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Horseback riding tours
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also:
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El Cid Arlanza Valley Ride
Central Spain
Spain
A trip for nature lovers, the horse enthusiast, the gourmet who enjoys tasting the flavor of a new country, or for the curious traveler ready to experience the lifestyle and traditions of a different people!
This trip explores a changing landscape of mountains and vast plains, rivers and valleys, forests and plateaus. A land celebrated by poets and exalted by past travelers- here you can follow the tracks of "El Cid" the Spanish hero from centuries long gone. This is the cradle of the Spanish language, its history is the legend of conquests. Here the center of Spanish medieval history is at your fingertips. The area's importance during that particular epoch is still evident in its cathedrals, monasteries, castles and fortified towns, many of which are preserved in unbelievably perfect state. We have established an extraordinary two week holiday or you can ride a one week segment, both lead by Jose Manuel, who has lived all his life in the region and is proud to share his knowledge with you. He does not speak English, but somehow everyone understands him very well- Of course it helps that he is always accompanied by an interpreter and a horse guide!
The trip starts following the tracks of “El Cid”, the Castilian hero of medieval times. We ride along the Arlanza River, starting from the historic town of Llerma all the way up to the river’s origin. The area is one of transition where vast wild plains and pleasant valleys alternate, with natural occuring great beauty. It is an original Spanish landscape in the heart of Castile, once a kingdom reaching from the Bay of Biscay in the north to Andalusía in the south. The valley of Arlanza offers an extraordinary heritage; Lerma, San Pedro de Arlaza, Covarrubias and Silos, all especially significant in the history of Castile. One thousand year old churches prevail and villages with 500 year old houses accompany your riding trail. You will be lead through isolated karst scenery to the medieval city Covarrubias. Passing the monastery of Sto Domingo de los Silos, you ride through light oak forests, cross beautiful rivers and vast pastureland, along lakes, through wild canyons and mountain paths until you reach Sierra de Neila. The picnic lunches are all well prepared with all the trimmings. Dinners are in local restaurants with delicious and authentic local menus. A medieval style banquet ends this first week on the footsteps of “El Cid”.
You can combine this trip to make it a two week ride with the following riding tours:
El Cid - Sierra de la Demanda
Vineyards Trail
Gredos Mountains Ride
Progressive Ride (no camping) Ride with Western Tack
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Meeting:
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Madrid
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Airport:
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Madrid
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Transfer:
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Madrid Airport- usually at 17:30.
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
9 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2018
Rates include*:
Accommodations in country inns, meals, 6 riding days
A | 2018 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €1500 | $1800 |
Single supplement | €145 | $175 |
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Transfer and Other Charges:
2018
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Transfer from/to Madrid airport included at set times
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Pick-up/ drop-off is available from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD). Pick-up is fixed for 5:00pm. Drop-off around 12:00pm on the last day.
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--
Meeting:
Madrid
Airport:
Madrid
Transfer:
Madrid Airport- usually at 17:30.
Pick-up/ drop-off is available from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD). Pick-up is fixed for 5:00pm. Drop-off around 12:00pm on the last day.
Tack:
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Spanish (Vaquero), Western and some English
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Horses:
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Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusitanos, Cruzados con Español Arab
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Pace:
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Moderate with some nice canters, 25-30 km per day
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
9 riders
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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 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.
Average |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
high Temperatures in °C |
13 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
25 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
daily sunshine in hours |
5,5 |
6 |
7,5 |
8,5 |
9,5 |
9,5 |
9,5 |
6,5 |
5,5 |
5 |
4 |
rainy days |
3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
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.
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 |
English or Western riding attire |
Comfortable/riding boots |
A hard hat is not required, but recommended for safety |
Riding gloves |
Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
Rain coat/Wax jacket |
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PERSONAL CLOTHING |
Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
Jeans |
Shorts |
Underwear and socks |
Pyjama |
Light summer jacket |
Warm jacket |
Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
Swimsuit |
Bandana |
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
Personal Toiletries |
Insect protection |
Personal medications |
Sore cream (for the emergency) |
Sewing kit |
Handkerchiefs |
Adapter for electric appliances |
Camera and enough extra films |
Belt pack |
Sun glasses with strap |
Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Small bar of soap |
Flashlight |
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
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.
Tack:
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Spanish (Vaquero), Western and some English
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Horses:
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Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusitanos, Cruzados con Español Arab
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Pace:
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Moderate with some nice canters, 25-30 km per day
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
9 riders
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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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El Cid Arlanza Valley Ride
Tour Code:
PG-BUT8
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,800.00
Dates :
June, September
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. |
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