Spain - Tabernas Desert Route

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Day 1: Bubión
Welcoming and introduction of the guide and the horses. Dinner and accommodation at the Finca Los Llanos in Capileira (2 km from Bubion).

Day 2: Bubión - Trevélez
Drive to the riding centre in Bubión (2 Km away from Capileira). Introduction of the horses. We will start by climbing up along bridle paths through the Blood Ravine to the track that leads us to Trevélez with views of the villages of the Poqueira and La Taha Valleys. Picnic en-route. During the ride there are some opportunities for gallops with a magnificent panoramic view of the Sierra Contraviesa and Lújar opposite us. Descend to Trevélez by a bridle path where we will arrive in time for some beers with tapas. There will be the opportunity to visit some of the ham drying houses of Trevélez, famous for its hams and considered the highest village in Spain at an altitude of 1,700m. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel La Fragua **. 5 hours riding.

Day 3: Trevélez - Cádiar
After crossing the bridge over the Trevélez river, we will start this route by a bridle path that climbs the left slope of the ravine, leaving behind the village from which it takes its name. Once again we will enjoy the beauty of the sierras Contraviesa, Lújar and Gádor, this one already in the province of Almería. Descent along a more gentle path to Juviles, where we will have lunch. Descend to Tímar along a narrow path through the gorge. Then we will take the bridle path to the beautiful hotel Alquería de Morayma (**), close to Cádiar. We have descended over 1,000 m in 5 hours. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. 

Day 4: Cádiar - Picena
Riding first over the hills with stunning panoramic views of Sierra Nevada and the sierras of Contraviesa and Gádor, then we will ride along the dry riverbed to arrive to Ugíjar for a picnic. In the afternoon we will ride up to the beautiful villages of Mairena and Júbar, and from here to Picena. 6 hours riding

Day 5: Picena - Benecid
Cross the Bayarcal river, where we enter the Almería province. Picnic at Guarros. Leaving for Benecid passing by Laujar de Andarax, important wine-growing area. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel La Marmita de Ahlam***. 5 hours riding.

Day 6: Benecid - Alcora
Across Sierra Gádor, riding on a track enjoying the open view of Sierra Nevada, in the other side of the Andarax river, we arrive at Cortijo Cacín for a picnic. After a short rest, we ride to the old “Venta de Alcora” and then to the Casita de Cristal beneath the pine trees where we leave the horses. Drive back to Benecid. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel La Marmita de Ahlam***. 4.5 hours riding.

Day 7: Alcora - Alboloduy - Granada
Drive to Casita de Cristal to meet the horses for our last four hour ride to the desert. Descend to the Andarax river and to Rágol. Riding to the mountain of Montenegro through the Rambla (dry river bed) of Guadix, with many opportunities for canters and where we start to discover the first desert landscape. Descend to the colourful dry riverbed of Alboloduy through a labyrinth of canyons similar to those seen in numerous spaghetti-western films. At the end of the Rambla de Los Yesos, we will arrive at Alboloduy, at the edge of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. After a half hour ride through the Texan frontier town, riders are taken to Granada at 2 hours drive from the desert. Dinner in a typical restaurant and accommodation in hotel Maciá Plaza**. 4 hours riding.

Day 8: Granada
Final breakfast of the horseback holiday then bid farewell to Spain.

OPTION: For those who want, they will have this day the opportunity to visit the Alhambra.

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

Optional Extra For those who want, we offer the opportunity to visit the famous caves of the nature Reserve Karst in gypsum of Sobras. Drive to the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata in our 4x4 vehicles. After lunch we go for a swim at the beautiful beaches of Genovess and Monsul. Dinner in the port of San Jose and accommodation at the Hostel Aloha*

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 14 st/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. The food is delicious and traditional of the region.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. If Visa’s are required the 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 on request.

General information:

Visa are not required for U.K. or other European nationals. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives travel advice on travel insurance, passport and visas, health and vaccinations, legal issues and emergency issues. They can be reached on 0207 008 0232/0233 or at www.fco.gov.uk

The British Consulate in Madrid is at the Calle de Fernando el Santo 16, 28010 Madrid. Tel: +34 91 7008200. Email: commerce@ukinspain.com www.ukinspain.com.

The Spanish Embassy in the U.K can be found at 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB. Tel: (020) 7235 5555.

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.

No special health precautions are required for visits to Spain, for further details please see your local doctor. We do advise taking plenty of sunscreen!

For up to date information on specific health concerns please contact the Medical Advisors For Travellers Abroad. Their website can be found at www.masta.org

Voltage is the same as in the UK and most appliances such as battery chargers for videos, hair dryers etc. can be plugged in with appropriate adapters. These are available for purchase at most airports and travel shops.

230V 50HZ with a two pronged round pin plug

Light summer clothing is need on most departure dates. You need a riding helmet or broad rimmed hat which must stay on firmly and sunglasses with string. 2 pairs of riding trousers (cycling shorts for men), half chaps are recommended, riding gloves, jersey, warm jacket (Spring and Autumn), shorts, long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, sarong or wrap, swimsuit, 4 pairs of socks, raincoat (seasonal), sun block, camera on a shoulder strap with a pouch which can be secured to your belt, binoculars, 2 pairs of short, lightweight riding boots or trainers.

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.

2019: 13 Apr (confirmed); 4May; 5 October

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The Hand of Fatima by Ildefonso Falcones

Their 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.