Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample-Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1- COVARRUBIAS
Arrival at Madrid Airport and transfer to the first night's hotel in Covarrubias. Here we enjoy a fine dinner and have the chance to learn a little about the history of El Cid, a medieval Castilian hero in the fight against the Moorish occupation of 10th century Spain. On this horse riding holiday, we follow in his footsteps and the dramatic events of those times, visiting the monasteries and villages he did 1000 years ago.

Day 2- COVARRUBIAS
We start our adventure.  Leaving beautiful Covarrubias, one of the first areas to be reconquered from the Moors in the late ninth century and the birthplace of the Castilian language, for a ride to the Ura Valley, a small canyon that crosses the river Mataviejas. This circular ride returns us once again to Covarrubias where we enjoy another wonderful supper in this historic village before retiring for the night.

Day 3- COVARRUBIAS - SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS
We continue on along El Cid's banishment route, crossing the Arlanza river near Covarrubias. Then we take the road to Retuerta and later to Contreras, also know as the “town of the one hundred fountains”.
Finally we reach Santo Domingo de Silos, a well known Village due to its Romanic Monastery of the XI century, one of the most beautiful in all Spain.  Dinner and lodging in Hotel Coronas II or similar.

Day 4- SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS - NAVAS DEL PINAR
We leave Santo Domingo de Silos traversing Alto de Peñacoba , Marmolar and Tierra de Pinares (land of pines). Then we get to Navas del Pinar at the entrance of Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos. We walk surrounded by pine groves and cross deserted mountain towns where all the inhabitants have left for the cities. Dinner and lodging in Casa Rural La Fuente or similar.

Day 5- NAVAS DEL PINAR - CASAREJOS
Today we ride through the spectacular Parque Natural del Cañón de Río Lobos, protected land and a sanctuary for birds. This is a 16 km canyon, made by Río Lobos that runs through the provinces of Burgos and Soria, surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides, lush vegetation underfoot and ancient trees and poplars. There are also many caves and wells. At the end of this canyon we emerge in Casarejo, in the province of Soria. Dinner and lodging in Hotel Manrique de Lara or similar.

Day 6- CASAREJOS - QUINTANAR DE LA SIERRA
We leave Cañón del Río lobos, riding through the pinewoods of Pino Valsain and get to Canicosa de la Sierra and Quintanar de la Sierra in the Province of Burgos. Here we will visit craved into rock and very imaginative medieval cemetery:  Necrópolis de Revenga. You can also admire rocks marked with dinosaurs  tracks. Dinner and lodging in Posada las Mayas or Casa Ramón or similar.

Day 7- QUINTANAR DE LA SIERRA – NACIMIENTO DE RIO ARLANZA
We leave these beautiful mountain towns and begin our last day riding through pine woods in our way to the source of river Arlanza. After a lunch here we return at last to Covarrubias where the adventure began. Dinner and lodging in Hotel Nuevo Arlanza or Hotel Doña Sancha or similar.

Day 8
Departure and transfer to Madrid after breakfast when we must bid farewell to Spain.

Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organizing team.

--Subject to changes--

Soria area

Seasons
The overall climate of Castilla is similar to Southern California. It benefits from a continental Mediterranean climate with hot summers, pleasant and moderate temperatures in the spring and fall, and fairly cool temperatures in the winter.

Rain is possible anytime of the year, but rare in summer. The main rainy season is from the end of October to 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 at times.

Overnight accommodation on this ride is in very comfortable hotels with en suite bathrooms.

The picnics are all well prepared with all the trimmings. Dinners are in local restaurants with delicious local menus.

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