Horseback trail ride in PORTUGAL : NORTHERN PORTUGAL NATURAL PARKS AND WILD HORSES

INDICATIVE ITINERARY *

Day 1. SATURDAY
Welcome at the airport and then transfer by Car/Minibus from Porto (Portugal) or Vigo
(Spain) to the Equestrian Center located in Arcos de Valdevez. Upon arrival to the Equestrian Center, we will tour the stables and you will meet all the horses. After settling into your comfortable accommodations, we will establish our dinner time. (Portuguese Restaurant) traditional meal.

Day 2. SUNDAY
The day starts early, and the breakfast is served at 8.00 AM, followed by horse preparation. You will begin the adventure at 10:00 AM, starting just above the medieval Town of Arcos de Valdevez. The journey crosses the area towards the direction of the border of Penêda-Geres National Park. We will see castles, view mountain plains, and discover where the wild horses live. There will be amazing landscapes and old traditional stone mountain villages along the way. Lunch will be at a local mountain Picnic, followed by a horse-riding trail that leads to pre-historical remains of old civilizations. Afterwards, the tour will lead to the National Park interpretation Center. The Center provides all the information about the park. This location is also the place where you will leave the horses resting overnight. They will be kept in the old forestry nursery fields. We will then travel back to the equestrian center; after a rest, you have dinner at the quinta, a typical Portuguese meal. Following dinner, you return for a good night’s rest.

Day 3. MONDAY
Breakfast will be served at 8.00 AM. You are transfered to the horses. YOu will prepare the horses and depart into the woods of the national park. Your exploration will take you uphill to plains of old pasture fields and the home of wild horses. You can view the wildlife of Penêda-Geres national park along the way. Your jour ride continues along trails of natural scenery through the day. You will ride through old commerce trails between mountain villages. Views will be from 1000 meters of altitude where the horizon is free from human presence. Picnic takes place near a mountain lake and is followed by a ride that takes you down to the ancient trail of the Deceased (used in ancient times to take the mountain people back down to the bottom-of-the valley cemeteries, near the main mountain villages). After arrival at the village of Ferreiros, you stable the horses in the old farmers houses and youare transfered back to the equestrian center for a rest. You will have dinner at the Quinta and then enjoy at good night’s rest.

Day 4. TUESDAY
Awaken and enjoy breakfast at 8.00 AM. You are  transfered to Ferreiros stables, you prepare the horses, and at 10:00 AM you start the jride along the valley countryside’s farming fields and oak forests. You arrive at the Vez river shores and follow the fisherman trails back down to the historical town of Arcos de Valdevez. Your lunch is at a Portuguese tavern Tavern. Depending on the river level, you may cross it with the horses or make a detour to the nearest old bridge. In Arcos de Valdevez, you can tour the old town, which includes a 17th century road. The history, architecture, and spirit of the area explained.  Depart to the equestrian center and then stable the horses to rest. You can enjoy relaxation followed by the evening dinner at a Portuguese restaurant.

Day 5. WEDNESDAY After breakfast and preparing the horses, the ride starts in the direction of the
woods above the equestrian center. This is a protected area called Corno de Bico. The trails are full of forest wildlife, including: wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars, and even deers & wolves. You enjoy the lunch in a local tavern in the heart of a small and wonderful village with only 6 houses and 16 inhabitants. Afterwards, the journey continues uphill to a view that includes wide open clean air, beautiful skies, and the Atlantic coast. Our next horse-riding destination is into the core of the protected landscape of Corno de Bico. Tou can see a post of the ancient forestry guard that served as surveillance for this wonderful, protected natural landscape. Descending from the forest scenery, you take a trail that leads to the old village of Bico. You leave the horses in the fields where they can rest and recover. You head back to the Stables at the Quinta for dinner and a peaceful night rest.

Day 6. THURSDAY
Awaken and enjoy breakfast at 9.00 AM. Then will transfer to Bico to pick up your horses in the field and prepare them for the next adventure. You explore the protected Natural Reserve at Corno de Bico. There are a variety of trails that will offer a day of discovery. This memorable experience will include searching for the herds of wild horses. Within the park you can sense the untouched beauty of the nature, free from human footprint. You carry meals in the saddle bags and take a break at the charming village of Grijo, where you can enjoy your lunch.  Ride back to Bico to allow the horses to rest in the field one more might, whilst you head back to the Quinta to enjoy a lovely meal and rest too.

Day 7. FRIDAY
You're awaken to the sound of nature and meet for breakfast at 9:00AM. You meet the horses and prepare them for the day. You ride to another wonderful landscape, through the old forestry guards trail, exploring the beauty that is preserved. You can see the shelters of the wild horses, which are comprised of groups of 50 to 60 trees planted in the woods. The trees are planted in a way that protect the wildlife in harsh winters and hot summers. You most likely meet the wild horses grazing on their pasture grounds and we will stop on the edge of the forest, by the water, to have your packed lunches. It is not by chance, that they call this beautiful place: The Enchanted Forest of Miranda. After lunch, the ride continues as we start descending towards the Quinta for a relaxed late afternoon, where you have the chance to enjoy the pool. Dinner at a Portuguese restaurant.

Day 8. SATURDAY
After breakfast you say farewell to the horses and place all luggage in the transfer vehicle.10:00am Depart to (Portuguese airport) Porto or (Spanish) Vigo Airport (both are 100kms away from the Equestrian Center).

* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary.