Waters of Gredos

Introduction
Central Spain Spain
This is a stationary ride with relaxing full day ride. Based in Navarredonda, you will explore the surrounding Gredos mountains, discovering a new area every day.
Marvel at the changing landscapes and enjoy swimming in the crystalline waters of Gredos Mountains. If we are lucky, we might even spot Iberic goats, golden eagles or black vultures.

This adventure is perfect to escape the heat thanks to the altitude (Navarredonda is at 1,600 m), allowing for amazing riding conditions even in July and August.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride.

Description
You stay in a charming hotel with beautiful views over the Gredos Mountains. There are 21 rooms, all equipped with a TV, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a digital telescope and can arrange observation sessions on clear nights.



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.

The food is a highlight of this trip! Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc.

Lunches are taken on the trail; in the countryside (we bring tables and chairs) and always include a starter (salad, gazpacho, vegetables, etc), a main course (paella, iberian pork, fish, etc), fresh fruit, coffee and local wines. Lunchtime features delicious home cooked Spanish dishes such as Paella, Tortilla Española, Iberian pork bbq, salads, and soft cheese very typical from Extremadura “Torta del Casar”. Lunch is often followed by a siesta in the countryside.
 
After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you can choose from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes. Your dinner is usually taken at the accommodation and include a choice between 3-5 starters (mix salad, soup, vegetables, pasta, etc), 3-5 main course (grilled beef, pork, stews, fish, omelet, etc), a dessert (flan, rice pudding, fruit, cake, etc), local wine, bread and coffee or tea.

The following drinks are included in the package: red and white wines, beer, refreshments, coffee or tea during the meals and aperitifs. Water bottle is provided every morning.

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

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

Riding


Riding Experience
This trip has been designed for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be comfortable at the walk, trot and canter, in group, in open spaces and your seat should be firm. On the rides, you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.

Pace
The overall pace of riding is moderate with walk, trots and canters mostly every day, depending on the terrain. Usually, when the terrain allows for a safe canter, we canter. In the mountains, in many areas the terrain does not allow for trotting or cantering so we enjoy walking with breathtaking views around.

Tack
We use fine quality English saddles and silicon seat saver. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. You have small saddlebags in front of the saddles for a water bottle, sunscreen, camera, mobile, etc.

Helmet
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.

Support Vehicle
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and to move your luggage. This means you have access to your luggage at least 3 times a day.

Horses
We currently have 21 horses: 14 PRE, 4 Pure Hispano-Arab, 1 Anglo-Arab and 2 Crossed (hispano-bretón, hispano-lusitano).
Our horses are responsive, well behave, good natured and serene thanks to the natural horsemanship method used to train them.
Most of our horses were born and bred at home while others have been with us since they were foals.
They live in freedom as a herd, eating, drinking, sleeping and traveling together in the most natural way possible.
They live in a huge pine forest (500 ha) in the Gredos Mountains or in the rich pastures in the Dehesas of Extremadura. They keep fit as they can walk around 20 km every day. They live with other groups of animals including other horses, donkeys, cows and also wild animals such as wolves, roe deer, deer, wild boar, foxes.

Staff
Emilio and Mamen (both born in Gredos Mountains) will be personally escorting you on these trips. Emilio will happily guide you across the trails, while Mamen will be preparing delicious meals and pic-nics.
Emilio has been working in equestrian tourism for over 30 years and he dedicated his whole life to his horses. He speaks English and Spanish.

Age Restrictions
There is no upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy. The minimum riding age is 10 years old (competent riders only), accompanied by an adult.

Travel Insurance
It is mandatory to take a travel insurance for this trip! If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.

Itinerary



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The following is a sample itinerary but please note that changes are possible due to weather and other circumstances.
The van support is always close to the group with the luggage, so it's not necessary to carry things on the horse. The group meets the van at tapas time, lunch time, or in any other moment if necessary (for shoeing a horse, take raincoats, etc).

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival 
Meet at Madrid airport for 3:00 pm and transfer to Hoyos del Espino (2 hours’ drive). Stop in Avila for a short visit. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Hoyos del Espino

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to San Martín Del Pimpollar
Easy day ride to the mountains, across summer pastures. We stop for lunch by the river near San Martín del Pimpollar with an excellent pic-nic cooked on the spot. In the afternoon, we ride through pine forests, with a possibility of good canters and trots.
Riding 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Hoyos del Espino

Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to Laguna Cañada Del Gallo
Riding in the morning to Cañada del Gallo lagoon with some great views of the peaks of Gredos. We have some great canters in open landscape. Later on, we ride down to the Tormes river valley for another luxury pic-nic with an excellent paella cooked on the spot (opportunity for swimming). After a relaxing lunch break, we head back to the stables with some good canters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Hoyos del Espino

Day 4 (Wednesday): Ride to Barbellido 
Today we will ride in the direction of the highest mountains with stunning views on the way. We ride up to Puente de las Juntas and down to Barbellido gorge, where we stop for an excellent lunch with Avilan beef bbq at a fisherman’s hut. It is a good spot for swimming in crystalline waters of Barbellido gorge.
After a relaxing lunch stop, in the afternoon good canters along the pinewoods.
Riding 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Hoyos del Espino

Day 5 (Thursday): Ride to Pozo De Las Paredes 
Following the Tormes River through Navacepeda historic town, we ride into the mountains to Navalperal for a tapas-break, continuing to Pozo de las Paredes, a 14th century bridge over the Barbellido gorge. Lunch at the beautiful place perfect for swimming. In the afternoon riding along the Tormes river coming back to the stables. Dinner and night at our hotel.
Riding 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Hoyos del Espino

Day 6 (Friday): Last Ride 
Fast morning ride with lunch stop and swimming at an excellent spot. In the afternoon great riding with canters through the pine forest. Night and farewell dinner.
Riding 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10am to be in Madrid airport around noon.
Meals included: Breakfast


Non-Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. They can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish, they can rent a car and move on their own, joining the group for dinner.

Rates and Dates for Waters of Gredos

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Hoyos del Espino
Airport: Madrid
Transfer: Madrid airport

Climate:
                                                Ávila‎‎ area