An unforgettable ride through the Villuercas Geopark, the picturesque sceneries of Dehesa, holm and cork oaks woods and pastures will give you great experience! You will travel from town of Trujillo to Guadalupe town, where you will find a site of a great value - Sanctuary Monastery of Guadalupe (XIV century).
Prepare to wonder the beauty of landscapes, learn a lot of information about Spanish historical and cultural heritage and ride along traditional Pilgrimage trail on horseback to Guadalupe monastery!
I was born in Sierra de Gredos, El Barco de Avila, Grandson of the most important Avilan cattleman in the region.
I am the pure connection with my own horses, expert rider, riding instructor by Spanish Equestrian Federation, professional in equestrian tourism over 30 years, I dedicate my whole life to my horses, a specialist in natural horsemanship and PRE horse breeder.
Every ride is personally guided by me, with an experience over 30 years as equestrian guide. I am an expert rider and I have a special ability to match my horses with riders. I am leading the groups with my confident and well-mannered homebred horses that are a pleasure to ride, you will always feel very safe. I am English speaker.
Furthermore, I personally take care of my horses, breaking, training and giving them that serene, confident and friendly character that you have not seen in any other of your riding trips.
Tour highlights
Explore the History of Area
Visit historical sights in Trujillo, town with a mix of cultures, and Guadalupe with its impressive Monastery from 14th century
Taste the Local Specialties
Try the Serrano ham, olives, nuts and soft cheese very typical for Extremadura “Torta del Casar”, enjoy excellent Spanish wine
Admire the Beauty of Nature
Ride through the spectacular views of mountains, rivers and woods
Route details
Day 1
Madrid – Trujillo
Meeting point at Madrid Airport, transfer to Trujillo, welcome dinner at the hotel where we learn about the ride and region on the map.
Riding: no riding.
Day 2
Trujillo – Madroñera
Transfer to our place.
Distribution of horses.
Riding through the “Dehesa”, cultural landscape exclusive of southern and central Spain.
Dehesa is a multifunctional agrosylvopastoral system (a type of agroforestry). Used primarily for grazing, they produce a variety of products including non-timber forest products such as wild game, mushrooms, honey, cork, and firewood.
The tree component is oaks, usually holm (Quercus ilex) and cork (Quercus suber). Dehesa is an anthropogenic system that provides not only a variety of foods, but also wildlife habitat for endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial eagle.
Short afternoon through flat terrain to Madroñera, night and dinner in rural hotel, time on the saddle 5 hours.
Riding: 5 hours.
Day 3
Madroñera – Zorita
Departure after breakfast, we ride by the cattle trail to Zorita.
Beautiful riding in the morning with opportunity for good canters through the Dehesa where cattle can be seen everywhere: local cows, sheep, goats and iberic pigs.
Lovely picnic in the countryside, riding in the afternoon to Zorita.
Dinner and night at rural Inn.
Riding: 5 hours.
Day 4
Zorita – Logrosan
A lovely day riding following the greenway, an old railway built in the 20s that due to the Spanish Civil War was never finished.
Along the greenway, we will see objects and buildings that remind us that there would have been a railway.
During the ride we can enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas Mountains landscape (Geopark by UNESCO).
Dinner and night at rural hotel in the countryside.
Riding: 5 hours.
Day 5
Logrosan – Cañamero
Departure after breakfast, we will go through the vineyard in Cañamero, famous in Spain for good wines and olives groves. Here the landscape changes to the beauty of Villuercas mountains, we can see Ruecas river canyons. We will follow the greenway.
Dinner and night at rural hotel.
Riding: 5 hours.
Day 6
Cañamero – Guadalupe
This day is a short day from Cañamero to Guadalupe we will go through the Cañada Real. We can enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas landscape. On any day we can observe Vultures, Eagles, Azure-winged Magpies, Red-billed Choughs, Shrikes and Ravens.
Villuercas has been declared Geopark (UNESCO, 2011) because of its Cultural and Natural Heritage and, of course, the great geological value of its relief, with a lot of interesting and visible geological elements.
Comfortable Lunch in the countryside.
Horses go back to our place by truck.
Evening to visit Guadalupe town and the Monastery.
Dinner and night at Guadalupe Monastery Hotel. The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe is at a location of great beauty, overlooking a valley surrounded by high mountains (Villuercas). The town of Guadalupe, built around the Monastery, whose foundation on 1337, offers in its buildings a unique style with a traditional architecture.
Riding: 4 hours.
Day 7
Departure
After breakfast, departure from Guadalupe at 10 pm, on time for flights.
All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive Madrid before, all riders depart earlier or we can arrange transfer (at extra cost).
Riding: no riding.
Difficulty
Moderate
Tour provider's comments
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group and in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. On the rides you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
Accommodation
Comfort
Upscale
Premium
Hotel
6 nights
The accommodation along the way varies from charming rural Inn in villages to delightful hotel in Trujillo town. All rooms have private bathrooms. All of them very clean and comfortable.
In this itinerary it is worth highlighting the accommodation in Guadalupe, the hotel is in the monastery itself, La Hospedería el Real Monasterio, amazing complex that will give you an added insight into of Iberian identity.
Dinner at the Gothic cloister, very special place.
Single rooms are possible on request with a single supplement.
There are towels, shampoo and liquid soap in each room and in some places they have hair driers.
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
The accommodation has been carefully chosen by us, due to the quality and also because of the place for horses, they will normally rest in a field next to the hotel where we spend the nights.
Price per person:
Dates
Price
Single supplement
03.03.2024-09.03.2024
€1 790
€180
14.04.2024-20.04.2024, 12.05.2024-18.05.2024
€1 850
€180
4 nights
Rural Inn in Villages
1 night
Hotel in Trujillo
1 night
Guadalupe Monastery Hotel
Travel recommendations
Group meeting place
Madrid
Tour conditions
Included
all transfers from/ to the meeting point (Madrid airport at the set time);
all meals from the welcome dinner on the first day to the breakfast on the last day;
white and red wine, water, beer, canned drinks with lunch and dinner;
accommodation in twin bedded rooms with private bathroom;
riding, horses, tack;
English speaking guide;
luggage transport and excursions described in itinerary.
Extras
international flights;
single supplement (€180);
alcoholic drinks other than wine with dinner;
massages;
items of a personal nature and gratuities.
Group size
up to 10 tourists
Duration
7 days
6 nights
It's important to know
Personal equipment you need for the tour
We recommend you to check the weather forecast before coming, always is important to bring sunglasses, sun cream, a rain coat.
Where and when will we meet?
The meeting point is Madrid Airport for all the itineraries. Emilio, Mamen or both will personally do the transfer.
The meeting time is at 3:00 pm, so please flights on the first day not after 2 pm. The transfer Madrid airport –Trujillo-Madrid airport is included (for group of 4 riders or more). The transfer from Madrid airport to Trujillo is about 2,5 hour.
The transfer back to the airport on the last day will be at 10 to be at the airport about 12 pm, so please flights on the last day not before 2 pm.
All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs a different transfer we can arrange transfer at extra cost.
Is this tour suitable for non-riders?
The ride is suitable for non-riding companions; they can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish can rent a car in Madrid too. They can move in their own and join the group for dinner.
What level of riding is necessary?
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. On the rides you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
What type of tack will we use?
We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
Do I need to wear helmet?
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is a condition of your booking that you take out a travel insurance covering you for all medical expenses, injury, cancellation, baggage and personal effects for the entire duration of your trip at the time of booking.
If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.
Do you cater for special diet?
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
Is there is any age limit in the tour?
There is not an upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy, keep in mind we are long hours on the saddle for 4 to 7 hours a day. Minimum riding age is 10 years old, competent riders, accompanied by an adult.
Tell me about your horses
Excellent PRE horses, Hispano-Arabs, born at home, very much loved, very well trained, beautifully looked after and good natured, very easy to ride. They are all well fed and in great riding shape.
What are the weather conditions in the tour?
Extremadura has a continental climate with cool, mostly damp winters and hot, dry summers. Thanks to the many hours of sunshine you can easily be outdoors even in the winter months and enjoy the splendid scenery and the quiet.
What will we eat?
The food is one of the highlight of this trip, Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you in any unexpected place with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. Lunchtime is relaxing and social affair with delicious home cooked Spanish dishes as Paella, Tortilla Española, bbq, salads, etc. followed by a siesta in the peaceful countryside.
After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you have a choice from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes, your dinner is at your guesthouse accommodation. All the drinks are included during the meals, excellent Spanish red and white wines, beer, canned drinks and water.
What is the trip length?
“Trujillo-Guadalupe” The itinerary is 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days riding from Sunday to Sunday. The length of the ride is around 180 km.
Will I have an access to my luggage during the day?
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and also to move your luggage, so you have access to your luggage during the day at least 3 times or when is necessary, so it is not necessary to carry anything on the horse. You have some small saddle bags in front of the saddles for small things, such as a bottle water, sunscreen, camera, mobile. The service along the rides is outstanding.
Cancellation of booking
In case of booking cancellation the next policy applies: Tourists will receive a full amount they paid for the reservation in case they cancel more than 35 days in advance of the tour start date In the event of cancellation within the period of 34 to 16 days before the tour start date - they are entitled to receive 50% of the booking amount Cancelations made within 15 days before the tour starts will not be entitled to a refund.
Tour reviews
4.7
Based on 3 reviews
L
Laura
19 Jul, 2023
about provider
Great trail ride with very well cared horses and delicious food!
19 Jul, 2023
J
Julie
20 Jun, 2023
about provider
Amazing week with great, well trained and brilliantly cared for horses. Emilio and Mamen look after their groups just as well as the horses! Such a nice adventure….if you care about horses, and want memories tto keep for ever then go!
20 Jun, 2023
AS
A. Schmidt
6 Apr, 2022
about provider
Wonderful experience!
Nice people and horses, great scenery, delicious food.
Emilio and Mamen clearly love their horses that live outside, healthy and happy.
Highly recommended!
6 Apr, 2022
Dates and Prices
The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, send a request for clarification
