On the trace of the Moors

Introduction
Central Spain Spain
Explore some of the most remote corners of Spain on Horseback and discover the unique mixture of Arab and Christian traditions and customs.

The program starts with a loop in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park. This region is an exceptional refuge for the Iberian fauna. Only a few places in Europe allow you to see so many wild animals in complete freedom.

You will then enjoy several cultural experiences on the route of Don Quixote de la Mancha, in a traditional Spanish horse farm.

Accomodation


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

Description
Accommodations are in rural hotels. For the overnights near Cuidad Real, you are sleeping in a beautiful farmhouse at the horse stud.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Valle del Turrilla Hotel in Jaén
Night 3: Hotel Dehesa del Rincón OR Rural House near Bolera Reservoir
Night 4: Parador Cazorla 
Night 5: Hotel Riogazas OR Hotel Spa Sierra de Cazorla
Night 6: Casas Cueva in Tiscar or Valle del Turrilla Hotel in Jaén
Night 7: Valle del Turrilla Hotel in Jaén
Night 8, 9 & 10: Ferrán Caballero near Ciudad Real 

Valle del Turrilla Hotel in Jaén
This small hotel has 11 rooms, each with its unique decor. All rooms feature a flat screen TV and private bathroom, with hairdryer, amenities and shower. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi as well as a small outdoor pool.

Hotel Dehesa del Rincón
Surrounded by forests, this rural hotel offers 15 comfortable rooms. Each room is equipped with beautiful wooden beds, heating/air conditioning, a TV, private facilities and free Wi-Fi access.

Rural House near Bolera Reservoir
This rural house by the dam offers simply decorated bedrooms with heating, a TV, private bathrooms and free internet access.

Parador Cazorla 
This beautiful 4-star hotel is located in the heart of the mountains. Guests can relax in the garden or by the outdoor pool after their ride. The rooms are spacious and include air conditioning, ensuite facilities, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Riogazas
This charming rural house has been converted to a hotel. It has a lovely garden with an outdoor pool. All rooms offer mountain views and come with a TV and private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Wi-Fi is available in common areas for no extra cost.

Hotel Spa Sierra de Cazorla
This luxurious hotel provides modern accommodation surrounded by nature. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a TV, private facilities and free Wi-Fi. There is a small outdoor pool with great views on the valley.

Casas Cueva
Tonight, you sleep in old cave houses from the 19th century, converted into accommodations. The rooms are decorated with Moorish-style furnitures and all come with air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, a TV and free internet.

Ferrán Caballero near Ciudad Real
This farmhouse offers accommodation in a beautiful horse stud. The rooms have comfortable beds and include air conditioning, a private bathroom and a TV. There is also an outdoor pool to cool off in the evening.


Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All meals are included on this trip from dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on the last day.



Dietary Restrictions
Special diets (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.

Riding

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Pick up from the airport, bus or train station in Granada and transfer to the equestrian center in Hinojares (Jaén). We will have a meeting to explain the route.
Dinner and accommodation at in Jaén.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Jaén

Day 2: Two Rivers Ride
After breakfast, allocation of horses before we begin our riding adventure. Our trail starts through an immense olive grove typical of Jaén. We will then descend to the lush banks of the Guadalentín River, through the Puente de la Tía Canaca, before going up to Peralta, surrounded by an enchanted forest of fig trees.
After leaving the ravine, we will look for the second river of the day, the Turrilla River. On our way back to the stables, we will see a colorful valley, passing through a red canyon where time seems to have stopped. 
Riding approx.6 hours – 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Jaén

Day 3: Ride to Bolera Reservoir
Today, we ride through the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla, ascending from 650 meters to above 1,600 meters. Our paths are surrounded by centuries-old black pines over 50 meters high.
We will have our picnic next to the Prados de Cuenca (Ponderosa Fountain), where we may possibly see deer that graze in these high mountain meadows. In the afternoon we will descend to the Bolera Reservoir.
Riding approx.5.5 hours – 26 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel near Bolera Reservoir

