This ride starts and finishes in Trujillo - a historic town with a mix of cultures. Trujillo was originally founded in prehistoric times on a granite batholith, then became the Roman town of Turgallium before the Arabs built a spectacular castle above the town in the 10th century. Trujillo was the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro and his brothers, who conquered Peru, as well as Francisco de Orellana who was the first to navigate the Amazon river. Pizarro's statue stands in the main square (Plaza Mayor) and there are many beautiful palaces around the square which were built by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century.

As well as discovering this fascinating town, this ride takes you through spectacular woodland, pasture and the Dehesa (Mediterranean forest) of holm and cork oaks - the emblematic landscape of the Extremadura. You also ride in the Villuercas Geopark which offers great footing for the horses.

Day One:

You will be transferred from Madrid airport to Trujillo (2.5 hours journey) and there is time to look around the town before a welcome dinner at your hotel. Here you will learn about the region and be shown your route on a map.

Day Two:

After breakfast you will be transferred from Trujillo to Herguijela where you meet the horses and are allocated your partner for the week. Set off riding through the Dehesa (Mediterranean forest), which is believed to be the habitat which would have covered this region thousands of years ago. After your mid morning stop for tapas, you break for lunch which maybe an excellent home-cooked paella with fresh salads.

Rest for c. 2 hours and then re-mount for a shorter afternoon to Garciaz where the horses spend the night. It's a short transfer (15mins) to Madronera where you spend the night in a small rural hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Three:

Today's ride takes you from Garciaz to Berzocana, through some of the best preserved Mediterranean forests. The dominant species are the evergreen oaks (holm or cork oaks) and the deciduous oaks. After lunch, you ride to the Villuercas mountains in Berzocana, with magnificent views along the route. Dinner and overnight in a rural hotel with spectacular sunsets over the Villuercas Geopark.

Riding time: 7 hours

Day Four:

Ride through the Villeurcas Geopark which was declared by UNESCO in 2011 because of its cultural and natural heritage as well as its geological features. The landscape is impressive and this rural region features many fields with stone walls. There is one section where you have to dismount and lead your horse over some very technical terrain and so you must be fit and able to walk on foot for c. 40 minutes. You may see vultures, eagles, azure-winged magpies, red-billed choughs, shrikes or ravens as you ride. The afternoon has many opportunities for good canters before you reach your rural hotel in Logrosan.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Five:

The morning ride takes you through the Dehesa where there are lots of cows, sheep, goats and Iberic pigs being farmed in traditional ways, reminiscent of a bygone era. Some afternoon canters take you to Zorita for dinner and to overnight.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Six:

Complete your circuit by riding from Zorita to Trujillo through the Dehesa Extremena. Overnight in the same hotel as on the first night and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

Riding time: 5-6 hours

Day Seven:

After breakfast you will be transferred to Madrid for your flight home.

Ride through the beautiful mountain towns of Villuercas until reaching the historical town of Guadalupe with its cobbled streets, traditional houses and monuments of great historical interest, such as the Sanctuary Monastery of Guadalupe from the 14th century, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery was commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile after his victory in the Battle of Salado in 1340. It is one of the major pilgrimage centres within the Iberian peninsula and has been the scene of important events, such as the audience of the Catholic Kings with Christopher Columbus when he was given the ships that would allow him to start heading to America. You'll also canter along an old railway which was built in the 1920's but never finished due to the Spanish Civil War.

Day One:

You will be transferred from Madrid airport to Trujillo (2.5 hours journey) and there is time to look around the town before a welcome dinner at your hotel. Here you will learn about the region and be shown your route on a map.

Day Two:

After breakfast you will be transferred from Trujillo to Herguijuela where you meet the horses and are allocated your partner for the week. Set off riding through the Dehesa (Mediterranean forest), which is believed to be the habitat which would have covered this region thousands of years ago. After your mid morning stop for tapas, you break for lunch of an excellent home-cooked paella with fresh salads.

