We offer riding tours of the Way of St James on the ‘Classic Camino’, the Camino Frances, as well as in the Portuguese Way, Ruta del Mar and other Caminos.
Our fully-supported Camino by Horseback tours includes airport pick-up, full board accommodation, horses and equipment, dedicated tour guide/host, support vehicle with staff, luggage transfer and insurance.
Choose between joining a programmed group or organising your own private tour (minimum group size of 2).
We also have tours for couples or friends where one rides and the other doesn’t – just ask us for details.
A special highlight of your horse riding tour will be entering your destination, Santiago de Compostela, clattering along the cobbled streets into the city centre.
Our most popular tours
Horseback Camino Frances from O Cebreiro:
6 nights from £1,895 pp sharing twin/double accommodation
Horseback Coastal Ruta del Mar from Pontevedra:
5 nights £2160 pp. Full Board £190 single supplement
Dates – 20th March / 25th May / 12th June / 3rd July / 11th September 2024
Horseback Camino Finisterre from Santiago:
5 nights £2060 pp. Full Board £175 single supplement
Dates – 1st October 2024
Horseback Camino Frances from Astorga:
9 nights from £2,980 pp sharing twin/double accommodation
Price
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The Horses
The horses are a mixture of Hispano Arabe and Español, of various sizes and suitable for
a wide range of riders.
The team will provide you with not only a wonderful horse but also equipment, riding hat, rain cape (in Galicia), clothing and water.
You can choose to ride in an English or Western Saddle. Although for trail riding we highly recommend you choose western – for improved comfort for both horse and rider.
The team consists of additional personnel to handle horses, assist on the rides and manage baggage transfers between accommodations. A support vehicle is used each day, so if you require an early finish or wish a day off, the team can look after you.
There is also a horse box for transporting any additional horses, feed and kit. The team is prepared for every eventuality.
Your Guide and Host
Jesus will be your host and is also the lead guide on our Camino Frances horseback tours. Native of Galicia, Jesus has a range of wonderful horses which are all in tip-top condition, well schooled and accustomed to carrying riders on the Camino trails. He has a first-class knowledge of all the Camino routes and the hoteliers along the way, ensuring you enjoy the best service possible.
During the tour you have full board and lodgings including breakfast, lunch and dinner, with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks included.
Delicious Spanish Gastronomy and Wines
With an abundance of small inns along the way, when you are on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela you will really enjoy the local food and wine. Jesus will guide you and we will do our best to cater for your dietary needs. Galicia is renowned internationally for its white wines such as Albarino and reds such as Ribeiros and Ribeiras. They make great light beers too – “Galicia Estrella” or Galicia Star – how appropriate!
Every town in the Camino has a variety of lively plazas with bars and restaurants, so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the delicious Spanish gastronomy and the variety of world-famous Spanish wines.
Santiago de Compostela, UNESCO World Heritage
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Santiago de Compostela is the destination of the Way of St James pilgrimage, one of the major themes of medieval history in Europe.
From nearly every corner of the planet, millions have travelled to Santiago for over 1000 years along many Caminos. Around the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, the city boasts a magnificent old town worthy of one of Christianity’s greatest holy cities.
Full board provided: breakfast, lunch on the trail and dinner usually at your hotel.
Does not include extra snacks or alcoholic drinks.
Our most popular horseback route is our 5 day / 6 night ride from O Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela.
Follow the steps of kings and popes, knights and archbishops, saints and crusaders. Ride the Camino as the medieval nobility did, on horseback.
You will be met with the rest of your group at the local airport of Santiago de Compostela, by your guide and transferred to O Cebriero, where you enjoy a welcome dinner.
The ride starts out from the hilltop village of O Cebreiro, an ethnographic time capsule which is characteristic of NW Spain. A hamlet of circular stone built and thatched-roofed buildings, it is a place of great charm which has long been a significant place on the Camino Frances.
