Ride the rhythm of Portugal ~ forests, villages, hills and sea:  June 6th-14th, 2026

Ride through the soul of Portugal on the back of a magnificent purebred Lusitano, a horse of ancient lineage, famed for its nobility, keen intellect, and gentle spirit.  Your partner for the week will carry you through mountain forests laced with cork oaks, across valleys full of olive groves, past small rural villages where history lingers in stone, and onto deserted white villages.

  • Picture a golden morning, the air scented with pine and salt, as you wander deeper into rural Portugal’s quiet magic. Just as your stomach begins to murmur, you dismount beneath the shade of trees to feed your horse, the two of you sharing a quiet moment of connection.  Steps away, a seaside restaurant awaits, serving the day’s fresh catch—still tasting of the ocean it came from

  • Later, after an afternoon ride, you pull off your boots and sink your feet into the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic. Rest here, let the sun warm your shoulders, and perhaps even watch your horse splash in the shallows beside you

  • Venture into the heart of the Portugal, where Mediterranean culture and Atlantic worlds entwine in a rare tapestry of wildflowers, herbs, and sea breezes. When hunger calls again, find yourself on the warm sands of the dunes enjoying a picnic lunch and the company of your equine partner lounging nearby

And this is only a glimpse of the magic woven into every day of your journey.

Trip Highlights

  • Seven Days in the Saddle: Ride for seven unforgettable days and spend seven nights immersed in the wild, unspoiled beauty of off-the-beaten-path Portugal

  • A Lisbon Welcome: Begin your journey with a night in Lisbon to recover from jet lag, explore the city’s charm, and meet your fellow riders for the week ahead

  • Forest to Shoreline: Follow winding trails from the slopes to the coast, beneath the emerald shade of giant umbrella pines and cork oaks

  • Freedom in the Saddle: Feel the exhilaration of open, sandy paths—perfect for long, flowing canters and joyful gallops beneath towering forest canopies.

  • Riding through the Eucalyptus forests: crunching the leaves and inhaling the fresh scents while the coastal hillsides open before you

  • Wine Country Ride: Visit a charming wine estate in the Grândola Mountains, nestled among ancient cork woods and sample some delicious Portuguese favorites

  • A Day of Rest:  let your horses take a much-deserved break as we too have some free time to rest and explore this beautiful and less travelled part of Portugal

  • Atlantic Vistas: Cross the Alentejo Region with its strong history of horse culture, into the heart of Mediterranean forest, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean

         

Trip Includes

  • All guided horse treks, in-house meals, travel and accommodations while together in Portugal

  • A intimate group experience as we leave the crowds behind with a trip designed for people who are passionate about horses, natural beauty, wide open spaces and authentic travel

  • Riding guidance, mindfulness activities and complete trip support while together at the barn and on the trail

  • 3 coaching calls prior to our trip to discuss what you hope to discover and gain from the adventure

  • 1 follow up phone call after our trip to continue the process of self-discovery and mindful living

  • 8 days and 8 nights of pure off-the-beaten path Portuguese culture, including an evening to rest upon arrival. I will also be happy to provide my personal guidance on organizing travel plans to and from the country. Once we meet up at the designated time and place, all of your travel needs will be already arranged

                                                                                          

Riding and Fitness Level

Horse skills: intermediate through advanced. You need to be comfortable in walk, trot and canter and be able to control your horse in all gaits when not in a nose-to-tail line. We will do extended trots, canters and the occasional gallop on the trail as well as a significant amount of climbing/descending, so if you have a weak back or core, it is imperative to start a workout routine several months prior to the trip to strengthen these areas. Also, to make the trip the best possible experience for you, we recommend that you ride at least one to two days per week starting two or more months prior to the trip, just to get your derrière and riding muscles ready to spend some hours in the saddle.

If you haven’t ridden for awhile and are a lower intermediate rider, for maximum enjoyment of the experience, you can still prepare by taking 8 or more riding lessons before joining me on this trip.

***While we all do our best to stick to exact itineraries, sometimes changes are inevitable and flexibility is key.

Cost:

  • Early bird pricing from now until December 31, 2025 – $5400. Regular pricing after January 1st, 2026- $6000

  • $1000 will reserve your spot and payments plans are tailored to individual needs.

  • All prices are based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates may be available upon request for an additional fee.  Please contact me for pricing and availability. Airfare and restaurant meals on your free day are not included unless part of our planned activities.

Cancellation policy:

If you have to cancel, costs are fully refundable (less deposit and 3% credit card fees) up to 120 days before the start of the trip. Between 60 and 120 days before the trip, 50% of the costs are refundable, less a 3% credit card fee.  If you have to cancel 0-60 days before the trip, the costs are nonrefundable, but are transferable to another person with appropriate riding skills and/or fitness levels.  The trip deposits are nonrefundable. However, the deposit amount may be transferred to another excursion if your spot can be filled on your previously booked trip and if space is available on an alternate trip.