Green Hills & Sights of Slovenia

Venture across the Karst Plateau and discover Slovenia's unspoilt natural landscape. This holiday combines horse riding with sightseeing, so you can enjoy plenty of saddle time but also learn about the region's history.. Ride through lush forests, rolling meadows, and past ancient caves, all while surrounded by rich wildlife. Visit cultural gems like the Predjama Castle, and the UNESCO-listed Skocjanske Cave. An ideal itinerary for those looking to explore Slovenia's natural and historic wonders while out on the trails.
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Centre based holidays
8 days (5 days riding)
From £1,311
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia
  • Castles of Slovenia
  • Green Hills and Sights of Slovenia

Itinerary

Highlights

- Visit several cultural sights including the town of Piran, Predjama Castle, and the Postojna Cave
- Experience authentic Slovenian cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
- Explore Slovenia's renowned forests and lakes
- Enjoy a Western riding experience in the heart of Europe
- Learn more about the Lipizzaner horse with the visit to the stud farm
  • Day 1 1: Home – Ljubljana Airport

    Fly to Ljubljana airport. Flights are not included but can be arranged upon request. Please make sure to book a flight landing before pm ready for your group transfer.

    Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to the accommodation in Trnje (around a 1.5h drive). After settling into your room, you will have dinner with the team and the other riders at a small local restaurant.

    Overnight at the guesthouse.
  • Day 2 2: Narin - 6-7h riding

    After breakfast, you will be transferred to the stables in Sembije.
    After preparing the horses, you will follow a trail bordered by a cliff, which will lead you through small natural caves. On your way to the next stop, you will enjoy the lush green landscapes. At the village of Narin you will enjoy some down time and lunch at a pub.
    In the afternoon, you will follow the trail on the hillsides of Primoz where you will be able to spot the remains of the tunnels from World War I.
    The path back to Trnje leads you through woods and onto floodplains of the river Pivka.

    Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the guesthouse.
  • Day 3 3: Lake Petelinjsko Jezer - 4h riding

    Today, you will ride towards the lake Petelinjsko Jezero. The trail takes you through unspoilt nature and a small village where the people may openly offer you some of their authentic homemade sheep's milk cheese to try. Return to Rrnje for lunch.

    The afternoon will be spent sightseeing. You can choose between the Postonjska Jama cave or the medieval cliffside castle of Predjamski Grad. After the visit, the guide will pick you up and you will head into town for dinner.

    Overnight at the guesthouse.

    Note: Entry fees for the cave/castle are not included and should be paid locally (check the "Dates&Prices" tab).
  • Day 4 4: Lake Palsko Jezero - 4h riding

    Today’s ride will lead you to lake Palsko Jezero. The trail will take you through the forest and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the sights.
    Return to Trnje for lunch and get changed before heading out to visit a Lipizzaner horse stud farm. There, you can choose to take a carriage ride, visit the Lipizzaner museum, tour the stables, or simply relax in the beautiful gardens.


    Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the guesthouse.

    Note: Entry fees and activities at the stud farm are not included and should be paid locally (check the "Dates&Prices" tab).
  • Day 5 5: Bac - 6-7h riding

    Today you will head out through Trnje towards the floodplains of the river Pvka. After passing an old mill and the ruins of Kalec castle, there will be a chance to stop for a rest in the shade of some big lime trees. Continue the trail towards the village of Bac, where you will stop for lunch.

    In the afternoon, you will ride to Sembije, following the forest route uphill to Mala Milonja which offers panoramic views of the land.

    Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the guesthouse.
  • Day 6 6: Piran Port Tow - No riding

    Today is a rest day for the horses. Riders will head off to Piran, one of Slovenia’s historic port towns, built on a small peninsula. This town is protected by the Slovenian government for its historical significance. Its winding alleyways and tightly packed houses stretch from the hillside down to the church and central square, all in a distinct Mediterranean style.
    Lunch is to your account in town.

    At the end of the day, you will meet up with your guide and return to Trnje for dinner.

    Overnight at the guesthouse.
  • Day 7 7: Milojna - 5-6h riding

    Today you will meet the horses at the stables in Sembije (short drive required), and ride to Milojna. As this area is bear territory, you may see bear tracks and, if you are really lucky, you might even spot one! The trail will offer breathtaking views from the hilltops and a special lunch will be served at an idyllic cottage in a clearing near some WWI tunnels. Ride back to Trnje.

    Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the guesthouse.
  • Day 8 8: Home

    After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. Please book a flight departing after 12pm.

Dates & prices

Price details

- Flights or transportation to your destination (international/domestic) are not included but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.