Day 4: Ride
This morning, we cross the Cerrada de la Herradura Bridge, to begin a long ascent to the Cortijo del Raso, where we will observe some impressive ravines called Wolf Stride. After a slight descent, we find ourselves on the banks of the Guadalentín River in the Vado de las Carretas, a historic place where one of the most important fights of the Reconquest of the Kingdom of Granada took place, between Moors and Christians.
We then leave the valley towards the Guadalquivir River, passing through Nava de San Pedro, where we will eat in a typical mountain restaurant. After passing through the Nava del Espino, we begin a long descent to the Guadalquivir Valley.
Riding approx.6 hours – 30 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Parador Cazorla 

Day 5: Ride to Cazorla
We leave the Guadalquivir Valley by a steep slope to Tejo port, where we will see a sea of olive trees (from Jaén), the largest humanized forest in the world, with more than 65 million olive trees.
We will gradually descend to the Castillo de la Iruela and the beautiful town of Cazorla.
Visit Cazorla after checking into your hotel.
Riding approx.5 hours – 22 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Cazorla

Day 6: Nature Park Ride 
This is our longest day in the saddle. Today, we will enjoy the most representative landscapes of the Natural Park, with spectacular views of Cazorla and its impressive Castillo de la Yedra. We will cross areas where we can spot wildlife and make a stop at Las Buitreras to see the Griffon Vulture nests.
We then continue our ride to Puerto Lorente and Collado Zamora, where we will eat at the refuge before entering the foothills of the Cordillera de los Agrios, passing between different ravines, until we reach the Port of
Tíscar, with two watchtowers that remind us of the old Nasrid border with the Adelantado de Cazorla.
Riding approx.6 hours – 29 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Tiscar

Day 7: Sanctuary of Tiscar Ride 
We descend to the Sanctuary of Tiscar to see the Cueva del Agua, a natural monument of incomparable beauty, declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia.
From the Sanctuary of Tiscar, and after a long journey through the mountains, we begin our descent into the valley visiting some charming small villages until we reach Arroyo Molinos. Here three rivers meet to flow into the great Guadiana Menor River, which we will see during our picnic lunch in the ancient Iberian town of Castellones de Ceal.
Finally, we make our way back to the stables in Hinojares.
In the afternoon, choose one of the following activities depending on the season: Carthusian horse farm tour or Chocolate tour or Olive oil mill visit or Canoeing activity.
Riding approx.3 hours – 16 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Jaén

Day 8: Sightseeing
After checking out from the accommodation, transfer to the Corral del Conde Ferrán Caballero, near Ciudad Real.
On the way, you will visit the Museum dedicated to the immortal figure of Don Quixote (visit between 11 am and 1:30 pm).
Then, transfer to your accommodation, on the outskirts of Ciudad Real. After resting we will have a small tour of the Equestrian facilities: observation of the Horses of the Jiménez Latorre Stud (Spanish Thoroughbred).
Lunch, Dinner and Accommodation in Ferrancaballero.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight near Ciudad Real

Day 9: Stud Ride
After breakfast, we will see and participate in the dressage work that is done daily in this renowned Spanish Stud. You will get a lesson of high school and classical dressage led by an expert equestrian teacher from OMTE (World Organization of Equestrian Tourism).
In the afternoon we will get to ride some of the beautiful horses from the stud and we will go horseback riding along the trails of the Don Quixote de la Mancha route (3 hours).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight near Ciudad Real

Day 10: Carriage & Food Tour
This morning, we go on a 3-hour horse-drawn carriage tour, passing through olive groves and beautiful landscapes along the Don Quixote route. Then, lunch and rest.
In the afternoon there will be an outing to experience Spanish gastronomy. Depending on the time of the year and preference, you can choose between tasting: wines, olive oil or the famous La Mancha cheeses.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight near Ciudad Real

Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the Ciudad Real train station to take the train to Madrid (frequency of 15 trains a day, first train 6:40 am / last train at 10:40 pm - approximately one hour of train).
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for On the trace of the Moors

Dates Note: Custom dates possible on request for groups of less than 4 pax

Other Info
Meeting: Jaén
Airport: Granada
Transfer: Granada airport or Jaén train/bus station

Climate:
                                                Jaén area