Europe ~ Spain ~ Sierra Nevada

These rides explore the foothills of Andalucia's Sierra Nevada mountains, south east of Granada in southern Spain. They take you from whitewashed village to village, past blossoming almond orchards, through ancient olive groves and up to tiny terraced farms on the sun-parched hills where horses, mules and oxen are still used to plough the fields and where life goes on in the same unhurried way that it has for centuries. The winding cobbled streets of the villages are decorated with colourful awnings of bougainvillea, Moorish waterways feed ancient water troughs which provide a welcome drink for the horses and friendly local hotels offer a comfortable bed each night. In spring and autumn the Contraviesa Ride goes from village to village following a route through the lower foothills of the Contraviesa range. In mid-summer, the Alpujarra Ride follows a similar route but ventures higher into the sierra and the Marquesdao Ride goes higher still, crossing right over the mountain range. The 4 night short breaks are offered on set dates throughout the season.

Rides are run from fixed dates between March and November for 7 or 4 nights.

Summary

Horses and Riding

Riding: 6 hours a day.

Horses: Andalucian cross.

Pace: moderate, can be slow in places due to rugged, hilly terrain but chances to canter most days.

Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders.

Weight limit: about 90kgs (14st 2lbs) but please call to discuss if your weight is close to this.

Accommodation: 2* and 3* local hotels.

Group size: max 12.

For Sierra Nevada testimonials click here

The horses are mostly Andalucian crosses of between 15hh and 16hh. They are of medium build and all have been carefully selected for their endurance and good nature and schooled personally by your English guide. They are a real delight to ride, being extremely responsive, forward going and well mannered. All are very sure footed and cope easily with the varied, and sometimes steep, difficult terrain. Tack is similar to English style with sheepskin covers on the saddles and saddle-bags provided. Rides are normally limited to 12 guests.

Hours: There is usually about 6 hours riding a day, moving from village to village, with stops for rests and lunch.

Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and a fairly good level of general and riding fitness. You should be secure, comfortable and in control on a well schooled horse at the walk, trot and canter and used to riding in open country. The horses are a well schooled, very enjoyable and forward going ride for experienced riders. There are also well mannered, steady horses that are suitable for the fit, but less experienced rider. The terrain in the area is rugged and there will be some steep ascents and descents and some narrow trails to negotiate along the route. This means the riding can be at a slow pace, although there are opportunities to canter on forest tracks or dry river beds most days.

Accommodation on the rides is in small village hostels ("Posadas") and comfortable local hotels. The hotels vary in size and style; all are quite simple and rooms are generally fairly small, but they are clean and comfortable, and all rooms have a small en suite loo and shower or bath with plenty of hot running water available. Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel by vehicle. Rooms are twin bedded and if you are booking alone a small single supplement is payable for a single room. Breakfast and dinner each day will be eaten at the hotels, except on one evening (two evenings on the short breaks) where you are free to choose your own restaurants for dinner. Lunches are usually picnics out riding.

Rates 2012	Contraviesa Ride - Euros 1240 single supplement - 160 Euros Alpujarra Ride -Euros 1240 single supplement - 140 Euros Rates include - all riding, 7 nights twin accommodation, meals (except dinner on one night), and transfers from Malaga to the start of the ride and back at set times with the group. Marquesado Ride -Euros 1303 single supplement - 160 Euros per night (not available every night) Rates include - all riding, 7 nights twin accommodation, meals and transfers from Malaga to the start of the ride and back at set times with the group. Rates above exclude - international flights, personal medical insurance (compulsory), your bar bill, dinner on one night of the 7 night itineraries, any visa fees and any tips. Short Breaks (4 nights) - Euros 488 Single supplement - 80 Euros Rates include - All riding, 4 nights twin hotel accommodation, breakfast and lunch each day and dinner on the first nights Rates exclude - international flights, transfers to / from Bubion (transfers from Malaga can be arranged at 35 euros each way per person payable locally) personal medical insurance (compulsory), your bar bill, dinner on two nights, any visa fees and any tips. Prices are quoted in Euros. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.
Dates 2012	Contraviesa Ride 10th to 17th March 24th to 31st March 8th to 15th April* 15th to 22nd September 29th September to 6th October 14th to 21st October* 27th October to 3rd November Alpujarra Ride 21st to 28th April 29th April to 6th May* 12th to 19th May 26th May to 2nd June 25th August to 1st September 2nd to 9th September* Marquesado Ride 10th to 17th June* 1st to 8th July* 11th to 18th August * NB These dates run from Sunday to Sunday, all others are Saturday to Saturday Short Breaks 19th to 23rd May 2nd to 6th June 23rd to 27th June 14th to 18th July 28th July to 1st August 1st to 5th August* 9th to 13th September* * NB These dates start on different days, all others are Saturday to Wednesday
Season	March to November

The meeting point for the rides is Malaga and transfers from/to Malaga at set times on the first and last days are included in the 7 night ride rate. For Short Break rides transfers from Malaga can also be arranged and will be billed locally, 35 euros per person each way at set times. British Airways, Iberia, Easy Jet and several other airlines have direct flights to Malaga from London. For flights to Malaga from London budget around £150 to £250 economy return (seasonal and depends on the airline).

Contraviesa Ride itinerary (please enquire for other itineraries)

Day 1	You will be met in Malaga usually at about 16.00 and driven to Bubion, a village in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Dinner and overnight in a village hotel.
Day 2	Driven a short way to the stables to meet the horses. Set off riding following mule tracks through open country and woodland then broad forest tracks to reach Trevelez, the highest village in Spain. Dinner and night in Trevelez.
Day 3	Breakfast and ride on through oak forest and out onto open pastures with wonderful views of the Contraviesa range. Continue to the village of Berchules where you will stop for the night. Dinner and night in a hotel in Berchules.
Day 4	Set off after breakfast riding through olive groves, citrus orchards and small vineyards. After the green terraces of Narila the landscape becomes drier and the night is spent at the lovely Morayma hotel with views over the Guadalfeo river valley.
Day 5	Today's ride takes you back to Trevelez by a different route, crossing the Guadelfeo river and riding through tiny whitewashed villages. Climb steadily to the pine woods above Trevelez and descend to the village for dinner and the night.
Day 6	Breakfast and set off following dirt tracks and mule paths, crossing a deep ravine and continuing along forest tracks back to the stables. A late lunch in Capileira and your own arrangements for dinner - there are several bars and restaurants to choose from. Night at a hotel in Bubion.
Day 7	The ride today takes you high into the beautiful Poqueira valley. Return to Bubion for farewell dinner and the night.
Day 8	Breakfast then a return transfer to Malaga to arrive late morning.
	Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions