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Horseback riding tours
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 Alentejo / Blue CoastAlto Alentejo Lisbon Area
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Alto Alentejo Riding Escape
Alto Alentejo
Portugal
Embedded in the lovely rolling hills of the upper Alentejo region, 100 miles northeast of Lisbon, lies a lovely country estate and equestrian center. Surrounded by cork oak forest and a delightful garden blooming all year round, you can appreciate relaxing swims in the pool or simply hang out under the sunshine on the lawn. Ride and explore for hours through untouched nature in the Alto Alentejo region of south-central Portugal. "Alentejo" translates to "Across the Tagus" as this particular region is seperated from the rest of Portugal by the Tagus River. Occassionally you will cross small farms and large old country estates as you pick your way through the eucalyptus and pine groves, ancient cork oaks and fruit-laden orange trees. Long sandy tracks await with long stretches for you to enjoy thrilling gallops. Tiny white villages offer opportunities to rest in their small cafés. Adjust yourselves to a totally different pace of life and refresh your equestrian skills with instructors who are some of the best in the country. The purebred and highly trained Lusitanos are a joy and thrill to ride whether on fun and adventurous trail rides or professional riding instructrion- both at your fingertips for this combination equestrian holiday.
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Meeting:
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Ponte de Sôr or Lisbon
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Airport:
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Lisbon
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Transfer:
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Lisbon
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
Max
6 riders
(per riding group)
Max Capacity
12
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations, breakfast and dinner, riding package on 5 riding days
| A | 2009 | 7 day Trip, AP - 7 lessons, 2 trail rides | 7d / 6n | €825 | $1240 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €180 | $270 |
| Short Break SU-ThU (5 lessons, 1 Trail) - discount | (€300) | ($450) |
| Single for Short Break | €120 | $180 |
Rates Note:
There is a 5% discount for weeks between Nov 15 and March 1.
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Lisbon return per person (min of 2)
- to be paid locally
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€
200
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$300
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2009
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Transfer from Lisbon return per person (min of 3)
- to be paid locally
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€
150
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$225
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2009
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Transfer from Lisbon return per person (1 only)
- to be paid locally
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€
250
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$375
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2009
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Bus from Lisbon to Ponte de Sôr approx one way
- to be paid locally
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€
25
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$40
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Available weekly from Sunday to Saturday - except Dec 23 to 27.
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Rates do not include:
No Single supplement if willing to share. No riding on Saturdays & Sundays
Your holiday stay can include a number of different riding instructions and hacking/trail riding combinations.
You most likely have booked one of the following packages ... but these can always be adjusted to your personal needs and wishes!
7 days/ 6 nights from Sunday to Saturday
Package A. - 5 hrs group lessons and 10+ hrs trail rides
Package B. - 5 hrs private lessons and 10+ hrs trail rides
Package C. - 5 days of trail rides (15 to 20 hrs)
Package D. - 10 hrs private instructions
... also available: Lunging lessons and Beginner lessons
"Sample Itinerary":
Sunday, Day 1: Arrival after 4:00 pm. Rest, relax and get introduced to the farm and its facilities. Dinner is at 8:00 pm
Monday, Day 2: After breakfast taken in the cottages, meeting at the horse part with the riding instructor and his team. Horse testing and Equitation lessons.( Starting at 9:00 a.m.) Lunch at about 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Trail ride into the surroundings of the farm. Visiting the highest point of the region with an exceptional overview. We ride to an old airfield built 100 years ago from an great uncle of your host. Ancient eucalyptus trees let their shade flow over the vast area, hiding stories of civil war and stormy times of the latest history of this country. Ruins of glorious times, long gone, new plantations of oak and pine trees which will give their value to next generations ( 2+ hours ).
Dinner at about 8:30 p.m.
A dinner with sweet surprises will wait for you. A lot of talking and exchanging of ideas and new impressions might take your attention. Or a check game for the more thoughtful, a snooker part for the never tired, a dreaming session in front of a fireplace or night walk for the romantic or a comfortable bed can also fulfill your evening-activities.
