CANYON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA - SPAIN

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This horse riding holiday in Spain is in a very isolated and almost deserted mountain range on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Here Bertrand has kept his superb mostly pure Arab horses. He is the horse whisperer of the mountains and has a gentle way with animals. The riding is thrilling on this amazing horse riding holiday- from steep descents down the side of canyons to exhilorating gallops along open tracks. This is for confident, fit riders. You discover the hidden secrets of the Pyrenees; griffon vulture colonies, historic castles and drovers tracks leading to abandoned stone villages. The contrasting landscapes of the snowy Pyrenees in the North, lush pastures and olive groves on the slopes, down to deserted plateaux in the South is remarkable. Prepare for a week of unforgettable riding on superbly trained, cared for horses on both this ride and also the hAragon Trail, Sierra Guara, Spain which is another of Bertrand's  horseback holidays in Spain.

Trip length 8 days/ 7 nights / (6 days riding) Ride only price 2009: £959 Departure dates 2009: 4 May; 21 Jun; 30 Aug; 4 Oct Approximate riding time per day approximately 5 - 7 hours in the saddle daily Riding ability required Must be able to walk, trot and canter confidently and mount and dismount unaided. Min age 12. Group size 5 to 8 Meeting point (getting there) Zaragoza or Pau airport Transfer 2009: €95 return from Zaragoza, €105 return from Pau. Flight guide London - Zaragoza from £50 return with Ryanair. See below for flight info. Single supplement 2009: £109

SAMPLE ITINERARY - CANYON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA

Day 1
Meet at Zaragoza airport at 2pm. The transfer to the start of the ride is 145km. Welcoming meal in the evening, presentation of the trip-plan and the horses. Dinner and sleeping accommodation at the inn.

Day 2 
Introductory ride from Nocito to test the horses and saddlery on mule paths to the hermitage of San Urbez and the Pardina Bail. We’ll climb to the crests of the Sierra d’Aineto as far as the uninhabited villages of Abellada and Azpe. Accommodation back at the inn. 5h30 ride.

Day 3
We’ll ride southward through the long valley of the Guatizalema to the viewpoint of Santa Eulalia la Mayor and down through the plain to Arbanies. Accomodation at a bed-and-breakfast following a 6-hour ride.

Day 4
We’ll explore the foot of the southern slope and visit the San Cosme Monastery and the Fabana hermitage before riding down to Panzano where we’ll spend the night in flats at the village inn following a 5h30 ride.

Day 5
Through a colourful labyrinth of hills and rio bottoms with clear waters we’ll ride south to the medieval village of Alquezar after long canters near Alberuela de la Liena. Accomodation at the Alquezar hotel following a 6-hour ride.

Day 6
We’ll ride to the heart of the canyons through the Fuente Tamara, along the canyon of La Peonera and the Barranco de Trensus; we’ll reach Rodellar across the valley of Pedruel. Accomodation at a bed-and-breakfast following a 6-hour ride.

Day 7
Amazing ride at the bottom and then on the slopes of the famous canyon Mascun, outstanding set of stone cathedrals, then we’ll head for Nocito through the plateau of Otin and the valley of Bara. Accomodation at La Mallata following a 6-hour ride.

Day 8
After breakfast, departure and transfer to Zaragoza airport.

NOTES - CANYON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA

Meeting point for this riding holiday is the Zaragoza Airport, Spain at 2 pm. The transfer for this ride consists of a 4WD trip each way as the start is in a remote mountain village. During the ride you will need to dismount and walk next to your horse over rough terrain, so good walking boots are required. If there are less than 5 riders on one date, then the itinerary for the horse riding holiday may be altered slightly.

The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, riding, English speaking guide, meals and drinks (including wine) with meals.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transport to and from Zaragoza or Pau, transfers from Zaragoza or Pau to the starting point, any tips, drinks outside of meal times and items of a personal nature.

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.

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