Progressive ride in 5 days riding, from the lovely town of Trujillo following North direction to the Monfragüe National Park, the largest and best preserved Mediterranean forest worldwide.

The Monfragüe National Park is a wonderful place to visit for Mediterranean flora and ornithology. Located close to Trujillo, with the Tajo river running through it, the Monfragüe National Park is unique; it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2003. Monfragüe takes its name from the Romans, who called it Mons Fragorum, the fragmented mountain. It is a typically Iberian landscape that provides a home for the Park’s incredibly diverse flora and fauna. Cork oaks, wild olives and holm oak trees are surrounded the National Park. The most popular birdwatching spot for visitors is the “Salto del Gitano”, this is a 300 meter cliff above the Tajo river. We don’t forget to program a break in our “Monfragüe National Park ride” to admire the black storks, vultures, Egyptian vultures and imperial eagles ­just a few of the many birds that nest in the “Salto del Gitano”. The Park is also the site of Monfragüe Castle, an Arab construction. People have left many other marks on Monfragüe over the ages, with many prehistoric cave paintings.

This ride starts and finishes in Trujillo, very historic town with a mix of cultures, still exists Roman remains from the Roman town Turgallium, which nowadays is Trujillo. In the top of the town there is an spectacular Castle founded in the 10th century by Arabs, in the main square many beautiful palaces built by Spanish Conquistadors during the 16th-century. Many storks, eagles, swallows can be seen circling the nests on the roof of the churches and palaces in the Plaza Mayor, very good atmosphere.

Trujillo is very famous for its monuments and because it was the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro and his brothers, conquerors of Peru, as well as of Francisco de Orellana, who accomplished the first descent of the River Amazon. Pizarro’s equestrian statue stands in the Plaza Mayor.

The landscape during the ride is spectacular, holm and cork oaks woods and pastures, called Dehesa, the most emblematic landscape in Extremadura and the impressive landscape of the Monfragüe National Park, perfect for riding with our excellent horses.

Emilio knows the terrain and the trails very well and will show you interesting facts along the way.

The pace of this ride is moderate depends on the terrain, walk, trots and with good canters when is possible. The distance covered on the average is 25-35 km per day. The landscape changes every day. Normally we do not walk leading horses, except any circumstances that required like in this ride 20 minutes on the fourth day downhill.

LEVEL OF RIDING

Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group in 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 riding fit as possible.

GUIDE

Every ride is personally guided by the experienced Emilio, with an experience over 30 years as equestrian guide he is a terrific guide. Emilio is 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 and to be around, you will always feel very safe. He is 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

We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.

HELMET

We 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.

7 days trip/ 6 nights/5 days riding

SAMPLE ITINERARY “MONFRAGÜE NATIONAL PARK”:

Day 1 MADRID AIRPORT – TRUJILLO

Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Trujillo, 2,5 hours’ drive. Time to visit to the spectacular town of Trujillo before welcome dinner at the hotel with us where we learn about the ride and region on the map.

Day 2 TRUJILLO- JARAICEJO

Transfer to the horses (5 minutes). Distribution of horses. Easy day riding, is time to meet your horse, in the morning riding through open landscape with beautiful views of Trujillo town. lt is possible to see bulls, sheep, goats, in freedom in the countryside, when we go riding through the “Cañada Real Puerto de Miravete”. On this trip, “Monfragüe National Park” we will ride through the “Cañadas reales”, Spanish medieval network of paths for cattle movement, 75 m wide, perfect for riding.

Short afternoon to Jaraicejo, very nice medieval village in the National Park, night and dinner in rural hotel, time on the saddle 6 hours.

Day 3 JARAICEJO-TORREJÓN EL RUBIO

Departure after breakfast, we ride by the cattle trail to Torrejón el Rubio. Good trots and canters in the morning through the Dehesa. Another luxury pic-nic is waiting for us in a beautiful spot in our way. In the afternoon, riding with great views of Sierra de Gredos in front of us. Dinner and night at beautiful 4* hotel with SPA and swimming pool, where we spend 2 nights. Time on the saddle 6 hours.

Day 4 TORREJÓN EL RUBIO-SALTO DEL GITANO- TORREJÓN EL RUBIO

Departure after breakfast, we will go through the National Park to Salto del Gitano, we cross the maximum protection area of the park, the National Park Reserve, for that we need special authorization. We get the highest place in the Sierra de las Corchuelas, surrounded by oaks, unique and incomparable views to enjoy peace and pure nature. We can see Tajo river canyons. Lunch beside the river Tajo and after lunch time to visit the cliff “Salto del Gitano” to admire the black storks, vultures, Egyptian vultures and imperial eagles just a few of the many birds that nest in the “Salto del Gitano”. Come back to Torrejón el Rubio, same hotel than previous night. Dinner at 4* hotel. Time on the saddle 5 hours.

