Ride Description

This unique trekking centre is based in the heart of Andalucia, made famous by its Moorish influences and impressive horses, and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year. The centre offers treks and trail rides with Spanish farmhouse accommodation and all meals included.

From this base, you will explore a beautiful part of Spain, riding free from traffic and walkers, following secret trails in the wonderful countryside. Your hosts' knowledge of the local terrain means that they know all the best trails to suit all abilities or rider.

All rides can accommodate single guests. Horses suitable for complete beginners to experienced riders are available and your hosts will ensure that you are placed on treks with riders of similar experience levels. Children may join family treks, or ride with other children of similar ages, from the age of 5. Lessons can be given to 4 year olds and above.

Although set in a remote location, the centre has easy access to Lanjaron, Orgiva and even Granada to visit the Alhambra Palace and other places of interest.


Lanjaron is a spa town, famous for its water springs which are dotted all over the hills - many Spanish people go there to drink the water which is said to contain minerals for eternal youth! Orgiva is a busy little market town containing a myriad of small streets and great tapas bars to explore and discover. A visit to this town is in itself an adventure!

The towns in the surrounding area are heavily influenced by Gothic and Moorish architecture. Whilst out on the hills you will be surrounded by almond, olive and citrus groves still tended to by "man and his mule". This area of Spain really is steeped in history and rich in culture.

Food & Accommodation

A variety of villa/ Spanish farmhouse accommodation is available, all private, comfortable and relaxing from where you will feel free to relax or explore as you please.

A combination of camping/farmhouse accommodation is also available.

You will receive three hearty meals a day along with plenty of water, juice and other beverages. Wine is provided with your evening meal and other alcoholic drinks may be purchased at each venue/night stop. Vegetarian and other diets can be catered for. You may expect healthy, hearty food in all venues.

Activities

The centre is ideally located to enable guests to relax or explore as they please. Apart from enjoying the wonderful local countryside, the local towns are steeped in history and rich in culture. Lanjaron is a local spa town worth visiting with its water springs containing minerals for eternal youth, whilst Orgiva has great tapas bars to explore and discover. You may wish to visit Granada to visit the Alhambra Palace and other places of interest.

Horses

Type of horses: Mainly Andalucian & Andalucian and Arab crosses, also Cobs, Shire X and ponies.

Nature of horses: Well mannered, good natured and forward going.

Number of horses: 18

Height of horses: 12hh - 17hh

Weight limit: 112 kgs/16 stone.

Tack type: English

Further Details

Languages: English and Spanish.

Health requirements: None .

Age limit: None

Tuition: Yes, They have 3 BHS qualified instructors available for Dressage or Show Jumoing, incl. a 3 Day Event Judge

Included: Full board accommodation, riding and qualified, English speaking guide.

Not included: Costs of Transfers from airport, but transfers can be arranged for you.

Travel Information

Granada airport is only 45 minutes away from the centre. You can fly there with Ryanair or Monarch airlines. If you are planning on a long week-end at the centre, it is strongly recommended that you use this airport to maximise your time.

Malaga Airport is the most convenient for most people. Transfer times are approximately 90 minutes. Also another alternate airport is Almeria. Note: There is no longer an "unsosiable charge of £40" all transfer costs are the same, any hour of the day.

There is a fantastic bus service connecting the local villages and cities. A train service is only available from Granada. Hiring a car is also easy and cheap.

Airport: Granada

Airport 2: Malaga

The Alpujarra Ride

The beautiful and extremely diverse land of the Alpujarras ranges from pine forests and alpine meadows, wooded valleys and gorges to almond, olive and orange groves. La Alpujarra is the name given to the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The floral and fauna of the Alpujarra is spectacular with a fantastic range of views and scenery.

You will follow old moorish mulepaths and valleys where the horse, mule and oxen still pull the plough and harvest the land. Each day of the ride you will pass through different terrain; from beautiful mountain pastures to pine forest, almond and olive groves. Here is an opportunity not only to discover spectacular landscapes and inspiring scenery, but also to experience a culture where tradition remains very much part of everyday life.

There are plenty of opportunities to canter or gallop, but occasionally you do have to lead your horse downhill on foot when the terrain is steep.

