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Equestrian tourism |
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Activities with horses are what define our identity.
During last fifteen years we have been organizing programs of riding routes in different parts of the Catalan geography, through the Montseny Natural Park, through the Catalan Pyrenees along the Spanish and French mountainsides, as well as in other regions of Central Catalonia.
Located in the midst of the Area of Natural Interest of the Alta Garrotxa, we have a wide range of possibilities in Vallmajor eqüestre to organize riding holidays: the valleys and mountains of the Pre-Pyrenees of the Alta Garrotxa, the unique Natural Park of the Volcanic Area of the Garrotxa, the neighboring counties of the Ripollès, the Pla de l'Estany and the Alt Empordà, etc.
Our continuing philosophy is love, care and respect for our horses.
We try to create interest while offering our knowledge and experience. This is why the preparation of the horses and all the necessary information forms a part of each one of the activities, whether the activity involves first time or experienced riders.
We like mentally balanced country horses, and we use this criteria when we select our horses, independent of breed.
The majority of our horses are a mix of Spanish and French breeds; we also have some Arab and Quarter Horse.
We try to ensure that our horses are of medium height, as tall horses adapt badly to mountain paths.
The horses live together in the fields and pastures around the house all year round, which is why they are well adapted to nature, to variable weather conditions and to life in an equine society, with all its roles, games and hierarchies.
They are of course stress-free animals, and they love eating the fresh grass of the mountains. They are fine traveling companions, being both reliable and safe. We ride them calmly and naturally, and most of the time with long reins.
We use very good quality saddles, as used by the military for distance riding but actualized, each one is perfectly adapted to its mount and all have been put together with the comfort of both rider and horse in mind.
Accessories (light, resistant saddlebags, cruppers and breast plates) are also important to provide safety and comfort on long routes. We can gallop without problems despite carrying all this material on the horse.
We have officially approved riding helmets available.
For the routes and horse treks each rider must bring his/her own personal equipment and riding gear, as he/she sees fit.
We make the following recommendations:
Personal utensils must be kept to the necessary minimum for riding.
For the guests of Vallmajor eqüestre and for all who wish to participate, we organize half day routes adapted to all riding levels and full day routes reserved to confirmed riders.
Booking must be made in advance.
On all routes the riders take care and help prepare the horses, receiving all the necessary information to enjoy the experience to the full.
For the full day routes we recommend footwear as described in the section above, and comfortable trousers, if possible without inner seams.
| Prices in euros per person (7% VAT included) | |
| Half-day riding route | 35 € |
| Full-day riding route (picnic included) | 70 € |
Bookings and how to contact us >
For those who wish to spend a few days in quiet environment, enjoying the pleasure that comes with riding horses, we, in Vallmajor eqüestre, organize riding stays and trails with pre-established dates.
This program is aimed at those in good physical health, who like outdoor riding, especially in the mountains, as well as being together with a group of nature loving traveling companions, the horses, and our culture.
Riders must be able to walk, trot and gallop their horses in outdoor riding conditions, and have basic horse-care knowledge.
Our programme of riding routes varies every year, so as to offer new attractions so that our guests can continue to discover the marvelous wealth of our natural surroundings.
During these days you will discover beautiful locations in the Alta Garrotxa, combining tranquil wandering along mountain paths with trots and gallops when terrain permits.
You will spend the nights outside in places chosen for their singularity, location and good cooking. You will be able to see several Romanesque churches, discover different ways of life and meet people who still live off the land and all it has to offer.
We offer the opportunity to experience and participate in the care, handling and enjoyment of our horses for a fixed period of time, with the objective of improving your knowledge, or simply by riding every day.
This is a new program at Vallmajor eqüestre, attractive and with good prices, for people looking for a holiday in Catalonia close to horses.
Many people from different countries are using at any moment of the year the low cost airlines to reach Girona and enjoy one of the more beautiful provinces of the Mediterranean coast.
With a low budget we will offer to the people booking this program the best relation quality/price for a holiday with horses.
And the best value is that they will not be treated like tourists.
Vallmajor eqüestre is very well placed in Girona province, making possible to reach in only one hour by car (and driving on routes without traffic): a ski station in the Pyrenees at 2000 mts. high or the most beautiful places from Costa Brava. Many other points of natural and cultural interest are easily reachable in less than 30 minutes by car, like: Figueres (Dalí museum), Besalú (Medieval town), Olot (Natural Park Volcanic Area of Garrotxa), Banyoles, Girona.
The new program at Vallmajor eqüestre is also open to non riders, but is created to be a full horseback riding holiday, with interesting full day and half day riding trips, inside the terms of the Protected Area from Alta Garrotxa.
Sunday
All arrivals on Sunday (not before 17.00 hours)
Welcome meeting, installation in the house and dinner together with Núria and Joaquim, the owners of Vallmajor eqüestre. We pretend you feel being part of our family.
Monday:
We will start presenting the horses, giving some explanations about the rules and the material to use during the next days. A full day ride on a mountain forest area will follow. Some exciting gallops and also nice walks over small and difficult paths to reach the top of one of the mountains we have in front of Vallmajor eqüestre, the picnic will be on top.
We will get a wonderful overview of the region. Once at home again we will take care of our horses, free time, dinner and accommodation.
Tuesday:
Today, another full day ride, very different, with a new landscape. We will go to visit one the most popular parts of Alta Garrotxa cause of is characteristic landscape plenty of cliffs and incredible stone walls. In the periods of the year that weather invites to, we will stay near the river for our picnic and eventual swim. The way back home is also a nice experience using small hunting trails with no signs of civilization around. The dinner and overnight will be at Vallmajor eqüestre.
