This programme is designed for total beginners or those with a little experience who would like to have more confidence in the saddle. By the end of the programme you should be happily walking and trotting in open countryside, having learnt good riding techniques from Manolo. He has great horses for beginners and good experience at giving riders confidence. 

For this programme you can choose to be based in one of two different areas - either Granada (National Park of Sierra Nevada) or Almeria, by the sea (National Park of Cabo de Gata). You can choose the area depending on your flight options, accommodation preferences, time of year or simply if you would prefer one area over the other. Riding in the Granada region is available from April to September or you can ride all year in the Almeria region. 

The Beginners Programme combines riding lessons with riding in the beautiful Spanish countryside and can be done at your own pace, alone or in a group. A suggested itinerary is as below but you can choose any number of days from 2 or more. 

Day 1: Today you will learn the basics of riding including riding at walk, turning, stopping and generally controlling your horse. This will be followed by a ride in the countryside. 

Day 2: A riding lesson where you begin to learn how to trot, followed by a ride out. 

Day 3: Learning to improve your riding trot techniques followed by a ride out. 

Day 4: Improving control of your horse at trot and mastering turning whilst trotting. Ride out into the countryside. 

Extra day: Learning to canter and improving your technique when riding in the countryside. 

This trail programme runs through the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar. It combines routes along the coastline with riding through valleys further inland where you can find beautiful scenery and small, unknown villages. It is possible to ride this trail all through the year except for July and August (too hot). 

Itinerary (subject to change if necessary). 

Day 1 - Arrival: Transfer from Almeria airport with dinner and overnight at accommodation in Hotel Cortijo el Sortillo. 

Day 2 - San Jose - Cabo de Gata - Boca de los Frailes: Here you find the last virgin beaches of the Spanish coastline at Genoveses and Monsul. You can see white sand dunes which were used as the setting for famous films including 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Villa Maltes. 

Day 3 - Boca de los Frailes - Los Albaricoques - Los Escullos: In the north face of the park you find the mountains of "Sierra de Gata" which still have the craters of ancient volcanoes and a moon-like scenery. You can also visit nice villages such as "Los Albaricoques' where you will again discover the scenery of many western movies. Dinner and accommodation besides the sea in the village of Los Escullos. 

Day 4 - Los Escullos - Rodalquilar - Las Negras ("The Pirate Route"): Today you are going to ride through the Rodalquilar valley. Rodalquilar used to be a prosperous mining settlement (gold!) and was the reason for many pirate battles. It became a ghost town when the mines closed in the sixties. The former mines are now to be found just above the desolate mining town which is currently being renovated. Near Rodalquilar are the marvels of Playazo Beach. This beautiful gold area is crowned by the castle of San Ramon. Tonight you have dinner and stay overnight in the villages of Las Negras.

Day 5 - Las Negras - Cortijo del Fraile - Los Escullos: Today you will ride through the Cortijo del Fraile which is famous as the setting for the play 'Bodas de Sangre' (Blood Wedding) by Federico Garcia Lorca. Dinner and overnight in Hotel los Escullos. 

Day 6 - Los Escullos - La Isleta del Moro - San José: You ride along beautiful paths near to the seaside. From here you can enjoy spectacular views from the sea and the amazing cliffs. This is the best place for enjoying such incredible scenery. This evening you will enjoy a delicious paella at a restaurant near to the sea. You finish your tour with dinner and accommodation in San José. 

Day 7 - Departure: Transfer back to the airport. 

The best option for riders that want to discover the National Park of Sierra Nevada. The park features valleys, small white villages (typical of the area), mountains and the chance to meet local people and explore their culture and gastronomy. You stay in the same accommodation (you have a choice) and can choose between half days or full days of riding, the latter of which include picnics. This programme can be made to measure. 

Example Itinerary

Day 1 - "el Altiplano": Firstly you will have a riding lesson in the arena to help Manolo with a suitable allocation of horses. Then you will go riding at a walk, to get the first feeling of your chosen horse, and will ride through the "Altiplano" of Guadix with the spectacular views of Sierra Nevada.

Day 2 - "Zalabi valley and the big Red Canyon": Today you will enjoy riding in the Zalabi valley and will go through pinetree forests in the Natural Park of Sierra Nevada. Today you will come to realise the contrasts of the area, from the big canyon to the lush poplar forests with running streams, the Mediterranean pine forests and the big flats and high altitudes (1400m). You will be able to see the peaks of Sierra Nevada. 

Day 3 - the White Villages of Sierra Nevada: Today the riding will take you through "barranco del Berral" with walls of more than 100 metres. These walls protect from the winds of Sierra Nevada. Since the "Nazari" ages, this has been an area bountiful with crops and featuring a special micro-climate which encourages the growth of cherry and almond trees. On the mountainside there are the little white villages which are typical of the region and these include Albunan, Cogollos de Guadix and Jerez del Marquesado. You will take the horses through the villages themselves to get a better look. 

Day 4 - Andalusian Western: The scenery of this day looks completely different as now you will travel into a canyon which looks like the scenery of a typical western movie. Several westerns were filmed here during the 60s and 70s and you can imagine that you are cowboys in the Arizona desert. Here you can also visit the iron mines of Alquife to see the old installations and the huge inside lake. 

