Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1: Transfer from Madrid to Sepulveda. If you arrive early enough, take a stroll in the old part of town – it is beautiful with its old fortified walls and historic churches and buildings. Overnight is at a very nice country hotel near the nature park Las Hoces del Rio Duraton.

Day 2: We ride along the forested river banks, through large pine forests with its juniper bushes, into the nature park. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the high cliffs over the fields, the water and the cloister of San Frutos in the distance. Many birds of prey, including the large  Griffon Vultures, will be accompanying you along the way – maybe you will even see a pair of eagles if you are lucky. For lunch we stop in the village of Fuentiduena before we reach Scramenia by following the river in the afternoon. Here we all join for dinner at the restaurant and stay overnight.

Day 3: Again we follow the river Duraton to where it flows into the Duero. We stop along the way for a good lunch and nice siesta. In the afternoon we reach Peñafiel with its majestic fortress and the wine museum. We check into a nice four-star hotel and still have some time for a stroll around town before dinner.

Day 4: From Peñafiel we take a nice leisurely ride through the valley of the river Cuco to the Castle of Curiel in the province of Valladolid. Here we stop at the base of the castle hill. This afternoon we will visit a bodega and taste some of the local wine. Overnight as the day before.

Day 5: Along the right hand side of the Duero we explore the famous Ribera and visit some of the most famous bodegas along the way. We then visit the Cloister of Santa Maria de Valbuena near San Bernardo. It was first built in 1143 AD and is a magnificent example of early Cistercian Architecture still in very good condition. Tired and satisfied after long canters, the sightseeing and wine tasting we reach Quintanilla de Onésimo, where a modern four-star hotel awaits us.

Day 6: The morning ride leads us across the high plateau to an excellent viewpoint over the whole Ribera del Duero. Here we stop for our picnic lunch and siesta. Our return ride takes a break along the way at another bodega with wine tasting and a nice little surprise will wait for you. Dinner and overnight are the day before.

Day 7: Our ride takes us again along the river to the village of Sardón de Duero, where we cross the river and stop for the last time at a well known bodega. Dinner and overnight back in Quintanilla.

Day 8: Transfer back to Madrid after breakfast.

The overall climate of Castillia 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. 

Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April
A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.
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.
Also, please bring comfortable walking boots as you have to walk with the horses downhill on a rocky surface on the second day for at least one hour.

Overnights are in 3 and 4-star hotels and country inns.
Dinner is typically at the hotel resaturant. Lunches are at local bodegas along the way or picnic along the trail.

Tack:		Spanish (Vaquero) and some English
Horses:		Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusitanos, Cruzados con Español Arab
Pace:		Moderate with nice canters | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 9 riders

The horses are mainly locally bred Arab and Andalusian crosses. They average between 15hh and 16hh and are a forward going, responsive and thoroughly enjoyable ride. They are also good natured, nimble, sure footed and well suited to the . Tack is English style with sheepskin saddle covers available if required and saddle bags provided when necessary. Rides are normally for a maximum of 10 guests.

Pace and experience required: To join these rides you should be a reasonably experienced rider who is comfortable, secure and in control on a well schooled horse at a walk, trot and canter in open country and over varied terrain. You should also have a fairly good level of general and riding fitness. The pace on the rides is moderate overall but it varies each day with the going - one day particularly includes some steep ascents, descents and narrow trails to negotiate; other days are on more open going which allows faster riding.

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