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8 Day Gerês Wolf and Wild Horse Territory Horse Riding Holiday in Castro Laboreiro, Portugal
Lugar do Queimadelo- Castro Laboreiro 4960-084 Melgaço
Wonderful Horse Riding Holiday Portugal
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in Portugal
If you are looking for a different ride, in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes, the Gerês, 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
Meet the instructors
Mariana
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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
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
6 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 6 participants
Airport transfer available:
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (US$ 103 per person)
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (US$ 103 per person)
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
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 (Saturday to Saturday) 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.
It’s important that you know that the order of the days can be swapped
accordingly with the weather or any other unpredictable situation .
Day 1 – Saturday
- Riding: No riding.
- Transfer from Porto airport departing strictly at 3 pm, to the village of Castro
- Laboreiro. A welcome dinner is served in the country house.
Day 2 - Sunday
- 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 10 minutes by car from the accommodation and you will be collected each day.
- Lunch today is at the gardens of the Country House
- In the afternoon you will a visit the the National Park's reception centre to learn more about the region and their wonderful biodiversity.
- Dinner at the local restaurant
Day 3 - Monday
- 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 - Tuesday
- Riding: 3 hours riding
- Starting in the top of the mountain where the horse stables are located, you will ride in direction of the Plato where Laboreiro river born. A wild valley in the top that works has a cup and concentrated a lot of small springs and water lines to start the main mountain river. Traveling to reach this valley, you will pass Rodeiro village, the highest and a very typical village in the region. During this ride you will reach the highest point of the region , meaning 1340 metres of altitude and enjoying breathing 360 degrees views.
- Lunch at the country house
- During the afternoon you will visit the medieval Castle of Castro Laboreiro.
- Dinner at the guest house
Day 5 – Wednesday
Riding: 3-5 hours
Today you will keep following the ancient Transhumance trails and these were also used as a connection to Spain back in the old days. You will leave the winter valley and cross near Barreiro Lake in direction of Castro Laboreiro village. It will be a ride full of super views of the mountain and the oak forest.On these trails, the great difference is the beauty between the high-altitude landscape and the more hidden valleys of Castro Laboreiro that becomes visible and breathtaking.
Picnic lunch in the mountains
After lunch, you will climb back to the stables where continues presenting you extraordinary landscapes over the mountain. Using the hot hair to raise the birds of prey will make you company on the way.
- Dinner at the country house
Day 6 – Thursday
- Riding: 2 – 3 hours
- During this morning you can choose between a free morning to relax and rest or going with us to visit the Castro Laboreiro Museum and get to know more about their history.
- Early Lunch at the gardens of the guest house
- Free time
- In the late afternoon you tack up the horses for a sunset ride to track and hopefullyfind the wild Garrano horses.
- The sunset ride is done accordingly with the meteorological conditions.
- Dinner at the guest house
Day 7 – Friday
- 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 long canters.
- Dinner at the guest house
Day 8 – Saturday
- 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 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 Garrano.
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 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 gardens of the country house 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
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 6 dinners
What's not included
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Other meals
- Transfers from and to the airport (100 euros paid locally 50 euros each trip going and coming)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
OPO
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
101 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 103 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Transfer from and to the airport is included and is paid locally, 100 euros.
Ecotura will pick you up from the airport at 15:00 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.
The departure flights shouldn't be booked before 13 p.m
Airport: Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Airport transfer available:
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (US$ 103 per person)
Additional charges may apply. 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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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