Wednesday:
We will start our two days trail after our copious breakfast. Covering enough distance to know better this wonderful region we will find; old houses, farms, fields and forest all along the day. Nice rides are guaranteed. We have chosen a very nice place to overnight for the riders and horses, nice rooms and very kind owners living in this place. Our horses will get also a nice place to pass the night after working all day.
Thursday:
Today we will take a new itinerary to discover other kind of landscape, using nice ways into the forest and crossing some villages and rivers. For the picnic we have chosen again a place near the river to get the possibility to swim when weather conditions permit us to go into the water. The day will be a good riding experience after so many different types of ways and paths. We will come back home and will take care of the horses before our last dinner together. This is moment to remember all our emotions and to make a celebration.
Friday:
After breakfast is time to say goodbye to all participants.
11.05.08 - 18.05.08 - 25.05.08 - 01.06.08 - 08.06.08 - 15.06.08 - 14.09.08 - 21.09.08 - 28.09.08 - 05.10.08 - 12.10.08
Price per person: 700 €
The price includes:
6 days / 5 nights, accommodation in double rooms with private bathroom, full board
( first service: dinner on Sunday, last service: breakfast on Friday ), all riding trips described in the program, equipped horse, guide, luggage transportation during the trail, transfer from-to Girona Airport.
Price for non riders: 420 €
The price includes:
6 days / 5 nights, accommodation in double rooms with private bathroom, half board
( first service: dinner on Sunday, last service: breakfast on Friday ), transfer from-to Girona Airport.
Other prices:
Price doesn't include: All the drinks and other extras. Insurances.
Transfer from-to Barcelona Airport on request, minimum four people, and price to be confirmed. ( Use of public transport recommended ).
Minimum number of participants: 4 riders and guide.
Maximum number of participants: 6 riders and guide.
Bookings and how to contact us >
Sunday
All arrivals on Sunday (not before 17.00 hours)
Welcome meeting, installation in the house and dinner together with Núria and Joaquim, the owners of Vallmajor eqüestre. We pretend you feel being part of our family.
Monday:
Today we will do two rides, one in the morning and another one in the afternoon.
We will start presenting and choosing the horses, giving some explanations about the rules to follow and also about the material to use. After that we will ride with our horses not far from home. The lunch will be at Vallmajor and we will take some free time to relax ourselves, our horses will appreciate this too. In the afternoon a second ride with a different rhythm to show the things your horses can do in a mountain area. After using the horses we always take care of them, free time, dinner and accommodation.
Tuesday:
We will do today a full day ride around one of the mountains we have in front of Vallmajor eqüestre.
The riding is really pleasant, most of time in the shade of the forest, often on small paths with many vegetation but also nice trots and gallops.
Picnic on the top, next to a fountain, with big trees and shade, what else do you need to feel good?.
For the way back we will use a different itinerary passing to Montagut village.
Once at home, we will take care of our horses, free time, dinner and accommodation.
Wednesday:
Today we will divide the day in two different activities. In the morning is time for another riding, you are almost experts riding your new horses, then is time to do a funny and exciting ride with trots and gallops, this will be a different riding day, shorter but with emotion and fun. Lunch at Vallmajor eqüestre. In the afternoon we have to decide if we want to go to the village's swimming-pool or maybe to visit the medieval city of Besalú, a beautiful old village and a good opportunity to walk and make some shopping. Free time, dinner and accommodation.
Thursday:
One full day ride more today, with a new landscape. We will ride trough one the most popular parts of Alta Garrotxa cause of is characteristic landscape plenty of cliffs and incredible stone walls. We will stay near the river for our picnic, a river and a place to enjoy on summertime, nice big basins of blue, fresh and clean water will invite us to swim at picnic time. The way back home is a nice experience using small hunting trails with no signs of civilization around. After taking care of the horses the dinner and overnight will be at Vallmajor eqüestre. This night we have something to celebrate.
Friday:
After breakfast is time to say goodbye to all participants who don't stay some additional day with us.
06.07.08 - 13.07.08 - 20.07.08 - 27.07.08 - 03.08.08
Price per person: 665 €
The price includes:
6 days / 5 nights, accommodation in double rooms with private bathroom, full board
( first service: dinner on Sunday, last service: breakfast on Friday ), all riding trips described in the program, equipped horse, guide, transfer from-to Girona Airport.
Price for non riders: 420 €
The price includes:
6 days / 5 nights, accommodation in double rooms with private bathroom, half board
( first service: dinner on Sunday, last service: breakfast on Friday ), transfer from-to Girona Airport.
Other prices:
Price doesn't include: All the drinks and other extras. Insurances.
Transfer from-to Barcelona Airport on request, minimum four people and price to be confirmed. ( Use of public transport recommended ).
Minimum number of participants: 2 riders and guide
Maximum number of participants: 6 riders and guide
The groups are made up of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 riders, as well as the guide.
The mother tongue language of your guide is Catalan, although he also speaks Spanish, French, English and Italian. Your guide has qualifications from the French Horse Riding Federation (FFE) as an Accompanying Guide for Equestrian Tourism, and has 15 years experience organizing and guiding riding routes.
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17855 Montagut i Oix (Girona) - NIF 37.673.751-G
© 2008, Joaquim Parra i Enfedaque