Detailed course itinerary

Make the most of the spectacular surroundings of the Alpujarra hills and Sierra Nevada mountains on this fun horse riding holiday in Spain.  Stay for 3 nights and enjoy 2 full days trekking in the area, spending 1 night in a remote mountain cottage for a horse riding holiday with a difference.
 
Your base will be a pretty Spanish farmhouse near the spa town of Lanjaron where people come from miles around to take the waters which are said to contain minerals for eternal youth!  Just 45 minutes drive from Granada, this charming and tastefully restored Spanish farmhouse ‘Casa del Viento’ is set in grounds with olive, almond and fruit trees, vegetable and herb garden and a beautiful swimming pool.

This fun horse riding holiday will take you out on treks to enjoy a wide choice of easy hacks right through to challenging trail rides in this spectacular area of Southern Spain.

Suitability
- Horse riding is suitable for all levels from complete beginners to advanced riders
- Minimum age: 4 (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and children under 14 must be supervised on a ratio of 1 adult to 1 child)
- Your hosts speak both English and Spanish

Solos Holiday?
- These horse riding holidays in Spain make perfect singles holidays, you’ll meet like minded people and there are no single supplements

Horse Riding Holiday Start Days
- You can arrive on any day of the week you choose  and will stay for 3 nights / 4 days
- You will stay in Casa del Viento on your first and last night (nights 1 and 3)
- Night 2 will be spent in a mountain cottage, the exact cottage you’ll stay in depends on how far you get during your trek on day 1, please note that the mountain cottages are basic but clean, warm and comfortable and typical of a 1* hotel
- Shorter and longer breaks are available, click on the ‘other courses at this school’ button to your right for other options

Riding Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Casa Del Viento
- You may check-in to the Casa Del Viento anytime after 2pm on the day you choose to arrive
- Relax by the pool during the afternoon or visit the local village to explore
- An arrival dinner of Andalucían cuisine and wine will be served in the evening

Day 2 – Full Day Trek
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst you prepare for your first day of horse riding
- Head over to the stables to saddle up for your full day trek
- The number of hours of riding depends on you, some people ride for 4 hours, some for up to 8 hours, your instructor will take the lead from you and you’ll be able to head to the nearest mountain cottage for the night when you’ve had enough riding for the day
- Lunch will be a picnic out in the mountains during your trek
- In the evening enjoy dinner at one of the mountain cottages (note: the exact location of the cottage depends on how far you get on your trek that day)

Day 3 – Full Day Trek
- Enjoy breakfast at the mountain cottage before saddling up for your 2nd day of trekking
- Head out again for a day’s trek to discover more of this stunning area spending between 4-8 hours in the saddle depending on your stamina and level
- Lunch will be a picnic out in the mountains during your trek
- In the evening (or afternoon if you prefer) make your way back to the village and to Casa Del Viento for the evening
- Enjoy dinner back at Casa Del Viento this evening

Day 4 – Departure Day
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms ready for departure taking home with them new horse riding skills and an insight into Andalucían life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over

What Will I Learn?
You will spend your 2 days trekking through the hills and mountains, your instructor will guide you in the basics of riding if you are a beginner to help you develop your balance and control over the horse to help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse
- As a intermediate to advanced rider you will have the chance to develop your existing skills with plenty of opportunity to canter and gallop

About The Equestrian Centre And Your Tutor
- Your host and riding teacher Sarah established the riding centre back in 1993
- Since then it has grown to become one of the leading and most well known equestrian centres in Andalucia with between 16-30 horses depending on the time of year
- Sarah was born in New York to Australian parents and has ridden all her life
- Sarah trained with Donald Kear BHS1,  Hassa Hofman (Danish) and Eric Theilguard (Danish) and has also ridden horses in eventing and dressage
- Sarah’s experience includes running a trekking centre, training clients for dressage to Grand Prix level, training clients for eventing to advanced level as well as a dressage and working hunter judge
- The stables are situated on a small plateau at a height of 1200 metres above the spa town of Lanjaron in the Las Alpujarras region of Andalucia, close to Granada, Spain
- Due to the stunning countryside and mountain trails, trekking is a big focus here and you can ride to your heart’s content
- Sarah is assisted by another teacher and a team of friendly volunteers who help with the day to day care of the horses in return for riding lessons

About The Horses
- The centre has around 16 horses varying in ages to suit the beginner and advanced rider
- The horses range in height from the smallest horse at 14hh to horses up to 16hh
- The horses are mainly Andalusians and Andalusian crosses with 1 arab
- The horses are well trained, schooled and suitable for all levels of riders from beginners to advanced
 - Please note that groups with more beginners will have a higher ratio of instructors to riders (usually 1 to 8)

Accommodation At Casa Del Viento
- Casa Del Viento is a tastefully restored Spanish farmhouse which is next to your host and teachers home Sarah
- The pretty white house has traditional thick Spanish walls to keep cool in summer and warm in winter
- Rooms are twin, single or double and the house can sleep a total of 15 people at one time
- Meals are served in the winter in front of the big open fire and in summer usually out on the terrace
- The house has stunning views overlooking the village and mountains
- The house is a short drive from the village and your hosts are happy to give you a lift where possible if you don’t  have a car
- There is a pool, a bar and barbeque with tables, chairs and sunbeds

Mountain Cottage Accommodation
- During your treks you’ll stay in a basic mountain cottage
- You’ll have your own room but may share a bathroom
- The cottages are basic but warm, clean and comfortable and are typically equivalent to a 1 star hotel

Meals
- All meals are included throughout your stay
- You’ll have a picnic lunch during your treks and a Spanish breakfast and full dinner each day
- Where possible, the food is locally produced with many of the vegetables and herbs grown in the gardens near Casa del Viento

Go learn to horse ride beautiful Andalucian horses at this idyllic retreat in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain and immerse yourself in equestrian life on this unique horse riding holiday with a difference.