Tarifa Riding Getaway

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain

Tarifa is the southernmost village of Spain and Europe and it offers many diverse possibilities for excursions.  From Tarifa you can journey to Jerez, which is the home of the Royal Andalusian Riding School, Cádiz, Ronda, Gibraltar, and Sevilla. Tarifa itself has a buzzing summer social scene and is worth a visit or two! Because of its excellent wind conditions, Tarifa is very popular with wind and kite surfers. Watch them while you suntan on the beach or learn with lessons of your own!
Make your dreams of beach horseback riding come true along the sands of Tarifa, on the very southernmost tip of Spain. The stable is located 3 miles west of Tarifa, right on the beautiful beach and close to a vast nature reserve in the mountains. Enjoy shorter rides along the endless beaches on the string of well trained and gorgeous Andalusian horses or join one of the various day trips available for the complete riding experience.
Here is an ideal climate for riding all year round! The frequent winds between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic make it cool enough to enjoy riding even during the hottest sunny periods. In the winter the temperature seldom drops below 15º.
The program is a great opportunity to discover the unspoilt corners of the stunning region by horseback. The combination of white sandy beaches and the rolling hills of the national park is perfect! From the park there are panoramic views over to Africa which is truly breathtaking!
Riding 3-5 hours a day in small groups, you should be confident in all three paces to participate in the program. You will have your own horse for the week and be fully involved in the grooming and tacking up.

If you want to discover more, we can organize following activities for you:
-Additional riding or lessons.
-Day trip and shopping at a bazar in Morocco (Tanger)
-Dolphin and Whale watching
-Learn Spanish at our well known Spanish school in Tarifa
-Learn to Kite and Windsurf

Accomodation
Stay at one of the many hotels in Tarifa or let us make arrangements for you at these accommodations:

The Hotel Dos Mares is a charming 3 star lodging located directly on Los Lances Beach. It is the most natural option for you if you plan to ride with us for the entire week, as it is located to the right on the beach and next to the facilities of the riding center. The hotel offers a swimming pool, tennis and paddel courts, windsurf and kite surf school as well as a gymnasium. The Hotel is famous for its buffet breakfast and restaurant. We have permanently reserved the bungalows closest to the stables for our clients.


Apartments Casa Javier: A private house owned by a nice Spanish family. Only half a mile from the stables. The first floor has been converted into four nicely decorated apartments. The two smaller apartments have a bedroom with two single beds and a small kitchen. The two bigger apartments have one bedroom with a double bed, one bedroom with two single beds and a small kitchen.


Apartment and Casitas La Esperanza: The guesthouses and apartments are located in the perfect location with a direct view over the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa. We offer a place to relax in the middle of a 8,000 sq. meter estate with elegant gardens. The guest house and apartments are tastefully decorated and offer high quality rural lodging.

Apartment - sleeps 2-3 people
Living room with kitchen Fireplace and television Big bedroom with two beds Bathroom with shower and bath Central heating, and cozy during the cooler winter months Separate sun terrace
Private entrance and parking  

Riding
There are about 20 well-trained local Andalusian horses waiting for you. They are kept naturally in small groups in a eucalyptus wood beside the stable. Non-riders and children can find their confidence during a beach ride or private lesson on our novice horses or ponies. However, most of our horses are forward going and are well suited for the more experienced riders of our weekly program. 

We ride in the Spanish Vaquerostyle which will be carefully explained to you. It uses neck-reining, body-weight and voice. We recommend wearing a helmet. You do not need spurs or a whip.

Itinerary

You can opt for our package from
1. Sunday to Thursday or
2. from Wednesday to Sunday. 
A third option is a weekly program (on request)

2. Weekend Getaway from Wednesday to Monday morning (4 riding days)
Wednesday - Arrival and overnight
Thursday –    We meet at the stables for introduction of the Spanish riding style getting to know the tack and the horses. When we tacked up our horses we go out for a ride on the beach and in the pine forest to practice the Spanish style of riding.  2 hours of riding
Friday – A nice ride to the national park of the cork trees, we ride up through the mountains and get to see the really unspoiled nature of Andalusia. We have a picnic underneath the cork trees where some pigs or goats might join us. On the way back we get to see the real Spanish countryside.  4-5 hrs of riding
Saturday – We ride along the beach and through pine-woods to a deserted costal region in the midst of a nature reserve. We have a picnic before we go back to the stables.  4-5 hours of riding

Sunday - We have an extended beach ride or a beach and mountain ride in the morning. Departure  2 hrs of riding

    Itineraries are sample itineraries only and are flexible.

3. Optional  Weekly riding Program the ultimate horse riding experience

A great opportunity to discover the unspoilt corners of our stunning region by horse back. The combination of white sandy beaches, the hills of the national park with panoramic views over to Africa is breathtaking. A cultural highlight is our day out in Jerez, which includes the show of 'The Dancing Horses' at the Royal School of Equestrian Art. This gives you the chance to admire the most highly schooled, beautiful Andalusian stallions. We ride 3-5 hours a day in small groups and you should be confident in all three paces. You will have your own horse for the week and become fully involved in grooming and tacking up.
Itinerary
Sunday:  Arrival and overnight
Monday:   Introduction and two Beach Rides
10:00-13:30 
Meet at the stables. Introduction to tack and your horse. Practice the Spanish way of riding. First beach ride "Playa de los Lances".
14:00  Lunch at a typical Spanish restaurant called “ el Rancho”
Evening beach ride, some more time to practice the Spanish style of riding
Tuesday:  Mountain ride to the “Sanctuary of the Light”, a historic site of Tarifa 10:00-15:30
Away from the beach we will discover the hilly countryside of Tarifa and visit its saint, "The Virgin of the Light". Enjoy a stunning view over Tarifa and ride through herds of cows, goats, horses and black pigs.  Lunch in the tranquil grounds of the Santuario.
Wednesday:  Sand dunes ride
10:30-15:00
Half day ride to the sand dunes at the most famous windsurf beach of Tarifa. After climbing onto the huge sand dune we can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the beaches of Tarifa and Africa at its background. Have fun sliding down the dune on horse back. After this special adventure you’ll enjoy a nice picnic in the pine woods.
Thursday:  Jerez: Royal Riding School and Sherry Bodega
08:30-18:00
Meet at the reception. We drive to Jerez, the horse capital of Spain. We visit the sherry production at "Sandeman" and attend the spectacular show "Dance of the Andalusian Horses". In the "Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art" the beautiful stallions of Andalusia show the most difficult movements of classical dressage and Spanish country style riding. Includes lunch in Jerez.
Friday:   Cork tree forest "Los Alcornocales"
10:00-17:00 
A beautiful ride into the remote back lands of Tarifa along the mountain "La Peña". Great views, Birds and herds of horses. Experience the unique and unspoiled landscape riding through a wood of cork trees of the National park "Los Alcornocales". Lunch in the cork tree forest.
Saturday:   On the beach to Paloma Baja
10:00-17:00
We ride along the beach and through pine-woods to a deserted costal region in the midst of a nature reserve. Lunch with incredible sea view.
Sunday: Departure

Rates and Dates for Tarifa Riding Getaway

Dates Note: This trip is available any time of the year. During July and August it is very difficult to find accommodation space - so reserve early !

Other Info
Meeting: near Tarifa
Airport: Malaga
Transfer: Gibraltar, Malaga, or Jerez airport; by arrangement

Climate:

We have an ideal climate for riding all year round: The frequent winds between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic make it cool enough to enjoy riding even during hot sunny periods. In winter the temperature seldom drops below 15º C.