This ride is set in Portugal's largest breeding area for fighting bulls and this central region is the greenest in the country. You will stay overnight in beautifully renovated private estates that used to be the homes of nobles decorated with antiques. There is a delighful personal atmosphere. There are no fences or roads on the ride to the Maranhão Lagoon. You cross several Roman bridges to reach Alter do Chão and visit one of the two National Stud Farms. This is certainly a highlight for all lovers of Portuguese horses, but the view from the farm at 1,200 ft over the surrounding countryside is no less impressive. Hundreds of mares and their colts graze on huge meadows. The ride ends at Lake Maranhão, at the private hunting reserve Calatrava.
Included from meeting point. Set transfer time on Day 1 is 17:30 (arrival up to 17:00) and flights must be booked to depart no earlier than 12:00 on Day 8.
Flight guide
London - Lisbon return from £95, see below for detailed flight info
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
2010: £289/€315/$439
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ALENTEJO ESTATE RIDE
Day 1
Transfer at 17:30 from Lisbon to Avis (160 km). The welcome at Monte do Padrão is something unforgettable.
A happy hour and dinner beyond the experience of many people.
Day 2 You ride over hilly meadows to the lake of Maranhão. This is a large-scale land-holding and the fences between meadows are miles apart. The landowners prevented road construction on their properties and you will seldom run into roads in this part of Alentejo. Most of the stone bridges over the numerous rivers date back to the Romans. The day ends in another manor, the Monte dos Aroeirais. Enjoy the evening in the beautiful garden by the pool.
Day 3
Departure from Monte dos Aroeirais to the town of Alter do Chão and its Horse Breeding Farm, with a ride through meadows where they raise wild bulls. Picnic and continue riding. Night over at Varandas de Alter a new hotel with a nice atmosphere nearby the Breeding Farm.
Day 4
Visit to Alter do Chão Horse Breeding Farm, one of the two national stud farms. The horses bred here are so famous that they're traded under the name Alter. The town rises 1,200 ft over sea level and you can enjoy a panoramic view over the landscape.
After lunch at the Hotel you visit the national stud farm. This is certainly a highlight and not only for horse-lovers. In this idyllic location, hundreds of mares and their colts graze on huge meadows. We then transfer to the town of Alter, for a stroll before dinner. At night, we stay at Varandas de Alter as the day before
Day 5
Through large meadows, past fields, and with only one remote farmhouse that reminds us of the presence of people, you ride to Ribeira da Seda. By the way, this original regional Portuguese cuisine offers you a varied and delicious menu. Overnight in the manor of Monte dos Aroeirais as on the second night.
Day 6
You ride back across large meadows. The plains of the Upper Alentejo abound in water and favour extensive fruit-growing. A blue lake in these lush surroundings invites for a swim. Dinner and overnight at Monte do Padrão as in the first night.
Day 7 You ride to the lake of Maranhão. These are the private hunting grounds Calatrava with mixed forests of pine and cork oak and abound in wild game. Farewell dinner and overnight at Monte do Padrão.
Day 8
Transfer to Lisbon after breakfast and departure. Flights must depart after 12:00.
Please note that all itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other local conditions.
The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/185 lb/84 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
The trip price includes all meals, wine with lunch, accommodations, horses, tack, guide, transfers to and from Lisbon at set times, luggage transfer by back up vehicle and all transportation during the ride.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Portugal, telephone calls, drinks with dinner, bar drinks and items of a personal nature.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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