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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Portugal
Intro to Portugal
![]() Alentejo / Blue Coast![]() Alto Alentejo![]() Azores![]() Lisbon Area
Spain
France
Italy
Europe Overview
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Secrets of Alentejo
Alentejo / Blue Coast
Portugal
Experience the Alentejo culture, traditions, wine and local gastronomy.
Riding Pure-Bred Lusitano horses, noble animals with a proud posture, is the best way to discover this wonderful, almost forgotten in time, place in the plains of Alentejo with beautiful landscapes.
You will be staying in a Country Club Hotel, the perfect symbiosis between wine tourism and rural tourism, with a wide range offer of activities related to nature.
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Family Vacation
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
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Lisbon Airport
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Airport:
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Lisbon Airport
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Transfer:
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Lisbon Airport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2021
Rates include*:
Accommodation, All meals with drinks, Airport transfers at set times, 5 riding days & Activities described in the program
Saddle bags are provided
| A | 2021 | 7 day trip, AP | 7d / 6n | €1480 | $1760 |
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Tax:
23
%
Transfer and Other Charges:
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2021
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Transfers from/to Lisbon airport included at set times
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€
0
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$0
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2021
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Single supplement
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€
330
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$395
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2021
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Transfer from/to Lisbon airport outside set times, one-way, pp
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€
250
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$300
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2021
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Non-riders get 10% off (full borad)
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€
0
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$0
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Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Lisbon Airport (LIS).
On Day 1, pick-up is around 5pm.
On the last day, drop-off at the airport is around 9am.
Tour Dates for 2021
Custom dates might be arranged for groups of 4+ pax
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Rates do not include:
Extra drinks, Transfers outside set times & Gratuities
Note:
Due to COVID-19 Corona virus pandemic and certain travel restrictions we are applying some temporary policy changes to some of our tours.
For Secrets of Alentejo (IT-PGCHA3):
If you are unable to travel due to the pandemic (border closure or travel restrictions), it is possible to postpone your trip to a later date in 2021.
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
You are transferred from Lisbon Airport (meet around 5pm) to your Hotel in Beja just in time for your welcome dinner at the hotel’s restaurant – The Hunting Lodge. There, you will meet the team and get some information about the trail.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 2 (Sunday): Introduction
After breakfast, riders will head to the hotel’s arena where each horse will be assigned to each rider. Riders will have the opportunity to try their horse inside the arena; a good way for horse and rider to get acquainted, while enjoying the wonderful view over the countryside and preserved nature of the region.
Then, we go for our first trail around “Herdade da Figueirinha”, belonging to Hotel Vila Galé, with the opportunity to see its various productions. We will stop for a picnic lunch in a privileged location with a view over the dam – “Barragem do Roxo”. Then, we continue the riding in the fields around the farm, before making our way back to the Hotel, in time to relax before dinner at the restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 3 (Monday): Herdade da Malhadinha Nova Ride
This morning, we make our way on horseback towards “Herdade da Malhadinha Nova”, a local rural tourism property and a Lusitano Stud Farm. We will stop for lunch there and visit the Stud facilities after our break.
In the afternoon, we ride back to the Hotel. Tonight, dinner will be served at the former bullfighting arena’s restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride around the Farm & Wine Tasting
After breakfast, we go for a ride around the farm. We stop for a picnic lunch in the middle of the vineyards and then head back to the hotel.
Before dinner, riders will head to the wine house Santa Vitoria for a tour, followed by a wine tasting.
Dinner will be served at the “Room of the Barrels”.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 5 (Wednesday): Herdade dos Grous Ride
Our destination for the day is “Herdade dos Grous”. There, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant with a great view over the property. Then, it is time to ride back to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 6 (Thursday): Mina da Juliana Ride
After breakfast, we ride to the small village of Mina da Juliana, enjoying the landscape along the dam. We will stop for lunch at the local rural tourism “Agroturismo do Roxo” and then return to the Hotel in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Vila Galé
Day 7 (Friday): Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon Airport around 9 am.
Meals included: Breakfast
Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. They can relax at the pool or go take part in some of the hotel activities (biking, hot air balloon...) for an extra cost. In case they want to do some sightseeing, it is best to rent a car.
