| Day 1 - Madrid - Buenaventura |
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Arrival to the hotel at about 6pm. The Hotel Rincón de la Fuente is a charming rural hotel, built on the ruins of a watch tower, with magnificent views of the Tietar river valley and the Gredos Mountains. Welcome dinner at 9pm. |
| Day 2 - Sotillo de las Palomas - Navamorcuende - Buenaventura |
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In the morning we will transfer the riders to our finca in Sotillo de Las Palomas. Distribution of the horses. Morning ride with an aperitif stop on the Cañada Real de la Merinas, one of the oldest paths for the seasonal migration of the merino sheep of Spain. Picnic lunch near Navamorcuende. Afternoon ride though mountain paths with spectacular views to Buenaventura. Dinner and night at the hotel in Buenaventura. |
| Day 3 - Buenaventura - Hontanares - Navalcán |
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Morning ride along the Tietar river valley. Aperitif stop at Hontanares. Then we will join another of the main Cañadas, the one that will take us through the Gredos mountains. We will follow the Cañada south to the lunch stop. Afternoon through a beautiful path surrounded by wild flowers to Navalcan (Toledo). Dinner and night at a rural hotel. |
| Day 4 - Navalcán - Ramacastañas - Mombeltrán |
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From Navalcan, through pinewoods and holm oaks we will meet the Tietar river and cross to the Cueva del Aguila for the aperitivo. Lunch near Ramacastañas. This afternoon we rejoin the Cañada Leonesa Occidental on its way North, in the direction to the mountains. Dinner and night at a hotel in Mombeltrán. |
| Day 5 - Mombeltrán - Santa Cruz del Valle - San Esteban del Valle |
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Half day ride when we start a gradual approach to the mountains. Riding through orchards of fruit an olive trees, we will get to Santa Cruz del Valle for the aperitif. Ride on to San Esteban del Valle. Lunch, dinner and night at the Posada de Los Esquiladores. Afternoon free to visit the village and rest. |
| Day 6 - San Esteban del Valle - Puerto del Pico (Roman Road) - Navarredonda de Gredos |
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This day we have a steep and spectacular ascent of the mountains. It is a long day, with at least 7 hours in the saddle. On a 2nd century Roman road. Mid way we will have an aperitif stop. We will dismount and walk (slowly!) several times as some parts of the road as not in very good condition. At the top (4200) the most magnificent views of the "cinco villas " (the five villages) and the Tietar river valley, and the boundaries of Extremadura. Picnic Lunch at the Puerto del Pico. Afternoon ride through broom in blossom to Navarredonda de Gredos. Dinner and night at the National Parador of Gredos. |
| Day 7 - Day ride from/to Navarredonda |
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Day ride though the beautiful countryside of the Gredos mountains in blossom. Wild flowers, pristine waters and spectacular views with the snowy peaks of the Gredos. Farewell dinner and night at the Parador. |
| Day 8 - Navarredonda - Madrid |
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Departure from the Parador at around 10am to be in Madrid around 12pm |
| Horses and Tack |
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Excellent Andalusian, Hispano-Arab, Lusitano and Arab horses, very well-trained, responsive and sure footed. English general-purpose tack, very comfortable, leather kept in excellent condition. Seat savers and small saddle-bags provided |
| Duration |
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8 days - 7 nights -6 days riding (from Sunday to Sunday)
Distance covered 115 miles/180 km
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| Accommodation |
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Luxurious National Parador of Gredos, an ancient hunting lodge (the historic Parador of Oropesa, a medieval castle restored into a grand and welcoming parador, is included in the autumn ride). Charming and personal small country hotels, all with en-suite bathroom. |
