Day 1 - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
Transfer from Barcelona airport to a cosy country hotel where you meet your fellow riders and guide over dinner.
Day 2 - Along the Fluvia River
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
Meet your horses and set off on your adventure. Follow old shepherds paths across the hilly landscapes of the foothills of the Pyrenees and the follow the path of the Fluvia river towards the mountains. The pretty villages of Alt Emporda are impressive witnesses to a grandiose past. Stop for a packed lunch in a clearing near the river. After a siesta, ride at a leisurely pace to the medieval town of Besalu where your accommodation is situated next to the beautiful Romanesque bridge overlooking Fluvia and the town. Before a traditional dinner in a restaurant in the square, you can stroll through the old streets of Besalu.
Day 3 - Rocky Gorge and mountain stream
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
In the morning ride upside the river at a fast pace and then follow mountain paths and enjoy some relaxed cantering. Stop for a picnic lunch in a beautiful river valley where a small river beach near the Roman bridge invites you for a cooling dip. After a siesta, you start a climb up a mountain path into the Garrotxa mountains. An atmospheric dome tent near a gorge and surrounded by mighty rocks will be your sleeping place for the night (no single room option).
Day 4 - Garrotxa mountains
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
The mountainous landscape begins to change as you ride through the area of the old Garrotxa with its deep valleys, rugged cliffs and dense oak forests. Stop for a saddlebag picnic in a lovely spot by the river with another chance for a refreshing dip. After lunch, continue at a brisk pace until reaching your accommodation in one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, with stone houses and a picturesque Romanesque church. Enjoy a regional dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 - Camprodon
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
The route of your trail takes you deeper and deeper into the Pyrenees. Follow an ancient trade route dating back to the Middle Ages and reach the border region with France. Leaving the foothills of the Pyrenees behind, the mountains are now covered with forests of beech, oak and chestnut. The views of the surrounding 3000m peaks are breathtaking. Cross the lush meadows of flowers and gentians to approach the mountain town of Camprodon on the banks of the river Ter. Here you spend the night and can take an evening stroll through the town to take a drink in one of the many bars.
Day 6 - Pyrenees - Kingdom of the shepherds
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
An early start as you will be climbing high into the mountains. Cross wide pastures as you ascend towards the summit and pass cows, sheep and mountain goats. You are in the high Pyrenees with its alpine characteristics such as narcissi, irises, gentians and mountain roses transforming the meadows into carpets of flowers. At 1800m you reach a pass - an endless steppe of grass and stone with a magnificent panorama - to the west you can see the highest peaks of Catalonia and to the east the blue of the Mediterranean. Stop for a siesta and perhaps watch vultures circling above. Then follow an elongated mountain pass on lonely paths through this mountain paradise to drop down to a small Pyrenean village. Spend the night in a former farmhouse in the valley.
Day 7 - Little Mongolia
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
In the morning you cross an old mining village and ride through dense boxwood forests before some spectacular ascents over endless high alpine pastures. Pass herds of cattle and mountain horses and watch vultures and eagles circling above. Once at the top you are rewarding with a panoramic view in all four directions - high 3000m peaks to the north, towering stone of the pre Pyrenees to the west, Mediterranean coast to the east and the extraordinary Montserrat mountains to the south. After admiring this landscape which is reminiscent of Mongolia you descend into the valley through forests and moss covered paths. Your accommodation is a charming mountain hotel.
Day 8 - Chamois in the Mongrony Massif
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
Emerge from the shadows of the forest into the wide open spaces of mountain meadows. If you're lucky you'll spot the silhouettes of chamois on the horizon, jumping over rocks with breathtaking speed. There are lots of opportunities to trot and canter uphill until you reach the mountain ridge in a final spurt. Another magnificent view awaits! Here you spend the night in a nicely managed hikers hut (communal sleeping room) and watch the sunset over the rocky mountains.
Day 9 - Sierra Cadi - wide plateau of Cerdanya
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
Leave camp at sunrise and ride through the overwhelming nature park of Moixero. Stop at a mountain hut for a snack and cold drink before descending. Catch a glimpse of the impressive Cerdanya plateau before cantering to your picnic spot with views of the Sierra de Cadi. Tonight you are accommodated in a nice natural stone village with cosy rooms and hot showers.
Day 10 - Land of the Cathars
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
Ride briskly through the lush plains of the Cerdanya - the numerous meadows and grain fields offer plenty of opportunities to trot and canter. Cross the river Ter and enter the land of the Cathars to set up camp in an enchanting Pyrenean valley. The turquoise pools invite you to cool off and high on a rock sits the ruins of a Cathar castle. Whilst the horses graze on the lush mountain grasses you rest under a starry sky.
Day 11 - Andorra
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
Set off on a challenging climb to Andorra. It's an exciting day as you have packed everything you need for the next two days in your saddle bags. You're amply rewarding for the effort of the ascent as the view over the high mountains is unique. You are at an altitude of 2500m and have ridden across two countries! Your horses graze in a pretty meadow next to a river whilst you dangle your feet in the stream to cool off. In the evening you reach a beautiful spot in the middle of the high Pyrenees where you set up camp. Help prepare dinner from the pack bags and rest to the sound of the alpine cow bells.
Day 12 - High Pyrenees of Andorra
Riding: 6 - 9 hours
As you cross the beautiful mountain meadows and river valleys keep an eye out for marmots. After some challenging climbs you cross the pass and reach the highest point of your journey 2600m. There's a spectacular view of the Serra de Cadi and the highest mountain in Catalonia - Pica d'Estats. Carefully make your way back down through this enchanting landscape to a shining mountain lake - you are back in Catalonia! Spend the night in a nearby guesthouse with a well deserved shower and a farewell dinner.
Day 13 - Departure
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast you are transferred to Barcelona airport for your flight home.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
