Transfer Option:

North - South Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday  Reception at the “Meeting Point” of Lisbon's airport and departure to the south at 17H30 in the direction of Melides. The group stay overnight at Moinho Velho, a nice typical country house. Here you can relax, and enjoy dinner and your first night of rest.
Day 2  The ride takes us along the coast where we have long stretches on the wide-open beaches. Gallops on the beach almost desert, is one of the highlights of the trail. The horses rest while you can enjoy a swim in the sea before a lovely picnic lunch. In the afternoon we ride in the dunes in the direction of Moinho Velho.
Here, we are close to the Lagoon of Melides, an area of great silence and tranquillity. The beach is about 5 km distance so if you have courage enough you can have a nice swim before dinner.
We dinner at a local restaurant and stay in Moinho Velho as the day before.
Day 3  After a good breakfast we ride through rice fields and we continue in the pine forest passing the lagoons of Stº André where you have an amazing view of the lagoon and beach you rode the day before.
Today we ride inland while enjoying many canters through eucalyptus and pine forests. For lunch our driver greets us at a shady place in the woods. We are served grilled meats/fish and salad accompanied by fresh bread and local wine.
After the meal we continue towards Quinta da Ortiga where the horses stay for the night. The group after a 10min transfer will be at the renewed and pleasant Pousada de Santiago actually named ‘Hotel Caminhos de Santiago’.
This facility with an excellent swimming pool, is situated in the border of Santiago of the Cacém.
Day 4   After large breakfast, we are prepared for the longest day on the saddle plenty of canters on the beautiful countryside. We continue further into the interior towards Cercal, leaving the sea behind us. After a long ascend we reach the place for the picnic. After a small ‘siesta’ we continue in the direction of the Casas Verdemar, located 8 km after the village of Cercal. This old rural space is nicely decorated with fine restored antiques. We dine on the terrace and you can taste some very old and authentic local recipes with natural products of the region. The accommodations of Verdemar where you stay for four nights have a nice rural ambiance. The spacious exterior with a garden, swimming pool, fruit trees, and olive trees offers pleasant places to sit and relax.
Day 5  Before lunch we ride in the surroundings of Verdemar, cork, pine forest. Easy riding after the long journey of the day before, we will ride mostly on cork fields. The afternoon is free to visit Vila Nova de Milfontes, a fishing village close to the sea, with a very nice beach. This is a great destination if you like to swim in the open ocean and do some shopping. Overnight in Verdemar.
Day 6  After breakfast we leave for our next destination, which is still in the mountains of Cercal riding through varied and interesting scenery. We will have the usual picnic near the beautiful dam of Campilhas where you can enjoy a swim before the lunch. After some nice trots and canters we ride back to Verdemar. Relax and enjoy the quiet of a typical “monte alentejano” after a dip in the pool.
Day 7   Last riding day we continue exploring the mountains of Cercal. This is one of the highlights of the trail. We ride to the ‘Capela de Nª Srª das Neves’, a place where you can see a huge and beautiful landscape and watch the places where we rode. A farewell dinner completes the ride.
Day 8  Departure to Lisbon after breakfast.

     Subject to changes

The temperature along the coast is very pleasant for riding. However, be prepared for quick showers, which may occasionally occur.

In the months of February, March, October and November it is advisable to bring some protection against rain and a pullover or other type of warm cloth for the evenings.
In the summer months it is advisable to have a hat for protection against the sun (if you don’t use a riding helmet).

During the ride informal attire prevails. Either English or Western riding gear is acceptable, although since tack is English style, we feel that breeches and high boots are most comfortable for the long hours in the saddle. And even though it is not required, we recommend a riding helmet. For those of you who wish to ride in jeans we highly recommend chaps or leggings.

Casual sportswear is appropriate for the evenings. Do bring a sweater and jacket for the cooler evenings. There are no saddle bags available but the riders will be met at picnic time every day by the car transporting the luggage. We do recommend that you obtain a belt pack to carry your valuables and other small items during the ride. Regular film can be obtained locally but special sizes may not be available, so bring plenty. Do not forget swimsuit and towel. When traveling in Europe it is always a good idea to bring a bar of soap since not all hotels supply it. We also like to carry along some leather thongs for tying things to the saddle.

We recommend that you take two different suitcases/bags in order to leave all clothes which are not being used during the trail at the starting point of the trek; and only take the absolutely necessary equipment, while on the ride. This bag will be transported by the jeep from one stopover to the next.

Accommodations in 3 and 4-star lodging. Excellent country hotels with fine cuisine. Wine with lunch.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Portugese cavalry saddle like English Endurance with sheepskin
Horses:		Lusitanos
Pace:		4-6 hrs Pace Moderate, long canters
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 10 riders

The 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. The Lusitano horses were at their full grandeur when the classical dressage of 'Haute école' was having its era throughout the last centuries, before the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) requested the performance of extension in modern dressage. This is a movement, which can only be performed in a limited way by Lusitanos as these horses have never been chosen for being great movers in respect to long strides. They are instead 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. 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.

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).

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements