Desert and mountains
6 days, 5 nights. 4 days riding. Accommodation and full board included.
Riding through nature parks
Tabernas and Sierra Nevada
This exceptional itinerary offers the opportunity to visit very different ecosystems: Tabernas, the only desert in Europe and the landscapes of the lesser-known side of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
It is amazing that these two environments are so close to each other.
A "sporting" experience that allows you to enjoy impressive natural landscapes while crossing them on horseback to the rhythm of exciting gallops.
A route full of cultural richness, passing through the scenes of famous films, villages steeped in 11th-century Muslim influence and mountains inhabited by free-roaming bulls.
And, of course, a gastronomic journey where you can enjoy traditional Andalusian cuisine: tapas, salmorejo, fried fish, dogfish, rice dishes, grilled fish...
As a general rule, if the usual hotels are not available, we will make sure that our guests are accommodated in establishments of a similar level of quality and comfort.
Highlights
An unforgettable experience
An exceptional equestrian experience that, in just one week, offers the opportunity to explore unique landscapes: the impressive desert, intact from the Quaternary period, and the surprising Sierra Nevada plateau.
A tour of iconic destinations: the beaches where famous scenes from “Indiana Jones”, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “The Neverending Story” were filmed, and the decadent charm of the Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood film studio in Tabernas, where films like “A Fistful of Dollars”, “The Price of Death” and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” were made.
A ride that mainly passes through areas where the landscape, flora and fauna are protected.
An itinerary designed to get closer to the authentic culture, gastronomy and essence of the region.
An authentic and quality cuisine, prepared with care.
Full picnic lunches catered by local restaurants, served in a picturesque spot just a few meters from where the horses are tied up.
A vigorous trail, with lots of trotting and long gallops.
An ideal climate for riding from May to October. Click here to see average temperatures.
Itinerary
Day 1- Tuesday
Tabernas Natural Park Arrival at the Los Albardinales hotel in the Tabernas Desert. At 7 p.m., briefing with the guide to inform you about the details of the route. Western style dinner with the group.
Western style dinner at a local restaurant or on the terrace of Los Albardinales hotel, depending on the weather. Accommodation at Los Albardinales hotel.
Day 4 - Friday
Sierra Nevada Lugros - Shepherds' Path - La Pantaneta - Lugros. After breakfast and a short 15 minute drive to the meeting point with the horses, we set off in the direction of Camarate. As we ascend, we follow easy paths and trails lined by holm oak and olive groves. These are the same paths that cows and bulls use to reach the high mountain pastures. By midday we will have reached an altitude of 2,000 metres. In a place with wide meadows and trees of Atlantic origin, we will enjoy the picnic that we carry in our saddlebags. After lunch we will start the descent to Lugros, say goodbye to our horses and back to the village of Cogollos de Guadix.
Picnic at the "Pantaneta" Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel Reina Aixa in the village of Cogollos de Guadix.
Day 2 - Wednesday
Tabernas Natural Park In the footsteps of Clint Eastwood. Preparation of the horses after breakfast, at 9.30 a.m. In the heart of the Tabernas Desert, known as Spanish Hollywood, we will explore canyons once ridden by legends such as Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. The setting is reminiscent of Arizona and the Sonoran Desert in Mexico. In the 1960s, this place was the backdrop for the filming of famous spaghetti westerns.
Picnic lunch at the Cañón de la Emboscada. Dinner at a local restaurant or barbecue at Hotel Los Albardinales, depending on the weather.
Day 5 - Saturday
Sierra Nevada Natural Park. Lugros - Camarate - Lugros. After breakfast and a short 15-minute drive to the meeting point with the horses, we set off in the direction of El Camarate. As we climb, we follow paths and easy trails lined with holm oaks and olive groves. In the past, cows and bulls used these paths to reach the high mountain pastures. By midday we will have reached an altitude of 2,000 metres, in a place with wide meadows and trees of Atlantic origin. Here we will enjoy a picnic lunch in our saddlebags. After lunch we will start the descent to Lugros, where we will say goodbye to our horse and drive to Cogollos de Guadix. In the evening we will take you to dinner in Guadix, in a refined culinary restaurant where you can enjoy a real flamenco show, an authentic experience far from the usual tourist offerings
Picnic with a saddlebag in the Camarate. Gastronomic dinner and authentic flamenco show at "la Almazara de Paulenca" (subject to availability). Accommodation at the Hotel Reina Aixa.
Day 3 - Thursday
Tabernas Natural Park The oasis where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Heading south, we follow the canyon of the oasis, with its surprisingly small, scattered trickles of water, until we reach the oasis where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. From there we head to Fort Bravo to gallop through its streets and watch the sheriff catch the bandits who robbed the bank. Picnic inside Fort Bravo, next to the Mexican town. After the picnic, we drive by car to Cogollos de Guadix in Sierra Nevada, to the Reina Aixa hotel, in a journey of more or less 1 hour.
Picnic at "Fort Bravo"" in Tabernas. A gastronomic tapas dinner near the hotel and overnight at the Reina Aixa, in Cogollos de Guadix.
Click here to see the average temperatures and rainfall in Guadix.
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of our guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
Useful information
Schedules
→ Breakfast: from 8 a.m. → Meeting time every morning at the hotel reception: 9.30 a.m. → Picnic times: from 1:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rest included. → Daily tour ends at approximately 17:30. → Hotel Dining Hours: from 8:30 p.m.
Where are the horses?
In Tabernas, the horses are next to the hotel. In Sierra Nevada, the horses are 15 minutes away from the hotel, at our stable in Lugros.
Don't forget to bring
✔︎ Helmet. ✔︎ "All-terrain" riding boots (preferably waterproof) to walk beside the horse in rocky terrain. ✔︎ Appropriate riding pants. ✔︎ Riding gloves. ✔︎ Gaiters, if you use them habitually. We will provide you with saddle bags for you to carry with you if you wish: ✔︎ Non-breakable canteen. ✔︎ Sun protection (we recommend long sleeves). ✔︎ Lip protection. ✔︎ Insect repellent. ✔︎ Mosquito bite relief ✔︎ Swimsuit. ✔︎ Windbreaker. ✔︎ Extra battery to take pictures if your phone runs out of power. We have a basic emergency kit, but don't forget to bring any specific medication you may need.
Remember
→ Meeting at the hotel reception at 7 p.m. on the day of your arrival. → Remember to leave your luggage at the hotel reception before 9.30 a.m. on the day of your change of accommodation. → During the ride, you are responsible for preparing your horse and taking care of it and its equipment when you return to the stables. →Special diet? Let us know in advance!