5 Day Gerês Wolf and Wild Horse Territory Horse Riding Holiday in Castro Laboreiro, Portugal
Thriling Horse Riding Holiday in Portugal
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in Portugal
Ecotura HorseRiding has already 20 years of experience and would like to invite you to join a different ride in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes, the Geres, and the territory of a large predator, the mythical wolf, then this horse riding holiday is perfect for you! You will make trips on horseback, one or more days in which you will cover the territory of the wolf and observe the signs of their passage.
Key Information
- Tack Type: English Tack
- Horse Breed: Lusitano and Garrano
Meet the instructors
Read more
Highlights
- 3 days of horse riding
- A mix of fast and calm rides according to the group
- Ride the sweet and well-trained Lusitano and Árabe cross horses
- Observation of wild Garrano horse herds during the rides
- Ride in the wild and beautiful nature of the National Park
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily full-board meals
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (US$ 117 per person)
Accommodation
Facilities
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Honesty bar
- Kitchen
- Terrace
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Meeting room
- Wireless internet
The guest house is a traditional mountain house, built in the early twentieth century and recently restored. Although in essence maintaining the original features, the guest house is equipped with all modern comforts that enable visitors pleasant moments of leisure. Located in the historic village of Castro Laboreiro in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, this house is surrounded by the purest nature that you can find in Portugal.
Ideal rest from the stress of the city, it allows you to enjoy the fully-deservedp holiday. The house is equipped with central heating, a fireplace, free Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped kitchen. Extra beds are available only for children up to 15 years
Program
Cross dense oak woods, go through groves of birch, the natural shelter for roe deer and wild boar, through patches of chestnut and holly trees inhabited by squirrels, jays, and orioles, and rest along the cliffs on which you can see eagles and some rare species of crows. Visit Fojos (ancient stone traps to catch the wolf, man-made in unusual places) and talk about the history and legends surrounding this species. And who knows, you may be treated to the sound of the most spectacular nature, the howl of the wolf.
Note: The itinerary for Gerês wolf and wild horses tour can be adapted to the weather or other local conditions but during your stay, there will be a combination of half-day and full-day rides. It is possible to have additional riding, riding lessons, or woof trimming lessons (extra cost, payable locally) in place of the non-riding excursions. Please note that the following are example itineraries and are not exhaustive.
Day 1
- Riding: No riding.
- Transfer from Porto airport departing strictly at 15:00, to the village of Castro Laboreiro.
- A welcome dinner is served in the guest house.
Day 2
- Riding: 3 hours
- Today you will meet the horses and they will be allocated to you before your first ride on the beautiful paths of the Peneda Mountain. The stables are approximately 5 minutes by car from the accommodation and you will be collected each day.
- Lunch today is at the gardens of the guesthouse.
- In the afternoon, you will a visit the the National Park’s reception center to learn more about the region and their wonderful biodiversity.
- Dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 3
- Riding: 5 – 6 hours
- This ride takes you towards the fabulous Valley of the Wolves, one of the most beautiful valleys of the mountain.
- Picnic lunch in the mountains.
- Full of biodiversity, the area is rich in rare sighthings of wild animals. Last but no less important, you can spot the best Garrano herds of all the region here in the valley.
- Dinner at the guest house.
Day 4
- Riding: 5 – 6 hours
- Today you will ride for the border in the east of Portugal, looking for the Garrano horses and the amazing megalithic monuments there – these represent the largest Megalithic necropolis in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Lunch today is in the mountains.
- The ride continues with the possibility of some longer canters.
Day 5
- Riding: No riding.
- Transfer to Porto airport after breakfast.
Instructors
Mariana de Alarcão
Mariana is the older daughter of Pedro , she did her degree in Recreation Tourism and then her Master in Tourism and Nature , already thinking in her future. When she had 3 years old her father put her in horse and from there her love for horses start growing. After travel de world and working in many different places , she decided that best place to be was home so she come back in 2018 and since then she is working full time at the company. She believe that the horses are the best therapy in the world. Mariana will be always ready to receive you with a big smile and a lot of energy.
Location
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is about 70,000 hectares protected area positioned at the border of Portugal and Spain adjoining the park of Xurês of neighboring Spain. Located in a mountainous region with the altitude differing between 700 meters and 1,500 meters. It has varied habitats which include dense oak forest and high granite mountain landscape. This national park is home to the two most endangered species of mammals that’s the Iberian wolf and the wild horses namely from the race called Garrana.
Close to the northern border between Portugal and Spain lies the Peneda-Geres National Park, a region of varied habitats that range from high granite mountain landscapes to dense oak forests. Not only is this a beautiful natural landscape, but it is also the territory of a large predator, the magical Iberian wolf, a species that the hosts here have studied closely for several years. In addition to the wolf, the wild Garrano horse also roams this area freely. The rides often pass herds of these horses which is a wonderful sight to behold.
They are in the origin of the Mustang horse. Some of the riding horses used are also from the Garrano breed (the others used being Lusitanos, another Portuguese breed). The riding takes you through the oak woods and groves of birch, a natural shelter for roe deer and wild boar, as well as patches of chestnut and holly trees which are inhabited by squirrels. Jays and orioles rest along the cliffs where you might also catch a glimpse of an eagle and some rare species of crow.
Food
During the holiday, you will be served four breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4
dinners included in the price. The honey produced by us organically way, homemade jams, and marmalades are what you will find in the breakfast and are some of the treats that we have reserved for you. Snacks and drinks of different kinds are always available in the house, in a trust system (including wine).
In the gardens of the country house you will find the ideal place for your breakfast or for the book delayed for so long time.
Vegetarian, vegan, lactose, and gluten-free diets are always available at dinners and picnic lunches. Kindly always indicate your diet information in your inquiry.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Lactose Free
Things to do (optional)
- Additional riding
- Riding lessons
- Woof trimming lessons
What's included
- 3 riding days
- 4 nights accommodation
- 4 breakfasts
- 3 lunches (according to the day-by-day itinerary)
- 4 dinners
What's not included
- Transfers from and to the airport (100 euros paid locally 50 euros each trip going and coming)
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
101 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 117 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Ecotura HorseRiding
will pick you up from the airport. The transfer have the value of 100 euros per person (50 euros each trip) paid locally . The transfers are always on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.
On the departure day, you will leave the guest house around 9/9:30 , arriving to the airport around 11:30/12:00 p.m.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.