible from Porto Airport at set times on Saturday. Your flight should arrive in Porto no later than 14:00. The transfer leaves at 15:00.
Your return flight should depart after 13.00 on the day of departure.
Please note that these transfers are at pre-set times on Saturday. If you choose to book flights outside of these guidelines then you will need to hire a car at the airport or pay for a private transfer.
This ride explores the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of Portugal.
This area has good rainfall in the winter months which provides the moisture for interesting flora & fauna, rivers & waterfalls. A visit between April and June will be the best time for spring flowers. July and August are normally the hottest months (highest temperatures in the mid 20°C) and very little rain. In September/October you will be able to enjoy the golden colours of autumn.
This is a highland area and so the temperatures can fluctuate considerably between day and night and throughout the seasons.
A really special place - the horses clearly have a wonderful life in this beautiful place under such great management and as a result are happy, well-mannered and forward-going - a delight to ride. Absolutely wonderful holiday.
Alison ,Reading
Overall rating: 5/5
