The Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, located in the province of Almería in southeastern Spain, is a 33,663-hectare peninsula of volcanic origin with many beautiful spots just waiting to be discovered! The climate here is very warm and dry (around 2,900 hours of sunshine per year), which is rather unusual for Europe, and the vegetation is unique, which is why this area has been designated a biosphere reserve. Explore this unique nature park and its beautiful beaches, which are undoubtedly among the last unspoilt beaches in the Mediterranean, on horseback. Many areas in the nature park have also served as the back for numerous films, such as Indiana Jones and Lawrence of Arabia – ride through this unique landscape and feel like you're in a film!
You can place your trust in our partner, who has been organising successful horse riding holidays for 25 years. Beginners alternate between riding lessons in the riding arena and gentle rides in the beautiful surroundings on well-trained horses. A special natural horsemanship programme is offered during certain weeks. Here you will learn how to handle horses gently using Pat Parelli's methods and go on rides that take this training approach into account.

Itinerary

Cabo de Gata riding holidays

This programme is aimed at people of all riding abilities who do not want to change accommodation during their holiday. Advanced riders have the opportunity to explore the nature park on four half-day and one full-day rides. You will ride through picturesque valleys, along beautiful beaches, see the famous little white villages and the impressive mountains. Beginners ride in the arena and go on gentle rides in the beautiful surroundings. Our experienced partner, who has been running this programme successfully for many years, gives lessons from horseback, while also maintaining control over your horses, which obey his every command. By the end of the week, you should be able to ride at a walk and trot, stay balanced, control the horse and feel safe on these lovely horses. If you are interested in natural horsemanship, this programme offers you the opportunity to learn this skill. Each riding day is dedicated to 2-3.5 hours of riding (either in the morning or afternoon) – the rest of the time is spent enjoying a wonderful holiday in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, which you can explore on your own at your leisure. Children aged 7 and above can participate. We recommend renting a car so that you can go on your own excursions outside of the riding programme.

Sample itinerary for star rides (advanced)

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Almería to the hotel, where you will receive a warm welcome.

Day 2: Torre de los Lobos - El Playazo
The beaches of Genoveses and Mónsul are undoubtedly among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. They will certainly look familiar to you, as the white sand dunes have been used as a back for numerous films. Feel like Indiana Jones, Baron Münchhausen or Lawrence of Arabia today, as your first half-day ride will take you to the locations where these films were shot!

Day 3: On the cliffs of Escullos
Today you will spend half a day riding along the impressive cliffs. Look forward to spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea in the best-preserved area of the park. The ride continues through wonderful bays such as the so-called Tomato and Fig Tree bays.

Day 4: In the footsteps of old Westerns
Today you will go on a day ride into the heart of the park, where you will ride through unspoilt villages such as Los Albaricoques, which have been used as the back for many films. On the streets of these villages, you will discover the locations where famous Western films were shot in the 1970s. Perhaps you will recognise a film location? For lunch, you will enjoy a delicious cooked picnic or eat in a restaurant.

Day 5: The Andalusian cortijos of Almería
In the valleys of the park, far from the most visited areas, you will come across traditional Andalusian buildings known as cortijos on a half-day ride. Some of the farmsteads are still run by farmers or cattle breeders who know how to use the scarce and precious water incredibly skilfully.

Day 6: In the Valley of Volcanoes
In the northern part of the nature park are the mountains of the Sierra de Gata, which are home to ancient volcanoes – all surrounded by a surreal lunar landscape. This is the destination of today's ride.

Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Almería (return flight from Almería possible in the evening).
Subject to change. In some cases, riding on the beaches is only possible at a slow pace when there are bathers present (especially in July and August).

Beispielhafter Tourenverlauf Reiten Lernen und Ausritte (Anfänger) 
1. Tag: Anreise

2. Tag: Nach einem stärkenden Frühstück werden Sie in die Pflege und das Putzen des Pferdes eingeführt. Es erwartet Sie Ihre erste Reitstunde, in der Sie Ihr Gleichgewicht im Schritt finden, lernen das Pferd zu wenden, anzuhalten und es zu kontrollieren. Nach einer Weile werden Sie sich auf den lieben Pferden sicher fühlen und einen ersten Ausritt wagen, nach welchem Sie Ihr Pferd unter Anleitung versorgen.

3. Tag: In Ihrer heutigen Reitstunde versuchen Sie sich im Traben und begeben sich danach auf einen weiteren Ausritt. An jedem Tag pflegen Sie Ihr Pferd vor und nach dem Reiten.

4. Tag: In der Reitstunde üben Sie erneut das Leichttraben und unternehmen danach einen Ausritt in die traumhafte Umgebung.

5. Tag: Heute erwartet Sie eine weitere Reitstunde sowie ein weiterer Ausritt.

6. Tag: Gemütliches Frühstück vor der letzten Reitstunde und dem letzten Ausritt. Wahrscheinlich unternehmen Sie heute sogar einen kleinen Strandgalopp am herrlichen Strand unterhalb des Schlosses San Ramon!

7. Tag: Abreise
Transfer nach Almería (Rückflug ab Almería ab abends möglich).

Änderungen vorbehalten. Teilweise sind Badegäste an den Stränden anzutreffen (v. a. im Juli und August), auf die Rücksicht genommen werden muss. 

Natural Horsemanship-Wochen nach Pat Parelli mit Nadia Soleymanjo 
Die Reitwochen mit Natural Horsemanship richten sich an erfahrene Reiter, die ihren Umgang mit dem Pferd verbessern möchten. In 5 Tagen lernen Sie eine Menge über das Wesen des Partners Pferd und kommen zu einem respektvolleren und harmonischeren Umgang. Die Unterrichtseinheiten werden mit Ausritten in die Umgebung kombiniert.

Accomodation
You live in the very nice Hotel Oro y Luz in Paraje Los Albacetes near Rodalquilar, not far from El Playazo beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The riding stables and horses are located directly on the hotel grounds. The six Suites are elegantly furnished and each one is dedicated to one of the cinema hits that have been set in the extraordinary regions of the province of Almeria. The suites are divided into a mini loft of 30 square meters with a living area, sleeping area, bathroom and a terrace with magnificent views. The facilities include a double bed or two single beds, a living area with sofa bed (which converts into an extra bed for two people if required), table with chairs and armchairs, air conditioning, plasma TV, safe and minibar.
The Restaurant of the Hotel Oro y Luz with its traditional Andalusian cuisine, which is reinterpreted by the chef in a sophisticated way, and its extensive wine list is widely known in the region. Here you can dine excellently at a moderate price!

For families or couples who prefer to live in a Apartment are beautiful apartments are available nearby .

Saddle & Tack: English or trail riding saddles, for longer rides with small saddlebags.

Experience: No riding experience is necessary for the Learn to Ride program. For the Star Ride program you should be comfortable in all gaits, be able to control your horse in all gaits and have trail experience, the terrain is sometimes challenging and sometimes the horses are led on steep passages. Max. 90kg.

Horses: Approx. 15 good-natured and strong Hispano-Arabians and Andalusians as well as 2 horses for children.

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