Through the Ears of an Andalusian
On this exclusive itinerary curated by local hosts Giles and Miranda, you’ll eat, drink, ride and revel your way through fragrant white-washed villages, wild herb-scented hills and local haunts far from the tourist path, pairing glorious canters with soul-stirring cultural adventures.
Trip Highlights
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Riding the famed Spanish horse, or Pura Raza Española, for the very first time
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Exploring local haunts not privy to the average tourist
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Enjoying free-flowing canters through paddocks sprinkled with wild herbs
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Discovering the pleasures of the Spanish afternoon siesta
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Sinking your teeth into the stomach-filling food found on a tapas tour in Malaga
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Exploring one of the most famed walks in the world, the El Caminito del Rey
Details
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Riding levels
Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. You need to have an independent seat and be able to competently ride a forward-moving horse outside an arena at all paces, over varied terrain.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
'Barefoot' treeless saddles.
- Horse breed
Spanish horses (also called Pura Raza Española, P.R.E. or Andalusian) and Hispano Arabs (Spanish horse x Arabian),
- Accommodation
Private room accommodation (with ensuite) in a beautifully converted 300-year-old marble mill.
- Pace
The pace varies on a daily basis from a walk right through to a fast canter whenever the terrain is suitable. There will be plenty of opportunities to trot in between.
- Weight limit
A maximum of 85kg / 187lbs. This is a very strict weight limit!
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 5 guests (own room guaranteed).
- Minimum age
16 years of age
- Time in Saddle
On average, 4 hours per day.
- When to go
May through to October.
- Languages
Instructions spoken in English.
Guides speak Spanish, Dutch and English.
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- Private room accommodation for solo travellers
- Round trip transfers to/from Malaga Airport on the first and last days of the itinerary
- All meals outlined in the itinerary, including a walking tapas tour in Malaga
- Beer, wine & soft drinks at dinner
- Internal transfers and entrance tickets to sights
- A private flamenco performance
- A private presentation of Spanish High School horsemanship
- Guided walk of the famed El Caminito Del Rey
Excluded
- International or regional flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Alcohol at bars/restaurants
- Accommodation/meals outside the itinerary
Departure dates and prices
Ride length
8 days, 7 nights
Riding level
Intermediate • Strong Intermediate • Advanced
Booking fee
A fixed Booking Fee of €90 EUR
Payment plans
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Accommodation types
Single
Private accommodation for one guest (room, tent, or similar). A supplement may apply on departures where a sharing option is available.
Share
Willing to room share with the same gender or travelling with a companion.
Couple share
Sharing a bed with companion.
Non-rider
Sharing a room with a riding companion.
Per person
2026
April 11 to 18, 2026
May 2 to 9, 2026
May 26 to June 2, 2026
Includes the Romería pilgrimage celebrations!
June 9 to 16, 2026
July 4 to 11, 2026
September 26 to October 3, 2026
October 10 to 17, 2026
October 31 to November 7, 2026
2027
April 10 to 17, 2027
May 1 to 8, 2027
June 22 to 29, 2027
September 4 to 11, 2027
October 2 to 9, 2027
October 23 to 30, 2027
The fun bits
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of €90 EUR
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Itinerary
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
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Day 1: Arrival & Tapas Tour
Non-riding dayMeet & greet at Málaga airport with your enthusiastic hosts and guides, Giles and Miranda, then you’ll take the train to Málaga city centre and enjoy a 3.5 hour tapas tour through the beautiful city of Málaga – a type of “restaurant hopping” very common in the everyday life of locals. You’ll savour a great variety of creative, surprising and delicious tapas in many different prestigious establishments as you eat your way through Málaga’s old town! Artisans, grocers, and chefs will share their personal stories and their passion for food.
Afterwards, you will be transferred to Coín and your new home, Molino de Saladilla, where your accommodation and horses await. In the evening, a light meal and drink will be offered by the fireplace.