- Rates are per person, based on two riders sharing a twin/double room during the ride.

- Groups are composed of a minimum of 2 riders and a maximum of 6 international riders, plus guides.

- There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a room with another guest of the same sex. To guarantee your own room there is a single supplement of €160 /£135/$175. Please note single rooms are very limited.

- Group transfers from/to Ljubljana Airport are not included. This is €60 /£51/$65 per person, per way (paid locally, in cash – based on 2 people sharing). If you end up alone in one transfer, you will have to pay extra. Please make sure to book a flight landing before 1:30pm and departing after 12pm on the last day.

- Lunch on Day 6 in Piran is not included. Expect to spend between €15 and €20.

- Some visits are not included in the programme (paid locally):

Postojna Cave: €25
Predjama Castle: €15
Lipizzaner Horse Stud Farm: €25

- Rider weight limit: 100 kg/220 lbs/ 15.7 st. Heavier riders please contact us.

- Accompanied minors are welcome from 16 yo, provided they match the riding requirements.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

1 English-speaking guide

Logistics

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider
1 vehicle and driver

Accommodation

Shared room in guesthouse

Meals

Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 (except lunch on day 6)
One drink per meal time (water, soft drink)

Price doesn't include

Meals

Lunch on day 6
Extra drinks and personal extras

Transport

International flights
Return airport transfers

Extras

Tips to the local team
Castles and museum entry fees

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    31/05/2025 07/06/2025 £1,311 €1,560 $1,691
    Full
    Contact an advisor
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    05/07/2025 12/07/2025 £1,311 €1,560 $1,691
    Full
    02/08/2025 09/08/2025 £1,311 €1,560 $1,691
    Guaranteed departure
    Book now
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    06/09/2025 13/09/2025 £1,311 €1,560 $1,691
    Full
    04/10/2025 11/10/2025 £1,311 €1,560 $1,691
    Guaranteed departure
    Book now

Equestrian info

Horses

There are a total of 14 horses in the herd, including Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, and Icelandic horses. They are generally forward-going but calm. They live outdoors all year round.

Height range: 14hh-16hh.

Guide & local team

Borut, your Slovenian guide, is a former hunter and an expert at spotting animal tracks. He’s also an experienced rider who has competed in western riding. He speaks fluent English.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

Riders should be comfortable at all paces (walk, trot and canter), while also maintaining a safe distance from other horses.

Rider weight limit: 100 kg/ 220 lbs/ 15.7 st

Pace

The main pace is walk. Trots and canters are possible but not very frequent due to the terrain.

Tacking ability and participation

Riders are expected to tack/untack their horse.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

You will be riding in a mountainous area so you should be prepared for ascents and descents.
Certain sections require dismounting and leading your horse on foot.

Equestrian equipment

All horses are ridden Western style, except for the Icelandics which are ridden with standard English tack.

Saddle bags are provided.

Helmets are optional but highly recommended. We recommend bringing your own to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

You’ll be staying in a guesthouse with a lovely view of the garden or the horse paddock. There are two twin rooms and one triple room. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and simply furnished. Each room has its own private bathroom, located separately from the bedroom.

Meals

Breakfasts are buffet-style and include various types of bread, homemade jams, cheese, honey, yoghurt and cereals. Coffee and tea are available.
Lunches and dinners are enjoyed in a variety of small restaurants or cafés offering homemade dishes.

Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Climate

Temperatures vary greatly throughout the year. They can range from -5°C in winter to nearly 30°C in summer.
Winters are fairly cold, but not extreme (between -5°C and 5°C). The bora – a local wind – blows through the region, bringing cold weather that can last until the end of April.
From November to March, snow falls over much of the country, though it can also fall on the Alpine peaks in May or even July!
Rainfall peaks in October, and reaches its lowest point in March. Worth noting: April is often a rainy month.

Tips

Tips are appreciated but not expected.

Packing list

Head
- Riding helmet - we recommend that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding.
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding.
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust.

Upper body
- Thermal long-sleeved tops are a lightweight way of providing extra warmth, particularly in the spring and autumn
- Long sleeved shirts to provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm polar fleece or equivalent
- Waterproof jacket - rain can be difficult to predict and it's better to be prepared.

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Waterproof over trousers
- Casual clothes for the evenings (jeans or walking trousers)
- Thermal leggings

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps or long boots
- Lightweight shoes for the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding

Nightwear
- Pyjamas etc

Other useful items
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding.
- Water bottle
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)

In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, tablet, etc
- Your riding hat

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Disclaimers:
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lip balm etc)
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!