A trail programme through the National Park of Sierra Nevada which combines different sceneries with lush forests and high mountains. You will discover little villages which remain unknown to the majority of visitors. This programme is best enjoyed during spring and autumn when temperatures are more mild.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival: Transfer from Granada airport, dinner and overnight at Hotel Cuevas del Tio Tobas. 

Day 2 - Zalabi Valley - Lugros: You will leave Alcudia through the Zalabi valley, climbing up to the high plateau through the red Colorado-style canyons that surround the area. You will have a picnic lunch next to the Cogollos lake before climbing up through the pine forests to the Natural Park. Here you will stop over at the Hotel Patio de Lugros***. This is a nice hotel placed in the Sierra Nevada park and featuring charm and comfort whilst keeping a countryside atmosphere. You will have dinner and stay overnight here. Approximate riding time: 5.5 hours. 

Day 3 - Lugros - Alhama River - Lugros: This morning you will head towards the Alhama river, towards the oriental side of the park. You will climb up the "end of the world", ride through the district of Marchal and stop for a picnic next to the river. In the afternoon, you will return to the Patio de Lugros through the pine forests. Dinner and overnight here. Approximate riding time: 6 hours. 

Day 4: Lugros - Jerez del Marquesado: Today you will climb up the sides of the "Camarate" of the Sierra Nevada, through a contrasting variety of sceneries which include rich and plentiful stream beds, fields full of almond and olive plantations, and once you reach over 2000m then you will come to the alpine pastures where the Spanish bulls graze in peace. Following a picnic lunch, you will ride along the old mining paths and will arrive in the small and ancient Arab village of Jerez del Marquesado. Evening meal and accommodation in Hotel El Picon de Jerez. Approximate riding time: 5.5 hours. 

Day 5: Jerez del Marquesado - Alhori River - Jerez del Marquesado: This morning you climb up to the Postero Alto summit, riding through Mediterranean pine forests and up crystalline stream beds. The group will eventually reach the summit at 1850m. You will stop for a picnic next to Alhori river and will then ride back down along to tracks commonly used by local cowboys to round up cattle. You will arrive back at the Hotel El Picon de Jerez. Approximate riding time: 5.5 hours. 

Day 6: Jerez del Marquesado - Zalabi valley: You will leave Jerez along the route to La Calahorra, crossing the Jerez river and climbing up onto the high plateau of Aquife from where you will have spectacular views over the ancient iron mine craters which are more than 100m deep. Today these craters have been converted into a large blue lake. After your ride you will enjoy lunch and will be accommodated in the caves. 

Day 7: Departure: Transfer to the airport. 

This is the best option for riders that want to discover the surroundings of the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar. The park features virgin beaches, valleys and small fishing villages... all of which you can experience whilst staying comfortable in the same accommodation each night. You can choose between half day or full day rides, the latter including picnic lunches. 

Example Routes

Route 1 - Virgin beaches of Cabo de Gata: Here you find the last virgin beaches of the Spanish coastlines of Genoveses and Monsul. You can see white sand dunes which were used as settings for famous films including 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

Route 2 - "los Escullos" cliffs: You ride with your horses following a track where you encounter spectacular cliffs and some of the best views of the Mediterranean Sea. You continue along the coast and the wonderful "calas" such as "cala Tomate", "cala la Higuera" or "cala Grande".

Route 3 - Vulcan's Valley: In the north face of the park you can find the mountains of "Sierra de Gata" which still has the appearance of ancient volcanoes in a moon scenery. 

Route 4 - Andalusian Cortijos of Almeria: In the inner valleys of the park, far away from the most visited places, you can find ancient buildings known as Cortijos. Some of these are still inhabited and those living there farm the nearby fields. You can the culture surrounding this farming lifestyle and the use of water to help with the crops. 

A New Year programme including riding along the coastline and through some fascinating Spanish villages. Manolo is a great host, offering helpful riding tips when necessary and providing a selection of wonderful horses for his guests. This is a lovely way to welcome the new year.

27th December: Arrival at the riding centre, dinner and accommodation in Hotel Cortijo el Sotillo.

28th December - San Jose - Cabo de Gata - Boca de los Frailes: Here you find the last virgin beaches of the Spanish coastline at Genoveses and Monsul. You can see white sand dunes which were used as the setting for famous films including 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Villa Maltes. 

29th December - Boca de los Frailes - Los Albaricoques - Rodalquilar: In the north face of the park you find the mountains of "Sierra de Gata"which still have the craters of ancient volcanoes and a moon-like scenery. You can also visit nice villages such as "Los Albaricoques' where you will again discover the scenery of many western movies. Dinner and accommodation besides the sea in the village at Hotel Naturaleza****.

30th December - Rodalquilar - Los Escullos ("The Pirate Route"): Today you are going to ride through the Rodalquilar valley. Rodalquilar used to be a prosperous mining settlement (gold!) and was the reason for many pirate battles. It became a ghost town when the mines closed in the sixties. The former mines are now to be found just above the desolate mining town which is currently being renovated. Near Rodalquilar are the marvels of Playazo Beach. This beautiful gold area is crowned by the castle of San Ramon. Dinner and overnight in the village at Hotel el Paraiso****.

31st December - Los Escullos - San Jose: Today you will ride through the Cortijo del Fraile which is famous as the setting for the play 'Bodas de Sangre' (Blood Wedding) by Federico Garcia Lorca. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Villa Maltes.

1st January: Departure.