Europe > Spain

Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure

Ride from the mountains to the Atlantic on this horseback adventure through Galicia, a region where forests meet the ocean. Over six days on horseback, follow hidden mountain paths to sweeping coastal views, visit the cliff‑side Monastery of Oia, and cross landscapes where herds of wild Galician horses still roam free.

On this special departure, you’ll experience Galicia’s most famous equestrian tradition - the Rapa das Bestas. Join the locals as they round up the wild horses from the mountains into the “curro” for their yearly health check. This event offers a unique insight into the region’s traditions and deep connection with horses.

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Centre based holidays
7 days (6 days riding)
From £1,623
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure
  • Galician Heritage - "Rapa das Bestas" Departure

Itinerary

Highlights

- Experience the Rapa das Bestas, a unique festival where the semi‑wild horses are brought down from the mountains for their annual health check-up.

- Visit the impressive Monastery of Oia, dramatically set beside the sea.

- Look out for the wild Galician horses that still roam freely in the highlands.

- Enjoy leisurely evenings in Baiona, a charming seaside town known for its historic centre, beaches, and fresh seafood.

- Experience authentic Galician hospitality, from home‑cooked lunches in local homes to dinners shared with your guides.

- Experience a horsemanship session, focused on communication and mutual trust between horse and rider
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  • Day 1 1: Arrival day

    Baiona Apartments
    Fly to Vigo airport. Flights are not included but can be arranged upon request. Please make sure to book a flight landing before 3pm.

    Upon arrival, will be transferred from the airport to the farm (around 30min) - please note that you may need to wait for other participants to arrive.

    In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked dinner with your hosts and other riders..

  • Day 2 2: Waterfall trail - 4-5h riding

    Baiona Apartments
    After breakfast, you will be transferred to the stables for a mountain riding workshop. This short session allows the team to observe how each rider handles their horse over uneven terrain and to offer some guidance to ensure comfort and safety throughout the week.
    You will then set off on an introductory ride, following scenic tracks through hills and rural countryside until you reach a series of beautiful waterfalls.
    Lunch will be at a local restaurant before returning to Baiona.

    The evening is free for you to explore the charming seaside town, relax on the beach, or enjoy tapas and a glass of Albariño wine.

    Please note: Dinner is not included tonight..

  • Day 3 3: Galician Sierra - 6h riding

    Baiona Apartments
    You will start today with a horsemanship session, focused on communication and mutual trust between horse and rider. You will learn how to read your horse’s body language, guide them using only your energy and movement. Afterwards, you will set off on a trail through the Galician mountains, where you will witness sweeping views over the Atlantic. Descend towards the coast, passing ancient villages and stone walls typical of this region. Lunch will be served in a traditional Galician home before riding back to the stables.

    The evening is yours to enjoy.

    Please note: Dinner is not included tonight..

  • Day 4 4: Viewpoints & Hot Springs - 5h riding

    Baiona Apartments
    Today’s route is quite varied, following trails that climb to several scenic viewpoints overlooking both the mountains and the sea. Lunch will be taken at the guide’s family home, so you can experience a traditional Galician meal.
    Depending on the weather, you may enjoy an afternoon swim with the horses, or a relaxing visit to a local hot spring.

    Tonight’s dinner will be hosted by your guides – Adrian and Paloma..

  • Day 5 5: Rapa das Bestas - 5h riding

    Baiona Apartments
    This morning you will ride from the stables to join the Rapa das Bestas, a traditional festival during which the semi‑wild Galician horses are brought in from the mountains for their annual health-check.

    From the saddle you help the locals guide the herds towards the “curro”. Once the horses are safely enclosed, you will spend the rest of your day watching the locals sort the horses using traditional methods and carry out essential health checks before releasing the horses back into the wild. If you wish, you may help the team with the various tasks (i.e applying spray, etc), but this is totally optional.

    There is time to enjoy lunch, a few drinks and the festive atmosphere with the community, before riding back to the stables.

    Spend the evening at your leisure.

    Please note: Dinner is not included tonight.

  • Day 6 6: Oia Monastery & Camino de Santiago - 6h riding

    Baiona Apartments
    Your final day on horseback will lead you through ancient forests and past prehistoric petroglyphs carved into the stone. You will eventually reach the impressive coastal Monastery of Oia, where you’ll stop for lunch overlooking the sea. The route home follows a section of the Camino de Santiago, tracing the dramatic coastline back to the stables.

    In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the team..

  • Day 7 7: Departure day

    After breakfast, you will be transferred to Vigo airport. You can depart at any time.

    Lunch and dinner are to your own account today..