Rest for c. 2 hours and then re-mount for a shorter afternoon across flat terrain to Madronera where you spend the night in a small rural hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Three:

Depart after breakfast and follow the cattle trail to Zorita. There are plenty of good trots and canters through the morning as you cross the Dehesa, where cattle can be seen everywhere: local cows, sheep, goats and iberian pigs. Dinner and overnight in a rural hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Four:

Today's ride follows a greenway - an old railway built in the 20's that was never finished because of the Spanish Civil War. Along the greenway you will see objects and buildings that remind you that this would have been a railway. There are also beautiful views over the impressive Villuercas landscape. Dinner and overnight in a rural hotel in Logrosan.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Five:

Depart after breakfast and ride through the vineyard in Canamero which is famous in Spain for good wines and its olive gardens. Here the landscape changes to the beauty of the Villuercas mountains with the Ruecas river canyon. You continue along the greenway to your rural hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Six:

A short day from Canamero to Guadalupe, following the Canada Real. Enjoy the view over the impressive Villuercas landscape and look out for vultures, eagles and many other birds. Stop for lunch and wave goodbye to the horses who depart by truck. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Guadalupe town and Monastery. The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe is in a beautiful location, overlooking a valley surrounded by high mountains. The town of Guadalupe, built around the Monastery has traditional buildings with unique architecture.

Riding time: 4 hours

Day Seven:

After breakfast you will be transferred to Madrid for your flight home.

The largest and best preserved Mediterranean forest in the world lies within Monfrague national park, surrounded by hills and dotted with rocks and streams. Monfrague was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2003 and takes its name from the Romans, who called it Mons Fragorum - the fragmented mountain. Difficult to access and covered by scrubland, this typically Iberian landscape is home to a diverse mix of flora and fauna. The most popular bird watching spot is Salto del Gitano - a 300m cliff above the Tajo river where black storks, vultures and imperial eagles nest.

Day One:

You will be transferred from Madrid airport to Trujillo where there is time for a short visit to the town before a welcome dinner. Here you will learn about your weeks ride and the route you will follow. Overnight in Trujillo.

Day Two:

After breakfast you are transferred from Trujillo to Herguijuela where you will be allocated your horse. Set off riding through the Dehesa (Mediterranean forest) which is exclusive to southern and central Spain. As you ride though the Canada Real Puerto de Miravete, you follow the medieval network of paths used for cattle movement which are 75m wide and perfect for riding. You may see free roaming bulls as you pass.

After lunch on the trail, your afternoon ride is shorter as you cross the flat terrain of Torrecillas de la Tiesa to reach your rural hotel for dinner and to overnight.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Three:

Follow the cattle trail Canada Real to the medieval village of Jaraicejo within the national park. There are plenty of trots and canter this morning as you cross the Dehesa, where local cows, sheep, goats and pigs graze. After lunch in the countryside you cross the Almonte river over a medieval bridge to reach your rural hotel in Jaraicejo.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Four:

Continue along the cattle trail, with some good trots and canters throughout the morning ride through the Dehesa. After a luxury picnic lunch, continue through the Dehesa, with great views of the Sierra de Gredos in front of you, until reaching Torrejon el Rubio. Here you have dinner and overnight in a 4* hotel with a spa.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Five:

Today you ride through the National Park Reserve which is a protected area and requires special authorisation. Upon reaching the Sierra de las Corchuelas, the highest point in the reserve, you have spectacular views of the pure nature and peace of this area. After lunch beside the Tajo river, you visit the cliff Salto del Gitano to admire the birds which nest here. Ride back to Torrejon el Rubio for a second night in your 4* hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Six:

Another beautiful day of riding as you continue along the Canada Real to Aldea del Obispo. Take lunch beside the Almonte river where the Canada Real crosses the river at a medieval bridge. After lunch the horses are transported home by truck and you are transferred to Trujillo for a farewell dinner. 

Riding time: 4 hours

Day Seven:

After breakfast you are transferred to Madrid airport for your flight home.

Spain is criss-crossed with ancient drover routes that have served the pastoral communities for many years. Called Canadas Reales, these tracks are 75m wide and stretch for 700km in length. Today they are still used by cattle herders who move their cattle between summer pastures in the mountains and winter pastures on the lowlands.

