Transfer Option:

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos at an elevation of 4,575 ft elevation. Here King Alfonso the 13th built the first national Parador, which is now the heart of Alto Gredos from which you can see Almanzor’s Peak (7,780 ft). Dinner and overnight stay at at the Hotel Almanzor.

Day 2: We ride up over the northern Sierra de Gredos until we reach the origins of the Tormes River. We follow the way towards Puerto del Pico (4,135 ft) to cross the pass of Arenal if the weather lets us. On the other side, we find a milder climate coming into to the lovely valley Tietar which is known for its cherries. Dinner and overnight at the country house El Canchal.

Day 3: On a perfectly preserved Roman road we descend to Barranco de las Cinco Villas -  five villages bunched together - now at a much lower elevation of 1,200 ft. This road is still used for the “Transhumancia”, an ancient cattle and sheep trail used to take the livestock to better pastures. We’ll visit las Cinco Villas. Dinner and overnight again at the country house El Canchal.

Day 4: We leave Arenas de San Pedro and Candelera to venture into Valle de la Vera, but first we stop to visit the Monastery of Chilla (Chilla is the patron saint of Gredos) and the ancient Celtic settlement “El Raso” (2nd century b.c.). Through Valle de la Vera we leave Castille y Leon and arrive in Extremadura. Dinner and overnight at the country house La Josa.

Day 5: In Valle de la Vera we find many small towns with ancient houses made of wood and adobe - many of them with the traditional balconies. We ride along tobacco and red pepper plantations, orchards and through woodlands of chestnut and walnut, as well as orange and olive trees. Dinner and overnight at the country house La Herrería.

Day 6: Passing Villanueva de la Vera and Valeverde de la Vera, two beautiful villages, we ride to Jarandilla de la Vera. From here we ascend to El Guijo de Sana Barbara, a small town situated in the outskirts of the mountain range Sierra de Gredos, underneath the port of Tornavacas. This has always been the historic starting point for crossings of the mountain range. Dinner and overnight at the rural hotel ‘La Abuela’.

Day 7: We leave Guijo and keep following La Vera until we reach Cuacos de Yuste, another picturesque town overlooked by its monastery. The monastery is a building of monumental art and famous the world over. Before we continue our ride we stop for lunch and visit the monastery. You ride on to Garganta de Olla, well-known for its historic buildings and typical mountain architecture. Dinner and overnight stay in Garganta de Olla.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to Madrid and departure.

           Subject to change

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.

Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel by vehicle. Breakfast and dinner each day will be eaten at the hotels. Lunches are usually picnics out riding.

This trip includes some wine with dinner.

Horses: The horses are mainly locally bred Arab and Andaluian crosses. They average between 15hh and 16hh and are a forward going, responsive and thoroughly enjoyable ride. They are also good natured, nimble but sure footed and well suited to the going. 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.

Between 5 and 7 hours riding a day, riding from village to village with breaks for rests and lunch.

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.

Tack:		Spanish (Vaquero), Western 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

Horses: The horses are mainly locally bred Arab and Andaluian crosses. They average between 15hh and 16hh and are a forward going, responsive and thoroughly enjoyable ride. They are also good natured, nimble but sure footed and well suited to the going. 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.

Between 5 and 7 hours riding a day, riding from village to village with breaks for rests and lunch.

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