Duration: 9 days, 6 days riding and 1 day visiting Melgaço

Country: Portugal 

Place: Peneda-Gerês National park

Meating Point: Oporto

Riding Ability: Strong Intermediate

Group Size: Minimum 4 and Maximum 8

Pace: All

Tack: English

Horses: Breed Lusitano and Garrano

(Both are Portuguese breeds)

National Park Peneda-Gerês(PNPG)

The PNPG is about 70.000 hectares protected area positioned at the border of Portugal and Spain adjoining the park of Xurês of the neighbouring Spain

Located in a mountainous region with the altitude differing between 700 Mts and 1500 Mts.

It has varied habitats which includes dense oak forest and high granite mountain landscape

This national park is home to two most endangered species of mammals that’s the Iberian Wolf and the wild horses namely from the race called Garrana

The Team

Our team comprises of Anabela and Pedro Alarcão, A journalist couple, who for many years left the city of Lisbon for this region with the intention to do a documentary and help conserve the Iberian Wolf. Their passion for wolf has also inspired them to also love the wild horse and be involved in the project of eco-tourism. Their main objective is to promote the local community  and to value and preserve the habitat.

The trek is been accompanied by Pedro and Anabela looks after the Logistic part giving a perfect help to the group

The team also includes two helpers and a driver.

The transport includes a 4 wheel drive vehicle and a transporter of animals for the horses and roulette 
 

Horse Riding in the Territory of the Wolf and Wild Horses

The proposed tour is of a 9 days duration and it includes in the project of eco-tourism which also propagates the conservation of Wolf and wild horses . The trek crosses the territory of three packs of wolves. The 9 days of trek takes you true an experience of knowledge, knowing better the life of the wolf and its movements mounted on the one who knows the site better, the Garrano (Portuguese Wild horse)

We shall also pass true small granite villages to witness the traditions and the way of life of ancestral Europe  

During the experience you shall be accompanied by a knowledgeable trek guide who is exponent in the field of his undertaking.

The night halt will possibly be at a place housed by rural tourism or a hotel, except where not available this places during the trek we shall camp. Local cuisine will be served, this depending on the availability in connection with the logistics and the local producers, who uses biological means of producing food.

If informed in advance vegetarian meals can also be served

Schedule

Day 1

Pick up from the Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro, Porto, to the council of Melgaço where the Ecotura team will be met, followed by dinner and stay at the hotel.

Day 2

The trek for the first day passes by a valley with dense forest of Oak, Chestnut and hollies and also passing true stone villages stopped with time. This trek gives you varied experience taking you true field of wild ferns and lush greenery while the trek will gain altitude. The trek will end at a small village.  This small little village will be our first refuge for the night, and dinner will  be held in a local restaurant.

Day 3

The trek on day 2 will take us to the inaccessible part of the park. On leaving the village we climb along the glacial valley where the river Vez runs true, here we come close to the region where the granite peaks and the wolf rule the scenario. Night halt and dinner will be at a campsite.

                                            Day 4

The morning of the third trek will start at the river Ramiscal. After a steep descent we shall reach the waters of the said river. After a small halt we shall climb true a narrow road to another small village. When on the left margin of the river we shall mount the horses and accompany the river till its origin. Dinner will be at a local restaurant and night halt will be at a tourist hostel. 

                                           Day 5

After the deserved rest at the small council of Soajo we shall ascent in the direction of the erstwhile village of Seida. This village is another shelter to the Sheppard’s but today it lies in a desolated state. Here you will witness the architecture of the last century and the history on how they lived in by gone days. Then we take a look at the Fojo which were used to exterminate wolf population which is no longer used as it the species is protected by law. Then we go to the village of Busgalinhas situated in the other side of Peneda mountain range with spectacular granite peaks and splendid view. Dinner and lodging will be at a local hotel.

                                                                                          Day 6

This day we shall go to a high altitude plateau with impaired vegetation. With excellent runway we go galloping to the border with Spain   which is the biggest concentration of megalithic sites in Iberian Peninsula. Dinner and stay at a camp site.

                                                       Day 7

After 20 Kms ride on the plains with one leg in Portugal and the other in Spain we reach the end of our adventurous trek in the village of Queimadelo where our Equine friends will have to rest. Boarding and lodging will be in a local hotel dinner will be accompanied with traditional music.

Day 8

Visit to the famous wine cellar of Alvarinho in Melgaço which also includes a peek in the Jean Loup Passek Cinema museum and the tower of Menagem

Day 9

Departure to the Airport of Porto

Ecotura - Horseriding and Trekking in Wolf territory - Portugal