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Horseback riding tours
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also:
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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 beautiful Andalusia has to offer. On a special departure in May we have even included some exciting days at the annual and renowned Feria del Caballo in Jerez. With or without the addition of the Feria, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking Spanish landscape, the magnificent Atlantic coast and the stunning mountain scenery Southern Andalusia. Our safe, experienced and easy to handle horses, the warm and seasoned guides which have lived for many years in the region of Andalusia, and the varied horseback riding trails make this an unforgettable experience for horse loving travelers. The highlight for most are the extensive beach canters on our glorious wide sandy beaches. For those of you who have already ridden on a beach we need to say no more.
For those that haven't, prepare to make your dreams come true! We ride
along the edges of the forest and down onto the long sandy beaches of Cape
Trafalgar and El Palmar. These beaches stretch for 10 km, giving plenty
of room to let your horse show you what he can really do. The pace of
the beach is fast and exhilarating and something you will never forget.
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Progressive Ride (no camping)
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Meeting:
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Los Canos de Meca
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Airport:
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Jerez de la Frontera
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Transfer:
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Jerez airport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
10 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
7 nights accommodation in hotels and country inns along the trail, with breakfast, lunch and 4 dinners, 6 riding days
| A | 2013 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €998 | $1300 |
| Single supplement | €175 | $230 |
| Apartment option (5 nights) w/ breakfast not included. Inquire for rates! | €0 | $0 |
| B | 2013 | 8 day trip, AP Winter / Low Season | 8d / 7n | €900 | $1170 |
| Single supplement | €158 | $205 |
| C | 2013 | 8 day trip, AP - Jerez Horse Fair | 8d / 7n | €998 | $1300 |
| Single supplement | €175 | $230 |
| Apartment option (5 nights) w/ breakfast not included. Inquire for rates! | €0 | $0 |
| Extra night | €45 | $60 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
|
Transfer from Jerez de la Frontera - return, per person (rate based on minimum of 2)
|
€
65
|
$85
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2013
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Transfer from Malaga - return, per person (rate based on minimum of 2)
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€
85
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$110
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|
2013
|
Transfer from Seville - return, per person (min 2)
|
€
100
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$130
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The transfer times from the airports are announced one week before departure as we must collect all riders' flight details before choosing an appropriate pick up time.
Tour Dates for 2013
Check here for details and availability
|
| A |
2013
|
03/23
- 03/30
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
04/06
- 04/13
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
04/13
- 04/20
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
04/20
- 04/27
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| C |
2013
|
05/04
- 05/11
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP - Jerez Horse...
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
05/11
- 05/18
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
05/18
- 05/25
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
05/25
- 06/01
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
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| A |
2013
|
06/08
- 06/15
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/15
- 06/22
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/22
- 06/29
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/29
- 07/06
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
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09/07
- 09/14
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
09/14
- 09/21
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
09/28
- 10/05
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
10/05
- 10/12
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
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10/12
- 10/19
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
10/26
- 11/02
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
11/02
- 11/09
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
11/09
- 11/16
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP Winter / Low ...
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
11/16
- 11/23
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP Winter / Low ...
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
11/30
- 12/07
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP Winter / Low ...
|
4
/10
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
12/07
- 12/14
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP Winter / Low ...
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4
/10
|
Reserve
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|
|
Rates do not include:
3 dinners, beverages
Regular Coastal Weeks (6 riding days)
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to the finca in Los Canos de Meca at the beach. Welcome dinner and getting to know the group around 9 pm. Overnight.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast we get to know our horses. We ride on our first day in the Brena de Barbate. With fragrant pine forests, where we can admire an incredibly rich diversity of plants, we ride to "El Palomar de la Brena", the once largest pigeon in Europe. A beautiful lonely mountain hotel with restaurant offers us a very tasty lunch. In the afternoon we return on horseback to the finca at the beach..
Day 3: Today we ride along the beach towards Conil, a very popular tourist resort. Magnificent extensive beach canters make every heart beat faster riders. We have our lunch in a beach restaurant. Weather permitting, you can use the lunch break for a refreshing swim in the sea. In the afternoon we move on to "El Colorado", where our horses spend the night in the pine forest, we take a minibus back to Los Canos de Meca to the finca.
Day 4: Through pine forest and varied landscape, we ride towards Los Naveros - on the old "Cañadas" (cattle drive ways) and huge pastures, where we often encounter the "toros bravos". Over mountain ranges and solitary paths our tour leads up to the night quarters of the horses in the vicinity of Medina Sidona. Riders transfer to a nice country hotel in Benalup where we will stay for 2 nights.
Day 5: On ancient Romans trails we ride into the backcountry and approach Benalup. We ride across the beautiful hilly landscape, passing large animal farms by "Alvaro Domeque" and "Cebada Gago" . Lunch is back at our country hotel with typical Andalusian dishes. In the afternoon we take a short ride to where the horses stay for the night. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 6: Extensive canters through huge rice fields take us back to a coastal reserve - home to rare birds such as storks, ibises, cranes and herons. In the afternoon we ride to Almarchal where the horses will stay for the night and we transfer to the finca at the beach.
Day 7: After a short ride we reach the beach at Zahara where we enjoy a brisk canter along the ocean and continue on at a more relaxed pace. We take our lunch or a picnic in Barbate, depending on the weather situation. Then we climb the cliff (La Brena) of Barbate and enjoy a breathtaking view of the blue sea to one side the the lush green of the pine forests to the other. Our riding path leads us through bushes with wild orchids. On clear days you can see Africa across the sea. A short races takes us tot a historic watch tower and we continue with a nice long canter through the pine forest. We ride past the Cap Trafalgar and the horses sense that home is not far away - soon we arrive back at the finca at the beach.
Day 8: Departure.
Feria del Caballo Week in Jerez (5 riding days + Feria day in May)
Day 1 to 4: same as the regular trail weeks
Day 5: Rest day for the horses. Riders transfer to the Feria in Jerez. At the feria we see impressive performances and experience first hand the hustle and bustle of the traditional horse festival. We then visit a demonstration of the Spanish Riding School (dependent on the allocation of tickets, as no advance sales). Afterward we have the opportunity to dance and taste the odd sherry before we go to the hotel.
Day 6: Our horses are brought to Jerez. Here they are decorated by us for the "big" appearance at the parade of the Feria . Properly dressed for the Feria we take part of the parade with pride and good humor among the festive bustle. In the evening the horses return, while we rush into the festivities of the feria.
Day 7: Return to the finca in Los Canos de Meca at the beach. A nice ride through the Brena de Barbate concludes the riding week. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast.
For participation in one of the largest Spanish Ferias, it is necessary that we dress ourselves proud and authentic as the Spanish. A "traje" (short bolero jacket and striped trousers in standard sizes are made available). All you need to bring is a white shirt or blouse, black or brown boots or riding shoes with Chaps. A Spanish hat, a scarf and braces you can buy locally for about Euros 60. -- Lunches, dinner and drinks in Jerez are not included
Meeting:
Los Canos de Meca
Airport:
Jerez de la Frontera
Transfer:
Jerez airport
The transfer times from the airports are announced one week before departure as we must collect all riders' flight details before choosing an appropriate pick up time.
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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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Moderate at all paces. 5-6 hours per riding day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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|
Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
210
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Riders:
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|
Min
4 riders
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Max
10 riders
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You will ride on 6 days for an average of 5-6 hours each day. Each day will be varied and different. We will take lunch in nice typical Spanish bars on every day of the trail. And after a relaxing siesta, carry on with our ride. You will ride in small friendly groups of no more than ten. You will be accompanied at all times by one of us personally. We are famous for our friendliness, professionalism and local knowledge. With many years on these trails behind us, we are able to show you places that will simply take your breath away.
This is a trail ride for riders who are both confident and experienced at all paces. You should be fit enough to ride 5 to 6 hours a day. The pace will be at the walk with several long canters of 5 to 6 km duration. During the week you will ride 230 to 240 km over varying terrain through the heart of Andalucia with spectacular views throughout. We have many horses to suit all our different guests and we are very experienced at selecting the perfect partnership between horse and rider. By the end of the week you and your horse will be the best of friends.
Our aim is to match each of our guests with a horse that will suit their ability and taste. All our horses are sure-footed, forward-going and very fit. We have 26 Andalucian horses as well as Anglo-Arabs and Hispanos, many of which we bred ourselves. The herd is comprised of geldings, mares and four stallions. They are calm, with kind temperaments and good manners, but are still very forward-going, even in the climate found in Southern Spain.
For those of you who have already ridden on a beach we need say no more. For those that haven't prepare to make your dreams come true. We ride along the edge of the forest down onto the long sandy beaches of Cape Trafalgar and El Palmar. These beaches stretch for 10Km, giving plenty of room to let your horse show you what he can really do. The pace of the beach is fast and exhilarating and something you will never forget. People and horses leave the beach with big grins and lots of sand on their faces.
The tack is Spanish working and dressage saddles. All saddles are well prepared to get things tight, so almost every type of saddlebag can be fixed to them. The working saddles are prepared with sheepskins.
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 cool in the winter. Rain is possible at
anytime of the year, but most 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 rain gear.
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 |
| |
| 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 |
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.
..view other reports for different trips
|
Tack:
|
|
Spanish - Very comfortable Spanish saddles give you a firm seat - a simpler version of the western riding.
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Andalusian Cross
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate at all paces. 5-6 hours per riding day
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
You will ride on 6 days for an average of 5-6 hours each day. Each day will be varied and different. We will take lunch in nice typical Spanish bars on every day of the trail. And after a relaxing siesta, carry on with our ride. You will ride in small friendly groups of no more than ten. You will be accompanied at all times by one of us personally. We are famous for our friendliness, professionalism and local knowledge. With many years on these trails behind us, we are able to show you places that will simply take your breath away.
This is a trail ride for riders who are both confident and experienced at all paces. You should be fit enough to ride 5 to 6 hours a day. The pace will be at the walk with several long canters of 5 to 6 km duration. During the week you will ride 230 to 240 km over varying terrain through the heart of Andalucia with spectacular views throughout. We have many horses to suit all our different guests and we are very experienced at selecting the perfect partnership between horse and rider. By the end of the week you and your horse will be the best of friends.
Our aim is to match each of our guests with a horse that will suit their ability and taste. All our horses are sure-footed, forward-going and very fit. We have 26 Andalucian horses as well as Anglo-Arabs and Hispanos, many of which we bred ourselves. The herd is comprised of geldings, mares and four stallions. They are calm, with kind temperaments and good manners, but are still very forward-going, even in the climate found in Southern Spain.
For those of you who have already ridden on a beach we need say no more. For those that haven't prepare to make your dreams come true. We ride along the edge of the forest down onto the long sandy beaches of Cape Trafalgar and El Palmar. These beaches stretch for 10Km, giving plenty of room to let your horse show you what he can really do. The pace of the beach is fast and exhilarating and something you will never forget. People and horses leave the beach with big grins and lots of sand on their faces.
The tack is Spanish working and dressage saddles. All saddles are well prepared to get things tight, so almost every type of saddlebag can be fixed to them. The working saddles are prepared with sheepskins.
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:
IT-SPRT11
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,300.00
Dates :
Jan to Dec, except mid July/Aug
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
|