Portugal - Alentejo Estate Ride

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from JM of Taunton on 23/04/2016

Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon and transfer at 5.30pm, travelling north‐east to the town of Figueira e Barros (150km). The first night is spent in a renovated farmhouse, the Monte do Padrão, a historic home. Be welcomed by the host who may invite the group to enjoy some of the wines from his cellar. Overnight and dinner at Monte dos Aroeirais (or similar)

Day 2
Meet and allocation of the horses. Ride over hilly meadows with few obstacles, and down to a river for lunch. Most of the stone bridges over the numerous rivers date back to the Romans. Lunch is a delicious picnic of grilled meats or fish with salad, accompanied by fresh bread and local wine. In the afternoon, continue along the banks of the river – it may be necessary to dismount and lead the horses over some particularly rocky sections. The day ends at Monte dos Aroeirais with dinner in the beautiful garden by the pool. Dinner and overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais (or similar).

Day 3
Today the group rides from Monte dos Aroeirais to the town of Alter do Chão, through meadows where they raise wild bulls. After a picnic lunch and siesta, arrive at the Alter Real stud farm where the horses are stabled. Dinner and overnight at the comfortable 4‐star Estalagem ‐Varandas de Alter (or similar).

Day 4
The morning's ride leads through the vast flower‐filled meadows of the stud farm. After lunch at the hotel, visit Alter do Chão, the stud and breeding farm. Horses bred here are famous and traded under the name 'Alter'. In this idyllic location, hundreds of mares and their foals graze on large meadows filled with flowers. Also admire the stallions and young horses. Return to the town of Alter where, time allowing, there is a stop to visit a Portuguese tack shop that stocks local riding products such as leather chaps, boots or belts. Dinner and overnight at Varandas de Alter (or similar).

Day 5
Today the group leave the stud farm behind and ride to Ribeira da Seda through large meadows with only one remote farmhouse that serves as a reminder that people do live here! The horses stay in Monte do Padrão for the night, while riders head to the manor of Monte dos Aroeirais. Dinner and overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais (or similar).

Day 6
Ride through the fields of the 3000 hectare farm of Monte do Padrão, exploring the great plains of the upper Alentejo, home to extensive fruit and olive orchards. Dinner and overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais (or similar).

Day 7
The last riding day from Monte do Padrão towards Lake Maranhão through the private hunting grounds of the Calatrava, consisting of open fields and cork forests. There are lots of opportunities for long trots and canters. Enjoy lunch on the banks of the dam before returning to the farm by a similar route. Farewell dinner and overnight at Monte dos Aroeirais (or similar).

Day 8
After breakfast, transfer back to Lisbon and departure.

Please follow this link for a map of this itinerary: Alentejo Estate Ride

Non-rider and other activities:
If you have the chance to explore Lisbon before setting off on your ride, make sure to visit the prestigious Portuguese School of Equestrian Arts—a true gem for horse enthusiasts and history buffs alike! This renowned institution offers fascinating weekday tours (available for an additional fee) that delve into the rich history of the school, provide a behind-the-scenes look at the stables, and showcase the exceptional care and training of their magnificent horses. It's an experience that beautifully blends tradition, artistry, and a deep passion for equestrian excellence.
 

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses are all pure bred Lusitanos in fit condition. These horses are about 16hh, light boned, warm blooded and responsive. They have a naturally proud head carriage and are well schooled. Military saddles well covered with seat savers and sheepskin are utilised on this ride and make for a comfortable ride. The bridles are English.

• Comfortable with spending up to six hours a day in the saddle.
• The riding is at all paces depending on riding ability. There are many opportunities to trot, canter and also to gallop.
• Must be over 12 years of age and be capable of controlling a horse at a walk, trot and canter.

Weight limit: 188lb (85 kg).
Please note that there may be a very small amount of walking on foot and also it may be necessary for you to help with grooming and tacking up your horse. Someone is always on hand to help out.

The weight limit for this ride is 188 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

There is a wonderful variety of accommodation and meals on this ride as each night is spent in a different location. The accommodation includes a historic pousada and excellent hotels in the heart of the country and near the coastline by the Lagoon of Santo Andre. Each lodging has a different character. The pousadas are Portugal's traditional manor houses and as well as offering very comfortable, even luxurious, accommodation, they give an insight into the history of Portugal. Here, the hosts can provide an introduction to Portuguese life and have many interesting tales of the culture and history of the Pousada and region. The hotels are very comfortable and well located. All have en-suite bathrooms and on nights 2, 3, 4 and 5 there is a swimming pool available. The food on the ride is above average. Dinners start with an aperitif, followed by at least a three course meal. The cuisine is selected to ensure an introduction to many Portuguese specialties. Your hosts usually join you round the table. Lunches are extensive picnics brought to the lunch area by vehicle and eaten at a table. Vegetarians and special dietary requests can be catered for with prior arrangement.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

The best time to take part in the trek is between March and October. The climate is temperate. The average temperatures and rainfall are indicated on the chart.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Portugal call 112.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Portugal and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

We do advise taking plenty of sunscreen!

In Portugal the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

There will be an opportunity to recharge digital cameras and video equipment in the evenings with appropriate adaptors.
Good quality film is widely available for purchase as well as batteries (normal, alkaline and lithium).

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384.
- Gloves (optional)
- Comfortable light weight riding clothes
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Hat
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Sunhat
- T-shirts
- Long sleeved shirts
- Fleece – Although the weather is generally very warm, the evenings can be a bit cooler
- Casual clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Lightweight rainwear
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Lip sunscreen
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Wet wipes
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Copy of passport

Please note: Saddle bags are not used on this ride so we recommend a clip on water bottle, bum bag or a leg bag you can attach around your waist to carry essentials.

This is an 8 day/7 night programme with 6 days riding available on set dates.

2025: 4 (Full) May, 11 (Full) May

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• SEK

• The Portuguese: The Land and its People by Marion Kaplan.


• You could also pack Rose Macaulay's ‘They Went to Portugal’


• Landscapes of Portugal  by Brian & Eileen Andersen, which features both car tours and treks in various regions, and the more detailed


• Walking in Portugal by Bethan Davies and Ben Cole.


• For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com, also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Cultural and walking.

It is possible to see wild pigs and foxes. Flora includes forests of Cork and Pine trees, Eucalyptus and an abundance of wild flowers.

Historically, the Portuguese have been the intrepid explorers of the world. In the 15th Century they discovered the sea route to India, via the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498 and Pedro Cabral, trying to reach India, discovered Brazil two years later (1500). Other Portuguese explorers reached the Far East, China and Japan. The first circumnavigation of the globe was led by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.

Portugal has a rich seafaring past, superb beach resorts, quaint towns and a landscape wreathed in olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields. Portugal is dotted with UNESCO World Heritage sites and graced by one of Europe's most relaxed and attractive capitals.

Savouring life slowly is a Portuguese passion, and much of the best is humble - traditional folk festivals; simple, honest food drowning in olive oil; music that pulls at the heart strings, recalling past love and glories; and markets overflowing with fish, fruit and flowers.

Portugal is in the GMT time zone and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram.

The international dialling code is +351

If you are hiring a car, you will need to know about how to pay any toll fees as these are done automatically and not on the road. This is a new system from January 2012 and the method for how to pay this will change throughout the year. Please check this website for current information: http://www.amoita.com/node/1414