Spain - Sierra Nevada, Tabernas Desert Route

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DAY 1
CAPILEIRA: Welcoming and introduction by the guide. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel Finca Los Llanos*** (or similar).

DAY 2
BUBIÓN - TREVÉLEZ: Transfer to the riding centre in Bubión (2 Km away from Capileira). After an introduction of the horses, start by climbing up the GR7 path through the Blood Ravine, with views of the villages of the Poqueira Valley. Descend to the village of Pórtugos along bridle paths and climb again through oak woods to the track that leads to Trevélez and views of the villages of La Taha Valley. Picnic en route. During the ride there are some opportunities for gallops and a magnificent panoramic view of the Sierra Contraviesa and Lújar. Descend to Trevélez by a bridle path to arrive in time for a drink and tapas. Famous for its hams, Trevelez is considered the highest village in Spain at an altitude of 1700m. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel La Fragua ** (or similar). (5hrs riding)

DAY 3
TREVÉLEZ - CÁDIAR: After crossing the bridge over the Trevélez river, start the route by bridle path, climbing the left slope of the ravine and leaving  the village from which it takes its name. Enjoy the beauty of the sierras Contraviesa, Lújar, and Gádor (in the province of Almería). Descend along a gentler path to Juviles for lunch. Descend to Tímar along a narrow path through the gorge to meet the bridle path leading to the Hotel Alquería de Morayma**, close to Cádiar. The trail decends over 1,000m in 5 hours. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel (or similar). (5hrs riding)

DAY 4
CÁDIAR - PICENA - LAUJAR DE ANDARAX: Riding first over the hills with stunning panoramic views of Sierra Nevada and the sierras of Contraviesa and Gádor, head along the dry riverbed to Ugíjar. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, ride up to Picena where the horses will spend the night. Transfer to Laujar de Andarax (20 Km). Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar*** (or similar). (6hrs ride)

DAY 5
LAUJAR DE ANDARAX - PICENA - LAUJAR DE ANDARAX: After breakfast, drive to Picena to meet the horses and start the ride, crossing the village of Picena before descending to the Bayarcal river and cross into the Almería province. After a long climb to the hills of Inizar, riders will have the opportunity for a gallop before the descending along a bridle path to Guarros for a picnic. Leave for Laujar de Andarax, an important wine growing area, and the last residence of the last Moorish king, Boabdil. Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Villa Turística de Laujar*** (or similar). (5hrs ride)

DAY 6
LAUJAR DE ANDARAX - BENECID - ALCORA - RÁGOL - CANJAYAR: Today the group rides to the neighbouring village of Benecid and crosses the Andarax river to ride across Sierra Gádor on a track, with open views of Sierra Nevada on the other side of the river. After crossing Cortijo Cacín, ride to the Barriada de Alcora in time for a good lunch. During the morning ride there are some opportunities for gallops. After a short rest, ride for about an hour through Pine woods to the Casita de Cristal. Leave the horses at the gates of the desert. Transfer to Canjayar (4Km). Dinner and accommodation at Posada del Calvario* (or similar) in the town's central square. (5hrs riding)

DAY 7 
CANJAYAR - RÁGOL - ALBOLODUY - GRANADA: Drive to Casita de Cristal to meet the horses for the last day ride. Ride for 1 hour to Rágol enjoying the first views over the Tabernas Desert. Descend to the village by bridle path. Cross the Andarax river to the mountain of Montenegro, and through the Rambla (dry river bed) of Guadix, there will be some opportunities for canters on reaching the desert landscape. Descend through a labyrinth of canyons that are similar to those seen in numerous spaghetti-western films. At the end of the Rambla de Los Yesos, arrive at Alboloduy at the eastern-most edge of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. After saying goodbye to the horses, lunch in the village. Drive to Granada (2 hours). Farewell dinner in a typical restaurant and visit to the old part of Granada with amazing views of the Alhambra right opposite us. Accommodation in a 4 star hotel. (4hrs riding)

DAY 8 
GRANADA: Farewell after breakfast and transfer to the airport of Granada.

OPTIONAL: For those who wish, it is possible to visit the Alhambra or enjoy a relaxing soak at the Arab Hamman in Granada (reservation is required beforehand), Subject to availability.

Please follow this link for a map of this itinerary: Tabernas Desert Route
 

Single Supplement: Please note that if you are prepared to share, and we cannot find you a sharer, the single supplement is reduced by 25%.
The transfers can be adapted to the Flights schedule of the clients and is paid locally. In this way the clients will save the +10% TVA

Read about this, and other Western style horseback rides in Europe on our blog Our Top 7 Picks for Western Riding Holidays in Europe

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 Spanish Cross horses are fit and strong and extremely sure footed in the rocky terrain. There is a range of tack utilised, from English saddles to Spanish and Western saddles. The bridles are English with a Spanish influence.

Riders should be confident at walk, trot and canter. Minimum riding age is 6 years

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation is in 2 and 3 star small, family run hotels along the way. On the last night the accommodation is in a 4 star hotel. The food is delicious and traditional of the region.

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/spain In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain

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

Spring and autumn is generally a good time to visit and the days are sunny and warm (25 Celsius). In the summer it can be very hot with temperatures exceeding 30 Celsius on a regular basis.

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.

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

In Spain 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

If using a GoPro ensure you have the groups permission to be filmed.

- Riding Helmet – a well fitting helmet is mandatory on this ride. We strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 that is well ventilated
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- 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 heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Light summer clothing is need on most departure dates
- Jersey
- Warm jacket (spring and autumn)
- Shorts
- Long sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- 4 pairs of socks
- Trainers
- Raincoat (seasonal)
- Sarong or wrap
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses with string
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- 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
- Binoculars

This is an 8 day/7 night programme with 6 days riding on set dates. Trails can also be tailormade for 4 or more people.

2025: 27 Sep

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• The New Spaniards’ –John Hooper,


• ‘Driving over Lemons’- Chris Stewart,


• ‘The Story of Spain’- Mark Williams,


• ‘South from Granada’ – Gerald Brenan,


• ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ – Ernest Hemmingway,


• ‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’- Laurie Lee 


• ‘Don Quijote de la Mancha’ – Miguel de Cervantes.


• 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

The main activity is horse-riding but they can also tailor make trips for 4 or more people, including mixed programmes in jeeps and on horseback, picnics and visits to the most interesting places in the area such as museums, artisans’ workshops, wine bodegas and serrano ham curing establishments.

The Alpujarras are located to the south of the Sierra Nevada massif, in a Natural Park and with views over the Mediterranean. With their dramatic scenery and wild flora and fauna, they were declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The village of Bubión, the starting point for the treks, is 1,300 metres above sea-level, in the Poqueira Valley.

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country, the second largest in Europe. The official language is Castilian Spanish but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken. Territory includes two island archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canaries – and two enclaves on the North African coast, bordering Morocco – Ceuta and Melilla. The African influence can be found throughout Spain but especially in the south, for example the guitar was invented by the Spanish when they added a sixth string to the Arab lute. Music and art permeates Spanish culture, most obviously displayed in the fire and passion of the Flamenco and the stunning modern architecture found in the cities.

The famous siesta is still enjoyed by the majority of Spaniards, most shops close at lunchtime for two or three hours so everyone can escape the often scorching afternoon sun. Evening meals are served late into the evening with plenty of wine or sangria. Often meals can last two or three hours, especially if your host is serving Tapas, small and varied dishes of meats, bread, vegetables. Paella is also a delight and very popular across the country.

Spain is one hour ahead of GMT 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 for Spain is +34.