“Experience riding holiday on the national park”
5% off
8 Day Gerês Wolf and Wild Horse Territory Horse Riding Holiday in Castro Laboreiro, Norte Region
ECOTURA, ecotourism and nature retreats, Lugar de João Alvo S/N, Castro Laboreiro, Melgaço, Viana do Castelo, Alto Minho, Norte Region, Portugal
Wonderful Horse Riding Holiday Portugal
If you are looking for a different ride, in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes, the Geres, and the territory of a large predator, the mythical wolf, Ecotura is thinking of you!
Key Information
- Rider Weight Limit: 198 pounds / 90 kilograms
- Tack Type: English Tack
- Horse Breed: Lusitano and Garrano
Highlights
- 6 days of horse riding
- Ride in the wild and beautiful nature of the National Park
- A mix of fast and calm rides according to the group
- Ride the sweet and well-trained Lusitano and Árabe cross horses
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
6 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 6 participants
Airport transfer included:
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
17:00
Check-out Time:
09:30
Facilities
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Terrace
- Yoga studio
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room
Ecotura Country House is a traditional mountain house, built in the early twentieth century and recently restored. Although in essence maintaining the original features, the Ecotura Country 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 for a retreat and rest from the stress of the city, it allows you to enjoy the fully-deserved holiday with family. It is still the premier venue for your adventures on the mountain. Once lodged in Ecotura Country House, you can take advantage of special prices for all outdoor activities of Ecotura. 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
Ecotura will make trips on horseback, during which you will cover the wolf's territory and observe the signs of their passage. Cross dense oak woods, go through groves of birch, 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 which can be seen eagles and some rare species of crows. Visit Fojos (ancient stone traps to catch the wolf, man-made in unusual places) and discuss 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. A program of eight days and seven nights (Sunday to Sunday) so you can fully enjoy your vacation in nature, breathe fresh air, and return energy to your body and soul in complete harmony with a preserved environment. Do you love horses and nature? Ecotura has prepared equestrian holiday tours where you can ride your dream Lusitano horses while enjoying a vacation in the mountains.
A vacation for those seeking to escape the routine, enjoy the calm, relax, contemplate the natural jewels of the last sanctuaries of the Iberian peninsula, and absorb the experience of observing the landscape effortlessly thanks to the company of your horse. Horse riding in Lusitano horses through the mountains in the territory of the wolf. Dips in natural pools of the Laboreiro River. Hot water thermal baths to relax.
Hiking by ancient paths of great beauty and ecological value that will lead you to discover the little treasures of the Peneda mountain. Moonlight picnics and meals with local products. For a good rest and maximum comfort, this program includes a stay in a tourist house or country hotel. The green gives health. Enjoy your vacation in the middle of an untouched nature where green is the protagonist.
Sunday
Breakfast ingredients are left for you to have your own breakfast at a place and time to suits you. Today sets the pattern for the week. At 10:00 (normally) you will be collected and taken to the stables at on the other side of Castro Laboreiro (a drive of about 10 minutes). After matching horses to riders, you set off on your first ride on the beautiful tracks of Peneda Mountain.
After your ride, you normally wash down the horses, return them to their fields, and go by car to have lunch in the gardens of the guest house. Later, you will visit the visitor center of the National Park and learn more about the area through which you will be riding.
- About 4 hours riding
Monday
Today, you will ride almost to the eastern border of Portugal with Spain. Along the way, you should see some herds of wild Garrano horses. The focus of the ride is to reach the megalithic monuments, which are the largest megalithic necropolis of the Iberian Peninsula. Have lunch in the mountains before riding back to the riding center. Some long canters may be possible today.
- About 6 hours riding
Tuesday
Today is a morning ride of about three hours into the mountains, which may allow for some faster riding. Drive to lunch at the gardens of the Guest House. In the afternoon, there is a non-riding visit to the old historical Melgaço village which is known for its old churches and castle. Along the way, you stop at the Alvarinho Centre to sample the wonderful, fresh local white wine. A typical Portuguese wine, the Alvarinho wine is one of the most important varieties of the Tart Wine Region. A true top-quality wine.
- About 3 hours riding
Wednesday
Today, you will leave the mountains and ride into the Monteiro hills in the direction of the winter valley. Don’t forget your camera today. The dramatic landscape with the granite rocks will make this day a highlight. You ride through old hamlets full of history and traditions. Lunch is in the mountains. After lunch, you return on horseback along an ancient transhumance (a route taken by farmers to move their cattle and sheep between summer and winter pastures) which was also a route to Spain.
- About 5 hours riding
Thursday
This morning is a non-riding visit to Castro Laboreiro medieval Castle and Peneda pilgrimage sanctuary and village. This huge and beautiful sanctuary in the middle of the mountain was built in the 18th century. After your lunch, in the late afternoon, you will tack up the horses for a sunset ride to the track and hopefully find the wild Garrano horses.
- About 3 hours riding
Friday
A final day of riding towards the fabulous Valley of the Wolves. Full of biodiversity this area is rich in rare sightings of wild animals. In this valley, you can hopefully spot the best herds of wild Garrano horses to be found in this region. Picnic lunch in the mountains. Enjoy a farewell dinner afterward.
- About 5 hours riding
Saturday
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport.
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 forests and high granite mountain landscapes. This national park is home to the two most endangered species of mammals that is 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 seven breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners included in the price. The goat milk and lavender handmade soap are produced from natural products. The honey produced by Ecotura organically way, homemade jams, and marmalades are what you will find in the breakfast and are some of the treats that Ecotura has reserved for you. Snacks and drinks of different kinds are always available in the house, in a trust system (including wine).
In the garden surrounded by one amazing oak forest, you will find the ideal place for your breakfast or for the book delayed for so long time. As a company, you will have the chirping of numerous birds that make their home in the oak forest or the bucolic sound of bells from the cattle that are grazing nearby. 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
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Lactose Free
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 6 days of riding
- 1 yoga class
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 6 dinners
- Transfers from and to the airport
What's not included
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Other meals
How to get there
Recommended Airports
OPO
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
96 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Ecotura HorseRiding will pick you up from the airport at 3:00 p.m. On the day of departure, you will leave the guest house around 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., so you will arrive at the airport around 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. If for some reason your flight does not arrive at 3:00 p.m., a special transfer can be arranged, just let Ecotura know and they can organize it.
Airport: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Airport transfer included: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
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.
5
Special offer Discount
This listing has a Low season discount discount of 5% if you book between 2024-Oct-05 and 2024-Nov-02.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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