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Horseback riding tours
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Atlantic Coast Ride - Southern Andalusia
Southern Spain
Spain
A fabulous horseback trail which allows its riders to see all of what Andalusia has to offer - sandy beaches, open rolling meadows and challenging mountainside, with one day reserved for a visit to the acclaimed Royal Riding School!!
The triangle between the antiquated town of Ronda, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and the bold and blue Atlantic Ocean offers ever changing and flowing spectacular scenery. This is Spanish horse country at its best!
The trip starts on the beaches of the Atlantic coast where you can get acquainted with your well-trained horse and become comfortable with all the gaits. Turning inland, you'll ride through the coastal pine forests and across large open meadows with lazy herds of bulls and wild cattle. You will then head for the mountains and ride through the natural reserve of Alcoronocales with its stunning canyons and handsome cork oak forests. Once you're at 3,000 ft you will have a breath taking view of the surrounding mountains and the indigo Atlantic Ocean- don't forget your camera!
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Meeting:
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Zahara or Malaga
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Airport:
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Malaga
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Transfer:
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From Malaga at set times
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
Max
10 riders
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Trip Rating
Video
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations in hotels and country inns, all meals, 5 riding days and 1 day excursion to the Spanish Riding School in Jerez.
| A | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €1050 | $1575 |
| Non Rider Rate | €530 | $795 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €160 | $240 |
| C | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €995 | $1495 |
| Single supplement | €160 | $240 |
| Non Rider Rate | €530 | $795 |
Gratuity:
Gratuities are at your discretion. In the restaurants service is included in the price but an additional 10% tip for the waiter is usual. Taxi drivers receive 10%. Also tour leaders, drivers and helpers are very appreciative of tips, if you are content with the service.
Rates Note:
Note: Single supplement waived if willing to share.
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Malaga Airport is included at 12:30 PM or 7:30 PM. Return transfer at 12 PM and 7 PM.
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€
0
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$0
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2009
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Transfer outside set times, 30 EUR per car per way, to be paid locally
- to be paid locally
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€
30
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$45
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Transfer is only included 2 times a day from Malaga airport at 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Return transfer at 12 PM and 7 PM.
Extra transfers are possible any time, for 30,- EUR per car per way, to be paid locally.
Rates do not include:
Non rider rates do not include lunches or transfers between locations - need to rent a car.
Day 1: Arrival in
Malaga and transfer to the riding center near Malaga (20 minutes). Dinner and
overnight.
Day 2: After breakfast transfer to Zahara de los
Atunes along the cost (approx. 2,5 hours). Here you'll set off on your first
beach ride to Barbate. Right after leaving the town, the beach is deserted and
only used by the fishermen. As this stretch of the coast is under the
supervision of the military, no hotels have been built, and the firm sand gives
you the opportunity to get used to your horse in walk and gallop. In the pine
forest behind Barbate, the support vehicle awaits you with the picnic. After a
siesta, ride along the beach and through the pine forest above the steep coast
of Cap Trafalgar. At this historic place with its old lighthouse you can see as
far as Morocco. The horses stay in Caños de Meca, the riders drive back to the
hotel at the Atlantic beach. Before or after dinner you may like to swim in the
ocean or in the pool of the hotel.
Day 3: Along sandy trails
you'll ride back to the beach where you will enjoy more canters. Only towards
the end of this morning you'll reach the busier parts of the coast. You'll be
pleased to stop at a beach-bar for refreshments. For lunch you'll turn inland to
meet the support vehicle. Leaving the coastal pine forests behind, you'll cross
a stretch of fertile land with sugar beet, cotton and bean fields before
reaching the first meadows of Andalusia. The support vehicle awaits you with the
picnic and refreshments. Ride on along Andalusia's meadows. The horses stay in
the little farming village Los Naveros, the riders drive back to Zahara.
Day 4: Leaving
Los Naveros, you'll ride to Paterna along old livestock trails, the "veréras",
which are still running through all of Spain, and across meadows of cows and
fighting bulls. Lunch stop in a "venta". There are no asphalt roads between
meadows and fields, giving you the opportunity to canter again and again. Enjoy
the view over the wide open landscape. Keeping a respectful distance, you'll ride
around herds of bulls and wild cows. After your ride, the horses stay in Paterna, the riders
drive Alcala de los Gazules. The central Village Square is the heart the town, where people like to meet, especially late at night, after dinner. Bordered
by half a dozen pubs, every villager
walks across the square at least once a day. Virtually undiscovered by tourism,
Alcala is one of the few remaining typical Andalusian villages. There is even a
saddler here that you might like to check out.
Day 5: Till now you have gotten to know the agility of Andalusian horses through their work in the countrysides - today you will see
them in high dressage. Drive to Jerez de la Frontera the home of Spanish
Horse, the biggest festival with
Spanish Horses ( Feria de Jerez ) and of course, the Royal Riding School where you
can watch the morning training. Take a look behind the scenes to see how they train
young horses to become show horses and young riders to become good trainers. You also
can see the historical monuments near the stables. After the training you have
time you visit the old part of the town or tour one of the famous
bodegas. Use the chance to try traditional tapas in one of this many small
restaurants nearby (unch not included). In the afternoon you drive back to Alcala.
Day 6: From Paterna you cross the opened land coming
through the big groups of "retintas" the big red Andalusian cows. You have lunch near Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los
Santos - a small church where the whole town of Alcala comes together for their
festivals. The horses stay in Patrite and you drive back to Alcala.
