Alpujarras Mountain Villages

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain  
This short mountain trail ride program will allow you to discover the Alpujarras region.

This area has a landscape of exceptional natural beauty. The varied topography provides the most surprising contrasts in scenery, from the snowy heights of the Sierra Nevada National Park, to the fertile valleys of olive and almond groves. On a clear day, one can even glimpse the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. 

Riding though several villages it seems like travelling in the Spain of the 19th Century, where time has stopped. The route generally follows old bridle paths which snake through numerous ravines where the snowmelt waters run.

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) are available in Capileira and Trevelez.
WIFI is available at all accommodation. Laundry is available at an additional cost at some accommodations.

Accommodation Itinerary for 5-day option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Finca Los Llanos, Capileira
Night 3: La Fragua, Trevélez
Night 4: Finca Los Llanos, Capileira

Accommodation Itinerary for 6-day option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Finca Los Llanos, Capileira
Night 2: La Fragua, Trevélez
Night 3: El Cercado, Los Bérchules
Night 4: Alquería de Morayma, Cádiar
Night 5: Finca Los Llanos, Capileira



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.

El Cercado, Los Bérchules
This charming hotel offers comfortable rooms and beautiful views on the valley. The rooms are equipped with a TV, ensuite bathroom and free Wi-Fi access. There is a seasonal outdoor pool where guests can relax in the evening.

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.

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 the last day.

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.

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: 5-day option - 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: Poqueira Valley Ride
After breakfast, we drive to the riding center in Bubión (2 km away from Capileira). After a short introduction of the horses, we depart for a morning ride enjoying the beautiful panorama of the Poqueira Valley. 
We plan to be back in Bubión for lunch.
Free afternoon to sightsee the villages of the Poqueira Valley. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Finca Los Llanos in Capileira

Day 3: Bubión to Trevélez
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 Valley. 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 4: Last Ride
This morning will start by climbing up along a bridle path with views of the village of Trevelez. Our trail takes us to the Bina Ravine where after few meters we take the Sulayr path to climb through oak woods to the top of the Loma del Jabalí. Later on, we ride to Las Alcubillas for a picnic. With an altitude of 2.240 m, it is the highest point of our itinerary with a magnificent panoramic vista of the foothills of the Sierra Contraviesa. On a clear day, you can even see right across the Mediterranean to Africa. We then ride along a bridle path, descending through pine woods to Bubion.
Farewell dinner.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Finca Los Llanos in Capileira

Day 5: Departure
Farewell after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast


Sample Itinerary: 6-day option - 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
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 Valley. 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 Los Bérchules 
After crossing the bridge over the river, we will start our ride on a bridle path that climbs the left slope of the ravine. We will ride down to Juviles for lunch. On the way, we will enjoy the beauty of the Sierra Contraviesa and Sierra Gádor. On a clear day, we will have nice views over the Mediterranean Sea and the silhouette of the mountains of Africa in front of us.
Arrival to Los Berchules by a bridle path. Dinner and accommodation tonight in a very comfortable, family-run hotel. Option for Spa services.
Riding: 4.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel El Cercado in Los Bérchules

Day 4: Los Bérchules to Cádiar
From Los Bérchules, we will descend to Narila, where  we will stop to water the horses and visit a breeding farm of P.R.E. (Spanish Pure Breed) horses. The ride passes through Cádiar village and we will finish the ride at our beautiful hotel, where we should arrive just in time for lunch.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
Riding: 3.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Alquería de Morayma in Cádiar

Day 5: Cádiar to Bubión  
Crossing the Guadalfeo river, we will join the path that will lead us to Lobras, Nieles and Càstaras. We will continue until we reach the impressive gorge of Las Carihuelas de Busquístar, where we will descend to cross the Trevélez river, and we follow the path which leads to the village of Busquístar. We stop in this village for lunch. After lunch we will ride for 2 more hours to Bubión. 
Tonight, farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Finca Los Llanos in Capileira

Day 6: Departure
Farewell after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Alpujarras Mountain Villages

Dates Note:

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

Climate:
                                            Granada area