Sierra Nevada Rides

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain  
Without doubt, the Sierra Nevada-Tabernas Desert Route, with 6 days on horseback, is one of our most varied programs. It goes through two Nature Reserves of unique natural beauty which give the route its name: The Sierra Nevada, with its snowy peaks and mountainous landscape, and the Tabernas Desert, the most important desert-like zone in Europe.

The route starts high up in the Sierra and makes its way down to the fertile slopes and valleys where olives, ­almonds, and even wine are produced. Then, suddenly, the unique topographical conditions render the route into a true, western movie style desert, of canyons and dry riverbeds where numerous spaghetti-westerns films have been made. The expedition ends in Granada with the option to visit the Alhambra.
 

Accomodation

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

Description
The hotels we use on our rides are all country inn hotels - not luxurious, but traditional with a lot of personal charm. All with private bathroom facilities. Shampoo and bath gel will be found in all accommodations, and hair dryers in some of them. Swimming pool during the summer (roughly June to September) in are available in Capileira, Trevelez, Cadiar, Laroles and Benecid.
WIFI is available at all accommodation except for Laroles. Laundry is available at an additional cost at some accommodations.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Finca Los Llanos, Capileira
Night 2: La Fragua, Trevélez
Night 3: Alquería de Morayma, Cádiar
Night 4 & 5: Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar, Laujar
Night 6: Posada de Eustaquio, Canjayar
Night 7: Hotel Maciá Plaza, Granada



Finca Los Llanos, Capileira
In quiet and beautiful natural surroundings, the Finca Los Llanos offers amazing views and an outdoor swimming pool where guests can relax. All of the hotel's rooms are full equipped with heating, TV, fridge, hairdryer and a telephone.

La Fragua, Trevélez
The hotel and restaurant La Fragua are situated in the village of Trevelez, at the highest point of the Alpujarra. The rooms have been decorated with the mountain and alpine environment in mind, giving each of the rooms a rural charm. Built with respect to the local traditions, the hotel sits perfectly with its natural setting. You can also enjoy fabulous views over the mountains of Sierra Nevada.

Alquería de Morayma, Cádiar
This accommodation is an old farm that was recently rehabilitated in a hotel. It offers 22 tastefully decorated bedrooms with beautiful mountain views. There is a library where guest can read a book and learn more about the Alpujarra region.

Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar
The main building is surrounded by the 31 Villas where guests are accommodated. The rooms all feature ensuite bathroom and free Wi-Fi internet.
The complex has a seasonal outdoor pool, tennis court, viewpoints and walking paths, that guests can discover in the evening.

Posada de Eustaquio, Canjayar
The Posada de Eustaquio is an old house-inn that has been recently refurbished but still retains the charm of the traditional architecture of the area. The rooms are simply furnished but provide a comfortable bed with private facilities and climate control.

Hotel Maciá Plaza, Granada
The hotel is located on Plaza Nueva, in the city of Granada right at the foot of the Alhambra. The simple rooms feature stylish black and white décor and provide guests with all modern amenities.

Room Occupancy
When clients do not request a single room, but there isn't another rider to share a room with them, they will need to pay 75% of the single supplement fee.



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

You will be served traditional southern-Spain dishes from locally sourced natural ingredients. Healthy, hearty meals are served throughout the ride.
In general, a full breakfast is offered in the hotels; lunch is in a restaurant in some village at midday (except for two picnics on the trail), sometimes a drink/tapa snack is taken when we arrive at the end of the trail for the day, and later a three course dinner in a restaurant.
Please note that in Spain, we have lunch at 2pm and dinner at 9 pm.

Beer and wine are included when served with the meals. Additional wine or other drinks or those taken besides the regular eating time are not included.

Meal Itinerary
Day 1: three- course dinner at hotel restaurant
Day 2: full breakfast at hotel, basic sandwich on the trail for lunch, a bit of drinks and tapas at a bar on arrival to Trevelez, three course dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 3: full breakfast at hotel, lunch at a terrace restaurant in Juviles village, a bit of drinks and tapas on arrival to Alquería de Morayma hotel usually on their outside terrace with views over the Sierra,  three- course dinner at hotel restaurant
Day 4: full breakfast at hotel, hearty picnic under a big carob tree in an olive grove (with table, chairs, full meal,coffee, dessert...) ,  a bit of drinks and tapas at a bar on arrival to Picena where the horses will stay, three course dinner in a local restaurant in Laroles
Day 5: full breakfast at a restaurant , BBQ lunch in a restaurant in Guarros next to a river, three- course dinner at hotel restaurant in Benecid
Day 6: full breakfast at hotel, lunch at an old post stop usually paella, three- course dinner at hotel restaurant
Day 7: full breakfast at hotel, lunch in a local restaurant in Alboloduy, farewell dinner in a local restaurant in the old part of Granada
Day 8: full breakfast at hotel

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

Riding Experience
The minimum riding ability for this ride is intermediate. Riders need to be comfortable at all paces in open country and on various terrains (including mountain tracks). At times, the ride includes trot and canter on curvy mountain tracks.