However no matter what the pace the ride will be breathtaking!!

Itinerary - 7 nights with 6 days riding

Day One
You will transfer from Malaga or Granada airport to the tiny spa town of Lanjaron, 'the gateway' to Alpujarras, where you will be met by your guide, Sarah.

Dinner will be prepared by the excellent cook, Ann at the Spanish Farmhouse, Casa del Viento, with a comfortable first night spent on the Farm.

Day Two
You will go up to the Ranch to meet your horse, then begin by heading North up above the Lanjaron River gorge. Then through the ancient oak forests towards the summit of the Pico del Caballo, reaching over 2000meters of altitude, before dropping through the logging trails of the pine forests to Puente Palo. A picnic lunch is then enjoyed in the pine forest, before riding East to an idyllic location high on the slopes of the Poqueria valley, where you will spend a relaxing night in the beautiful mountain cottages. Views extend across the Poqueria valley to the white washed mountain villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaniera.

Day Three
The day starts by heading across the Poqueria valley. Here there is plenty of opportunity to open up and go for canters and gallops as you ride towards the picturesque town of Capileira which is one of the highest towns in Spain. With Mulhacen being the highest peak in Spain and forming the backdrop, this valley is truly stunning!! After visiting the town, you will take the the old moorish bridlepath down the gorge, until you reach the wide forest track that takes you to the mountain cottages for a good nights rest.

Day Four
This day is a shorter ride as you head South down through mountain and pasture land, down an old mule track that was used for trade with the Greeks (the track goes all the way to Greece!) stopping for refreshments in the local Spanish bar, Los LLanos, before heading down through the Olive Groves of Padre Eterno for a picnic and then to the Farmhouse accommodation and a delicious, well deserved dinner. For those wishing for a slightly longer ride, then you can drop off your saddle bags and head off for a final explosive gallop before dinner.

Day Five
Today you will head down through the Olive groves of Cerro Negro, to the small white washed town of Tijola and on to Orgiva for a stroll round the local market, which offers a wide range of local produce and artesan products as well as clothes, shoes and tourist souvenirs. Orgiva is the largest town of Las Alpujarras. After the market you will take part in a fast valley ride with a yummy picnic on the hillside overlooking mount Lugar and the impressive mountains of the Sierra de la Contraviesa, before heading up the town for the night.

Day Six
This is a lovely long trail ride as we head up cobbled mule paths through an ancient Chestnut Forest to the Waterfalls of the Rio de Lanjaron. You will then head west towards the la Valle de Lecrin, with awesome views across the plains to Granada as you sit under a landmark aged Chestnut Tree to enjoy a relaxing picnic. After lunch you will follow the old moorish water channels down into the town of Lanjaron and stop for a refreshment in the town, before heading up narrow bridlepaths to the Casa del Viento Farmhouse and take a well deserved dip in the pool!

Day Seven
Is spent down through the old Roman and Moorish bridlepaths the the tippee 'hippie' valley of Beneficio, along tracks and riverbeds to the South until you reach the immense riverbed of the Rio Guadafeo which heads towards the sea. This is where the horses really enjoy themselves, stopping for a splash and a drink in the river, before heading across the valley, stopping for a picnic under the Olive trees and taking a fast climb back up to the Ranch.

Day Eight
You will be wished a fond farewell from your team as you are returned to either Malaga or Granada airport.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 10

Ability description: Beginner to Experienced

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: Average Riding time per day 5 - 6 hrs

Departure dates: To Suit Except; 16th - 18th May, 24th - 30th May and 28th June - 1st July 2008

Pricing: Seven night trail £845

Three day programme

Day One
You will transfer from Malaga or Granada airport to the tiny spa town of Lanjaron, 'the gateway' to Alpujarras, where you will be met by your guide, Sarah.

Dinner will be prepared by the excellent cook, Ann at the Spanish Farmhouse, Casa del Viento, with a comfortable first night spent on the Farm.

