Transfer Option:

Day 1: Arrival at Lisbon and transfer from the airport at 5:30 PM to Grândola's Hotel D. Lencastre (62 miles south), result of the rebuilding of a dwelling seigniorial of the 18th century in the centre of city with a very accessible environment and very charming personnel it is one of the most recent units of the area. You find there a very refined ambient where you can slacken in the comfortable rooms before the first day on horse back.   After dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal.

Day 2: We ride through hilly landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After the first few canters and gallops, you will notice the Lusitanos' wonderful character and how sure footed they are. A tasty picnic is to follow, as our driver usually has something grilled and fresh salads. In the afternoon, rested after the midday pause, you ride through the forests of pines and cork oaks. You reach Pousada da Quinta da Ortiga where the horses will rest for the night. A short transfer to Albergaria D.Nuno, an hotel in Santiago do Cacém with its personal charm and a swimming pool. Spoil yourselves with a delicious dinner in a local restaurant eating typical Portuguese food and sleep in very comfortable rooms.

Day 3: Start your day with a continental breakfast.  Leaving Quinta da Ortiga you will start your trail riding across forest of eucalyptus, with under wood cracking under the shoes of your mountings. Near Morgavel’s Water Reservoir we stop for a picnic and a relaxing Siesta. Afterwards, appreciate the marvellous gallops on sand tracks that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the day before.

Day 4:  After a plentiful breakfast you start a long ride towards St.Andre. Primarily sandy trails lead us through fields and forests, allowing several gallops. Surefooted, your horse takes you through the woods of the cork oak forests. In the afternoon, the horses get a rest and you have the opportunity to visit wild bottlenose dolphins in its natural habitat, in Sado River near the town of Setubal. You will have a short half an hour transfer to Setubal and after the visit you will return to Hotel Vila Park, at the edge of the Lagoon of Melides. Tonight we have dinner in the hotel.
Note: Depending on the weather, the program can be changed, possibly the visit to the Dolphins in the morning and the riding program in the afternoon. If the state of the sea does not allow the use of the boat (very rarely) we will spend the time visiting the region.

Day 5: The course of the morning excursion continues in direction of the beach. You will make long gallops in the beach. Ride through the forests of pines and by the hills of the Atlantic coast, close to the Lagoon of St Andre, on the coast of Alentejo. This place gives you an extraordinary feeling of freedom and rest; quiet water, the flight of the birds above your heads and the green of the pines make it a paradisiacal place. You arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding Center.Tonight we have dinner at a local restaurant with traditional local food and sleep in the same place as the night before.

Day 6: Today you ride from Sto.Andre towards Grândola. New innumerable wondrous gallops arise. Lusitanos will carry you safely through forests of pines. Red ground paths alternate with those of sand, you meet herds of cows or sheep. On your return and after having watered your horses, you appreciate a good refreshing shower before the dinner in Hotel D. Jorge de Lencastre.

Day 7: Today the group rides by the Serra of Grândola through an undulating landscape and picturesque villages, where the noise of the shoes of your horses attract the curious inhabitants of the village out of their houses. As usual, one makes a pause for the last picnic of the trail. The horses and the riders take a rest during a nap after lunch and then proceed to forests of cork oaks. Dinner and overnight as on the previous night.

Day 8: After breakfast you will be transported to Lisbon.
subject to change

The temperature along the coast is very pleasant for riding. However, be prepared for quick showers, which may occasionally occur. The main rainy season in Portugal is from November to April.

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 rural hotels and guesthouses.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

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.

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 6 riders	Max 10 riders

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.

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