Horseback Trail Ride in SPAIN : FROM THE SIERRA DE GREDOS TO SALAMANCA

EQEUSTRIAN TRAIL RIDE IN SPAIN
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *

Day 1: MADRID –NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS.
Meet at Madrid airport at 3pm, transfer to the Sierra de Gredos, (2 hours drive) with a stop in the city of Avila for a short visit: an amazing medieval walled city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your hosts invite you for a welcome drink in Avila. Welcome dinner at the hotel with your guide in a mountain village at 1,600 m above sea level, with a magnificent view of the highest peaks of the Sierra de Gredos. The hotel has a small Spa, it is possible to organize a session in the evening before dinner on the first 2 days.

Day 2: NAVARREDODNA DE GREDOS- NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES.
Horses assigned. Departure for a short and pleasant day in the Tormes Valley and the pine forest, open fields with great views of the Gredos Mountains. Outdoor lunch with an excellent paella served on tablecloths and chairs, prepared on site, on the banks of the Tormes River where it is possible to swim in summer and autumn. Short afternoon to Navacepeda de Tormes. Transfer to the hotel of the day before, as there is no accommodation in this village. Night and dinner at the hotel. Time in the saddle: about 4-5 h

Day 3: NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES-NAVACEPEDILLA DE CORNEJA.
A day on horseback with great contrasts of landscapes, through 3 different valleys. The day begins in the valley of the Tormes river, a flat and open valley. You enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gredos mountains. You follow the valley of the Alberche river down to San Martín de la Vega. to the Puerto de Chia (about 1,800 m above sea level) to discover a panoramic view of the Corneja valley on one side, and the Alberche river on the other. A hearty lunch awaits you. In the afternoon, you follow a Roman road down to Navacepedilla de Corneja where the riders spend the night in a charming rural hotel.
Time in the saddle: about 6-7 h.

Day 4: NAVACEPEDILLA DE CORNEJA –EL MIRÓN.
From Navacepedilla, you descend following the Corneja River from its source, to a more open valley that you cross. After a tapas break, you descend to Bonilla de la Sierra: a medieval village with a castle with three sections of walls and three turrets of different styles and origins. The main part of the castle is formed by the Tower of Homage, from the 14th century, it has matacanes and round arches, and under the tower is the main courtyard. The castle houses paintings from the 14th century. It was the resting place of the prelates of the bishopric of Ávila, and important episcopal synods were held there, such as the one in 1384. In the 14th century, Bishop Sancho Dávila had a wall built around the village. Lunch in the village. Beautiful afternoon with gallops in the Corneja Valley, and great views from the castle of El Mirón, on the landscape of the region to end a fantastic day.
Time in the saddle approximately: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 5: EL MIRÓN- HORCAJO MEDIANERO.
You ride all day through the Dehesas of Salamanca, with holm oak forests, bulls and black Iberian pigs. Excellent lunch with the taste of Iberian pork in the countryside. In the afternoon, fun gallop through the Dehesa and holm oaks to Horcajo Medianero. The horses spend the night in the fields of the monastery of Valdejimena: a magical place. Dinner at night at the village hotel.
Time in the saddle: approximately 6 hours.

Day 6: HORCAJO MEDIANERO- NAVALES-SALAMANCA.
After breakfast, you meet the horses for your last day of horse riding. This day is a half-day ride in the morning, through the eastern lands of the province with magnificent horizons bathed by the waters of the Tormes River. Lunch near Alba de Tormes in Navales. The history of Alba de Tormes is linked to the life and death of Santa Teresa, whose body rests in one of the convents. This is the end of the horseback ride.
Time in the saddle: approximately 4 hours.
The horses return home by truck and you are transferred to Salamanca, a 20-minute drive away. In the afternoon, you can visit Salamanca. You can stroll through the streets of this historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit its most important monuments, the Plaza Mayor with its arcades is particularly impressive. Dinner in a restaurant located in the Plaza Mayor. Night in the heart of Salamanca in a hotel.

Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel, departure at 10am. Arrival at Madrid airport at 12pm. All riders are transferred at the same time, if you need to arrive in Madrid before noon, an alternative transfer can be arranged (for an additional fee).

* Indicative itinerary that may be changed if necessary.