Tuesday, Day 3: After breakfast, lessons time again (First lesson, starting at 9 a.m.) Back for lunch at about 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon:
The “Vale das Mòs”-Ride:
The ride may take you through secret pads, passing old water mills, hidden lakes with rare water birds. Small fertile valleys where people from the nearby village grow everything - they don't need to buy in supermarkets. The land is still ploughed with the help of mules or bulls. Storks and herons may search for their lunch on the fields. With a brief canter you might reach a white old village for a refreshing stop. Hills and valleys unexpectedly green, miles without seeing anybody and all of a sudden a rabbit, a wild boar or a partridge hen with her twelve babies...from horseback all this scenery almost looks like a movie, (ca. 4 hours ).
Dinner at 8.30 p.m.
Wednesday, Day 4:
Morning: Today all the group lessons will take place in the morning, starting at 9:00 a.m. After lunch at the usual time of 1.30 p.m. you have the day off for relaxing or taking the chance to visit the famous state stud of the Royal Horses in Alter do Chão 40 Minutes away. Another option to visit are several medieval towns like Èvora, UNESCO world patrimony town, Estremoz, Castelo de Vide or Marvão. Your hosts will be glad to help you on your choice.
Dinner at 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Day 5: After breakfast, the "Vale do Arco" Trail
The Ride may introduce you to hidden places where the time seems to have stood still. White painted cottages, cobbled streets, women who carry their load on the head, old mule wells and a lot of medieval phenomena still in use will surprise the riders on their way. You may stop for a drink in one of the little cafés and get acquaintance with the local folk who are known for their friendliness. ( ca. 3 hours ) Lunch at about 1.30 pm
Afternoon:
Group lessons, starting at 4 p.m. Dinner at about 8:30 pm
Friday, Day 6: After breakfast at 9:00 a.m. lessons will start. Until the lunch at about 1:30 p.m. you may be busy with your lessons.
Afternoon:
After a lazy lunch at about 3 p.m. - the trail of this last riding day may include long sandy ways for comfortable canters or smooth trotting over wildflower fields and vast valleys where sheep and goat herds having their siesta. Through orange or lemon groves you arrive to a white village for a drink. Your way back leads you through oak or pine tree forest. Being surprised by some pigs running in freedom in the forest or even meeting a fox who has lost his way, the guests will come back full of nature and its calmness. The word “stress” will not exist anymore, at least until reality will have you back, (ca. 3 hours ).
Dinner at about 8:30 pm
Saturday, Day 7: Depart – if your timetable allows you, after a nice lazy breakfast and a long farewell to Paradise.
**Subject to change
Meeting:
Ponte de Sôr or Lisbon
Airport:
Lisbon
Transfer:
Lisbon
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Tack:
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English, Portuguese Cavalarie with sheepskin cover
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Horses:
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Lusitano horses, mostly trained to advanced level dressage
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Pace:
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Moderate, trots, canters, gallops
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(1
to
4
out of 5) All riding levels - for hacking out Low Intermediate+
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Weight:
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Max
185
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
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Max
6 riders
(per riding group)
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Max Capacity
12
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Our horses, thoroughbred Portuguese Lusitanos, partly come from our own stud. All of them get trained by our instructor, José Maria Perera Lima (diploma: Alta Escuela, Coudelaria Real de Alter do Chão), from the very first steps up to High School movements.
Our equestrian centre includes 22 boxes, an indoor (30m x 15m) and an outdoor (45m x 20m) riding ring. We offer treks as well as instruction in dressage and classical Portuguese riding.
You may ride for hours through untouched nature, then pass small farms and large old country estates and pick your way through eucalyptus and pine tree groves, under ancient cork oaks and past fruit-laden orange trees.
Long sandy tracks invite you to heart bursting gallops. Tiny white villages offer an opportunity to rest in a small café. Adjust yourselves to a totally different pace of life.
Our riding instructor, a horseman extraordinaire, will help you to discover the magnificent beauty of the country, introduce you to the region's nature and wild life, and most certainly "infect" you with his enthusiasm for Lusitania's horses.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Passport Note(a) Sufficient fu. more
The northwest has mild winters with high levels of rainfall and fairly short summers.
The northeast has longer winters and hot summers.
In the south, summers (March to October) are warm with very little rain except in early spring and autumn.
High temperatures are moderated by a permanent breeze in Estoril (July to August).
