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Grand Alpujarra Ride
Southern Spain
Spain
The Grand Alpujarra Trail in Southern Spain is a fascinating journey through the region made famous by author Chris Stewart in his charming book "Driving over Lemons" about life on a rural mountain farm. The actual route we take is a combination of the best parts of the previous Sierra Nevada rides offered and provides an in-depth experience of this unique part of Spain. Watered by the melting snows of Spain's two highest mountains, this surprisingly verdant area is criss-crossed with ancient Moorish drovers' paths and mule tracks, some of which even pre-date the Moors by several hundred years, making it both an ideal and spectacular horse riding countryside. These very hills and valleys were the last redoubt of the Moors before their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula in 1610 and their legacy is very much in evidence within both the architecture and culture. The stunning Mountain Ibex and various rare birds flourish in this natural park that also boasts the cleanest air in Europe! The terrain lends itself to varied riding at all the paces as well as some spectacular panoramic scenery. The architecture of the beautifully preserved Moorish villages cannot be found anywhere else in Spain, truly a unique delight. There are up to six swimming pools on route, so plenty of opportunities to swim, relax and sunbathe along the way- don't forget your swimsuit!
Rides run from mid May until mid September.
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Meeting:
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Pitres
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Airport:
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Malaga
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Transfer:
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Malaga Airport at 4:30 PM
Drop off time 11:30 AM
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
7 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations with private bath, all meals with fine local wines, lunches hot and cold picnic outside (5 days), restaurant lunch for 1 day, 6 riding days. Luggage transfer.
| A | 2010 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €1195 | $1830 |
| Single supplement | €140 | $215 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from Malaga airport at 4:30 PM included; drop off at 11:30 AM
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Arrival: A transfer is included from the Malaga Airport, Terminal 2, at 4:30 PM on Day 1.
Departure: Your transfer will return to Malaga Airport by 11:30 AM on the last day. As airlines recommend a 2-3 hr check in time- your earliest flight departure is 1:30 PM.
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Malaga. Briefing of what lies ahead while enjoying dinner and local wines. Hotel Pepe Alvarez, Trevelez
Day 2: The White Villages
After a relaxed breakfast at 9am we drive to our farm (5km from the hotel) to meet the horses. This day takes us via forestry roads and bridle paths into the famous white villages Portugos, Capilerilla, Pitres and Busquistar. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
(Approximate riding time 5,5 hours) Hotel Pepe Alvarez, Trevelez
Day 3: The Trevelez Valley
Breakfast at 9am. We take the high road towards Trevelez through oak and pine forests. Broad tracks invite for exciting long cantering followed by ancient Moorish trails. At the Rio Trevelez we stop for one of our legendary picnic lunches before continuing along the Moorish trails to the beautifully restored Hotel El Castañar Nazari.
(Approximate riding time 5,5 hours) El Castañar Nazari
Day 4: Mountain High – Loma De Juviles
Breakfast at 9am. This day takes us along bridle paths and forestry roads into the next valley. Along the way we will stop for a relaxed saddle bag picnic while enjoying the beautiful views of the Contraviesa Range and Mediterranean Sea, on clear days even Africa’s coast. Our hotel for the night is the comfortable El Cercado in Alcutar, with it’s great pool and country cuisine. (Approximate riding time 5,5 hours) El Cercado, Alcutar
Day 5: The Contraviesa
Breakfast at 9am. We will be leading the horses on a 20 min walk down to the River before riding through the beautiful village of Narila. We continue towards Cadiar through desert like vegetation interrupted by lush irrigated gardens before arriving in time for lunch at the beautifully restored Alqueria de Morayma hotel. The afternoon offers time to visit the “Bodega” where they make their organic wine and cool off in the pool with its beautiful views.
(Approximate riding time 3 hours) El Cercado, Alcutar
Day 6: Back to the Farm
Breakfast at 9am. Ride back to the stables by one of three different routes: we walk, trot and canter from Cadias back to the farm in just one day! Great views and fantastic cantering tracks are found along the way through forests and open grasslands!
(Approx riding time: 7 hours). Hotel La Fragua, Trevelez
Day 7: Views, Views and More Views
After a relaxed breakfast at 9am we drive to our farm (5km from the hotel) to meet the horses. We ride to the high mountains above the farm (2200m) along beautiful bridle paths. Our picnic lunch is only surpassed by the breathtaking alpine scenery and views: on clear days you can see the Mediterranean Sea and Africa’s Coast. The second half of the ride offers possibilities for extended trots and canters.
(Approximate riding time 5,5 hours) Hotel La Fragua, Trevelez
Day 8: Adios Amigos!
Transfer to Malaga airport (arrival 11am). Taxis and buses are available at the airport to all local towns and resorts.
Subject to changes.
Meeting:
Pitres
Airport:
Malaga
Transfer:
Malaga Airport at 4:30 PM
Drop off time 11:30 AM
Distance:
160 miles
Arrival: A transfer is included from the Malaga Airport, Terminal 2, at 4:30 PM on Day 1.
Departure: Your transfer will return to Malaga Airport by 11:30 AM on the last day. As airlines recommend a 2-3 hr check in time- your earliest flight departure is 1:30 PM.
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Tack:
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English trekking and one Australian saddle
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Horses:
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Andalusian PRE, Andalusian cross and 2 Hanoveranians
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Pace:
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Depending on terrain mainly walk with nice longer stretches of trot and canter - 4 -7 hrs average 5
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
12
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Weight:
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Max
190
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
7 riders
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Tack: English trekking
Horses: Andalusian and Hispano Arab
Pace: moderate with nice canters
Riding Level: Strong intermediate for Alpujarra rides. Rider must be comfortable at walk, trot and canter.
