Sunday - You are collected from Seville and driven up into the Sierra and to Finca el Moro; a journey of one and a quarter hours.
Monday - 4 hrs riding. After breakfast a few moments to accustom you to the vaquero tack and to feel happy with your horse and you are off. Cantering north across the sierra to Valdelarco and tapas lunch in the plaza. On after lunch up the river valley and passing vineyards and cherry orchards you return to Finca el Moro, where you can relax, make yourself tea in your cottage, have a swim or a siesta before a splendid dinner.
Tuesday - 5 hours riding. Up and over the sierra through chestnut groves giving wonderful views south. A stop for coffee in the pretty village of Linares. Then lovely canters through cork and cattle country through the farm of the local fighting bull breeder. Stopping for a picnic lunch and then, after a short siesta, on to the village of
Valdezufre to spend the night in the very comfortable local Posada where your overnight bag will be waiting for you. The horses are kept at a farm on the edge of the village. Spring comes early this far south. The mimosas, cherries and the first of the wild narcissi in February. Peonies and lavender soon follow and the villages fill with the heady scent of jasmine and orange trees.
Wednesday - 5 hours riding. Cantering through open rolling country ( a very good place for birds of prey) and catching the first glimpses of the Lake. A stop for coffee in the village of Puerto Moral with a C14th church and then on for a picnic lunch on the lake shore. After lunch through remote private ranch land following the shores of the lake to leave the horses by late afternoon at Alejandro's farm. The Landrover will be waiting to take you back to El Moro for an excellent Dinner and the night in your comfortable cottage.
Thursday - 5 hours riding. Leaving el Moro after breakfast to saddle up and get off along the lakeside. Some quite challenging riding today through the very wild country to the north of the lake. Beautiful views over a countryside that hasn't changed for centuries. Through the rolling country carpeted with wild flowers in early spring, black vultures and honey buzzards sailing the thermals overhead. With both coffee and a picnic in the saddle bags you ride through this empty country until you reach Castanuelo where the horses stay overnight in a friends field. Luis and the landrover will be waiting to take you back to El Moro.
Friday - 4 hours riding. An exhilarating final days ride leaving the Lake behind and stopping for a tapas lunch in Marie's Bar in Cortelazor. Before crossing the sierra with distant views over the chestnut groves for the final return to Finca el Moro. Finally we arrive back at the farm the journey complete. Back to your cottage to relax before a splendid final dinner.
Saturday - Leave after breakfast to the ancient and evocative city of Seville. The narrow streets perfumed with orange tree and the walls covered in tangles of jasmine and plumbago. A chance to stroll the streets lined with palm trees, purchase wonderful ceramics, or sit and watch it all from the pavement cafés. If you would like to stay on on Seville please have a look at the list of hotels we recommend on the "Staying in Seville" pages.