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Day 2: River Ride
3 to 4 hours in the saddleAfter a good breakfast (cereals, fruit, yogurts, breads, cold meats, cheese, marmalade, coffee, tea and juice) you will be introduced to your hosts’ pride and joy: the HORSES. Each rider will be matched with the horse most suitable for their ability, weight and height and after a short assessment in the arena/paddock, you’ll be off on the first ride.
Today your globetrotting posse will cruise through valleys and follow the local rivers “Pereila” and “Río Grande”, where you’ll encounter plenty of bird life. Depending on the time of year, you may see small groups of Black Stork (flying in from Eastern Europe to pass the winter in this region) and other inland water birds (such as Egrets, Herons and Black-winged Stilts). There will be gentle trots and canters wherever the terrain allows. This is when you’ll fall head over heels in love with your Spanish horse. You’ll marvel at the surefootedness of the horses as they manoeuvre over rocky riverbeds and are always ready to turn on the engine when asked!
Upon return, there will be a light lunch with drinks, after which you have time to take a nice hot shower and enjoy some time to relax before dinner, which will be served at approximately 7pm.
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Day 3: El Nacimiento
3 to 4 hours in the saddleAfter breakfast this morning, another unique Spanish experience beckons. Today you’ll be crossing the nearby town of Coín. You’ll ride through the high street and climb up towards the southside of the town and into a forest area called “El Nacimiento”, which literally means “birth”. In this case it’s the birthplace of natural springs, as this area holds an underground aquifer with natural spring water, a very important local water supply. You’ll encounter many wild herbs in the forest, such as rosemary, thyme and sage which, together with the pine trees, offers a wonderful blend of fragrance as you ride through them. The terrain is rocky at times but there will still be plenty of opportunities for trots and canters. On the way back, you’ll do as the locals do and stop for a drink at a local bar before returning home for dinner.
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Day 4: La Jarra
3 to 4 hours in the saddleToday, after breakfast, you’ll follow a quiet country lane for a while before exploring an area towards the north-west from Molino de Saladilla. You’ll descend down towards the Rio Grande where the horses are offered a drink before crossing over and into some stunning open countryside ‘La Jarra’. From this vantage point, the views will astound you and you’ll gain a new appreciation as to why visitors are in awe of the beauty of Andalucía. After another exhilarating canter, you’ll enjoy a fabulous 360 degree view of ‘La Jarra valley’ overlooking quaint coastal regions and the white village of Alozaina with the “Sierra de las Nieves” as a stunning backdrop.
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Day 5: El Caminito del Rey Excursion
Non-riding dayToday is a rest day for the horses, but don’t worry, your hosts have a full cultural agenda planned. After breakfast you’ll be driven to the beautiful local lake district ‘El Chorro’ and Ardales National Park, where you’ll explore one of the most famed walks in the world – ‘El Caminito del Rey’ (Walk of Kings). This used to be one of the most dangerous hikes in the world as the paths became nearly impassable after many years of disuse – the original pathway was built in 1805 in order to connect two waterfall locations for a hydro-electrical company. It was called the ‘Walk of Kings’ after King Alfonso XIII walked over it in 1921 as he officially opened the “Guadalhorce Reservoir” (the main drinking water source in the area). The area has Roman and Miocene history and is of great geographic importance, with Jurassic limestone formations and dolomite as well as Miocene sediments. This incredible walk is not very demanding, but hugely spectacular. The gorge is 300m deep in parts (don’t worry, safety standards are very high!) and you’ll see eagles and vultures circling above, whilst below, aquamarine water rushes past – an experience not to be missed! A packed lunch can be enjoyed whilst sitting on the edge of the reservoir taking in the beauty of your surroundings. Evening meal back at Molino de Saladilla.
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Day 6: La Carreta
4 hours in the saddleThis morning you’ll be taking in Coín’s beautiful countryside once again. Today you’ll be in the saddle for four hours and will head east towards the Guadalhorce Valley to an area called ‘la Carreta’. You’ll initially be riding over a plateau dotted with Spanish country residences, and will enjoy long trots and changing vistas before descending towards Rio Pereila and following lower tracks to return back to Coin. Finally, another delightful evening of food and conversation awaits.