This ride follows 200km of these Canadas Reales, from Trujillo to Navarredonda de Gredos, crossing three regions of Spain - Extremadura, Castilla la Mancha and Castilla y Lyon.

Day One:

You will be transferred from Madrid airport to Trujillo in time for a short visit of the town before dinner at the Monastery hotel. Here you will learn about the route and be able to see it on a map.

Day Two:

After breakfast at the hotel you are transferred to Herguijuela (10mins) where the horses are waiting for you. After being allocated your horse, you set off riding along the Canada Real, stopping for lunch in the countryside where a delicious paella is created. The afternoon takes you across flat terrain to Torrecilla de la Tiesa where you overnight in a rural hotel.

Riding time: 5 hours

Day Three:

Set off riding across open countryside and through olive trees, with plenty of trots and canters. After lunch you ride to Casas de Miravete - you will be able to see the 13th century castle from a long distance away. Dinner and overnight in a rural hotel.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Four:

Continue along the Canada Real with impressive views of the Sierra de Gredos. Stop for lunch in the countryside in Toledo province and then in the afternoon, ride to Navalmoral. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Navalmoral de la Mata.

Riding time: 7 hours

Day Five:

Todays ride along the Canada Real is through a flatter area where there are lots of trots and canters. The Canada is wider here at 200m as you continue to Ventas de San Julian. Dinner and overnight at a rural inn in Calzada de Oropesa.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Six:

Another day riding across flat terrain with plenty of trots and canters. The landscape changes and you ride along the reservoir close to Navalcan with beautiful views to the Gredos mountains. Dinner and overnight in Navalcan.

Riding time: 6 hours

Day Seven:

A beautiful day of riding as you leave one Canada and take another in the direction of the Gredos mountains, offering spectacular views. Depart Toledo province and enter Avila province at Castilla y Leon. Dinner and overnight in Mombeltran.

Day Eight:

After breakfast you set off up the Roman road which is more than two thousand years old and well preserved for 7km. The road takes you up into the mountains with beautiful views before arriving at the picturesque mountain village of Cuevas del Valle. Continue along the Roman road to Puerto Pico where the road ends amid beautiful mountain landscapes. Stop for lunch in Puerto Pico and then ride through very different landscapes with green mountain pastures surrounded by stone walls, with the highest peaks of Gredos ahead of you. Farewell dinner and overnight in Navarredonda de Gredos.

Day Nine:

After breakfast you are transferred back to Madrid airport for your flight home.

NB. Please note that this itinerary can also run in reverse

This centre based ride is based from Trujillo town and offers shorter riding days alongside visits to interesting world heritage sites. The more relaxed itinerary is perfect for those who want less hours on horseback coupled with more traditional touristic visits.

Please note that the order of days may change but will include all the riding and visits mentioned.

Day One:

You will be met at Madrid airport at 3pm and transferred 2.5 hours to Trujillo. Once settled into your hotel you'll have a welcome dinner with your guide where you can learn more about the ride and region on the map.

Day Two:

After breakfast at your hotel it's time to meet the horses and set out on your first half day ride. Your route takes you along ancient cattle paths between fields and green pastures with carpets of wild flowers. Riding in the surrounds of Trujillo you'll have great views of the skyline of this historical town.

After a luxury picnic lunch you'll transfer 45mins to Merida which was founded by the Romans in 25BC as Augusta Emerita, the capital of the Roman province Lusitania, one of the most important in Iberia. The complex includes a Roman theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge across the river Guadiana. You have the afternoon to visit the historic town - there are audio guides available. Tickets to museums and monuments or guided visits are not included so you can choose where you go; likewise any snacks/drinks you purchase are to your own account.

In the evening you return to Trujillo for dinner.

