Yoga & Riding on Faial Island

Introduction
Azores Portugal
Discover the best spots for riding on Faial Island and enjoy Yoga sessions with an experienced instructor.

Ride with along spectacular cliffs with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and discover this beautiful island from the back of a horse. 
This package also includes Yoga sessions in our Yoga Studio or at very special places like on the oceanfront.

Staying at a beautiful Ecolodge on this small island will give you a lot of energy and peace.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You can choose your preferred accommodation type for your stationary ride. There is free Wi-Fi access at this property, no matter the room option you choose.



Lodge
The lodge has been built with natural materials and was designed in order to be in harmony with its environment. Free wi-fi is available in all room types.

You can choose between 3 different rooming options:
- Panorama Apartments
- Lodge Rooms
- Tiny Houses

Panorama Apartments
Each of the 7 apartments have their own entrance with splendid view. They come equipped with one bedroom (double or twin), a spacious bathroom, a small kitchen, a living room and a private terrace.

Lodge Rooms
All 4 rooms feature a sea view, a double or twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer.  

Tiny Houses
The 3 tiny houses are located in the garden and offers beautiful ocean view. They have a Queen size bed, a small bathroom and a kitchenette.

Guests can use our spacious saltwater swimming pool, which is operated as a heated indoor pool in winter.
All year-round guests can use the sauna and infrared heat cabin as well as the yoga room. Our yoga instructors offer yoga sessions for advanced and beginners for an additional charge.


Room Occupancy
Solo travelers might be able to share a room with another solo traveler of the same sex in order to waive their single supplement fee - please inquire at time of booking.
This option is currently not available during the pandemic.



Meals
All meals are included in your trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day.

We provide our guests with sustainable organic vegetables and flowers, sourced as close as possible. We created also our own organic garden.

The restaurant team, led by our award-winning chef, offers a full continental breakfast buffet in the morning and wonderful picnics and light snacks at lunchtime.
Every evening, the team serves 3-course menus featuring freshly caught fish from the Atlantic, sustainable meat and the best organic vegetables.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Yoga Experience
We practice an intuitive yoga style based on Hatha combined with a joyful Vinyasa fluidity, influenced by dance background and Yin simplicity. Our instructors can easily adapt to beginner or advanced yogi.

Riding Experience
You should be able to ride at all paces in open countryside. We expect support from our guests in feeding and tacking the horses as well as with cleaning the personal trail equipment.

Horses
We have about 20 horses are living as a herd in the meadows around the barn, all year round. Our horses are mostly Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses averaging 7 years old.
Anja, our horse specialist and trainer (Horse Academy of Cologne, Germany) and Victor, Trail-Guide (German Trail-Rider-Academy) are training our horses carefully and permanently. In that way they are becoming cooperative, hard-working and relaxed companions.

Equipment
We use equipment approved by the German Trail-Rider Academy.
Our most important piece of equipment is the Trail-Saddle. We only use the First Class Trekker-Saddle from the Italian saddlery Prestige.
Seating, safety and correct fit are without comparison. All saddles are equipped with a Prestige saddle bag for personal stuff and tension belts for your coat.

Guide
All horse-trail guides are entertaining and passionate. They speak English and mostly a second or third language. Experienced in horsemanship and as well trained horseback riders, they have profound knowledge of the island nature, history, social life and small hidden secrets. Safety of the ride is top priority.

Itinerary

NOTE: All trails itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our guests the best-riding holiday experience we may change these. Depending on the number of trails running, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short notice, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodation. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at the operator's discretion.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note that Whale watching is only available from April to October. Alternative activities will be offered from November to March.

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from the airport to the lodge and first contact with the horses. Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner. 
Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Ride & Yoga Session
Depending on the running course of the trail you might ride on the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding close to the Volcano of Capelinhos.
The horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will be driven back to the lodge.
Your Yoga instructor will be waiting for you at the lodge. Enjoy a relaxing Yoga session in the studio of the Ecolodge.
Riding approx. 20 km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Ride & Yoga Session
Depending on the running course of the trail you might ride on the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding close to the Volcano of Capelinhos.
Your Yoga instructor will be waiting for you at the lodge. Enjoy a relaxing Yoga session in the studio of the Ecolodge.
Riding approx. 20km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Whale Watching & Horta
This morning you will join a team of marine biologist on a whale watching tour. Learn about whales and joyful dolphins. A lunch is waiting for you once you are back on land.
The afternoon, you can visit the century-old harbor town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Ride & Yoga Session

Rates and Dates for Yoga & Riding on Faial Island

Dates Note: Custom dates are possible from April to October (Mid & High season).
Sold Out Dates (as of Feb 24 2024): June 8-9, July 6-7 & 23-25, Aug 7-9, Sep 4-6 & 18-20

Other Info
Meeting: Cedros
Airport: Horta Airport
Transfer: Horta Airport

Climate:
                                                   Horta area

Source: NOAA