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Day 7: Private Spanish Performance
3 to 4 hours in the saddleToday is the last day in the saddle (boo hoo!) but rest assured you’ll be ending with a BANG! Your tight-knit globetrotting group will be crossing the Pereila and Rio Grande rivers, riding past smallholdings and orchards plump with citrus, avocados, pecan nuts and olive trees. The honeycomb farmland is great for long, loping canters before you start climbing to reveal exceptional views, finally crossing the Rio Grande towards home.
After lunch, you’ll be taken to visit a local equestrian family, where you’ll be offered a private presentation of Spanish horsemanship with beautiful, highly trained Spanish stallions. Be prepared to see some magnificent horses, trained in a quiet manner to a very high standard. The family lives and breathes horses and have earned great respect nationwide and even across the borders. This evening you’ll enjoy a farewell fiesta complete with Flamenco dancing – a brilliant way to end your wonderful week!
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Day 8: Departure
Non-riding dayAfter breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Málaga airport for your onward travels.
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May 26, 2026 departure - The Romeria
This particular departure coincides with one of the biggest events of the year for the local town of Coín: a day when the whole town dons their traditional costumes, saddles their best horses, harnesses the oxen, puts the wagons in party mode and shimmies up to the local chapel in a giant, rainbow-hued, mobile Spanish carnival. Honouring the patron saint of Coín, Fuensanta, the pilgrimage is unique to Coín and considered one of the best of its kind! Normally locals-only, you’ll have a special invitation to join in on all the festivities.
(This will replace the visit to the Caminito del Rey.) -
Additional Activities
Extra horse riding lessons (Alta Escuela – High School Spanish Dressage) are available upon request but need to be arranged ahead of time as they are subject to availability. The cost for these private lessons is €75* (payable direct to hosts – prices are subject to change). Massages are available upon request (prices vary depending on selection).
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Non-riders
Non-riders are welcome to join their riding partners/friends on this itinerary. We recommend non-riders have their own rental car so they can have the freedom and flexibility of exploring the local region at their leisure each day. The hosts will be able to recommend a number of sightseeing activities.
Transfer information
Transfers to and from Málaga are included in the ride price.
Guests should be ready for pick up from Málaga Airport no later than 10am on the morning of day one. If the flight times are too tight, we recommend staying in Málaga the night before so you’re ready for collection on day one.
On the final day, departure time can be flexible, but check out from your accommodation must be by 10am.
Accommodation
Private room accommodation in a beautifully converted 300-year-old marble mill. The shared facilities include an outdoor terrace, swimming pool and a communal dining room where you’ll enjoy the traditional Spanish fare. Not only that, you’ll be within walking distance of the centre of town (Coin), so when you’re not in the saddle, you can sit idle in a cafe and soak up the culture or explore the boutique shops.
Food
Each day begins with a breakfast buffet of coffee, tea, juice, milk, yoghurts, cereals, breads and fruit, and you are welcome to make extra sandwiches to take on the rides (water and an apple will already be tucked into your saddle bag, although your horse may insist the apple is theirs!). On returning from your ride, you’ll enjoy a light lunch, usually a salad with a hot dish and drinks. Evenings bring a full meal with dessert, all freshly prepared and featuring local specialties.
Reviews
Lynne P
Brooke Kahl
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Diane Boone
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Nancy Parello
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Erin Creed
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Amy Krone
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Belinda Strickland
2 rides with Globetrotting 
Cassandra Miller
1 ride with Globetrotting 
Joy Roberts
4 rides with Globetrotting 
Kathy Nekton
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
Stories from the saddle
Globetrotting Guest Horse: Embrujarda
If you’ve secured a saddle on our exclusive Andalusia horse riding holiday in Spain, you may be lucky enough to experience a true double win and ride the delightful Embrujarda. This elegant mare is one of the standout guest horses
Meet our Guides: Giles and Miranda
Giles and Miranda Crawford-Alards are the driving force behind our Andalusia horse riding holiday in southern Spain. With immense pride in their work, they delight in sharing the region’s sublimely beautiful countryside from the saddle, riding their super-responsive Andalusian (PRE)