Day Three:

Today is a mini trail to Finca Santa Marta and offers a full day of riding. In the morning you ride through the ancient Mediterranean forests with beautiful views of the open landscapes. After a picnic lunch, in the afternoon you ride in the Dehesa and alongside olive trees and vineyards lined by stone walls. You'll reach Finca Santa Marta in time to have a relaxing break before dinner. The finca is a former olive oil mill which has been converted into a country inn situated in the heart of the Extremadura dehesa, with a swimming pool and olive grove.

Day Four:

Ride back to Trujillo along good open countryside which is perfect for some good trots and canters through the morning. Cattle can be seen everywhere, including sheep, goats and iberic pigs. After the picnic lunch there are more good canters before reaching Trujillo for dinner.

Day Five:

This morning you have a half day ride with beautiful views of the best preserved Mediterranean forests. There are rolling hectares of holm oaks - the classic landscape of the dehesa. After a comfortable picnic lunch in the countryside you are transferred to the World Heritage Site of Caceres. Caceres is only 30mins drive from Trujillo and each corner is full of charm. The Old Town is a medieval and renaissance complex full of history and palaces. You will have a few hours to explore (again entrance tickets to museums/monuments and guided visits are payable locally).

Visiting Trujillo and Cacares will feel like stepping back in time or into the middle of a medieval movie - it's no surprise parts of Game of Thrones was filmed in these two towns!

Day Six:

Another half day of riding across the green open spaces with cattle everywhere. Lunch is the trademark paella cooked on site with good wines. 

In the afternoon you visit Trujillo with its mix of cultures. Amongst the Roman remains, at the top of the town there is a spectacular castle which was built by the Arabs in the 10th century. In the main square there are beautiful palaces built by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century, along with the equestrian statue of Pizarro. Many storks, eagles and swallows can be seen circling the nests on the roofs of the churches and palaces. There are also two museums - Casa-Museo de Pizarro and Centro de Visitantes Los Descubridores (entrance tickets not included) or you can simply wander the cobbled streets on foot. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day Seven:

After breakfast you are transferred to Madrid airport for your flight home. The transfer departs at 11am to arrive at 1pm, so your flight must depart after 3pm.

**The 11-17 October ride includes a visit by car to the traditional Pilgrimage on horseback to Guadalupe Monastery on 12th October (Hispanity Day). This pilgrimage originated in the 14th century and riders from all over Spain make the journey to the monastery which has become one of the major pilgrimage centres of the Iberica peninsula.

This stationary short-break offers three days of riding in the surroundings of Trujillo, among olive groves, vineyards, dehesa and wood pastures with holm and cork oaks. There are also two afternoons visits to Caceres and Trujillo.

Day One - Wednesday:

Arrive and transfer to Trujillo to meet your guide and the rest of the group for dinner in the evening. Transfers are not included. There are several direct buses for c. 30 euro and it takes about 3 hours. You need to arrive in time for dinner, which is usually 9pm.

Day Two - Thursday:

This morning you meet your horses and set out on a half day ride with beautiful views of the best preserved Mediterranean forests. Ride through rolling hectares of holm oaks, the classic landscape in the Extremadura dehesa. Comfortable picnic lunch in the countryside.  Riding c. 3-4 hours.

In the afternoon transfer to Caceres to visit this World Heritage Site on foot. The Old Town has a wonderful mix of medieval and renaissance architecture and is full of charm. You'll feel as though you've stepped back in time, or onto a movie set (it's no surprise parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here!). Tickets to museums and monuments are not included. 

Day Three - Friday:

Another half day of riding to explore open green spaces where cattle roam freely. After 3-4 hours riding, stop for a traditional paella lunch with good wines. 

In the afternoon visit Trujillo with its mix of cultures, from Roman remains to a spectacular castle founded in the 10th century by the Arabs and many beautiful palaces built by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. There are museums if you wish to visit them (payable locally) or you can explore the cobbled streets on foot.

Day Four - Saturday:

A full day ride through the ancient Mediterranean forest and class dehesa landscape with beautiful views. In the afternoon you ride along ancient cattle paths called Canadas Reales which have crossed the country from north to south since the middle ages. 

Final dinner and night in Trujillo.

Day Five - Sunday:

Depart after breakfast. Transfers are not included.