A horseback tour through Monfragüe National Park and 1,000-year-old Mediterranean forests. Monfragüe is an exclusive destination for horseback riding tours. The dehesas, with their approximately 116,000 hectares of savannah-like plains, are typical of southern Spain. Rivers and rock formations, where a variety of bird species nest, such as black vultures and Spanish imperial eagles, are among the highlights of the region. Monfragüe has been a UNESCO-protected biotope for sustainable development, research and education since 2003.

Itinerary

Day 1: MADRID-TRUJILLO
Meet at 3 p.m. at Madrid Airport and transfer to Trujillo (approx. 2.5-hour drive). You can explore the city before dinner. During dinner, the tour and the region will be discussed using a map.

Day 2: TRUJILLO-HERGUIJUELA-TORRECILLAS DE LA TIESA
Drive from Trujillo to Herguijuela. Here you will be assigned your horses and go on an easy ride to get used to your horse at your own pace. In the morning, you will ride through open countryside with beautiful views of Trujillo. You will mostly encounter bulls, sheep or goats roaming freely. On this horseback tour, you will use the Cañadas reales, the Spanish medieval cattle trails, which are 75 metres wide and perfect for riding. In the afternoon, your ride takes you across flat terrain to Torrecillas de la Tiesa. Overnight stay and dinner at a country hotel. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 3: TORRECILLAS DE LA TIESA-JARAICEJO
After a delicious breakfast, you ride along old cattle trails to Jaraicejo, a very pretty medieval village in the national park. You will make good progress at a trot and canter. Herds of cattle will cross your path time and again. You will ride through the Dehesa, an ecosystem that is sustainably managed and provides a home for some endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx. You will enjoy lunch in the great outdoors. In the afternoon, you will cross the Almonte River via a medieval bridge. Dinner and overnight stay in a cosy country hotel in Jaraicejo. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 4: JARAICEJO-TORREJON EL RUBIO
After breakfast, your ride continues along cattle trails to Torrejón el Rubio. In the morning, the flat terrain of the Dehesa invites you to trot and gallop again. Once again, a delicious picnic awaits you in a beautiful spot surrounded by nature. During the afternoon ride, you will have magnificent views of the Sierra de Gredos rising up before you. Dinner and overnight stay in a beautiful 4* hotel with spa. You will spend two nights here. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 5: TORREJON EL RUBIO-SALTO DEL GITANO-TORREJOB EL RUBIO
Today you will ride through the national park to Salto del Gitano. You will cross the heart of the national park, for which you need a special permit. After a climb, you will reach the highest point of the Sierra de las Corchuelas. Here you can enjoy the peaceful and unspoilt nature, as well as unique views of the surrounding oak forests. You will see the gorges of the River Tajo and, after a descent, you will have lunch on its banks. Afterwards, you will visit the cliffs of Salto del Gitano where, with a little luck, you may see black storks, vultures and imperial eagles nesting here. Return to Torrejón el Rubio and overnight stay as on the previous day. Dinner at a 4* hotel. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 6: TORREJON EL RUBIO-TRUJILLO
Today, a particularly beautiful riding route awaits you from Torrejón el Rubio to Aldea del Obispo, along old royal cattle trails. After a picnic on the banks of the Almonte River next to another beautiful medieval bridge, the horses will be loaded and you will return to Trujillo, where you will have dinner together at the hotel and spend the night. Riding time approx. 4 hours.

Day 7: TRUJILLO-MADRID
After breakfast, you will leave Trujillo at around 10:00 a.m. The transfer takes approx. 2.5 hours. Your return flight from Madrid should not be before 2:00 p.m. If you need an earlier transfer, this can be arranged for an additional fee.

Accomodation
You will spend the night in ed hotels in single occupancy and Double/twin occupancy with shower/WC.

Saddle & Tack: English.

Experience: You should be comfortable in all gaits and have at least 3-5 years of riding and trail experience. You will help with grooming, saddling and feeding. Daily riding time approx. 4-6 hours. Max. 90 kg. Minimum age 10 years.

Horses: 22 good-natured, responsive and well-trained P.R.E., Hispano-Arabian horses