“Experience an amazing horse ride trip in Spain”
7 Day Gredos to Salamanca Progressive Horse Riding Tour in Spain
Navarredonda de Gredos, Ávila Province, Castile and León, Spain
Wonderful Spain Horse Riding Tour
This is a great ride that combines great riding along the Natural Park of Sierra de Gredos, through the Tormes, Alberche, and Corneja river valleys ending with a half day spent in spectacular Salamanca town which will allow you to visit this historic town, which dates 2,700 years back with a great mix of cultures.
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 90 kilograms / 198 pounds
- Tack Type: English tack
- Horse Breed: Purebred Andalusian horse (PRE) and Hispano-Arab horses
Meet the instructors
Emilio Rodriguez
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Highlights
- 5 days of venturesome horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 4 - 7 hours
- Visits to Ávila, Candelario, and Salamanca
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
5 days with instruction
Group size: 4-10 participants
Airport transfer included:
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Accommodation
The accommodation and your attention in every aspect of the rides are all to an excellent standard. The accommodation along the way varies from boutique hotels in Gredos and charming rural inns in villages to delightful four-star hotels in El Barco de Ávila and comfortable hotels in the center of Salamanca town. All rooms have private bathrooms. Each of them is very clean and comfortable. There is Wi-Fi in every place you stay and is for free. There are towels, shampoo, and liquid soap in each room and in some places, they have hair driers.
The accommodation has been carefully chosen by Jerebeque Trails Horse Riding, due to the quality and also for the place for horses, they will rest in a field next to the hotel, when possible. A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting you in the morning, for tapas breaks, lunches, and dinners and also to move your luggage, so you have access to your luggage during the day at least three times or when necessary. The service along the rides is outstanding.
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Madrid - Navarredonda de Gredos
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3:00 p.m.) and transfer to Sierra de Gredos, a two-hour drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Your hosts will invite you for a welcome drink in Avila. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with Jerebeque Trails Horse Riding in a mountain village at 1,600 meters altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos. The hotel has a small spa. It is possible to arrange a session in the evening before dinner on the first two days.
Day 2: Navarredonda de Gredos - Navacepeda de Tormes
Distribution of horses. Will be a short and comfortable day, is time to meet the horses, and ride through the Tormes Valley and pine forest, open fields with great views of the Gredos Mountains. Al fresco lunch with an excellent paella served on table clothes and chairs, cooked at the spot, beside the river Tormes where is possible to swim in summer and autumn. Short afternoon to Navacepeda de Tormes. Transfer to the previous hotel as there is no accommodation in this village. Night and dinner at the hotel.
- Time in the saddle: 4 - 5 hours
Day 3: Navacepeda de Tormes - Navacepedilla de Corneja
A day with great contrasts in the landscape riding along three different valleys. The ride will start in the valley of the Tormes River, an open flat valley until you reach the tapas break, exquisite tapas and drinks appear around the corner, just when a break is needed! At this moment, you will have stunning views of the Gredos Mountains. You will follow to the Alberche river valley descending to San Martin de la Vega. Up to the Puerto de Chia (about 1,800 meters altitude) for a panoramic view of the Corneja Valley on one side, and the Alberche River on the other.
Stop for lunch another of your gourmet lunches served al fresco on table clothes and chairs in stunning surroundings. In the afternoon you will follow a Roman road descending to Navacepedilla de Corneja. where the horses and clients will spend the night in a charming rural hotel.
- Time in the saddle: 6 - 7 hours
Day 4: Navacepedilla de Corneja - El Mirón
From Navacepedilla, you descend following the Corneja River from its source to a more open valley, crossing. In the morning, you lead the horses downhill for 20 minutes. After the tapas break, you ride down to Bonilla de la Sierra, a medieval village with a castle that has three wall sections and three turrets of different styles and origins. The main part of the castle was formed by the Tower of Homage, of the 14th century, it has matacanes and round arches, and under the tower are the main yard and the rooms.
The castle contains 14th-century paintings. It was the resting place of the prelates of the Ávila bishopric, and held important episcopal synods, as the one in 1384. Bishop Sancho Dávila had a wall built around the village in the 14th century. Lunch by the village. Nice afternoon with canters along the flat Corneja valley and the great views from the Castle of El Mirón from where you can see a great view of the landscape of the area to end a fantastic day.
- Time in the saddle: 6 - 7 hours
Day 5: El Mirón - Horcajo Medianero
You will ride all day through the Dehesas of Salamanca with holm oaks woods, bulls, and black Iberian pigs. Excellent lunch with a taste of Iberian pork in the countryside. In the afternoon funny canters through the Dehesa and holm oaks to Horcajo Medianero. Horses will spend the night in the fields of the monastery of Valdejimena, a magical place. Dinner at night at a hotel in the village.
- Time on the saddle: 6 hours
Day 6: Horcajo Medianero - Navales - Salamanca
After breakfast, you will meet the horses for your final day of riding. This day is a half day of riding in the morning along the Eastern lands of the province with beautiful and clear horizons bathed by waters of the Tormes River, lunch near Alba de Tormes in Navales. The history of Alba de Tormes is linked to Santa Teresa's life and death, where the body rests in one of the convents. This is the end of the ride.
The horses travel back home by truck and you transfer riders to Salamanca town, 20 minutes driving. Time in the afternoon to visit Salamanca (WHS by Unesco). In the afternoon, you can walk along the streets of this historical town, a world heritage by UNESCO, and visit the most important monuments, The Plaza Mayor with its arcades is particularly impressive. Dinner at a restaurant located at the Plaza Mayor. Night in the heart of Salamanca at a hotel.
