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 Lusitano purebred and Lusitano crosses. You should be confident at walk, trot and canter, in the open and over rough terrain.
The riding is mostly at a walk due to the terrain but there are some canters each day where the ground permits and occasional gallops. These canters can be fast and so you need to be able to keep your distance and control your horse.
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 horses are ridden in English tack.
You stay each night in the same accommodation. This is normally Falagueiras House in the village of Castro Laboreiro, a 5 minute walk from the stables. It is a cosy, renovated guesthouse decorated in traditional Portuguese style. There are two twin rooms and two double rooms all with ensuite bathrooms. There is a large communal living/kitchen/dining area.
Dinner is provided for you at your accommodation or sometimes in a local restaurant, and lunch is either a picnic or at your house. Ingredients for a delicious breakfast will be left for you at the guesthouse so that you have it at your leisure.
The owners believe that “we are what we eat” and the meals are an important part of the itineraries. They are vegetarian themselves and offer delicious and healthy meals prepared according to a standard Mediterranean diet with some fish and meat. All the meals are made with fresh and organic ingredients and seasonal vegetables which are locally sourced.
Rides run from April to November, from Saturday to Saturday for the 7 night itinerary. The 4 night itinerary is available on request and is from Saturday to Wednesday.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves and Wild Horses (4 nights) | 17 Oct 2026 - 21 Oct 2026 | 4 nights 4 ngts | £1,163.85 |
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Full | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 17 Oct 2026 - 24 Oct 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Full | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 24 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 31 Oct 2026 - 7 Nov 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 7 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 3 Apr 2027 - 10 Apr 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 10 Apr 2027 - 17 Apr 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 17 Apr 2027 - 24 Apr 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 24 Apr 2027 - 1 May 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 1 May 2027 - 8 May 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 8 May 2027 - 15 May 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 15 May 2027 - 22 May 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 22 May 2027 - 29 May 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 29 May 2027 - 5 Jun 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 5 Jun 2027 - 12 Jun 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 12 Jun 2027 - 19 Jun 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 19 Jun 2027 - 26 Jun 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 26 Jun 2027 - 3 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 3 Jul 2027 - 10 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 10 Jul 2027 - 17 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 17 Jul 2027 - 24 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 24 Jul 2027 - 31 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 31 Jul 2027 - 7 Aug 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 7 Aug 2027 - 14 Aug 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 14 Aug 2027 - 21 Aug 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 21 Aug 2027 - 28 Aug 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 28 Aug 2027 - 4 Sep 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 4 Sep 2027 - 11 Sep 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 11 Sep 2027 - 18 Sep 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 18 Sep 2027 - 25 Sep 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 25 Sep 2027 - 2 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,665.10 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 2 Oct 2027 - 9 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 9 Oct 2027 - 16 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 16 Oct 2027 - 23 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 23 Oct 2027 - 30 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 30 Oct 2027 - 6 Nov 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book | |
| Wolves and Wild Horses | 6 Nov 2027 - 13 Nov 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,604.71 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; all meals; riding and non-riding excursions as per itinerary.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of £301.96 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 (payable locally) 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 midday 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.
This holiday exceeded my expectations. The service provided by Pedro and Marianna was exceptional. We wanted for nothing during our holiday and nothing was too much trouble. The horses were in fantastic condition and also wanted for nothing. Truly loved sharing meals with the family.
Michele, Eye
Overall rating: 4/5
