8 Day El Cid Trail Horse Riding Holiday in Castile and León, Spain

On this holiday, you will be riding around six hours every day on great Pure Spanish Horse or PRE mix horses and presented with stunning landscapes of the unknown part of Spain, local food, and wine. You will ride along the routes taken by El Cid, a Spanish knight, as in the times of the Moorish occupation. On this ride, you will visit one of the most important monasteries in the history of the Spanish language - Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, where the first sentence in Castellano (Spanish) was ever written. You will also ride through the canyon of the river Lobos - featured on the National Geographic. It is a place of amazing beauty and mystery.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Covarrubias

After arriving at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), you will be transferred to the first night’s hotel in Covarrubias. Here, you will enjoy a fine dinner and have the chance to learn a little about the history of El Cid, a medieval Castilian hero who fought against the Moorish occupation of 10th century Spain. On this horse riding holiday, you will follow in his footsteps and the dramatic events of those times by visiting the monasteries and villages he did 1,000 years ago.

Day 2: Circular ride Covarrubias - Covarrubias

You will start your adventure today. You will be leaving the beautiful Covarrubias, one of the first areas to be reconquered from the Moors in the late ninth century and the birthplace of the Castilian language, for a ride to the Ura Valley, a small canyon that crosses Río Mataviejas. This circular ride will return you once again to Covarrubias, where you will enjoy another wonderful supper in this historic village before retiring for the night.

Day 3: Covarrubias - Santo Domingo de Silos

You will continue on along El Cid’s banishment route by crossing the Arlanza river near Covarrubias. Then, you will take the road to Retuerta and later to Contreras, also known as the town of the one hundred fountains. Finally, you will reach Santo Domingo de Silos, a well-known village due to its Romanic monastery of the eleventh century, one of the most beautiful in all Spain. Dinner and lodging will be at Hotel Coronas II or similar.

Day 4: Santo Domingo de Silos - Navas del Pinar

Today, you will leave Santo Domingo de Silos and traverse Alto de Peñacoba, Mamolar, and Tierra de Pinares (land of pines). Then, you will get to Navas del Pinar at the entrance of of Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park. You will then take a walk, surrounded by pine groves and cross deserted mountain towns where all the inhabitants have left for the cities. Dinner and lodging will be at Casa Rural La Fuente or similar.

Day 5: Navas del Pinar - San Leonardo de Yagüe

Today, you will ride through the spectacular of Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park, a protected land and a sanctuary for birds. This is a 16-kilometer canyon, made by Río Lobos that runs through the provinces of Burgos and Soria, surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides, lush vegetation underfoot, and ancient trees and poplars. There are also many caves and wells. At the end of this canyon, you will emerge in Casarejos, in the province of Soria. Dinner and lodging will be at Hotel Manrique de Lara or similar.

Day 6: San Leonardo de Yagüe - Quintanar de la Sierra

Today, you will leave Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park, ride through the pinewoods of Scots pine, and get to Canicosa de la Sierra and Quintanar de la Sierra in the Province of Burgos. Here, you will visit craved into rock and very imaginative medieval cemetery, Necrópolis de Revenga. You can also admire rocks marked with dinosaurs' tracks. Dinner and lodging will be at Posada Las Mayas or Hostal Casa Ramón or similar.

Day 7: Quintanar de la Sierra - Nacimiento del río Arlanza

You will leave these beautiful mountain towns and begin your last day riding through pine woods on your way to the source of río Arlanza. After lunch here, you will return at last to Covarrubias, where the adventure began. Dinner and lodging will be at Hotel Nuevo Arlanza or Hotel Doña Sancha or similar.

Day 8: Transfer to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)

You will depart and be transferred to Madrid after breakfast and must bid farewell to Spain.

Note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organizing team.

Riding

This is a very easy and relaxing style of riding similar to Western and some instruction will be given if wanted. The horses are all experienced and sure-footed trail horses with temperaments that vary from quiet and reliable through responsive to fiery and showy. With 35 horses to choose from, you are sure to find your ideal partner for the week.

The riding is mainly at a walk due to varying terrain, but there are plenty (four to six) of opportunities for long and fast canters every day. Vaquero style does not include trotting, although this is possible if requested! The riding starts in the late morning, and after two to three hours, a break is made for lunch, followed by a siesta and a similar length afternoon session to arrive late afternoon at your destination. All saddling and grooming will be done for you, although you are welcome to assist your own horse.

Notes: Non-riders are welcome to accompany the ride in the luggage transfer vehicle. Each night will be spent in castaway local villages and hotels and surrounded by nature. Non-riders will, of course, enjoy the food and wines as much as the riders.

Horses

The owner breeds Pure Spanish Horses (PRE). The horses used for the trails are Spanish, Arabian x, and some Andalusian x, and there are 35 excellent riding horses to choose from. They range in height from 15 - 16.2 hands with some ponies available. They are all in well-rounded condition and beautifully polished on a daily basis with traditional flowing manes, mainly kept stabled, shod all round, and very well-mannered. They will be ridden in traditional deep-seated Spanish saddles with soft sheepskin covers and traditional big stirrups. The bridles are mainly curbing bits and the horses are ridden loose-reined and respond easily to weight shifts and subtle signals.

Experience

Riders need to be able to walk, trot, and canter. These horses are trained in the Spanish style and are used to being ridden with a loose rein when walking and a light contact at a canter. Due to the long rides, this ride is not suitable for children under 12 and all children should be competent riders. Assistance is available for mounting and dismounting and minimal walking next to your horses is required. Please inquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding the weight limit for this ride.

This holiday will take place in Castile and León, Spain. Located in the north of Madrid, it is home to the roots and history of the Spanish and consequently the heart of national culture. Since the early Middle Ages until nowadays, Castile and León has been thriving with its rich history, architecture, landscapes, and cuisine. This region is marked with castles and is the homeland to Spanish hero El Cid, a famous Medieval knight and a military leader. Castile is like a white patch on tourist maps, which is waiting for you to discover it. It has so much to offer.

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• 6 days of horse riding
• Experienced Spanish and Spanish mix trail horses
• Traditional Spanish saddle: silla vaquera
• Guide and minibus transfer
• 7 nights' accommodation
• Breakfasts and dinners
• Wine and beer
• Picnic lunch
• Liability insurance

• Flights
• Other drinks and meals
• Other transportation

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.