Daily Riding: 4-7 hours, average 5
Full Andalucian and Andalucian crosses, 14.3hh to 17.3hh. Forward going and schooled by ourselves. We also have some European Warmbloods as well as a couple of Anglo-Arabs. It is always our policy to have a wide range of horses in order to match up the rider and horse as closely as possible.
Weight limit 94Kg.
“We take a particular pride in the quality and suitability of our horses. Our clients say that we have the best horses in the business! “
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
With 335 days of sunshine a year, good weather is almost guaranteed. However, there can be variations in temperature with altitude and between day and night. The temperatures in February to early May range from 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C with a possibility of bad weather. From mid-May to July and September it ranges between 18 and 30 degrees C .However, riding at altitude always brings a wonderful fresh breeze and makes these temperatures more comfortable. In October and November temperatures drop back to between 15 and 25 degrees C. Days are mostly sunny with the odd the chance of rain. Early mornings and evenings can be cool even in the summer.
Your luggage is transported to each hotel, - all you need to do is relax and enjoy the ride.
Waterproofs are essential any time of year!!
Boots with grips on the sole and ankle support (i.e. lightweight walking boots or jodphur boots with tread). Traditional long riding boots and smooth-soled jodphur boots are not recommended.
* A combination of light trousers, light boots and half chaps for calf protection can be ideal. * Please limit your luggage to one bag per person.
Full range of clothes including t-shirts, a good jumper and a jacket – it can get very chilly at night and first thing in the morning while very hot during the day.
** Please limit your luggage to one medium sized bag per person of around 10 kilos and always less than 15 kilos**
| … 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 |
| Cotton trousers (with no inside seams) or Jodhpurs |
| Riding boots + half chaps |
| Riding helmet (not provided) plus neckerchief to shade the back of your neck |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strap) 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 |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Light summer jacket |
| Warm jacket |
| Comfortable shoes/sneakers (some walking downhill leading our horse is required on 2nd day) |
| Swimming gear (some of the hotels have swimming pools) |
| Bandana |
| Waterproofs |
| 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 |
| Address book and pen (for pictures 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.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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nancy sharkey
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9/29/2007
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nancy sharkey
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9/20/2007
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linda barker
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6/21/2007
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tony williams
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6/27/2005
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roshni pannirselvam
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7/17/2004
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penny dill
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7/2/2004
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karen johnson
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6/25/2004
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andrea brahms
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6/15/2004
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..view other reports for different trips
We would never dream of riding on anything less that a full stomach and realise that a happy stomach is one of the most important aspects of an active holiday.
Fortunately, the Mediterranean diet is healthy, plentiful and extremely tasty. The Alpujarra is particularly renowned for its mountain air-cured hams, local cheeses, French-style bread and almost every conceivable vegetable. We also provide wine at lunch and dinner each night, choosing a different bottle for each meal to ensure that our guests have the opportunity of sampling at least a small selection of the almost inexhaustible varieties available.
Lunch is either a picnic prepared and delivered to a suitable spot by ourselves in the support vehicle, or at a local bar. Those who don’t eat meat have traditionally had a tough time in Spain, but this is not true of our rides as we are particularly sympathetic to the needs of vegetarians.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is in locally owned country hotels on a twin-share basis with en-suite facilities.
We always try and use those places that reflect the charm or history of the Alpujarra to the best effect. Generally speaking we always use what we consider to be the best hotels available in any area that we visit. All have en suite bathrooms and many have swimming pools.
If there is one thing on which all riders might agree then it will almost certainly be the value of a good meal and a comfortable night's sleep after a day in the saddle.
Depending on the route, there are between three and five swimming pools on the way and the odd river.
Many of the rooms have balconies and nearly all of them boast impressive views.
Comfortable locally owned country hotels with en suite facilities on a twin-share basis. We always try and use those places that reflect the charm or history of the Alpujarra to the best effect.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner.
Tack: English trekking
Horses: Andalusian and Hispano Arab
Pace: moderate with nice canters
Riding Level: Strong intermediate for Alpujarra rides. Rider must be comfortable at walk, trot and canter.
Daily Riding: 4-7 hours, average 5
Full Andalucian and Andalucian crosses, 14.3hh to 17.3hh. Forward going and schooled by ourselves. We also have some European Warmbloods as well as a couple of Anglo-Arabs. It is always our policy to have a wide range of horses in order to match up the rider and horse as closely as possible.
Weight limit 94Kg.
“We take a particular pride in the quality and suitability of our horses. Our clients say that we have the best horses in the business! “
|
Tack:
|
|
English trekking and one Australian saddle
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Andalusian PRE, Andalusian cross and 2 Hanoveranians
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Depending on terrain mainly walk with nice longer stretches of trot and canter - 4 -7 hrs average 5
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
190
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
7 riders
|
|
Tack: English trekking
Horses: Andalusian and Hispano Arab
Pace: moderate with nice canters
Riding Level: Strong intermediate for Alpujarra rides. Rider must be comfortable at walk, trot and canter.
Daily Riding: 4-7 hours, average 5
Full Andalucian and Andalucian crosses, 14.3hh to 17.3hh. Forward going and schooled by ourselves. We also have some European Warmbloods as well as a couple of Anglo-Arabs. It is always our policy to have a wide range of horses in order to match up the rider and horse as closely as possible.
Weight limit 94Kg.
“We take a particular pride in the quality and suitability of our horses. Our clients say that we have the best horses in the business! “
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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Grand Alpujarra Ride
Tour Code: IT-SPRT01-A
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,830.00
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
English trekking and one Australian sa...
Horses:
Andalusian PRE, Andalusian cross and...
Pace:
Depending on terrain mainly walk with ...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Malaga
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