Royal Horse Trails

Introduction
Alto Alentejo Portugal
Lazy rivers and babbling creeks meander through the rolling hills and pastures of Portugal's largest breeding area of fighting bulls, providing enough fresh water to make this central region the greenest of Portugal. This is classic horse country with soft trails through a scenic, lush countryside. You will overnight in beautifully renovated private estates, once the homesteads of European nobles. Lots of antique furniture and a very special atmosphere make them a true cultural and historical highlight of the Royal Horse Trails ride.

The journey takes you over hilly meadows without fences or roads to the Maranhão Lagoon. You cross several bridges, most of which had been built by the old Romans until you reach Alter do Chão and visit one of the two National Stud Farms that has its headquarters here. This is certainly a highlight for all lovers of Portuguese horses, but the view from the farm over the surrounding countryside is no less impressive. Hundreds of mares and their colts graze on huge meadows. Travel through meadows and fields, where only a few remote farmhouses remind you of the presence of people.

No doubt - this is one of the best rides in Europe!
 

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights will be spent in different accommodations.

Description
The accommodations throughout the trip are in country inns and private estates.
Laundry facilities are available in Alter do Chão (nights 3 & 4) for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Monte do Padrão in Figueira e Barros
Night 2: Monte Dos Aroeirais in Fronteira
Nights 3 & 4: Varandas de Alter in Alter do Chão
Night 5: Monte Dos Aroeirais in Fronteira
Night 6 & 7: Monte do Padrão in Figueira e Barros

Monte do Padrão in Figueira e Barros
This recently renovated farmhouse is surrounded by a 1300-hectare park. It has 7 double rooms.

Monte Dos Aroeirais in Fronteira
This charming property offers elegantly decorated bedrooms, that all come fitted with a TV, air conditioning, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi access. The property is surrounded by olive groves and offers a small outdoor swimming pool. Guests are also welcome to relax on the terrace or to read a book in the lounge, by the fireplace.

Varandas de Alter in Alter do Chão
This small hotel offers simply decorated bedrooms fitted with a TV and an ensuite bathroom. The hotel amenities include an outdoor pool and a sauna (extra charge). Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee does apply.



Meals
The package includes all meals and drinks at lunch time.
The meals are usually traditional Portuguese food.

Lunches are eaten on the trail and usually included grilled food.
The dinners are eaten in local restaurants or in the hotels' restaurants.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advance notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Horses
You will be riding pure-bred and part-bred Lusitano Horses. The Lusitanos, which come from the same origin as the famous Andalusians, can be considered as some of the finest horses in Europe. Together with their Spanish brothers, the Lusitanos were the first horses which were brought to the New World and thus became ancestors of all American breeds. They are known for their splendid abilities and glamour performing the collected movements. You can indeed look forward to getting a mount which is not only well tempered and of a docile character but who will allow you to explore the great feeling of riding a well-trained horse.

Tack
The saddles that you will be using are mostly Portuguese Army saddles covered with sheep skin which are very comfortable and well-suited for the purpose of long distance rides. English style bridles are used.
We do not provide saddle bags. There is a bottle holder provided with each saddle.

Weight Limit
The weight limit for this ride is 85 kg / 190 lbs, but we can accept riders exceeding this weight if they are experienced (under confirmation).

Itinerary


Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Note: This is a sample itinerary only and subject to changes at the tour operator's discretion. Riding times and distances are subject to change due to group dynamic and rider levels.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Transfer around 5:30 PM from Lisbon to the town of Figueira e Barros, approximately 150kms. Dinner and overnight in a farm house. A large number of manors with original furniture were renovated to promote tourism. Visitors are pleasantly surprised about the personal atmosphere and warmth of these former private homes.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Monte do Padrão

Day 2 (Monday): Introductory Ride
You ride over hilly meadows. This is a large-scale land-holding and the fences between meadows are miles apart. The landowners prevented road construction on their properties and you will seldom run into roads in this part of Alentejo. Most of the stone bridges over the numerous rivers date back to the Roman’s Empire. For lunch, a delicious picnic will be prepared with grilled meats or fish with salad accompanied by fresh bread and local wine. In the afternoon, you continue along the banks of the river – it may be necessary to dismount and lead your horse over some particularly rocky sections. The day ends near Fronteira. Enjoy an evening in the beautiful garden by the pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais

Day 3 (Tuesday): Monte dos Aroeirais to Alter do Chão
Departure from Monte dos Aroeirais in direction of Alter do Chão and its Horse Breeding Farm, with a ride through endless meadows full of colours where raise cattle, sheep. Picnic and more riding in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Varandas de Alter

Day 4 (Wednesday): Alter do Chão Horse Breeding Farm
Today in the morning you will ride through the vast flower‐filled meadows on the lands of the stud farm. After lunch at the hotel, you will visit the Alter do Chão Horse Breeding Farm, one of the two national stud farms. The horses bred here are so famous that they're traded under the name Alter. This is often a highlight and not only for horse‐lovers. In this idyllic location, hundreds of mares and their colts graze on large meadows filled with flowers. You should also get the opportunity to see some of the stallions and young horses. The town rises 500 m over sea-level and you can enjoy a panoramic view over the landscape. We then transfer to the town of Alter, for a stroll before dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Varandas de Alter

Day 5 (Thursday): Ride to Ribeira da Seda
Through large meadows, past fields, and with only one remote farmhouse that reminds us of the presence of people, you ride to Ribeira da Seda. The original, regional Portuguese cuisine offers you a varied and delicious menu.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais

Day 6 (Friday): Monte do Padrão Ride
Today you will ride inside the fields of Monte do Padrão that is 3000 ha large with cork trees and a huge olive oil trees fields.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Monte do Padrão

Day 7 (Saturday): Calatrava Ride
You ride back across large meadows, you’ll see millions of colours towards Lake Maranhão through the private hunting grounds of the Calatrava, consisting of open fields and cork forests. There is lots of opportunity for long trots and canters. You enjoy lunch on the banks of the dam before returning to the farm by a similar route.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Monte do Padrão

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast transfer to Lisbon and departure.
Meals included: Breakfast




Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

Rates and Dates for Royal Horse Trails

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Padrao
Airport: Lisbon
Transfer: Lisbon airport incl 5:30PM

Climate:
                                            Fronteira area