Your horseback expedition sets off through the impressive mountainous terrain of the Sierras Os Ancares with the highest altitude on the French Route in Galicia at 1337m. You’ll enjoy beautiful green panoramas all the way into the green valleys. Onwards through old villages which all have Saint James traditions, through native woodland and river crossings before a timely stop at the famous Monastery of Samos. From Sarria riders cross the Aspera bridge, then on through woods, meadows and arable lands.
In the middle of an enchanting forested landscape, the Camino makes its way down to cross the mighty Miño River to arrive into Portomarin by Belesaru dam. Then winding through the hamlets to Melide, the geographic center of Galicia, where you will be able to taste the delicious classic dish of Galician octopus. Here the French Route meets the Primitive Route from the north.
In Arzua , the pilgrims of the French Route mingles with the pilgrims making their way to Santiago from the North. Stands of eucalyptus and oaks pepper a landscape of meadows and little villages before arriving at the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela.
Just outside Santiago the riders reach the village of Lavacolla for the final night, near Monte do Gozo. This is a significant hilltop landmark – for your first view of Santiago Cathedral towers in the distance.
On the final morning, you have an early ride into the famed City and its magnificent Cathedral. We have special dispensation to enter the Cathedral Plaza early in the morning. It is a memorable experience to arrive here before the city is fully awake and the main body of pilgrim travellers arrive on foot.
At the end of the journey the guides will wish you a fond farewell and buen viaje for your homeward voyage.
Please note that your final night in Santiago is not included in the price.
We can arrange additional nights in Santiago and beyond by request.
What to Expect on the Camino
Once you start out on the Camino Trail, you will be riding 30-35 miles a day for 6-7 hours – at a moderate pace. You are expected to have a degree of experience, fitness and stamina as you will be in the saddle for a minimum of 6 hours each day.
If you do need a break then you can travel part of the way in the backup vehicle.
You should at least be able to walk and trot comfortably. On most trails, there will be the chance to canter and gallop. Bear in mind you are sharing the Camino with others on foot and cycle.
You will set out as a group each morning after breakfast, with the horse already prepared for you. You stop each day for a sit-down lunch on the Camino, which is also a chance for riders and horses to take a well-earned rest. The backup team rendezvous with the riding group at lunch and the end of the ride, to care for the horses.
Once you arrive at your destination you have free time to relax, take a siesta or look around the area, before the group come together for dinner.
On the final day, you have a short ride into the Plaza Obradoiro at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral from approximately 7 to 9 am.
After bidding farewell to the horses, you will all collect your Compostela certificates at the Pilgrim Office, in time for the Pilgrim Mass at 12 am which signals the end of Jesus’ services.
We will require details of your age, height, weight and level of ability in order to assist with matching you with the correct mount. We also provide you with a list of recommended clothing for riding tour.
Join a horse riding tour on the Camino Frances
from O Cebreiro: £1,775 – 6 nights
from Astorga: £2,745 – 9 nights
from Logroño: £5,910 – 20 nights
Join a horse riding tour on the Camino Portugues
from Tui: £1,845 for 5 nights
Traditional Portugues from Porto: £2,885 for 9 nights
Coastal Portugues from Porto: £2,980 for 9 nights
From Santiago to Cape Finisterre and the Atlantic coast
4 days from Santigo de Compostela: £1,420
*We also organise private horseback tours, for minimum groups of 2 riders – subject to availability. Simply contact us for a quote and to check your preferred dates. We also offer tours for couples where one rides and the other doesn’t. Please ask us for details.
Hand-picked comfortable establishments with high standards of personal service
We believe that our high level of personal service and customer care offers the best in the Camino food, culture and history.
Your accommodation will include a variety of traditional farmhouses, historic homes, and hotels on the Camino de Santiago. Often these are chosen for proximity to loose boxes and pasture for the horses.
All rooms have en-suite facilities, usually with in-house restaurants, but sometimes you will dine out.
The team move your baggage from one accommodation to the next as you ride. Your luggage will be awaiting you on arrival at your new lodgings each day.
Your hotel accommodations will be confirmed about one month before departure date.