Day 7: Until today you have probably been amazed by
the endurance and smooth canter of your Andalusian horse. Now you can admire how
surefooted they are when climbing the mountains of the National Park
Alcornocales. Only by special permission are we able to enter this protected
nature reserve once owned by old Andalusian nobility. These mountains are
covered with cork oaks and other deciduous trees and keep the natural waters all
year round, even in the summer. Rare plants, such as orchids, grow in the shade
of the trees. Although this mountain range is only 1,600 ft high, it offers
spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic. After picnic you
will get to a big reservoir where the horses and you start your way back to the
riding center, 20 minutes from Malaga, where you will stay the last night.
Day 8: After breakfast transfer to the
Malaga airport.
Meeting:
Zahara or Malaga
Airport:
Malaga
Transfer:
From Malaga at set times
Transfer is only included 2 times a day from Malaga airport at 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Return transfer at 12 PM and 7 PM.
Extra transfers are possible any time, for 30,- EUR per car per way, to be paid locally.
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Tack:
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Spanish - Very comfortable Spanish saddles give you a firm seat - a simpler version of the western riding.
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Horses:
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Andalusian Cross
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Pace:
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5-6 hours
We only ride at a walk or canter (no trot).
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
210
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
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Max
10 riders
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The Andalusian is the oldest domesticated riding horse in the Western world, partner to toreador and vaquero, famous for his courage and great heart. Each purebred or Andalusian cross used for this tour is well trained and a joy to ride--you will be amazed at their stamina and willingness!
Mares and geldings are used on the ride: Hispano-Arab, Hispano-Anglo-Arab, and pure breds.
The saddles are Spanish dressage style with "box-stirrups". They are sensitive and easy to ride. Horses are ridden with a hackamore. During the tour the horses are cleaned and saddled in the morning. Riders will unsaddle their own horses at the end of the riding day.
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:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Note: EU nationals are onl. more
The overall climate of Andalusia is similar to Southern California: hot in the summer, pleasant and moderate in the spring and fall, and fairly cool in the winter. Rain is possible anytime, but rare in summer. The main rainy season is from the end of October to the beginning of May. The Atlantic Ocean is warm and pleasant to swim in from May to October.
English or Western riding attire is fine for the ride. Water bottles will be provided during the ride- however they will be shared so bring your own bottle if you prefer to fill up.
For the months of January to April, and starting mid-October, we recommend raingear. Since saddlebags are not permitted, we recommend belt bags or similar bags.
Good sun protection (gloves, sunscreen, hat with a chin strap), sunglasses with straps, swimsuit, towel, shorts, and a windbreaker should also be taken.
A hard hat is not required, but recommended for safety. A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.
A jacket or sweater for the cool evenings is recommended. Attire is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring a jacket and tie. Regular film can be obtained locally, but special sizes may not be available-bring plenty. It is a good idea to bring your own soap, since not all hotels supply it. There will be no opportunity to have laundry done while on the ride.
In general the hotels only heat the rooms during the winter months. Even newer buildings are seldom insulated. Therefore when the weather turns cool you can an impression of dampness. In case your rooms is too cool during your stay, you should find an extra wool blanket in the closet, or ask at the reception.
| … this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots (short) + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Rain coat |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Water Bottle |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
*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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lesley esplin
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3/31/2008
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edwin herman
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3/29/2008
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żaneta zientarska
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1/24/2008
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suzanne sloan
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1/23/2008
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eden degenova
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1/22/2008
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joyce klemperer
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1/22/2008
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kathleen hewick
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5/2/2007
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georgia keefer
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3/15/2007
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alice root
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4/24/2003
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laurie feinstein
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7/1/2002
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david reed
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11/14/2001
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aloris query
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5/23/2001
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..view other reports for different trips
You will be staying at nice country and beach hotels.
Breakfasts is not a big meal in Spain, so you can expect a “Continental” type breakfast with coffee, buns and jam only, but in most places to can order extra ham, cheese, etc (extra). Dinner is usually not before 8 PM. Dinner is usually accompanied by complimentary table wine, but usually only 1 or 2 glasses per person. Additional wine is extra (usually quite inexpensive).
The Andalusian is the oldest domesticated riding horse in the Western world, partner to toreador and vaquero, famous for his courage and great heart. Each purebred or Andalusian cross used for this tour is well trained and a joy to ride--you will be amazed at their stamina and willingness!
Mares and geldings are used on the ride: Hispano-Arab, Hispano-Anglo-Arab, and pure breds.
The saddles are Spanish dressage style with "box-stirrups". They are sensitive and easy to ride. Horses are ridden with a hackamore. During the tour the horses are cleaned and saddled in the morning. Riders will unsaddle their own horses at the end of the riding day.
|
Tack:
|
|
Spanish - Very comfortable Spanish saddles give you a firm seat - a simpler version of the western riding.
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Andalusian Cross
|
|
Pace:
|
|
5-6 hours
We only ride at a walk or canter (no trot).
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
3 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
The Andalusian is the oldest domesticated riding horse in the Western world, partner to toreador and vaquero, famous for his courage and great heart. Each purebred or Andalusian cross used for this tour is well trained and a joy to ride--you will be amazed at their stamina and willingness!
Mares and geldings are used on the ride: Hispano-Arab, Hispano-Anglo-Arab, and pure breds.
The saddles are Spanish dressage style with "box-stirrups". They are sensitive and easy to ride. Horses are ridden with a hackamore. During the tour the horses are cleaned and saddled in the morning. Riders will unsaddle their own horses at the end of the riding day.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| 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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Atlantic Coast Ride - Southern Andalusia
Tour Code: PG-ANT8
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,575.00
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Spanish - Very comfortable Spanish sad...
Horses:
Andalusian Cross
Pace:
5-6 hours
We only ride at a walk or ...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
Malaga
Google Map
Video
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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