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El Cid Discovery Ride in Castile
Central Spain
Spain
A two week horseback adventure following the tracks of the hero El Cid!
The stength and courage of famous El Cid Campeador, the epical and historical mounted knight from Castile, can still be felt in Castilla y León. Nine hundred years following the death of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar “El Cid”- his memory lives on! His legendary past and the minstrel's songs is an epic blend with the landscape's incomparable beauty around Burgos and Soria where El Cid Campeador left his mark.
This trip explores a changing landscape of mountains and vast plains, rivers and valleys, forests and plateaus. A land celebrated by poets and exalted by past travelers- here you can follow the tracks of "El Cid" the Spanish hero from centuries long gone. This is the cradle of the Spanish language, its history is the legend of conquests. Here the center of Spanish medieval history is at your fingertips. The area's importance during that particular epoch is still evident in its cathedrals, monasteries, castles and fortified towns, many of which are preserved in an unbelievably perfect state. We have established an extraordinary two week holiday or you can ride a one week segment, both lead by Jose Manuel, who has lived all his life in the region and is proud to share his knowledge with you. He does not speak English, but somehow everyone understands him very well- Of course it helps that he is always accompanied by an interpreter and a horse guide!
The trip starts following the tracks of “El Cid”, the Castilian hero of medieval times. We ride along the Arlanza River, starting from the historic town of Llerma all the way up to the river’s origin. The area is one of transition where vast wild plains and pleasant valleys alternate, with natural occuring great beauty. It is an original Spanish landscape in the heart of Castile, once a kingdom reaching from the Bay of Biscay in the north to Andalusía in the south. The valley of Arlanza offers an extraordinary heritage; Lerma, San Pedro de Arlaza, Covarrubias and Silos, all especially significant in the history of Castile. One thousand year old churches prevail and villages with 500 year old houses accompany your riding trail. You will be lead through isolated karst scenery to the medieval city Covarrubias. Passing the monastery of Sto Domingo de los Silos, you ride through light oak forests, cross beautiful rivers and vast pastureland, along lakes, through wild canyons and mountain paths until you reach Sierra de Neila. The picnic lunches are all well prepared with all the trimmings. Dinners are in local restaurants with delicious and authentic local menus. A medieval style banquet ends this first week on the footsteps of “El Cid”.
The next week will depend on the dates you ahve available - you can chose from one of three rides.
Week One -
1. Arlanza Valley Ride
Week Two - You can combine the Arlanza Valley Ride with one of these three excellent trail weeks:
1. Sierra de la Demanda
2. Vineyard Trail
3. Mountains of Gredos
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Meeting:
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Madrid
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Airport:
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Madrid
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Transfer:
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Madrid
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
9 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations in country inns, meals, 12 riding days
| A | 2010 | 15 day Trip, AP Combo Sierra Demanda | 15d / 14n | €2485 | $3730 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €275 | $415 |
| B | 2010 | 15 day Trip, AP Combo Vineyard | 15d / 14n | €2965 | $4450 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €275 | $415 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from airport in Madrid included at set times
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Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
| B |
2010
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05/15
- 05/29
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15d / 14n
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15 day Trip, AP Combo Vineya...
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4
/9
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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06/12
- 06/26
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15d / 14n
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15 day Trip, AP Combo Sierra...
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4
/9
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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06/19
- 07/03
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15d / 14n
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15 day Trip, AP Combo Sierra...
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4
/9
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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06/26
- 07/10
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15d / 14n
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15 day Trip, AP Combo Sierra...
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4
/9
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Reserve
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Week One -
1. Arlanza Valley Ride
*See Itinerary Below
Week Two - Select from your choice of:
1. Sierra de la Demanda
2. Vineyard Trail
3. Mountains of Gredos
*See itineraries for each on their respective tour pages at www.hiddentrails.com
Day 1: Arrival in Madrid and transfer to Covarrubias, a medieval small town 150 miles north of Madrid. Dinner and overnight in a charming hotel inside the fortified walls. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Chindasvinto.
Day 2: In the morning short transfer to Lerma. Visit the local stable with some of the finest horses in the area. After a short demonstration, you saddle up and start your ride. A short visit to the medieval town center with its Parador follows a 5 to 6 hour ride across wide open fields and agricultural lands. Again and again you see flocks of Storks feeding in the fields. And certainly you will see the first vultures making their circles above you. It is just a first indication of what is to come. Be prepared to see maybe hundreds of these "ugly" and yet so gracious birds with a height of 3 to 4 feet and a wingspan of over 6 feet. The ride today offers several opportunities for nice long canters across the fields and meadows. For lunch you will be met by the supply vehicle at a lovely spot at a small creek. Maybe today you will have a real Spanish Paella - delicious. Of course the are soft drinks and wine available, as every day. Relax and watch a few more vultures resting on the cliffs before the shorter afternoon ride will get you back to Covarrubias. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Chindasvinto.
