3 Day Horse Riding Holiday in the Desert of Tabernas, Spain
Horse Riding Holiday in Spain
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Malcaminos offers you an Adventure in the Tabernas Desert, cinema landscape since 1956 till nowadays a very well known location all around the world due to Spaghetti Westerns films. You will be accompanied by a qualified instructor who will guide you and with whom you will be able to enjoy the horse even more. Good riding level requested.
Key information
- Tack Type: English or Western saddle (The rider can choose).
- Rider Weight Limit: no more than 200 pounds / 90 kilograms
Meet the instructors
Read more
Highlights
- 2 days of riding in the Tabernas Desert
- 4-6 hours of horse riding per day (depending on the pace and level of the riders)
- Horse and English or Western saddle
- Visit to Western Village and lunch there
- Small snacks during ride and water
- 2 nights accommodation at Malcaminos Inn
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Almería Airport (US$ 127 per person)
Accommodation
Facilities
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Barbeque facilities
- Environmentally friendly
- Kitchen
- Multilingual staff
- Picnic area
- Special menu request
- Terrace
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Ironing / ironing board
- Laundry
- Library
- Wireless internet
There are a total of 6 rooms: 4 single rooms and 2 double rooms. Accommodation and breakfast (self-service) are included.
- Kitchen: You can cook by yourself, or Rancho offer a self-service menu for the days of your stay (extra charge).
- 2 toilets/showers: Shared.
- Large terrace with views to the Tabernas Desert.
- A peaceful place where you can relax and enjoy exceptional views.
Note: In case you prefer to stay at Tabernas village or any other hotel at Almería city, Malcaminos can manage for you by an extra charge. Tabernas village is at 2 kilometers. from Rancho. Almería city is at 30 kilometers far from Rancho.
Program
Horseriding tours designed for intermediate and experienced riders who are comfortable with the horse’s three gaits: walk, trot, and gallop. The itinerary consists of two rides totaling between 45 and 50 km spread over two days of riding.
The first ride is around 30 kilometers and the second around 20 kilometers. It could be more depending on how comfortable are the riders. Maximum 35 kilometers per day.
Along the way, you will visit the inside part of the Desert of Tabernas, cross landscapes of great geological, natural, and cinematographic value, where characters such as ‘Indiana Jones’, ‘The Blond Guy’ and the ‘Dothraki’ have lived out their adventures.
The Tabernas Desert is considered the only true desert in Europe due to its arid characteristics. Its appearance and physiognomy are remarkably similar to those of the American deserts of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Nevada, reason why hundreds of European Western film production were filmed in this region.
The Tabernas Desert is the European Hollywood in all its essence. Malcaminos offers riders the opportunity to experience an adventure on horseback in these incredible and unique place.
Sample schedule
Day 1:
Arrival at the rancho by your own means. Accommodation at the rancho. Dinner is not included (recommendations will be made). Contact with the instructor to test the horse and assigning horse and saddle. You can use the kitchen at the lodge.
Day 2:
Breakfast and start of the first route. Throughout the day, you will ride through the different landscapes of the Tabernas Desert, with some brief stops for the guide’s explanations and to take photographs. In these landscapes, you will discover various geological formations of great value, and visit natural scenery some of them very well known for movies as the "Oasis of Lawrence of Arabia" and of course, one of the western villages, which are still available for filming and visits.
Once at western village, time for shows, sightseeing, and lunch (buffet style), and then the route is resumed. You will visit others old and abandoned sets and specially beautiful places of the Desert. On this day, the route is a go and back trip following river beds and also high points of view of the Desert, with adjacent sections that allow you to enjoy both relevant areas and the 3 gaits of the horse.
Day 3:
Breakfast and start of the second route on horseback. A circular route around the village of Tabernas discovering other types of landscapes included in this Desert as red cañon and others. End of the route at the ranch. Departure from the accommodation. Voucher for consumption of typical tapas in Tabernas village's restaurant/bar: one per rider.
Very important:
- 1) Each rider has to bring private insurance in case he/she doesn't want to wear a mandatory helmet. A signed document is requested before the activity to all participants of long rides to exclude the company from any responsibility in case to ride without the proper protection mandatory by the Spanish laws.
- 2) The minimum age for this activity is 18 years old. In case there is a high-level minor who wants to join, the guardians of the minor will be required to sign a document of responsibility.
Included excursions
The 2 days ride includes the visit to one of the western towns we still have in the region. There are three nowadays still open for movies and people visits:
Mini Hollywood: the first western set that was built for Leone's Dollar Trilogy. It was here that ‘For a Few Dollars More’ and ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ were filmed, among many other films.
You will arrive there on horseback: lunch and shows, free time for sightseeing. Non-riding companions can join us for lunch (the price of companions is not included in the package).
Fort Bravo: Its an interesting set also built during the 60's, used for many movies and specially nowdays, still working as a film set for productions. Show. Meal: depending on the time of the year. If restaurant is not open, the Ranch will provide a picnic.
Western Leone: smallest one. Its possible to see the original rancho built for "Once upon a time in the West". They don't do shows all year. Meal: The Ranch will provide a picnic.
Instructors
Théo Bocher
Qualified riding instructor specialising in show jumping.
Location
The Tabernas Desert is the European Hollywood in all its essence. Your hosts offer to the riders the chance to experience an adventure on horseback in these cinematic unique places. If you are a fan of Western and Adventures movies, here is you will find your place.
But, also its a jewel of landscape with an amazing geologic story and human settlement history.
You will ride inside a big sedimentary valley formed during 3 millions of years at 400 metres deep inside Mediterranean Sea.
The erosion has formed and continue forming this great landscape which will remind you Arizona, California, Nevada or New México.
Food
Malcaminos includes in the price of pack 3 days: each day's breakfast and lunch for rider at western village first day of ride and lunch at Tabernas village second day of ride.
In case its not possible to have lunch at western village, Malcaminos will provide another typical restaurant. You will be informed of all details in advance.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Things to do (optional)
Extra person night in double room, including breakfast: +20€/person/night
Extra night at single room, inlcuding breakfast: +40€/pers./night
Extra night at double room, including breakfast: +65€/2 pers./night
Dinner 1º and 2º day can be done at Tabernas village. We will suggest to you places or you can ask for an evening dinner and we will prepare and leave it for you at the Inn. Price for each dinner: +30€: first and second course, drink and dessert. In case to be interested we will send you options of menus.
What's included
- Ride with instructor
- Saddle and other extras to ride
- Western village visit
- 2 nights accommodation and breakfast at Malcaminos Inn
- Lunch day 2 at Western village or picnic
- Lunch day 3 at Tabernas village
What's not included
- Extra night
- Companion program including entrance to the western village
- Airport transfers
- Personal insurance for each rider
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Almería Airport
24 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 127 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Almería Airport (LEI). Price airport: 110 EUR, total price for return trip airport-rancho on arrival and departure day. They will manage with a local taxi.
If you come with your own vehicle, we will send you instructions to reach the ranch. Access to the ranch is easy. It is approximately 2 kilometers from the village of Tabernas. It is already in the desert area and therefore, it is important to follow the instructions we will send you. Free parking at the rancho.
If you come by motorhome, parking at the ranch is free. It is important to let them know in advance that you are coming with this type of vehicle.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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