Cap Rando Selection : Trips organized by Cap Rando partners
Type
Stationary and progressive trail rides
Comfort
In 2-3 person bedrooms, single bedrooms with supplement
Level
Level 3 :You must be able to walk, trot, canter and gallop outdoor
Highlights
  • On horseback in a wild region, less frequented by tourists and more authentic than the south of Portugal

  • Meet the last Europe wild horses

41.845356294748, -8.4084826

Thematic

During this horseback trail ride in Portugal, meet the last wild horses in Europe. A unique adventure for nature lovers and wild open spaces. In the mountains of northern Portugal, Peneda Geres park features one of the last races of wild horses in Europe: the Garranos. From the valley of Vez, go looking for them in a varied mountainous landscape dotted with villages.

SEE ALL OUR RIDING OFFER IN PORTUGAL :
Portugal horse riding holiday

Itinerary
Image programme
rando cheval portugal
Programme intro

INDICATIVE ITINERARY *

Day 1 - Saturday: Meeting at Porto (Portugal) or Vigo (Spain) airport and transfer to the equestrian center. After one hour drive, presentation, visit of the equestrian center. The evening, dinner in a local restaurant. Night at the Quinta of the equestrian center.

image-20221105193857-1Day 2 - Sunday: The day starts early and breakfast is served at 8 am, followed by the preparation of the horses. You leave on horseback around 10 am, above the medieval city of Arcos de Valdevez. The ride heads towards the border of the Penêda-Geres National Park. You discover castles and villages, ride in plains and on mountain plateaus: where wild horses live. Lunch is taken at a local mountain tavern. You leave on a path that leads to the remains of prehistoric civilizations. Next, you will take a tour of the national park headquarters. You let the horses rest for the night, parked in the old forest nurseries. You then return to the equestrian center for dinner and a good night's rest at the Quinta.

Day 3 - Monday: After breakfast, transfer to join the horses. You leave on horseback through the woods of the national park, to the plain covered with ancient pastures where wild horses graze. You will discover all the fauna of the Penêda-Gers National Park. The ride evolves on old paths used for trade between mountain villages, at 1000 meters above sea level. The horizon is free of any human presence. Picnic near a mountain lake. In the afternoon, the track takes you to an old trail (used in the past to bring mountain dwellers back down to the cemeteries at the bottom of the valley, near the main mountain villages). After arriving at the village of Ferreiros, you settle the horses in the old farmers' houses and you return to the equestrian center to rest. Dinner and night at the Quinta of the equestrian center.

rando à cheval PortugalDay 4 - Tuesday: Wake up and breakfast at 8am. Transfer to Ferreiros, preparation of your horse, departure around 10am. You start the morning on horseback along agricultural fields and oak forests. You arrive on the banks of the Vez river and follow the paths of the fishermen to the historic city of Arcos. Your lunch will be taken in a local and typical restaurant. Depending on the level of the river, you can cross it on horseback, or take a detour to the nearest old bridge. In Arcos de Valdevez you can visit the old town, with its 17th century streets. The history, architecture and spirit of the region are told to you. You leave for the Quinta of the equestrian center for a moment of rest before dinner.

Day 5 - Wednesday: After breakfast and the preparation of the horses, the ride starts in the direction of the woods, above the equestrian center. This is a protected area, called Corno de Bico. The trails teem with wildlife from the forest, including wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars and even deer and wolves ! You have lunch in a local tavern in the heart of a pretty hamlet of only 6 houses and 16 inhabitants. Then, the ride continues uphill in fresh air, beautiful skies, and superb views of the Atlantic coast. You ride in the heart of the protected landscape of Corno de Bico. You pass by a post of the former forester who served as a watchtower for this magnificent protected natural landscape. You descend through whole forests that lead to the old village of Bico. You leave the horses in the meadows where they can rest. You return to the stables of the Quinta for dinner and a peaceful night's rest.

randonnée cheval PortugalDay 6 - Thursday: Breakfast at 9 a.m. Then, transfer to Bico to collect the horses from the meadow and prepare them for the day. You are going to explore the protected natural reserve of Corno de Bico. There are a wide variety of trails that provide a great day of discovery. This memorable experience includes searching the herds of wild horses. In the park you can feel the untouched beauty of nature, without human footprint. Today you take the picnic in your saddlebags to take the lunch break in the charming village of Grijo. Then return to Bico to allow the horses to rest once again in the field, while you return to the Quinta to enjoy a good meal and a good night's rest.

