We offer you a tour of the southernmost territory of both Spain and Europe, picking a seven-day itinerant route that goes through both coast and mountains. Campo de Gibraltar is a region located southeast of the province of Cadiz acting as a border between Europe and Africa, as well as the Gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. That and the colony of Gibraltar makes it one of the top strategic locations in Europe. We’ll enjoy two natural parks, Los Alcornocales Natural Park, which houses the biggest, most continuous and best cared of mass of cork oaks. Its botanical and mycological richness justly earns Los Alcornocales its fame as the last European forest. The second Natural Park will be the strait of Gibraltar, where hundreds of millions of birds cross the strait every year in their migratory voyage between Europe and Africa, making it not only one of the most prominent destinations for bird watching, but one of the most ecologically diverse places in Europe too.
Visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation, based in Jerez de la Frontera, is worldwide famous for their “How Andalusian Horses Dance”, a unique show that both exhibits and summarizes in a seemingly natural way all the work that the institution has done since its foundation. Lunch with Flamenco Performance in a typical tablao flamenco.
Prelimiary day-by-day program
Day 1 Welcome - Customer pick-up in Malaga or Jerez airports and transfer to Los Barrios starting point. Horse allocating.
Dinner & accomodation ”Finca las Majadillas” o r Hotel la Montera ****
Day 2 Los Barrios - Ojéns dal | "Prisoners 'Way" - We will go through the roads that were made by the Republican prisoners between 1931 and 1942, before World War II started. The route offers a splendid view over the Valley of Ojén, where you’ll be able to witness the great contrast between the areas of pastures of cattle and the leafy cork trees forests, as well as the bushy masses of gall in the wettest lands. You’ll also enjoy the particularly striking view off all kind of birds resting on these valleys.
Approximate duration: 5 hours on horseback (three in the morning and two after lunch). Picnic on the route.
Dinner and Accommodation in Hotel la Torre o similar
Day 3 Valley of Ojén – Tarifa “Bandits’ mountains and enchanted forests” - We will cross the mountains where the bandits once lived and assaulted carriages loaded with items coming from the landings in Gibraltar.
Approximate duration: 5 hours on horseback (Half in the morning and another half in the afternoon). Picnic on the route.
Dinner and Accommodation in Hotel la Torre o similar.
Day 4 Tarifa (Circular) “ Land of Phoenicians” - This coastal territory was populated by the Phoenicians, and the Romans took advantage of the settlement to install several factories of sea products, as well as to establish a small colony that slowly grew into a rather important one back in the second century BC. We’ll ride for Punta Paloma through a pine forest along the Atlantic coast, enjoying splendid vews of the African continent. The Atlantic coast of Tarifa that we’ll traverse back mostly runs through fine sandy beach trails.
Approximate duration: 4 hours on horseback (two in the morning and two after lunch).
Accommodation in “Hotel Gravinia o similar”, Tarifa village. Dinner is not included.
Day 5. Breakfast in typical road restaurant in Jerez. Visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation, based in Jerez de la Frontera, is worldwide famous for their “How Andalusian Horses Dance”, a unique show that both exhibits and summarizes in a seemingly natural way all the work that the institution has done since its foundation. Lunch with Flamenco Performance in a typical tablao flamenco.
Accommodation in “Hotel Gravinia o similar”, Tarifa village. Dinner is not included
Day 6 Tarifa – Algeciras “Pillars of Hercules” - This could be considered the southernmost route of the Iberian Peninsula. It runs parallel to the coast through an old livestock route. The whole route constitutes a splendid natural viewpoint to the Strait, Morocco, and the colony of Gibraltar, with the other pillar of Hercules, the Djebel Musa, forever standing at the other side. The Djebel Musa was a mythological element in the strait of Gibraltar. It was the boundary of the Greek World until, according to Greek historian Herodotus, Colomo Satos went through back in the 7th century BC.
Approximate duration 5 hours on horseback (three hours in the morning and two after lunch). Picnic on the way.
Dinner and accommodation in “Hotel Meson Sancho” Algeciras o similar.
Day 7 “ La Trocha” Following Centuries-old paths - We will follow the path that has been used for centuries. The voyage to Cadiz along the coast seemed full of dangers, due to the continuous attacks of the pirates. But the alternative route in the inland was also not without difficulties. La Trocha was a horseshoe road, impossible to pass with carriages. The road was used by those who were brave and those who dared to take the road. Because by taking this road they saved a day travelling on their way to Cadiz. Frequented by smugglers it was a complicated crossing because of the time, according to the travelers, any encounter raised suspicions. It is a hidden areas of the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales. You will enjoy one of the most beautiful and wild landscapes of Andalusia. Shadowy slopes, cliffs, ravines and deep gorges crossed by streams where only the murmur of water is heard. Upholstered by a green cloak of cork oaks a surprising landscape that many do not know.
Approximate duration 5 hours on horseback (three hours in the morning and two after lunch)
Dinner and accommodation in “Hotel La Montera” Los barrios o similar.
Day 8. Transfer to the airport after breakfast