Pace
We go mostly at a walk but also at the trot and canter (not possible every day - depends on the terrain). On average, we spend 4-7 hours in the saddle per day. The program includes 6 riding days.

Guide
The guide, Rafael, is a political science graduate who preferred the peace of a small village in the mountains to the hustle and bustle of his home city, Madrid. He moved to the Alpujarras more than 20 years ago, when he started his horse-riding adventure. He is an entertaining and charming man who is fluent in Spanish, French and English.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you have full holiday Insurance that covers horseback riding and emergency medical insurance. We are happy to provide this. Simple check the appropriate box in the booking form.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Welcome and introduction of the guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Finca Los Llanos in Capileira

Day 2: Bubión to Trevélez
Drive to the riding center in Bubión (2 km away from Capileira). Introduction of the horses. We will start by climbing up along bridle paths through the Blood Ravine to the track that leads us to Trevélez with views of the villages of the Poqueira and La Taha Valleys. Picnic enroute. During the ride there are some opportunities for gallops with a magni­ficent panoramic view of the Sierra Contraviesa and Lújar opposite us. Descend to Trevélez by a bridle path where we will arrive in time for some beers with tapas. There will be the opportunity to visit some of the ham drying houses of Trevélez, famous for its hams and considered the highest village in Spain at an altitude of 1,700m.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel La Fragua in Trevélez

Day 3: Trevélez to Cádiar
After crossing the bridge over the Trevélez river, we will start this route by a bridle path that climbs the left slope of the ravine, leaving behind the village from which it takes its name. Once again, we will enjoy the beauty of the sierras Contraviesa, Lújar and Gádor, this one already in the province of Almería. Descent along a gentler path to Juviles, where we will have lunch. Descend to Tímar along a narrow path through the gorge. Then we will take the bridle path to our beautiful Hotel close to Cádiar. We have descended over 1,000 m.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Alquería de Morayma in Cádiar

Day 4: Cádiar to Picena
Riding first over the hills with stunning panoramic views of Sierra Nevada and the sierras of Contraviesa and Gádor, we will then ride to Ugíjar along the dry riverbed. Picnic on the way. In the afternoon, we will ride up to Picena where we leave the horses. Drive to Laujar de Andarax (20 km) to reach your accommodation.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar

Day 5: Picena to Laujar de Andarax
After breakfast, drive to Picena to meet the horses and start our ride crossing the village of Picena and descending to the Bayarcal river. There, we enter the Almería province. After a big climb to the hills of Inizar, we will have the opportunity to canter before Riding on a bridle path to Guarros for our picnic lunch. Then, we leave for Laujar de Andarax, important wine-growing area and the last residence of the last Moorish king, Boabdil.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar

Day 6: Laujar de Andarax to Alcora
Today, we start riding to the neighbouring village of Benecid where we cross the Andarax river and ride across Sierra Gádor. We enjoy the open view of Sierra Nevada on the other side of the river.
After crossing Cortijo Cacín we ride to the Barriada de Alcora where we will arrive on time for a good lunch. During the morning ride there are some opportunities to canter. After a short rest, we ride for nearly 1 hour through a pinewood to the Casita de Cristal, where we leave the horses at the gates of the desert. We drive to Canjayar (4Km) for overnight.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Posada in Canjayar

Day 7: Rágol to Alboloduy
Drive to meet the horses for our last ride. We will ride for 1 hour to Rágol enjoying the first views over the Tabernas Desert, descending to the village by a very nice bridle path. We cross the Andarax river to the mountain of Montenegro through the Rambla (dry river bed) of Guadix, with some opportunities for canters. We then descend through a labyrinth of canyons similar to those seen in numerous spaghetti-western films.
At the end of the Rambla de Los Yesos, we will arrive at Alboloduy, at the eastern-most edge of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. 
After saying goodbye to the horses, lunch in the village. Drive to Granada (2 hours). Farewell dinner in a typical restaurant and visit to the old part of Granada with amazing views of the Alhambra right opposite us.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maciá Plaza in Granada

Day 8: Departure
Farewell after breakfast.
Option: For those who want, there is an opportunity to visit the Alhambra (please inquire as booking is needed well in advance).

Rates and Dates for Sierra Nevada Rides

Dates Note: Custom dates possible in April, May & October on request (depending on availability) for groups of 4+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Capileira
Airport: Granada / Malaga
Transfer: Granada or Malaga

Climate:
                                            Granada area