Day 3: Ride to Retuerto through vineyards, oak forests, juniper covered hearth land and pastures to the monastery Sto Domingo de los Silos. For dinner enjoy a traditional stone-oven lamb roast. Overnight at the hotel Coronas 2.
Day 4: Sto D. Silos to Navas del Pinar: You ride along a range of hills, through pine forests to the nature park "Canon del Rio Lobos" with a spectacular canyon scenery. Overnight in a rustic country house - Centro de turismo rural La Fuente.
Day 5: Today's ride leads you through a 10 mile long canyon of unique beauty. Crossing a river several times, the more you advance to the south the higher the bizarre rocks rise on both sides of the canyon. The park is home to eagles, vultures and other wildlife. Tonight's accommodation is located right at the exit of the canyon in a Parador - Posada Real Los Carreteros.
Day 6: Ride over a vast plateau with pine forests, meadows and fields. After passing a reservoir you reach Quintanar de la Sierra. The village is in the middle of a green cork oak forest covered with lush ferns.
Day 7: Quintanar to the origin of the Arlanza river: On your last day the ride continues over ascending narrow mountain paths and hiking trails to the Hierro-Pass and the origin of the Arlanza river. We’ll visit the necropolis from the middle ages of Revenga and Cuyacabras. Your riding adventure ends with the return journey (together with the horses) to Covarrubias. Join a farewell party for those that will leave us tomorrow. Overnight at the Hotel Chindasvinto.
Day 8: Transfer to Madrid and departure or stay with us on our next week’s discovery tour into the Sierra de la Demanda. Overnight and dinner in Covarrubias.
**Subject to change
Meeting:
Madrid
Airport:
Madrid
Transfer:
Madrid
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Tack:
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Spanish (Vaquero), Western and some English
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Horses:
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Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusitanos, Cruzados con Español Arab
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Pace:
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Moderate with some nice canters, 25-30km per day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
9 riders
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You will be mostly riding at a walk, fast walk, canter or short gallop. It is not common to trot. There will always be a horse guide and an English speaking translator along the rides.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Note: EU nationals are onl. more
The overall climate of Castillia is similar to Southern California: hot in the summer, pleasant and moderate in the spring and fall, and fairly cool in the winter. Rain is possible anytime, but rare in summer. The main rainy season is from the end of October to the beginning of May.
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Average |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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high Temperatures in °C |
13 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
25 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
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daily sunshine in hours |
5,5 |
6 |
7,5 |
8,5 |
9,5 |
9,5 |
9,5 |
6,5 |
5,5 |
5 |
4 |
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rainy days |
3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April!
A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.
Attire is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring a jacket and tie. Regular film can be obtained locally, but special sizes may not be available-bring plenty. It is a good idea to bring your own soap, since not all hotels supply it.
Also, please bring comfortable walking boots as you have to walk with the horses downhill on a rocky surface on the second day for at least one hour.
| … this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| English or Western riding attire |
| Comfortable/riding boots |
| A hard hat is not required, but recommended for safety |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Rain coat/Wax jacket |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Light summer jacket |
| Warm jacket |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
| Bandana |
| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and enough extra films |
| Belt pack |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
| Small bar of soap |
| Flashlight |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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marilyn bowie
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7/17/2007
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sally kilbey
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6/23/2007
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rosalind humphreys
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6/19/2007
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anne reese
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9/26/2006
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..view other reports for different trips
Most nights are in traditional and typical small hotels in wonderful settings and one night in a Parador.
The picnics are all well prepared with all the trimmings. Dinners are in local restaurants with delicious local menus. A medieval style banquet ends this first week on the tracks of “El Cid”.
In general the hotels only heat the rooms during the winter months. Even newer buildings are seldom insulated. Therefore when the weather turns cool you can have an impression of dampness. In case your room is too cool during your stay, you should find an extra wool blanket in the closet, or ask at the reception.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
You will be mostly riding at a walk, fast walk, canter or short gallop. It is not common to trot. There will always be a horse guide and an English speaking translator along the rides.
|
Tack:
|
|
Spanish (Vaquero), Western and some English
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusitanos, Cruzados con Español Arab
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with some nice canters, 25-30km per day
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
9 riders
|
|
You will be mostly riding at a walk, fast walk, canter or short gallop. It is not common to trot. There will always be a horse guide and an English speaking translator along the rides.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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El Cid Discovery Ride in Castile
Tour Code: PG-BUTK
15 days /
14 nights
~$3,730.00
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Spanish (Vaquero), Western and some En...
Horses:
Pura Raza Española, Hispano Arab, Lusi...
Pace:
Moderate with some nice canters, 25-30...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Madrid
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Image Gallery
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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