Sea and Desert
8 days, 7 nights. 6 days on horseback. Accommodation and full board included.
The essential landscapes of Almería
Cabo de Gata, Tabernas.
This itinerary offers the opportunity to visit two different ecosystems in just five days: the stunning Cabo de Gata Natural Park, with its beautiful beaches, and Tabernas, the only desert in Europe.
A "sporting" experience that allows you to enjoy impressive natural landscapes while crossing them on horseback to the rhythm of exciting gallops.
A tour full of cultural richness that will take you through scenes from famous films.
And, of course, a gastronomic journey where you can enjoy traditional Andalusian cuisine: tapas, salmorejo, fried fish, spiny dogfish, special rices, grilled fish...
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in an authentic natural environment!
Ride length and pace
8 days, 7 nights,6 days on horseback.
Walk, lots of trots and canters where the terrain allows.
Time in saddle
Day 5 (Thursday):
3h - 4h
Remaining days: 5h-6h
Riding ability
Weight limit
198 pounds
90 kilos
This weight limit is strict!
Seasons
September to June. This route can be done as an alternative to the Cabo de Gata trail.
Group size / Guide's language
From 4 to 9 people. It is not possible to do this route with less than 4 people.
Spanish, English.
Lodging
Sotillo hotel (or Doña Pakyta hotel) , San José.
Oro y Luz hotel, Rodalquilar.
Los Abardinales, Tabernas (houses with facilities, lodging without a cafeteria or restaurant).
Catering
Breakfast at the hotels in Cabo de Gata and at a nearby café in Tabernas. Dinner at the hotels (catering in Tabernas), except on Tuesday, at a restaurant. Picnic lunches, restaurant lunch in San José on Thursday.
Accommodation in San José
During the low season at Hotel Sotillo (generally from November to March), or in the event of unavailability, guests will be accommodated at Hotel Pakyta, a 5 minute drive away. We will arrange morning and afternoon transfers between the stables and the hotel.
Included
6 days riding, 7 nights accommodation in double or twin room, tourist taxes, all meals, luggage transfer, guide, water on the trail.
Dinner on day of arrival. breakfast on day of departure.
Not included
Supplement for double room for single use, extra drinks, flights, departure and arrival transfers, health and accident insurance
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 offers the opportunity to explore unique landscapes: one of the most beautiful coastlines, and a stunning desert that dates back to the Quaternary era.
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.
An ideal setting for horse-riding: the entire ride passes through protected nature reserves, where the countryside, flora and fauna have not been altered.
An itinerary designed to get closer to the authentic culture, gastronomy and essence of the region.
Quality restaurants serving traditional Andalusian cuisine with a contemporary twist. 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 route with long gallops along deserted beaches and dirtroads.
An ideal climate for riding from September to June. Click here to see average temperatures.
Itinerary
Day 4-Wednesday
Rodalquilar: the mines. Heading north-west along the old gold mine route, you will pass through small ravines that were once the only link between the mountain farms and the sea. We cross the crater of the volcano that now forms the Rodalquilar valley, passing a series of mineral walls that still preserve some traces of gold. The route leads to the original mine facilities, which were in operation between 1933 and 1986.
Picnic at the "Cortijo Montano". Dinner and accommodation at the Oro y Luz hotel in Rodalquilar.
Day 7 - Saturday
Tabernas Natural Park – The Oasis of Lawrence of Arabia The ride heads south through the canyon leading to the oasis where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed, crossing surprising little streams along the way. From there, we ride to Sergio Leone Western Village, galloping through its streets before watching the sheriff catch the bandits who have robbed the bank.
Breakfast at a café near Los Albardinales. Picnic lunch, visit and show at Sergio Leone Western Village. Catered dinner and overnight stay at Los Albardinales.
Day 2 - Monday
Cabo de Gata Natural Park. San José - Mónsul - San José. The beaches of Indiana Jones. Assignment and preparation of the horses after breakfast, at 9.30 a.m., in our stables in San José (5 minutes walk from the hotel). Start of the trail head towards the beaches of Genoveses, Mónsul and Media Luna where scenes from "Indiana Jones", "Lawrence of Arabia" and "For a Fistful of Dollars" were filmed. After a picnic lunch, riders return to San José through the Tesorillo Valley.
Picnic at the Cortijo "El Romeral". Dinner and overnight at Sotillo hotel (or Doña Pakyta hotel) in San José.
Day 5 -Thursday
Rodalquilar - Isleta del Moro - San José Back to San José, the route serpentines the coast lined with 18th century watchtowers, magnificent views and a palm oasis. Watchtowers were used to monitor the coast in case of pirate attacks. Picnic on the beach of Los Escullos, next to San Felipe fort.
Picnic lunch in Los Escullos or lunch at a restaurant in San José. Transfer of guests and horses to Tabernas (4:00–5:30 pm). Western-style BBQ dinner at Los Albardinales. Overnight stay at Los Albardinales (Tabernas).
Díay 3- Tuesday
San José - Rodalquilar Today we head north towards Rodalquilar, riding through the Sierra de Gata and its lunar landscapes, dotted with craters of ancient volcanoes. Picnic lunch near El Cortijo del Fraile, one of the park’s most iconic sites, where the events that inspired Federico García Lorca’s play Blood Wedding took place.
Picnic at the "Madroñal". Dinner and accommodation at the Oro y Luz Hotel in Rodalquilar.
Day 6 - Friday
Tabernas Natural Park – Following in the Footsteps of Clint Eastwood After preparing the horses, we ride into the heart of the Tabernas Desert, known as the Spanish Hollywood, through the canyons once crossed on horseback by legends such as Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. The landscape is reminiscent of Arizona and Mexico’s Sonoran Desert. During the 1960s, this area provided the backdrop for many famous spaghetti westerns. Picnic lunch at Fort Bravo before returning to Los Albardinales.
Breakfast at a café near Los Albardinales. Picnic lunch, visit and show at Fort Bravo Western Village. Catered dinner and overnight stay at Los Albardinales.
Click here to see the average temperatures and rainfall in Cabo de Gata.
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
DAILY SCHEDULE
Breakfast: between 8:00 and 9:00 am, depending on the day. → Morning meeting time: 9:30 am, at the stables in San José or at the hotel reception in Tabernas. → Picnic lunches: approximately 1:00 to 3:00 pm, including rest time. → End of the day's ride: around 5:30 pm, depending on the pace and time of year → Dinner: between 8:00 and 9:00 pm, depending on the day.
WHERE ARE THE HORSES?
For the first two days, the horses are a 5-minute walk from El Sotillo Hotel or a 5-minute drive from Doña Pakyta Hotel (San José). In Tabernas, the horses are either next to the hotel or a 5-minute drive away, depending on the day. We arrange daily transfers to and from the horses whenever necessary.
DON’T FORGET TO BRING
✔︎ Riding helmet (we can lend you one). ✔︎ Riding boots suitable for walking on rocky terrain. ✔︎ Riding gloves and half chaps, if you usually wear them. We will provide saddlebags to carry: ✔︎ Sturdy water bottle. ✔︎ Sun protection (long sleeves recommended). ✔︎ Lip balm. ✔︎ Insect repellent and bite relief treatment. ✔︎ Swimsuit. ✔︎ Windbreaker. ✔︎ Personal medication (the only pharmacy is in San José, where you will stay for the first two days). We carry a basic first-aid kit.
PLEASE REMEMBER
→ Luggage: leave it at reception before 9:30 am on hotel change days. → Horses: you will be responsible for preparing and caring for your horse and its tack before and after each ride. → Special dietary requirements: please let us know in advance!