The Alpujarras is a landscape of exceptional natural beauty and grandeur; a wonderful place for a horse riding holiday. Here everything remains much as it was during the Rebellion of the Moors 400 years ago. Whitewashed villages cling to the edge of cliffs. On a clear day one can see the Mediterranean Sea from here. Bubión (4000 ft), the starting point for this trail, lies to the west.
Riding deep in the heart of this region is much like traveling in the Spain of the 19th Century, where time stops for travellers, who wonder at the changing face and vegetation of the different micro-climates. Your charming host Rafael, has run trail rides in these mountains for 20 years and knows the routes like the back of his hand. Pure Andalusians are your sure footed mounts on the steep trails.
Please see notes below for further information on single supplement policy.
2012: £179/€209/$279
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ANDALUCIA OF THE MOORS
Day 1
BUBION The welcome to your riding holiday: introducing our guides and horses. Dinner and accommodation at the Finca Los Llanos in Capileira (2 km from Bubion).
Day 2: BUBION- EL HORNILLO - BUBION
We start our journey by climbing old bridle paths which lead us to "El Haza del Cerezo", from where we can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the 2 valleys - the valley of Poqueira, in which direction we'll be riding, with its 3 villages Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira; and the valley of Ferreira, which we'll leave behind us, with the villages La Tahá and Portugos. In front of us the Sierras de Lújar, Contraviesa and Gádor. We'll continue up the will Piedra Blanca. We continue to the Cortijo El Hornillo (2.200 mtrs.) For a picnic. After a rest, we ride up into the mountains of the Natural Park of the Sierra Nevada, declared Reserve of the Biosphere by the UNESCO. You'll enjoy the changes in landscape: from the cold desert tops to the Mediterranean flora in the lower part. You will enjoy the changes in landscape: from the cold deserted tops to the Mediterranean flora in the lower part. A four and a half hour ride. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel Finca Los Llanos*** in Capileira.
Day 3 BUBION-TREVELEZ
We will start by climbing up along a bridle path to Haza del Cerezo with views of the villages of the Poquiera valley where we can enjoy a magnificent panoramic vista of the Sierra Contraviesa and Lujar opposite us. We will go up through a pine wood to Hoya del Portillo for a picnic. After a brief rest, we will continue along a track where there will be a chance for a gallop till we leave the wood. We will then take the Sulayr path to cross the Morazo and the Jabalí ravines. After a brief ascent, we reach the top of the Jabalí mountain, with stunning views of the Trevélez and Guadalfeo valleys, and the Mediterranean See. On clear days, you can also see the African coast. We will now go down into the Bina ravin and the village of Trevélez., famous for its hams. There will be the opportunity to visit some of the ham drying houses. Trevélez is considered the highest village in Spain at an altitude of 1,700m. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel La Fragua **. A five hour ride.
Day 4 TREVELEZ - TREVELEZ
We will ride towards the snowy peaks of the National Park of the Sierra Nevada. We cross the ravines where the melt water flows and we reach the idyllic Siete Lagunas (3,200mts) where we will picnic at the foot of Mulhacén, which at 3,478 m in altitude is the highest peak of the peninsula. After a short rest, we descend back to Trevelez, where we will spend the night. Tonight we dine in a local restaurant and our accommodation is at La Fragua *. 5 and a half hour ride today.
Day 5 TREVELEZ - LOS BERCHULES
After crossing the bridge over the river, we will start today’s route by a very steep and rocky path through a pine forest that climbs the slope of the ravine. Once again we will enjoy the beautiful views and scenery of Las Alpujarras and the snowy peaks. After our picnic in one of the pine forests, we will descend towards Los Bérchules. Today we ride for approximately four and a half hours. Dinner and accommodation in a very comfortable, family-run hotel - El Cercado***.
Day 6 LOS BERCHULES - CADIAR
From Los Berchules, we will descend to Narila, small village where, during the Rebellion de los Moriscos, king Fernando de Valor was crowned. The ride goes on towards Cadiar village and nearby from the hotel Alquería de Morayma** where we should arrive just on time to jump in the swimming pool. Approximately 3 hours ride. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
Day 7 CADIAR - BUBION
Crossing the Guadalfeo river, we will join the path that will lead us to Lobras, Nieles and Càstaras. We will continue until we reach the impressive gorge of Las Carihuelas de Busquístar, where we will descend to cross the Trevélez river, and we will follow the path which leads to the village of Busquístar for lunch. After lunch two more hours riding to Bubión. A six hour ride in total. Dinner in a local restaurant and accommodation at the hotel Finca Los Llanos*** in Capileira.
Day 8
After breakfast, farewell.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - ANDALUCIA OF THE MOORS
Single Supplement: Please note that if you are prepared to share, and we cannot find you a sharer, the single supplement is reduced by 50%.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 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
All accommodation, meals, luggage transfer, riding and English speaking guide as in itinerary based on two sharing. Transfers if arriving at set time (see table above).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, items of a personal nature. Transfers if not arriving at set times. If booking alone a single supplement is payable and a transfer supplement may be charged.
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Of the seven nights, 4 are spent at your base with the one night in a castle, one in a hotel and one night in simple accommodation with shared bathroom facilities. The horses are beautifully looked after, willing and steady to ride.
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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