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… this list is only a guideline for you |
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X = Necessary |
Check List |
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Travel documents and Voucher |
X |
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Flight tickets |
X |
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Passport |
X |
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Visa (check with your consulate) |
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RIDING GEAR |
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Comfortable riding breeches |
X |
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Long or short riding boots. |
X |
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
X |
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Riding gloves |
X |
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Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
X |
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Comfortable t-shirts both long and short sleeved |
X |
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Lightweight Rain coat |
X |
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PERSONAL CLOTHING |
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
X |
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
X |
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Jeans |
X |
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Shorts |
X |
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Underwear and socks |
X |
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Pyjama |
X |
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Bag for dirty clothes |
X |
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Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
X |
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Swimsuit |
X |
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Pool towel |
X |
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
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Personal Toiletries |
X |
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Insect protection |
X |
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Personal medications |
X |
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Sore cream (for the emergency) |
X |
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Sewing kit |
X |
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Handkerchiefs |
X |
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Adapter for electric appliances |
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Camera and enough extra films and batteries |
X |
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Sun glasses with strap |
X |
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Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
X |
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Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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jo de lecq marguerie
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9/18/2007
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roisin ni bhriain
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5/16/2007
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..view other reports for different trips
You stay in comfortable guest cottages with kitchen and living room and two or three double rooms. Every room has a private bathroom. Lunch and dinner are served in the main house or by the pool. Breakfast is brought to your cottage. We can cater to most special dietary requirements- please let hidden Trails know the details. The food is mediterranean style- meaning lots of salad, vegetables and olive oil.
With the riding program daily room service is included.
Double and single rooms each have a private bath/WC or shower/WC.
Not included in the riding programs as well as in extra lessons or trekking are any kinds of insurances.
Facilities:
All guests are free to use the communal rooms at the main house. It includes a living room with fireplace, a common room with a billiard table and a chess table etc., a large dining room, a TV-room, all with central heating, and a swimming-pool (12m x 6m) with a pergola-shaded terrace.
Our horses, thoroughbred Portuguese Lusitanos, partly come from our own stud. All of them get trained by our instructor, José Maria Perera Lima (diploma: Alta Escuela, Coudelaria Real de Alter do Chão), from the very first steps up to High School movements.
Our equestrian centre includes 22 boxes, an indoor (30m x 15m) and an outdoor (45m x 20m) riding ring. We offer treks as well as instruction in dressage and classical Portuguese riding.
You may ride for hours through untouched nature, then pass small farms and large old country estates and pick your way through eucalyptus and pine tree groves, under ancient cork oaks and past fruit-laden orange trees.
Long sandy tracks invite you to heart bursting gallops. Tiny white villages offer an opportunity to rest in a small café. Adjust yourselves to a totally different pace of life.
Our riding instructor, a horseman extraordinaire, will help you to discover the magnificent beauty of the country, introduce you to the region's nature and wild life, and most certainly "infect" you with his enthusiasm for Lusitania's horses.
|
Tack:
|
|
English, Portuguese Cavalarie with sheepskin cover
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Lusitano horses, mostly trained to advanced level dressage
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate, trots, canters, gallops
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(1
to
4
out of 5) All riding levels - for hacking out Low Intermediate+
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
185
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
3 riders
|
Max
6 riders
(per riding group)
|
Max Capacity
12
|
Our horses, thoroughbred Portuguese Lusitanos, partly come from our own stud. All of them get trained by our instructor, José Maria Perera Lima (diploma: Alta Escuela, Coudelaria Real de Alter do Chão), from the very first steps up to High School movements.
Our equestrian centre includes 22 boxes, an indoor (30m x 15m) and an outdoor (45m x 20m) riding ring. We offer treks as well as instruction in dressage and classical Portuguese riding.
You may ride for hours through untouched nature, then pass small farms and large old country estates and pick your way through eucalyptus and pine tree groves, under ancient cork oaks and past fruit-laden orange trees.
Long sandy tracks invite you to heart bursting gallops. Tiny white villages offer an opportunity to rest in a small café. Adjust yourselves to a totally different pace of life.
Our riding instructor, a horseman extraordinaire, will help you to discover the magnificent beauty of the country, introduce you to the region's nature and wild life, and most certainly "infect" you with his enthusiasm for Lusitania's horses.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Alto Alentejo Riding Escape
Tour Code: IT-PGSR01-A
7 days /
6 nights
~$1,240.00
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
English, Portuguese Cavalarie with she...
Horses:
Lusitano horses, mostly trained to adv...
Pace:
Moderate, trots, canters, gallops
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Lisbon
Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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