Camino El Cid on Horseback

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  • Start Covarubbias
  • End Quintanar de la Sierra
  • DateDepartures 1st June & 31st August
  • Duration 8 nights, 6 Days Riding
  • Distance149 km total. Shortest day 20 km, longest 37 km
  • GradeModerate, 4-6 hours in the saddle each day

Castilla Leon province (north of Madrid) has its roots deep in the history of the Spanish civilisation and consequently could be regarded as being at the heart of the national culture and identity.

Since the Early Middle Ages until nowadays, Castilla León has thrived on its rich history, architecture, landscapes and cuisine.

This region marked with countless castles is the homeland of Spanish hero El Cid, famous medieval knight and the military leader.

Ride along the banishment route taken by El Cid as in the times of the Moorish occupation, when he was exiled from his home territories by the King.

Explore the spectacular scenery riding on magnificent Spanish horses, the pride and joy of their owner.

Price Includes

  • 8 Nights Full Board Accommodation
  • Wine with dinner
  • Madrid airport transfers

Price Excludes

  • Driver Service Fee
  • Guide Service Fee
  • Room Service Fees

Single Supplement

£150

Highlights

The Horses
Horses of Arlanza have a smart stable yard with open terrain where they are regularly turned out. These are very good facilities for ensuring the excellent welfare, care and health of the horses.

The staff are first class horsemen and women who manage all aspects of animal husbandry, schooling and dressage directly.

The horses are all Pure Spanish (PRE) and Spanish mix, forward-going and very responsive, sure-footed and experienced in difficult terrain, ridden in Spanish style saddles.

You will be riding in a Spanish saddle – the “Vaquero”. It is deep and comfortable with a soft sheepskin cover and large stirrups. These horses are ridden with a light touch on the reins, so just a very easy and relaxed style of riding is needed. The horses are very sure-footed and experienced on this trail – you can enjoy the views and the company of the other riders and horses.

This Spanish horse riding holiday will appeal to intermediate riders who are interested in a combination of scenery and culture with comfortable hotels, good company and beautiful horses. There is a lot of walking, but there are also opportunities for a gallop or a canter.

We have had first-time trail riders on this tour – so as long as you are fairly fit and can sit in the saddle for 4-6 hours, it is not too challenging.

The team will match you to the right horse – according to your physique, experience and personality.

Strict weight limit of 100 kg.

The Ride to Santo Domingo de los Silos
Ride along El Cid’s banishment route, crossing the Arlanza river near Covarrubias and following the road to Retuerta.

A delicious picnic lunch in the countryside.

The ride on to Contreras, also known as the “town of the one hundred fountains”. Finally reaching Santo Domingo de Los Silos, site of the 11th-century Romanesque Monastery and one of the most beautiful in all Spain.

Ride the Rio Lobos Canyon
Ride through the spectacular Parque Natural del Cañón de Río Lobos, a protected landscape and a sanctuary for birds.

This is a 16 km canyon, made by the Ríiver Lobos – Wolves River – that runs through the provinces of Burgos and Soria, surrounded by steep cliffs on sides, lush vegetation underfoot and ancient trees and poplars. There are also many caves and wells.

Food & Drink

Lunchtime on the Trail
A lovely aspect of this tour is the lunch stop.

At times you will stop at a village restaurant for lunch, but you are just as likely to be served a freshly cooked menu, sitting under a tree in a beautiful country location.

The catering van rendezvous with horses and riders, stocked with tables, chairs, portable kitchen and the fresh ingredients to prepare a delicious lunch – and a glass of wine too. The custom is to then take a short siesta, while the horses also enjoy some saddle-free rest time.

Once you are roused, it’s time to re-mount and hit the trail with the second half of the day’s riding ahead of you

Itinerary

Excellent point to point trail horse riding holiday in Spain.

This riding holiday is highly recommended for good riders wanting to experience true Spanish culture in comfort.

You will have the chance to learn about the history of El Cid, a medieval Castilian hero in the fight against the Moorish occupation of 10th century Spain. On this horse riding holiday, we follow in his footsteps and the dramatic events of those times, visiting the monasteries and villages he did 1000 years ago.

Day 1 Arrival at Covarrubias,
Day 2 Covarrubias – Covarrubias, 27 km
Day 3 Covarrubias – Santo Domingo de Silos, 25 km
Day 4 Santo Domingo de Silos – Navas del Pinar, 35 km
Day 5 Navas del Pinar – San Leonardo de Yague, 37 km
Day 6 San Leonardo de Yagüe – Quintanar de la Sierra, 32km
Day 7 Quintanar de la Sierra – Birth of the Arlanza River, 20 km
Day 8 Departure from Covarrubias

Accommodation

Accommodations

Overnight accommodation on this ride is in very comfortable hotels. The riding, food and wine are all above average.

Reviews

Camino El Cid on Horseback
FromGBP£1,820

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