- Time on the saddle: 4 hours
Day 7: Salamanca - Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
Breakfast at the hotel, departure at 10:00 a.m. To be at Madrid airport at 12:00 p.m. End of the trip. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to 12:00 p.m., an alternative transfer can be arranged (at an extra cost).
Note: This itinerary may vary due to weather or other circumstances.
Overview
Salamanca is one of the World Heritage Cities of Spain. Ride up and down slopes of oak and pine trees; crossing rivers of crystalline waters; and nice canters across pastures and open fields along Salamanca province. The small villages along the trail with their beautiful architecture (medieval villages, churches, and castles) and their traditions in this remote part of Spain with a unique character.
Vast landscapes with unspoiled and well-preserved nature, remote Castilian medieval villages, delicious tapas and alfresco lunches, charming hotels, and the end in Salamanca town - a lot of reasons make this new itinerary a great destination for riding holidays in Spain. The peace of riding is moderated with walks, trots, and canters every day. Usually, when the terrain allows for a safe canter, you canter. In the mountains, in many areas, the terrain does not allow for trotting or cantering so you enjoy walking with breathtaking views around. The length of the ride is around 180 kilometers.
Level of riding
Intermediate to experienced riders means that you should be comfortable walking, trotting, and cantering in groups and open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. On the rides, you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as fit as possible.
Guide
Every ride is personally guided by the experienced Emilio, with an experience over 30 years as an equestrian guide, he is a terrific guide. Emilio is an expert rider and has a special ability to match his horses with riders. He is leading the groups with his confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride, you will always feel very safe. He is an English speaker.
Horses
Excellent PRE horses, Hispano-Arabs, born at home, very much loved, very well trained, beautifully looked after and good-natured, very easy to ride. They are all well-fed and in great riding shape.
Tack
They use the finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat savers and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent condition and very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
Helmet
They recommend wearing a helmet, however, you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
Non-riders
The ride is suitable for non-riding companions; they can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners, and other activities, or if they wish can rent a car in Madrid too. They can move on their own and join the group for dinner.
Age limit
There is not an upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy, keep in mind you are long hours on the saddle for four to seven hours a day. Minimum riding age is 10 years old, competent riders, accompanied by an adult.
Instructors
Emilio Rodriguez Morales
1 Certificate
Show
Emilio was born in Sierra de Gredos, El Barco de Avila, the grandson of the most important Avilan cattleman in the region. Every ride is personally guided by the experienced Emilio with over 30 years of experience. As an equestrian guide, he is terrific. Emilio is an English-speaking expert rider and has a special ability to match his horses with riders. He leads the groups with his confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride that you will always feel very safe.
Location
You will be riding from the Gredos Mountains area to Salamanca in Spain. Salamanca, the town of culture, is probably best known for having the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. This charming town is untouched as its architectural purity has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The ride to Salamanca will start in Navarredonda de Gredos and progress to the west and then north to Salamanca.
You will ride in the area of Sierra de Candelario and Sierra de Bejar which is a very lush area with its microclimate, then follow the Tormes River further north. The predominant landscape here is holm oak woods and pastures where you can see black bulls. The ride will finish in Alba de Tormes.
Food
During this tour, you will be served all meals from the welcome dinner on the first day to the breakfast on the last day included in the price. You will also enjoy white and red wines with lunch and dinner. The food is one of the highlights of this trip. Mamen will delight you with the tapas breaks waiting for you in an unexpected place with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. The lunchtime will be relaxing and you will have a social affair with delicious homecooked Spanish dishes such as Paella, Tortilla Española, barbecue, salads, etc. followed by a siesta in the peaceful countryside.
After the day's ride, your dinner in the evening will be at around 9:00 p.m. and you will have a choice of different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes. Dinner will be at your guesthouse accommodation. All the drinks are provided during the meals including excellent Spanish red and white wines, beer, canned drinks, and water. Furthermore, the special diet (vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- 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
Things to do (optional)
- Massage treatments
What's included
- Daily rides
- Excursions described in the itinerary
- 6 nights accommodation
- All meals
- White and red wine, water, beer, and canned drinks with lunches and dinners
- All transfers from and to the meeting point
- Airport transfers
- Horses
- Tack
- English-speaking guide
- Luggage transport
What's not included
- International flights
- Alcoholic drinks other than wine with dinner
- Massages
- Items of a personal nature and gratuities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
MAD
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
133 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD). Transfer from and to the airport is included. Jerebeque Trails Horse Riding will pick you up from the airport. Emilio, Mamen, or both will personally do the transfer. The meeting time is at 3:00 p.m. so please book flights that arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. In case of delay, please telephone Jerebeque Trails. Transfer from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Navarredonda is about two hours. The transfer back to the airport on the last day will be at 10:00 a.m. so you can arrive at the airport at about noon.
Therefore, please book flights that depart no earlier than 2:00 p.m. Furthermore, the transfer from and to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is included for a group of four riders or more. If you are traveling with less than four people, an additional cost for the transfers is needed. For three riders, the transfer cost is 50 EUR per person from and to the airport while for two riders, the transfer price is 75 EUR per person from and to the airport. Please send an inquiry for more information.
Airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Airport transfer included: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas 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 28 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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