RIDE TO JATAR - SPAIN

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Come and enjoy the real Andalusia on this week which includes a trail across the Sierra Nevada mountains to Jatar. East of Malaga deep in the mountains the Parque Natural Sierra Tejeda, Almijara Y Alhama Competa we start our ride at a rural finca with 16 beautiful, well schooled and immaculately cared for Andalusian horses.

Here we relax for a few days getting used to our horses and exploring the area before setting off on a challenging trail to Jatar along steep routes across the mountains that have been used for centuries by muleteers to transport fresh goods from the coast to the interior. On arrival at Jatar we have a day to relax and enjoy the healing hot springs - or undertake more strenuous explorations - before returning via another spectacular route.

This is a very traditional part of Spain and travelling on a beautiful Andalusian in comfortable local saddles (or English if you prefer) is still undertaken as matter of routine by the friendly inhabitants. This is an amazing experience not to be missed.

Read the article in Ocio magazine about this ride.

Trip length 8d / 7n Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010: double pp £875/€925/$1,315 Departure dates All year round on request Approximate riding time per day 2-7hrs Riding ability required Intermediate onwards although confident fit novices can undertake this trail on their own dates Group size 1-6 Meeting point (getting there) Malaga airport or town Transfer From Malaga €60 per car each way divided amongst the passengers Flight guide London - Malaga return from £50 with Ryanair Single supplement detailed prices No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: 2010: £95/€99/$145

SAMPLE ITINERARY - RIDE TO JATAR

Day 1
Arrive and transfer. Settle in, meet other participants over dinner and discussion of programme with maps. This is a very historic route used by muleteers for centuries to bring fresh sea food, oranges and lemons to the interior.

Day 2
Today we meet the horses and select our perfect match. There is an opportunity to ride in the arena before heading out for a mornings ride to see how you get on with your new partner. Return to the finca for lunch and after a rest on the terrace ride out again, on a different horse if you would like to change. About 4 hours of easy riding.

Day 3
Today we have a full days ride with lunch out either as a picnic or at a taverna en route. A little longer and more challenging, today will be about 5-6 hours in the saddle.

Day 4
Today we depart on our long trail to Jatar, across the mountain peaks on steep mule paths. The trail can still have snow at the highest points until the start of May and the riding can be challenging depending on the route chosen. We enjoy a picnic lunch en route with marvellous views and after a long afternoon we reach Jatar for a well deserved dinner. About 7 hours riding.

Day 5
Today is a free day to explore Jatar and surroundings.

Surrounded by mountains (now National Park), rivers and natural springs, olive and almond groves, and with stunning views of Sierra Nevada to the northeast, Jatar has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with remains of Neolithic settlement dating from 2000BC still evident.
Legend has it the name Játar comes from the Arabic term for “danger!”, a clear indicator of the turbulent history this isolated community lived through in Moorish times. Stories also abound of the resistance and final flight of the Moors of Játar through the mountains to the coast, hiding their treasure in caves along the way. Nowadays, life is more peaceful with little to disturb the rural idyll of this predominantly agricultural hamlet.

12km away are the famous Hot Springs of Alhama de Granada, Alhama meaning in arabic "the baths" of Granada. Well worth a visit, either by day or by night, to relax after a hard day's activity or to treat yourself to the wonderful healing properties of the water. Massages can also be arranged in the hotel. Other activities on offer for the more energetic include 4WD excursions, hiking and cave exploration, mountain biking, sailing on Lake Bermejales, a beautiful sweet water reservoir fed by the mountain rivers and surrounded by pine forests or even extreme sports such as waterfall abseiling or paragliding.

Day 6
Today we mount our ever willing beautiful Andalusians and head back to Competa via another cross mountain mule route. Again the scenery is astounding and ever changing. We arrive back to the finca in time for another sumptous dinner and overnight.

Day 7
Today we sleep late to recover from our exertions the previous day and head off for a sunset ride in the afternoon.

Day 8
Departure after breakfast.

NOTES - RIDE TO JATAR

Read the article in Ocio magazine about this ride.

The weight limit for this ride is 16st /224 lb/102 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, riding, guiding and luggage transfer. All drinks (including beer and wine) with meals and mini bar at finca.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Bar bills out of Finca, transfers, additional activities in Jatar and items of a personal nature.

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