Dates & prices

Price details

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

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

- Groups are composed of a minimum of 4 riders and a maximum of 6 international riders, plus guides.

- It is possible to arrange a single room but they are very limited. No supplement applies.

- Transfers from/to Vigo airport are not included. The rate is around €50 per car, per way (up to 3 people). This is paid locally in cash/card. The timings are flexible - please contact your advisor to know more. It is also possible to fly to Porto. From there you can take the train to Vigo, or we can arrange a transfer (rate will be confirmed at the time of booking).

- Younger riders aged 14+ can join but they must be accompanied by an adult and meet 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 horse guide

Logistics

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider

Accommodation

Double/twin room at the apartments

Meals

Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7

Price doesn't include

Meals

Personal extras
Dinner on day 2, 3 and 5 is not included in the price

Transport

Return airport transfers
International flights

Extras

Tips to the local team

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
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    03/06/2026 09/06/2026 £1,623 €1,850 $2,094
    Guaranteed departure
    		Book now

Equestrian info

Horses

The herd is made up of 9 spirited yet dependable horses aged between 5 and 12 years. There are two Lusitanos, four purebred Galician horses and three larger Galician crosses for taller riders.

They live together outdoors in a natural herd environment, which keeps them calm, balanced and social.

Guide & local team

Adrián is a fifth-generation horseman. Experienced in natural horsemanship, liberty work, and classical dressage, he has been riding since before he could walk and has guided horseback expeditions across the world. He breeds and trains all the horses used on the trail and is known for his calm, intuitive approach. Adrián also has a background in cooking and nutrition and works as a nutritionist in his spare time. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and basic English.

Paloma discovered her love of horses as a child and has trained in liberty work, natural horsemanship, and dressage, with a focus on connection over competition. A qualified nurse with advanced first aid and emergency training, she later transitioned into tourism and hospitality management. Warm and attentive, she combines her care for people with a lifelong passion for horses and travel.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

This ride is open to strong intermediate riders and above. You must be a balanced and independent rider, capable of riding at all paces in the outdoors.

Rider weight limit: 85 kilos / 187 lbs / 13.3 st.

Pace

There are long stretches of walk when riding up and downhill. When the terrain levels out, riders can pick up the pace and enjoy some energetic trots and canters. There are opportunities for canters every day.

When riding with the wild horses the main pace is walk to ensure everyone's safety.

Tacking ability and participation

Your horse will be tacked up for you. You’re welcome to take part in daily horse care - grooming, tacking/untacking, etc - but it’s entirely optional.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

To join this trail, you need to be physically fit.

Please note that the Rapa das Bestas is a traditional event deeply rooted in Galician culture, and some aspects may differ from what guests are accustomed to. Taking part in this ride means agreeing to accept these difference and also to respect them.

Equestrian equipment

English tack. Saddle bags are provided.

Helmets are mandatory and there are some available locally for guests to borrow. Equus Journeys highly recommends that riders bring their own hats to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Meals

Throughout the holiday, you will be introduced to Galician culinary traditions. Whenever possible, you will enjoy authentic dishes prepared with local ingredients.

Dietary requests can usually be accommodated if mentioned in advance - please inform your travel advisor upon booking.

Climate

From spring to early autumn, Galicia offers a mild Atlantic climate, shaped by coastal breezes, and the influence of the nearby mountains.

April and May mark the beginning of warmer weather after the winter rains. Days are generally mild, with average temperatures between 12-18°C, though early mornings and higher elevations in the Galician sierra can still feel cool. Rain showers remain possible, and the landscape is lush and green.

June to August are the warmest and driest months. Inland areas and sheltered valleys often reach 24-30°C, while coastal regions remain cooler thanks to the Atlantic influence. Sea breezes help with the heat near Baiona. Rainfall becomes infrequent, though occasional Atlantic fronts can still bring brief cloudy or misty spells, especially near the coast.

September brings slightly cooler temperatures, usually 20-26°C, and marks the return of more variable weather. Scattered showers become more common as the month progresses.

Tips

Tips are not expected but appreciated.

Packing list

Please pack carefully and sensibly: the following guide is here to give you an idea of what to bring. This list must be adapted depending on the season and individual needs.

Head
- Riding helmet
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses
- Buff or bandana

Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper
- Warm and waterproof jacket
- Swimwear

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps.
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for the evenings
- Socks
- Gloves

Nightwear
- Sleeping bag
- Pyjamas, tracksuits

Other useful items
- Water bottle
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)

Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- A soothing cream to alleviate any areas irritated by long days spent in the saddle
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- 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
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Our Recommendations
- 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, lipbalm etc)
- 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!
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.