Culture & Nature in Andalusia

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain
This riding holiday lets you discover the southernmost territory of both Spain and Europe, during a week-long trek between coast and mountains.

Campo de Gibraltar is a region located southeast of the province of Cadiz acting as a border between Europe and Africa, as well as the Gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its ideal geographic location and its proximity with the colony of Gibraltar makes it an interesting tourism destination.

During the week, you will ride through two natural parks: Los Alcornocales Natural Park, which houses a huge cork oaks forest and the Strait of Gibraltar Natural park, where hundreds of millions of birds cross the strait every year in their migratory voyage between Europe and Africa, making it not only one of the most prominent destinations for bird watching, but one of the most ecologically diverse places in Europe too.

On your non-riding day, you will visit Jerez and have the opportunity to visit the renown Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy a typical lunch with Flamenco performance.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be sleeping in different small hotels along the way.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Hotel Montera or Finca las Majadillas in Los Barrios
Night 3-5: Hotel la Torre in Tarifa
Night 6: Hotel Meson Sancho in Algeciras
Night 7: Hotel la Montera or Finca las Majadillas in Los Barrios

Hotel Montera
This small hotel offers 64 spacious bedrooms, decorated with style and all equipped with air conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi access, private facilities and a balcony. The hotel has a garden and a terrace with an outdoor swimming pool. It is possible to do your laundry for an extra fee.

Finca las Majadillas
This charming country house is surrounded by nature. It has 8 bedrooms, all with private bathroom and internet access. Guests are welcome to relax in the living room, by the fireplace or to go for a walk in the lovely garden.

Hotel la Torre
This lovely beachside hotel offers simply decorated bedrooms including private bathroom, air conditioning/heating, TV and free Wi-Fi. There is a big garden with an outdoor pool where guests can relax in the evening.

Hotel Meson Sancho
The hotel is located in a beautiful natural setting. It has 40 bedrooms of various sizes, all equipped with heating, a TV, a phone, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi access. It has a lovely garden with a swimming pool


Room Occupancy
In case we do not find you a roommate, single supplement fees apply.



Meals
All meals are included from the dinner on Day 1 to the breakfast on Day 8.

Please note that during the NYE special tour dinner is not included on the nights of December 30th and 31st.

You will be served typical regional meals (paella, stews...).

Lunches are often served as picnics on the trail.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions given prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please note that during the NYE special tour dinner is not included on the nights of December 30th and 31st.
Also, in the special la feria del caballo tour date there will be no visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and no viewing of the Flamenco performance.

Day 1: Arrival
We will pick you up from either Malaga or Jerez airport and transfer you to your hotel for the first few nights. We will then match horses with rider based on various criteria such as height and riding experience.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Montera or Finca las Majadillas in Los Barrios

Day 2: Los Barrios to Valley of Ojén
We will ride on roads that were made by the Republican prisoners between 1931 and 1942, before World War II started. The route offers a splendid view over the Valley of Ojén, where you’ll be able to witness the great contrast between the cattle pastures and the leafy cork trees forests, as well as the bushy masses of gall in the wettest lands. You’ll also enjoy the particularly striking view off all kind of birds resting in these valleys.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Montera or Finca las Majadillas in Los Barrios

Day 3: Valley of Ojén to Tarifa
Today, we will cross the mountains where the bandits once lived and assaulted carriages loaded with items coming from Gibraltar.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Torre in Tarifa

Day 4: Ride around Tarifa
This coastal territory was once populated by the Phoenicians and the Romans took advantage of the settlement to install several factories of sea products, as well as to establish a small colony that slowly grew into a rather important one back in the second century BC.
We’ll ride to Punta Paloma through a pine forest along the Atlantic coast, enjoying splendid views of the African continent. We will then make our way back to Tarifa along the coast, mostly through fine sandy beach trails.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Torre

Day 5: Jerez (no riding)
We start the day with breakfast in typical road restaurant in Jerez. Then, we go visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, renown for their “How Andalusian Horses Dance”, a unique show that both exhibits and summarizes in a seemingly natural way all the work that the institution has done since its foundation.
We will then go for lunch in a typical tablao flamenco where we will be able to enjoy a Flamenco performance.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Torre

Day 6: Tarifa to Algeciras
The trail we will follow today could be considered the southernmost route of the Iberian Peninsula. It runs parallel to the coast through an old livestock route. The whole route offer a splendid panoramic view over the Strait, to Morocco and the colony of Gibraltar, with the pillar of Hercules and the Djebel Musa, forever standing on the other side. The Djebel Musa was a mythological element in the strait of Gibraltar. It was the boundary of the Greek World until, according to Greek historian Herodotus, Colomo Satos went through, back in the 7th century BC.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Meson Sancho in Algeciras

Day 7: La Trocha
We will follow a path that has been used for centuries, known as 'La Trocha', this road was impossible to pass with carriages. In the past, it was full of dangers due to the regular pirate attacks. But the alternative route inland was also not ideal. By taking this road you could save a day of travel and reach Cadiz a lot faster. 
Today, this area is one of the most remote parts of the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales. You will enjoy one of the most beautiful and wild landscapes of Andalusia: shadowy slopes, cliffs, ravines and deep gorges crossed by streams where only the murmur of water is heard.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel la Montera or Finca las Majadillas in Los Barrios

Day 8: Departure
We will transfer you back to the airport after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

Rates and Dates for Culture & Nature in Andalusia

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Los Barrios
Airport: Malaga or Jerez
Transfer: Malaga or Jerez Airport

Climate:
                                            Granada area