Rhodes Sunshine Trail South Aegean Greece This tour is ideal for riders looking for a more relaxed pace or for someone travelling with non-riding companions. Ride in central Rhodes and discover hidden gems such as the Thari monastery and the Laerma Dam. In addition to trail riding you can also learn more about horsemanship or even get a riding lesson if you wish. There is also enough free time for you to relax or go sightseeing on your own. Family Vacation Center-based ride Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Laerma Airport: Rhodes Airport Transfer: Rhodes Airport Riders: Min 1 riders Max 6 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfers can be arranged anytime from Rhodes airport for an extra fee. We recommedn renting a car so you can explore the island during your free time.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: This program only includes half day rides (except for one full day of riding and one day without any riding) so we strongly recommend renting a car so that you can explore the island while not riding.

Day 1: Arrival
We can arrange a transfer from Rhodes airport (extra cost) for you. After dinner, we will have a briefing on the trail route.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 2: Introduction
Today, we go for our first ride around the ranch. Expect beautiful panoramic views over the valleys. It is the perfect time to get to know your horse. We will also visit the Thari monastery.
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 3: Monastery Ride
The real adventure begins as our ride lets us explore trails that are completely off the beaten track. Our goal for the day is a little Monastery. As we travel through forests and valleys, we will hopefully see some deer. There are good opportunities for some exciting canters. Depending on the weather and riding time, we can potentially visit the Donkey Sanctuary. 
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 4: Relax (no riding)
Choose between a relaxing day or an exciting sightseeing day. It is possible to rent a motorbike or a car and discover the wonderful places Rhodes has to offer. Alternatively we can drive you to a splendid beach where you can stay for the whole day and relax.
We can also book one of the following activities for your day off (extra cost): Catamaran Tour, Tour to the Irleand Symi, private Tour to Rhodes Town, or Massage at the Ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 5: Horsemanship or Trail Ride
Have you ever tried T-Touch? The horses do so much for us, so let’s give them something back! We can teach you the Tellington Jones touch. We will show you how you can help a nervous horse become relaxed and calm. Understanding how to create the steps towards a more confident horse, how to take away the horses' pain, how to keep the horses' back in good shape and condition and also how to make the horse more focused.
After this we can try a little horsemanship and also riding bareback (the entirety of the program is around 4 hours). If you are concerned about riding bareback you can just have a little go in the round pen and afterwards tack up the horse before heading out.
If you already know about T-Touch, Horsemanship and so on, you can also choose to go on a trail ride with us for 3 hours as an alternative option.
Riding approx. 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 6: Laerma Dam Ride
We ride to the dam of Laerma, where you can go for a swim, discover the lake by canoe or just chill in the hammock. After our relaxing time we will visit the stone graves from 300 B.C. Then, it is time to head back to the ranch.
Riding approx. 4.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 7: Panorama Ride
For our last riding day, we ride up to heights of 400m, allowing us to enjoy a fantastic view of the dam below. Upon our return to the ranch, Taki will be ready to welcome us with a well deserved BBQ. 
Riding approx. 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Midday snack & Dinner
Overnight in Laerma

Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast before heading off to your next adventure.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riding Activities
Non-riders are welcome to join this trip. They can spend some time canoeing on the nearby lake or practice archery at the ranch (archery is free). It is also a good idea to rent a car and explore the island.

                                            Laerma area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	58	58	62	67	74	81	85	85	81	75	67	61
Average Low Temperature (°F)	48	48	51	56	62	69	73	74	70	63	56	51
Average High Temperature (°C)	14	15	17	20	23	27	30	30	27	24	19	16
Average Low Temperature (°C)	9	9	11	13	17	20	23	23	21	17	13	11

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Rhodes climate is typical of the Mediterranean and is strongly influenced by the sea. The Island has a pleasantly sunny climate.

Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes.
Spring and autumn are cooler, except when the occasional Scirocco wind from Africa brings unseasonably high temperatures and humidity.
Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.

Annual rainfall is low.

 

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!). No jeans.

Riding boots that are also comfortable for walking. Mini chaps.

Riding helmet. Best if you bring you own. We have simple helmets for free in the stables.

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

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 film or batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

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Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent in the same location.

Description
The package includes accommodation near Thari Monastery. It is possible to upgrade to a more luxurious accommodation in Laerma.
Wi-Fi is not always available at the night accommodations. We think this will allow you to relax and enjoy your holidays even more.



Accommodation near Thari Monastery (standard)
The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. Most room have private bathrooms.



Accommodation in Laerma (upgarde)
There are 4 different studios. Each studio has its own kitchenette, private facilities (with hairdryer) and a small balcony. They all come equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a TV.


Room Occupancy
Solo travelers can choose to share a room. However, if no one is found to share the room with you, the single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

Breakfast is filling and it comes with coffee and juice. Food for breakfast is provided at your accommodation.
If you are staying at the standard accommodation, you can take your breakfast in the common room.
If you chose the upgraded accommodation (studio), food for breakfast is provided there.

The midday meal is usually a small picnic featuring traditional Greek food (meatballs with pitas and spinach, pies, wraps...) served with one soft drink.

Dinner includes generous portions of Mediterranean style food (moussaka, mezze...) as well as one drink.

We provide plenty of water throughout the tour.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western (also one English and one Spanish saddle available on request) with bitless bridles
Horses:		Mix of different breeds including Apaloosa, Arab, Andalusian and local Greek horse breeds
Pace:		Approx. 4 hours in the saddle per riding day Relaxed pace due to hilly terrain: mainly walk & trot with about 2-3 canters per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 5 out of 5)    Intermediate and above
Age:		Min 12
Weight:		Max 190 lbs / 85 kg
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders

Philosophy
We want you to spend safe and joyful holiday on horseback. This why we specialize in small groups. It is important to us and for your enjoyment that horse and rider get along. Each tour begins with a standard ritual of brushing and stroking your horse. Before any tour we give you a instruction for western riding and to which commands our horses respond. Then, we go in the round pen, where you can get to know your horse better, before we go on with the tour.

Riding Level
We consider beginner riders, people who have completed less than 50 riding lessons (please be honest about how often you have sat on a horse).
Beginners and more experienced riders are only mixed in case they know each other and agree to share the experience.
For this tour, we expect all participants to feel comfortable and in control at all gaits.

Passports

Passport required by all except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passports must be valid for the following durations:

(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) passports must be valid for length of intended stay.

(b) Australian, Canadian, USA and excluded EU passports must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay.

Note: EU and EEA 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. 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

Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

(a) 2. EU nationals staying more than 90 days or for employment (including establishing a business, trade, profession or commercial activity) have to apply in person to the consulate general of Greece for a national visa; (b) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers; (c) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.

Types of Visa and Cost

National visa: £30.

Working Days Required

Three to 14, dependent upon nationality.

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.