Meeting:
Lisbon Airport
Airport:
Lisbon Airport
Transfer:
Lisbon Airport
Distance:
180 km
Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Lisbon Airport (LIS).
On Day 1, pick-up is around 5pm.
On the last day, drop-off at the airport is around 9am.
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Tack:
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Zaldi "Country" (mix between english and endurance saddle)
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Horses:
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Lusitanos
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Pace:
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Moderate at all paces
Approx. 5-6h in the saddle per riding day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate and above
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Age:
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Min
10
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
12 riders
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Riding helmets are mandatory for this ride.
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This ride is aimed at intermediate riders and above who are comfortable, balanced and secure in the saddle and able to control a well-schooled horse in open country at a walk, trot and canter.
Our horses are reliable, healthy and in good physical conditions. All stops are predefined and the welfare of horses, staff and visitors ensured.
Besides the guide, the group will always be followed by one or two people in a jeep, which has a phone and first aid kit and need box, for both riders and horses.
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:1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Passport Note(a) Sufficient fu. more
Beja area
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Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average High Temperature (°F)
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56
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59
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64
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68
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75
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84
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91
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90
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84
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73
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63
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57
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Average Low Temperature (°F)
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41
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42
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44
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46
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50
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56
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59
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60
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58
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54
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47
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43
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Average High Temperature (°C)
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13
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15
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18
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20
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24
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29
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33
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32
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29
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23
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17
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14
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Average Low Temperature (°C)
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5
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6
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7
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8
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10
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13
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15
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16
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15
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12
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8
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6
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Average Precipitation (days of rain)
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8
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7
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6
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7
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5
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2
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0
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0
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2
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7
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7
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9
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Source: NOAA
Seasons
The region benefits from a typically Mediterranean, with two well-defined seasons: Winter (cold and relatively dry) and summer (hot and dry). The average annual temperature is around 15.8 degrees. But the region has registered great thermal amplitudes, with maximum levels in summer, above 43ºC, while in winter, minimum temperatures drop below 0ºC. Precipitations are irregular and may vary widely from year to year. The wettest time of the year is usually between November and March, with monthly average values of about 80 mm3. The driest time of the year is the period from June to August, with average values never exceeding 15mm3.
| 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 shirts with long sleeves (protection against the sun!) |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection |
| Rain coat |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Jogging suit / Pyjama |
| Light summer jacket |
| Comfortable shoes/sneakers |
| Swimsuit and towel |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and enough extra films or memory cards and batteries |
| Small bag to buckle on (for small items needed during the ride) |
| Spur straps (to tie sweater or parka onto the saddle) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
| Flash light |
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.
** No trip reports found
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Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same accommodation.
Description
You will be staying at the Hotel Vila Galé Country Club. This beautiful property offers 81 rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, tennis courts and free Wi-Fi access everywhere. The architecture and decoration style are typical of the Alentejo region.
Each room included a phone, air conditioning, a cable TV, a safe, a kettle and private facilities with hair dryer and free toiletries.
The property also has its own riding school and winery
Room Occupancy
In case we are unable to find someone to share a room with you, a single supplement fee applies.
Meals
The package includes all meals with drinks. During lunch and dinner, beer and wine from local producers are also included. Drinks outside of mealtimes can be purchased at the accommodation for an extra fee.
We served typical food from the region.
Breakfast is usually Mediterranean, but we can adapt according to the clients requirements (if they prefer something different).
Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advance notice.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
|
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Zaldi "Country" (mix between english and endurance saddle)
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Lusitanos
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate at all paces
Approx. 5-6h in the saddle per riding day
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate and above
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|
Age:
|
|
Min
10
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|
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Weight:
|
|
Max
200 lbs
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|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
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This ride is aimed at intermediate riders and above who are comfortable, balanced and secure in the saddle and able to control a well-schooled horse in open country at a walk, trot and canter.
Our horses are reliable, healthy and in good physical conditions. All stops are predefined and the welfare of horses, staff and visitors ensured.
Besides the guide, the group will always be followed by one or two people in a jeep, which has a phone and first aid kit and need box, for both riders and horses.
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
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| 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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Secrets of Alentejo
Tour Code:
IT-PGCHA3
7 days /
6 nights
~$1,760.00
Dates :
Mar, Jul & Sep
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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