Day 5 TORREJÓN EL RUBIO-ALDEA DEL OBISPO

This day is a beautiful day from Torrejón el Rubio to Aldea del Obispo, we will ride through the “Cañada Real”. Lunch beside the Almonte river, amazing enclave where the Cañada Real cross the river by another beautiful medieval bridge. After lunch riding to Aldea del Ovispo. Dinner and night at lovely country house. Time on the saddle 7 hours.

Day 6 ALDEA DEL OBISPO-TRUJILLO

This is a short day from Aldea del Obispo to the begening of the ride in Trujillo, we will ride through the “Cañada Real”. Fantastic lunch with paella cook at the spot in our base with magnificient views of Trujillo town to say good bye to our wonderful. Time in the afternoon to visit Trujillo. Farewell diner in Trujillo main square with your hosts. Time on the saddle 3 hours.

Day 7 TRUJILLO – MADRID

After breakfast, departure from Trujillo at 10 a.m., on time for flights. Transfer is 2,5 h, so please flights not before 2 p.m. All riders will be transferred at the same time, if any rider needs to arrive Madrid before, we can arrange transfer at extra cost.

ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

Please get in touch with us for any further information

The accommodation and the customer attention in every aspect of the rides is all to an excellent standard.

The accommodation along the way varies from charming rural Inn in villages to delightful 4* hotel in the National Park. In this ride 2 nights are at 4* hotel in the National Park. All rooms have private bathrooms. All of them very clean and comfortable.

Single rooms are possible on request with a single supplement.

The food is another highlight of this trip, Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you in any unexpected place with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. Lunchtime is relaxing and social affair with delicious home cooked Spanish dishes as Paella, Tortilla Española, Iberian pork bbq, salads, and soft cheese very typical from Extremadura “Torta del Casar”, excellent quality, followed by a siesta in the peace of the countryside.

After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you have a choice from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes, your dinner is at your guesthouse accommodation. All the drinks are included during the meals, excellent Spanish red and white wines, beer, canned drinks and water.

There is Wi-Fi in every place we stay and is for free.

There are towels, shampoo and liquid soap in each room and in some places they have hair driers.

Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.

The accommodation has been carefully chosen by us, due to the quality and also because of the place for horses, they will normally rest in a field next to the hotel where we spend the nights.

A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and also to move your luggage, so you have access to your luggage during the day at least 3 times or when is necessary, so it is not necessary to carry anything on the horse. You have some small saddle bags in front of the saddles for small things, such as a bottle water, sunscreen, camera, mobile. The service along the rides is outstanding.

MEETING POINT AND TIMING?

The meeting point is Madrid Airport for all the itineraries. Emilio, Mamen or both will personally do the transfer. Telephone number in case of delay: +34 635 433 079 (Emilio)/ +34 609 833 783 (Mamen),

The meeting time is at 3:00 pm, so please flights on the first day not after 2 pm. The transfer Madrid airport –Trujillo-Madrid airport is included (for group of 4 riders or more). The transfer from Madrid airport to Trujillo is about 2,5 hour.

The transfer back to the airport on the last day will be at 10 to be at the airport about 12 pm, so please flights on the last day not before 2 pm.

All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs a different transfer we can arrange transfer at extra cost.

WEITGH LIMIT?

90 Kgs / 198 Lbs.

NUMBER OF RIDERS?

Min 2 to Max usually 8

TRIP LENGTH?

“Monfragüe National Park ” The itinerary is 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days riding from Sunday to Sunday. The length of the ride it is around 180 km.

NON RIDERS?

The ride is suitable for non-riding companions; they can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish can rent a car in Madrid too. They can move in their own and join the group for dinner.

LEVEL OF RIDING?

Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group in 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 riding fit as possible.

WHAT I NEED TO BRING?

We recommend you to check the weather forecast before coming, always is important to bring sunglasses, sun cream, a rain coat. In this itinerary you can bring swimsuit for SPA at the hotel in Torrejón el Rubio.

WHAT TYPE OF TACK?

We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.

DO I NEED TO WEAR HELMET?

We 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.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

It is a condition of your booking that you take out a travel insurance covering you for all medical expenses, injury, cancellation, baggage and personal effects for the entire duration of your trip at the time of booking.

If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.

WI-FI?

There is Wi-Fi in every accommodation we spend the nights and is for free.

AGE LIMIT?

There is not an upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy, keep in mind we are long hours on the saddle for 4 to 7 hours a day. Minimum riding age is 10 years old, competent riders, accompanied by an adult.

WHEN CAN I RIDE WITH YOU?

We are opened all year round, so it is possible riding with us in Gredos or in Extremadura all around the year.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COME?

The programmed dates are the best for riding in the Monfragüe National Park, March, April and May.

DO YOU CATER FOR SPECIAL DIET?

Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.