Day Two
You will go up to the Ranch to meet your horse, then begin by heading North up above the Lanjaron River gorge. Then through the ancient oak forests towards the summit of the Pico del Caballo, reaching over 2000 meters of altitude, before dropping through the logging trails of the pine forests to Puente Palo. A picnic lunch is then enjoyed in the pine forest, before riding East to an idyllic location high on the slopes of the Poqueria valley, where you will spend a relaxing night in the beautiful mountain cottages. Views extend across the Poqueria valley to the white washed mountain villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaniera.

Day Three
Heading down South through mountain and pasture land, down an old mule track that was used for trade with the Greeks (the track goes all the way to Greece!) stopping for refreshments in the local Spanish bar, Los LLanos, before heading down through the Olive Groves of Padre Eterno for a picnic and then to the Farmhouse accommodation for a delicious, well deserved dinner. For those wishing for a slightly longer ride, then you can drop off your saddle bags and head off for a final explosive gallop before dinner.

Day Four
Today you will head down through the Olive groves of Cerro Negro, to the small white washed town of Tijola and on to Orgiva for a stroll round the local market, which offers a wide range of local produce and artesan products as well as clothes, shoes and tourist souvenirs. Orgiva is the largest town of Las Alpujarras. After the market you will take part in a fast valley ride with a yummy picnic on the hillside overlooking mount Lugar and the impressive mountains of the Sierra de la Contraviesa, before heading up above the town of Lanjaron and back to the Ranch.

You will be wished a fond farewell and returned to either Malaga or Granada airport

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 10

Ability description: Beginner to Experienced

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: Three days riding

Departure dates: To Suit - Except; 16th - 18th May, 24th - 30th May, 28th June - 1st July 2008

Pricing: Four nights trail £480

Four Day Programme

Day One
You will transfer from Malaga or Granada airport to the tiny spa town of Lanjaron, 'the gateway' to Alpujarras, where you will be met by your guide, Sarah.

Dinner will be prepared by the excellent cook, Ann at the Spanish Farmhouse, Casa del Viento, with a comfortable first night spent on the Farm.

Day Two
You will go up to the Ranch to meet your horse, then begin by heading North up above the Lanjaron River gorge. Then through the ancient oak forests towards the summit of the Pico del Caballo, reaching over 2000meters of altitude, before dropping through the logging trails of the pine forests to Puente Palo. A picnic lunch is then enjoyed in the pine forest, before riding East to an idyllic location high on the slopes of the Poqueria valley, where you will spend a relaxing night in the beautiful mountain cottages. Views extend accross the Poqueria valley to the white washed mountain villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaniera.

Day Three
The day starts by heading across the Poqueria valley. Here there is plenty of opportunity to open up and go for canters and gallops as you ride towards the picturesque town of Capileira which is one of the highest towns in Spain. With Mulhacen being the highest peak in Spain and forming the backdrop, this valley is truly stunning!! After visiting the town, you will take the the old moorish bridlepath down the gorge, until you reach the wide forest track that takes you to the mountain cottages for a good nights rest.

Day Four
Head South down through mountain and pasture land, down and old mule track that was used for trade with the Greeks (the track goes all the way to Greece!) stopping for refreshments in the local Spanish bar, Los LLanos, before heading down through the Olive Groves of Padre Eterno for a picnic and then to the Farmhouse accommodation and a delicious, well deserved dinner. For those wishing for a slightly longer ride, then you can drop off your saddle bags and head off for a final explosive gallop before dinner.

Day Five
Today you will head down through the Olive groves of Cerro Negro, to the small white washed town of Tijola and on to Orgiva for a stroll round the local market, which offers a wide range of local produce and artesan products as well as clothes, shoes and tourist souvenirs. Orgiva is the largest town of Las Alpujarras. After the market you will take part in a fast valley ride with a yummy picnic on the hillside overlooking mount Lugar and the impressive mountains of the Sierra de la Contraviesa, before heading back up above the town of Lanjaron and back to the Ranch.

You will be wished a fond farewell before being returned to either Malaga or Granada airport.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 10

Ability description: Beginner to Experienced

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: Four days riding

Departure dates: To Suit - Except; 16th - 18th May, 24th - 30th May and 28th - 1st July 2008.

Pricing: Five nights £595