Drapia Farm ride, Cyprus
Reviews
“This was a great first experience of horse riding and I would choose a Far and Ride holiday again as I would love, one day, to ride with the real cowboys.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Arab, Thoroughbred & Appaloosa,
Nature of horses:
Horses to suit all abilities. Kind temperament and sure footed
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16 hh
Weight limit:
85 kg
Tack type:
Western style is a speciality but English saddles are always available
Weather
Current Conditions:
Fair, 27 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 34 Low: 25
Sat - Sunny. High: 35 Low: 26
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
prices per person:
One rider (double occupancy) £552
One rider (single occupancy) £698
One non-rider (double occupancy) £318
One non-rider (single occupancy) £460
Third person rider on extra bed £406
Third person non rider on extra bed £222
Discounts available for children.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Car Rental
April-October from £192 per week, depending on car size
November-March from £159 per week, depending on car size
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Nestled in the eastern Mediterranean Sea Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. This sun drenched island has been at the crossroads of world events for centuries, Roman, Byzantine, Greek and British influences have all had a bearing on life in Cyprus. The warm welcome here plus the unhurried pace of daily life makes Cyprus an instant favourite for everyone.
The island nation is a fascinating land of contrast. It has some of the most sophisticated cities in the region and yet a short distance away you can feel as if you have stepped back into a previous century as village life continues unspoilt by the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The stables at the farm are located in a beautiful orange valley surrounded by gentle hills. In these lovely surroundings we offer a based holiday suitable for all the family allowing riders and non riders to enjoy Cypriot culture and hospitality. For those wishing to discover this dream on horseback we can arrange a holiday specifically for you and your family. You can choose a two hour ride in the cooler hours of the day through the beautiful unspoilt countryside and discover all that Cyprus has to offer.
Alternatively you may wish to build on skills old and new with friendly and experienced tuition on well schooled horses who will be carefully chosen with your needs in mind.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Your accommodation is in one or two bedroom apartments with self catering facilities for guests to make lunch on this half board package. The apartments have air conditioning and comfortable private bathrooms. The thick walls, small windows, stone and wooden staircases are typical of Cypriot traditional architecture. The restored apartments are elegantly furnished with antiques and local furnishings.
The accommodation is on a half board basis so you can choose to go to a taverna for lunch or picnic on the beach if you wish. There is an outside terrace for relaxing and a swimming pool with sun loungers. Each apartment is comfortably furnished and contains Cypriot antiques and most have four poster beds.
The houses are well equipped with air conditioning and central heating and modern kitchen facilities. There is also satellite TV, internet access and hairdryers.
All apartments have either a balcony or patio and some are also suitable for the disabled. Sun beds are set around an exclusively shared swimming pool next to the apartments.
Authentic traditional Cypriot cooking, English food available. Breakfast & dinner is included in the half board option but lunches are not leaving you free to explore the island and visit a local taverna or even enjoy a picnic on the beach.
You will savour authentic Cypriot food cooked with fresh local ingredients. Food lovers will delight in farm fresh halloumi cheese and delectable mezze - the local speciality appetisers which mix western ingredients with eastern zest. For those with more traditional tastes, English food is available.
Activities
Bike riding (guide optional), hiking (guide optional), olive picking (in season), olive pressing (in season). Orange picking (in season), Halloumi cheese making. The nearest beach is less than ten minutes drive away.
There are several activities that are fun including a day trip with local fishermen, Greek cookery classes, wine tasting, beach, swimming pool.
Car Rental is necessary to if you wish to take advantage of all the activities and explore this lovely island of Cyprus.
Further Details
Languages: Many people in Cyprus speak English and your guide will be fluent in English, German and French
Health requirements: No special vaccinations are required.
Age limit: None
Tuition: One hour per day intensive tuition (pre arranged)
Included: Accommodation, flexible Riding programme: 2 hours riding or 1 hour intensive tuition over 6 days, half board (breakfast and dinner), transfers to and from Larnaca airport and English speaking riding guide/instructor.
Not included: Car Hire Rental recommended and can be arranged. There is a small charge for daily transfer to the stables.
Travel Information
Flights from the UK to Larnaca can be booked with the following airlines:
Popular airlines include: Monarch, Fly Thomas cook, Easyjet, British airways, Cyprus Airways and Larnaca Continental.
Transfers to/from Larnaca airport are included but car hire is a great option for those wishing to explore the area. There will be a daily transfer cost for those needing transfer to the stables. The car will be dropped off to you at the resort so there is no need to worry at the airport,
Airport: Larnaca (LCA)
Programme
Farm Ride
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The beautiful landscape surrounding the farm offers plenty of trail options and is set in a valley of orange groves and rolling hills. Here if you are intermediate/experienced you can ride through varied terrain from flawless beaches to rocky coastlines, through olive groves and goat trails to green pastures and rolling hills. The serenity and peace of the area reflects on the 14 horses because they all have lovely characters and enjoy their big paddocks with open stables. The farm was established 18 years ago by Marisa who is Swiss and together with her husband and three children she lives next door to the horses. In 1999 she started the trekking with 10 horses and since that time has taken guests from all over the world riding out on surefooted well trained horses and exploring the beautiful Cypriot landscape. The horses mostly ride with Western saddles but there are some English saddles which are available on request and which the horses are comfortable with. This is a horse riding holiday for riders of all experience, offering weekly tuition programmes for the beginner and novice rider and trail programmes for the experienced rider. Flexible riding is available daily and can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Intensive riding lessons by an English speaking instructor can be arranged. More experienced riders can enjoy a half or full day tour rambling through the peaceful landscape dominated by fields and hills. Your guide is fluent in English, German and French. There are several different trails to enjoy, the Village Ride, the Tochni Ride, the Choirokitia Ride, the Asgatha Ride and the River Bed Ride. These trails can be enjoyed by riders novice to intermediate. Beginners and children will learn to ride and improve their technique in this glorious setting.During the summer time, there is the option of two full day rides, these day rides are for experienced riders only, please see pricing for extra costs. There are many different daily trails, one of them take you over the gentle hills and through a remote valley to Choirokoitia where you will have a traditional picnic at Panagiatou Kampou, a church from the 12th century. Of course the horses will be served a picnic, too. The Beach Trail certainly is a highlight! You pass next to the villages of Asgatha and Pentakomo and apart from the odd shepherd with his goats you don’t see much civilisation. There is a sea view almost all the way and after a small snack you get to the beach and ride along the rocky coastline with its stunning white colour and finally reach Governor’s Beach where you will have a traditional lunch at a small family hotel. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to advanced on the trail package. Beginners and novice riders can opt for the weekly tuition course. |
| Type of ride: | Based |
| Total riding time: | 2 hours of riding out per day or 1 hour of tuition per day for 6 days. |
| Departure dates: | Any time |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |