“Learn how to ride and understand how the horses think and behave in Peneda Gerês National Park”
8 Days Beginner Horse Riding Holiday in Northern Portugal
Ecoutura County House, Viana do Castelo, Alto Minho, Portugal
Fascinating Portugal Horse Riding Holiday
Ecotura invites you to join a different ride in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes where you will make trips on horseback in the beautiful setting. The itinerary for this beginner week 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 learning. Please note that the following are example itineraries and are not exhaustive.
Key information
- Tack type: English tack
- Horse breed: Lusitano and Garrano
Highlights
- 6 riding days
- Visit the reception center of the national park
- Explore the old part of the historical Melgaço Village
- Visit the Castro Laboreiro medieval castle and Peneda sanctuary
- One yoga and meditation session for relaxation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Beginner
Styles
6 days with instruction
Airport transfer included:
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
16:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
Facilities
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Wireless internet
The Ecotura Country House is a traditional mountain house, built in the early 20th 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, the place allows you to enjoy a 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 in all outdoor activities of Ecotura. The house is equipped with central heating, fireplace, free Wi-Fi, TV with cable channels, and a fully equipped kitchen.
Program
Day 1: Saturday
You will be transferred from the airport to the village of Castro Laboreiro and have dinner in Ecotura Country House.
Day 2: Sunday
First approach to the horses. You will have security rules, horse behavior, and first ride for learning the basic. Typical lunch will be at a local restaurant. You will visit the reception center of the national park for better knowledge of the region and the biodiversity of this natural area and have dinner at the house.
Day 3: Monday
You will have the first ride in the mountain on a walk, picnic near the river, a small walk on the mountain for relaxation, and dinner at the house.
Day 4: Tuesday
You will learn how to put the halter and how to lead the horse on foot. Then, ride to learn the trot technique and have a lunch at a local restaurant. After that, you will visit the old part of the historical Melgaço Village with the castle and the old churches. Stop in Alvarinho presentation center to try out the wonderful fresh local white wine. Alvarinho wine is a richness of extreme rarity. A typical Portuguese wine, the Alvarinho cast, is both one of the most important varieties of the Tart Wine Region and one of the internationally prized, a true top-quality wine. Dinner will be at the house.
Day 5: Wednesday
This is your first full day ride on the mountain. You will practice the trot, picnic on the mountain, and have dinner at the house.
Day 6: Thursday
Morning visit to Castro Laboreiro medieval castle and to Peneda pilgrimage sanctuary and village. This huge and beautiful sanctuary in the middle of the mountain was built in the 18th century. Lunch will be in Laboreiro river near a natural pool with an extraordinary roman bright. Swimming in the natural pool is possible. You will ride for learning the Canter technique. Today you will have your yoga and relaxation class.
Day 7: Friday
You will ride in the mountain to practice the trot and Canter and have a lunch in the mountain. Then, walking in the mountain for relaxation and look for wild Garrano herds. Dinner will be at the house.
Day 8: Saturday
Transfer to the airport.
Included excursions
- Visit the old part of the historical Melgaço Village with the castle and the old churches.
- Stop in Alvarinho presentation center to try out the wonderful fresh local white wine.
- Morning visit to Castro Laboreiro medieval castle and to Peneda pilgrimage sanctuary and village.
Location
Peneda Gerês National Park in Portugal is a beautiful region in the top north of the country at the border with Galicia in Spain. World's leading destination in 2017, Portugal offers an outstanding country to travel, offering a tourism of excellence. The national park is the “jewel of the crown” when you speak about nature or wild or stunning landscape. %Due to its unique characteristics and the value that nature conservation contains, this region has won from UNESCO the higher award that a green area can receive biosphere reserve.
In this mountain territory, you can travel from the old oak forests in the valleys, full of creeks and old Roman bridges, to the high pics where the mountain landscape reveals the wild horse herds grazing peacefully in the natural pastures. In this tour, you will connect this two areas of the mountain, from the valley to the summit, traveling by ancient paths used for centuries by smugglers and shepherds, when they move the cattle between the winter and the summer pastures.
Features
Activities
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Mountain walking
General
- Garden
- Kitchen
Services
- Bicycle rental
- Internet access
Food
Daily meals are included in the price. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose and gluten free diets are always available at dinners and picnic lunches. The diets information should come in the booking form.
You will have available in the house, in a trust system, different kind of snacks and drinks (including wine).
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
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 riding days
- One yoga and meditation class
- Transfer from and to the airport
- 7 nights' accommodation
- 7 breakfast, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners
How to get there
Recommended Airports
OPO
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
101 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). The organizer will pick you up from the airport.The pick-ul is included n the price.
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 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
54941
Similar Horse Riding Holidays you might like
Why choose BookHorseRidingHolidays.com
Largest Selection
Friendly Customer Service
Offers for every budget
Best Price