Day 7 - Friday: Wake up to the sound of nature and breakfast at 9am. You go to meet the horses to prepare them for departure. You set off to new beautiful landscapes, following the old ranger trail, exploring its unspoiled and manicured beauty. You discover the shelters of the wild horses: groves of 50 to 60 trees. Trees are planted in such a way as to protect wildlife during harsh winters and hot summers. You will most likely come across wild horses grazing on their pastures and you will stop at the edge of the forest, at the water's edge, to pick up packed lunches. It is not by chance that this site is named "The Enchanted Forest of Miranda". After lunch, the ride continues as you begin to descend to the Quinta for a relaxed late afternoon, where you can enjoy the pool before the dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 8 - Saturday: After breakfast, say goodbye to the horses and you will be transfered to the airport.

* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary.

MEETING/DEPARTURE

MEETING: 
Free transfer Saturday afternoon from Porto airport, Vigo airport (Spain), Brada train station, or directly at the equestrian center 1 hour drive from Porto.

DEPARTURE: 
Saturday morning after breakfast. Free transfer to Porto airport, Vigo airport (Spain), Brada train station.

AIRPORT & TRAIN STATION TRANSFERS:
Transfers from/to Porto airport, Vigo airport (Spain), Braga train station.
Transfer prices: to the above airports /train station: 165 € / per car / each way = 330 € round trip.

FLIGHTS:
Flights are not included in our prices because it is generally more interesting to book your flights yourself, an inclusive flight package is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best rates or to offer you a trip including transport on request: free service.

TRAINS:
You can consult the timetables and book your tickets on https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en

Riding

RIDING LEVEL: image 43
You must be able to walk, trot, canter and galop outdoor on open spaces.

RYTHM:
You ride about 5 hours each day.

MINIMUM AGE:
14 years old.

MAXIMUM WEIGHT:
90 kg.

GUIDE: 
Professional licensed guide. The guide speaks Portuges, Spanish, French and English. 

horseback riding in portugalHORSES: 
Crossed Lusitano and Arabian, well balanced, trail rides professionals. 

TACK: 
English saddles. 

Comfort

ACCOMMODATION: horse riding in portugal
In comfortable 2 person bedooms in a typical Quinta with swimming pool and tennis court on the equestrian center.  Single bedroom available with supplement.

rando a cheval au portugal rando cheval portugal semaine a cheval au portugal
image-20220406024601-1 image-20220414121442-1

MEALS:
Dinners at the guesthouse and in typical restaurants. At noon, picnics are carried in saddle bags, some meals at local restaurants.

cheval au portugal rando equestre portugal

Rates
Infos tarif

2024 PRICE / PER PERSON: 
1670 € in a 2 person bedroom..
Single bedroom supplement: 250 €
Transfers from/to Porto airport, Vigo airport (Spain), Braga train station: 165 € / car / each way = 330 € round trip.
Booking fees: 15 €

THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse and tack rental, guide, assistant, accommodation, all meals, drinks during meals, luggage transfers, financial bond for your payments by our travel agent guarantee.

THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals, sodas, hot drinks, visits, transfers from/to airports, tips, all that is not indicated in "PRICES INCLUDE".

INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) are compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information

FLIGHTS:
Flights to/from Portugal are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request.

Dates
Dates From Infos Contact
- 1670€ FULL Information request
- 1670€ 2 LAST SPACES Information request
- 1670€ LAST SPACE Information request
- 1670€ CONFIRMED DEPARTURE Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ 2 LAST SPACES Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ CONFIRMED DEPARTURE Information request
- 1670€ CONFIRMED DEPARTURE Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
- 1670€ Information request
Reviews
GUEST REVIEWS
Blandine (France) – October 2019

Saddles & Tack: Excellent
The comfort, cleanliness and comfort of the accommodation (s): Excellent
Your general satisfaction on the stay: A charming guide, magnificent landscapes, pleasant horses ... in short, an unforgettable stay.
Quality of the Cap Rando services: Excellent

Monika (Switzerland) – September 2019

Reception: Very friendly welcome at Porto airport although we were more than an hour late with the plane and that we had not warned. The general state of the cavalry (Excellent). My horse (Excellent) The saddlery, equipment, material provided (Excellent) The comfort, cleanliness and comfort of the accommodation (Excellent). Very friendly, warm and attentive guide. Very comfortable and educated horses. Possibility of riding young horses a little more fiery if experienced rider. Magnificent and wild landscapes. Lots of wild horses and loose cows. Typical Portuguese food excellent. A meal taken with the locals allowed us to get an idea of ​​the conditions in which the inhabitants live in these very small typical villages crossed throughout the hike. Quite a few gallops because of the mountainous region but when you gallop, they are real gallops! I really had a wonderful week despite the somewhat mixed weather. The accommodation was at the top! Cap Rando services: responsiveness, efficiency, follow-up of your reservation, help with the preparation of your stay (Excellent). Everything went extremely well.

Statut
Up to date.