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The Grand Alpujarra Trail is an fascinating journey
through the area made famous by Chris Stewart in his book "Driving over
Lemons". The actual route we take is a combination of all the best parts
of our previous Sierra Nevada rides and provides an in-depth experience
of this unique part of Spain. Watered by the melting snows of Spain’s two highest mountains, this
surprisingly verdant area is criss-crossed with ancient Moorish drovers’
paths and mule tracks (some of which pre-date the Moors by several hundred
years) making it both ideal and spectacular horse riding country. These
hills and valleys were the last redoubt of the Moors before their
expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula in 1610 and their legacy is very much
in evidence in both the architecture and culture. Mountain Ibex and rare
birds flourish in this natural park that also boasts the cleanest air in
Europe.
The terrain lends itself to varied riding at all paces as well as some
spectacularly panoramic scenery. The architecture of the beautifully
preserved Moorish villages cannot be found anywhere else in Spain. We
ride from mid May until mid September. There are up to six swimming
pools on route, so plenty of opportunities to swim and relax as well.
 IT-SPRT01-A
Rates include 7 nights accommodations with private bath, all meals
with fine local wines, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,795
Single +$210
2008:
08/23-08/30 Now $ 1,650
09/06-09/13 Now $ 1,585
Dates 2009:
05/30-06/06
06/20-06/27
08/22-08/29 09/05-09/12
 check
availability
Meeting:
Trevelez
Airport: Malaga, Granada
Transfer: incl. from
Malaga airport at 4:30 PM
- return to Malaga by ~ 11:30 AM
Pace: walk,
trot and canter
4-7 hours riding per day, average 5
Level:
Good
intermediate ... riders must be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter.
Tack:
English trekking,
Australian
Horses:
Andalusian and Hispano Arab
Weight limit: 195 lbs.
Min/Max: 2-8 riders
Note: Elaborate picnics in leafy glades with trees in hammocks,
several different wines, etc.. Average of 320 sunshine days.
Also see
Short Getaway Rides
Meals
Fortunately, the Mediterranean diet is healthy, plentiful and
extremely tasty. The Alpujarra is particularly renowned for its mountain
air-cured hams, local cheeses, French-style bread and almost every
conceivable vegetable. We also provide wine at lunch and dinner each
night, choosing a different bottle for each meal to ensure that our guests
have the opportunity of sampling at least a small selection of the almost
inexhaustible varieties available.
Lunch is either a picnic prepared and delivered to a suitable spot by
ourselves in the support vehicle, or at a local tapas bar. Those who don’t
eat meat have traditionally had a tough time in Spain, but this is not
true of these rides as we are particularly sympathetic to the needs of
vegetarians.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with en
suite facilities - the best in each area and run by their owners.
Fantastic views. Accommodation is in locally owned country hotels
on a twin-share basis. We always try and use those places that reflect
the charm or history to the best effect.
Itinerary
Day 1 Meet the People
Collection from airport and transfer to hotel in the pretty village
of Pitres. Meet the rest of the riders and guides over dinner and wine.
If you can't meet the transfer, we can arrange a taxi for you.
Day 2 Ride to the Poquiera Valley
After meeting the horses, we ride along ancient mule tracks through
oak and chestnut forests towards the dazzling white-washed walls and
flower-decked balconies of Capileira where we spend the night in the
beautifully restored Cortijo Catifalarga with its restful views down the
valley and out to the Mediterranean beyond.
Day 3 Exploring the Poqueira
Today is spent exploring the Poqueira Gorge in the shadow of Spain’s
two highest mountains. There is much flora and fauna here not found
anywhere else in the world, as well as wild boar and mountain ibex. A
long canter finds us high in the mountains for a leisurely picnic and
some great views.
Day 4 Trevelez
Riding through oak forests, we make our way to Trevelez - a village
famous for its air-cured hams, fresh trout and local cheeses.
Day 5 Crossing the Mountain
A great day for views as we ascend the 2500m “Stone Window”. From the
summit it is often possible to see the coast of Africa.
Day 6 River valleys, swimming and rest.
Dropping into the lush valleys on the edge of the Aplujarra, we take
one of three different routes to the fantastic Alqueria Morayma - a
beautiful hotel on the edge of the Contraviesa. On hot days we take a
shorter route and there is time to wander around the extensive grounds
or relax by the pool which boasts fabulous views of the Sierra Nevada.
Day 7 The Ride Home
A long day in the saddle sees us heading back to the farm through
constantly changing scenery. Riverbeds give way to rolling hills of open
grassland, until we finally arrive at the pretty mountain villages of La
Taha for our final night at the splendid Hotel Maravedi.
Day 8 Departure after breakfast.
What about non-riding companions?
We also run independent
walking holidays where walkers follow a different route using our maps and
route notes, but meet up with the riders in the evening. Like the rides,
the luggage is transported to the next hotel.
Non-riders can deduct ~$350 from the weeklong rates ....
Weather
With an average of 320 days of sunshine a year, good weather is almost
guaranteed. However, there can be variations in temperature with altitude
and between day and night. The temperatures in February to early May range
from 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C with a possibility of showers. From
mid-May to July and September it ranges between 18 and 30 degrees C and in
August the temperatures can reach 35 degrees. However, riding at altitude
always brings a wonderful fresh breeze and makes these temperatures very
comfortable. In October and November temperatures drop back to between 20
and 25 degrees C and there may be the odd shower. Early mornings and
evenings can be cool even in the summer.
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