Packages and Options

Day 1: Arrival at Lisbon and transfer from the airport at 5:30 PM to Monte das Faias (100 km south). This rural house integrates a building of typical ‘alentejana’ architecture and is located in the region of Grândola. It is in a very accessible environment with charming personnel and equipped as a modern hotel. Here you find an elegant atmosphere where you can swim in the pool or relax in the comfortable rooms before the first day on horse back.  After dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal.
Day 2: We ride through hilly landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After the first few canters and gallops, you will notice the Lusitanos' wonderful character and how sure footed they are. A tasty picnic is to follow, as our driver usually has something grilled and fresh salads. In the afternoon, rested after the midday pause, you ride through the forests of pines and cork oaks. You reach Pousada da Quinta da Ortiga with its personal charm and a swimming pool in which you can take your first bath. Pousadas are public hotels that were built in historical walls. Spoil yourselves with delicacies during the evening and sleep in very comfortable rooms.
Day 3: Copious breakfast to start your day. You cross forest of eucalyptus, with under wood cracking under the shoes of your mountings. Near Morgavel’s Water Reservoir we stop for a picnic and a relaxing Siesta. Afterwards, appreciate the marvelous gallops on sand tracks that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the day before.
Day 4: After a plentiful breakfast we start a long ride towards St.Andre. Primarily sandy trails lead us through fields and forests, allowing several fast canters. Your sure-footed horse takes you through the woods of the cork oak forests. In the afternoon, the horses get a rest and we have the opportunity to visit wild dolphins in their natural habitat, in the Sado River near the town of Setubal. We will have a small half an hour transfer to Setubal and after the visit you will return to Moinho Velho, at the edge of the Lagoon of Stº André. Tonight we stay overnight at the Hotel Vila Park and will dine a seafood speciality.
Day 5: The course of the morning excursion continues in direction of the beach. We will have long gallops along the beach. Ride through the forests of pines and by the hills of the Atlantic coast, close to the Lagoon of St Andre, on the coast of Alentejo. This place gives one an extraordinary feeling of freedom and rest; quiet water, the flight of the birds above your heads and the green of the pines make it a very special. In the afternoon we arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding Centre. Dinner and accommodation as the night before.
Day 6: Today we ride from St.Andre towards Grândola. Many opportunities for faster riding arise today. Our Lusitanos will carry us safely through forests of pines. Red earth paths alternate with those of sand, you meet herds of cows or sheep. On our return and after having watered our horses, we appreciate a good refreshing swim before the dinner in Monte das Faias.
Day 7: Today the group rides by the Sierra of Grândola through an undulating landscape and picturesque villages, where the noise of your horse's shoes attract the curious inhabitants of the village out of their houses. As usual, we make a pause for the last picnic of the trail. The horses and the riders take a nap after lunch and then we proceed to forests of cork oaks. Dinner and overnight as on the previous night.
Day 8: After breakfast you will be transported to Lisbon.
subject to change

The temperature along the coast is very pleasant for riding. However, be prepared for quick showers, which may occasionally occur. The main rainy season in Portugal is from November to April.

During the ride informal attire prevails. Either English or Western riding gear is acceptable, although since tack is English style, we feel that breeches and high boots are most comfortable for the long hours in the saddle. And even though it is not required, we recommend a riding helmet. For those of you who wish to ride in jeans we highly recommend chaps or leggings.

Casual sportswear is appropriate for the evenings. Do bring a sweater and jacket for the cooler evenings. There are no saddle bags available but the riders will be met at picnic time every day by the car transporting the luggage. We do recommend that you obtain a belt pack to carry your valuables and other small items during the ride. Regular film can be obtained locally but special sizes may not be available, so bring plenty. Do not forget swimsuit and towel. When traveling in Europe it is always a good idea to bring a bar of soap since not all hotels supply it. We also like to carry along some leather thongs for tying things to the saddle.

We recommend that you take two different suitcases/bags in order to leave all clothes which are not being used during the trail at the starting point of the trek; and only take the absolutely necessary equipment, while on the ride. This bag will be transported by the jeep from one stopover to the next.