HORSE & YOGA TRAIL

THE NEW EXPERIENCE ON THE AZORES - FAIAL ISLAND

Faial Island is a paradise for trail riders and Yogis. Discover the best spots on Faial Island and enjoy your daily Yoga-practice in our Ecolodge.

Ride with our Lusitano Horses along spectacular cliffs with amazing views to the Atlantic Ocean. The stay in this nature Ecolodge on the small island will give you a lot of energy and peace.

Enjoy the Yoga-Sessions in our Yoga-Studio

Breathing-in, Breathing-out. Enjoy the moment.

Wonder the dolphins and whales on an ocean tour or discover the centuries- old harbor town Horta.

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival

Arrival on Faial Island (Horta Airport - Code: HOR) and transfer to PÁTIO Ecolodge. First contact with the horses. Briefing. Get to know the group the trail guide and the yoga guide. Welcome dinner.

Day 2 and Day 3. Full-Day-Trail and Yoga

(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)

Today and tomorrow you will take part of the Faial-Trail. Depending on the running course of the trail you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding in the landscape close to the Volcano of Capelinhos. A delicious saddlebag picnic or a served picnic is waiting for you. The horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge. Your Yoga instructor is waiting for you at the studio. After a long riding day, a relaxing Yoga session (90min.) helps you soothing your body and mind .Enjoy a drink at the bar and in the evening a nice dinner will be served.

Day 4. Whale watching or Island tour & Horta Town

Today join a team of marine biologist on a whale watching tour on the ocean. Discover this giant mammals and cheerful dolphins, if the season and weather conditions allow. As an alternative program, you take an island tour with our professional guide. lunch will be served in a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon you can visit and stroll around the centuries-old harbor town of Horta. Back at the Ecolodge the chef will welcome you with a delicious dinner .

Day 5. Trail & Yoga

(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)

Today you will take part of the Faial-Trail. Depending on the running course of the trail you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding in the landscape close to the Volcano of Capelinhos. A delicious saddlebag picnic or a served picnic is waiting for you. The horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge. Your Yoga instructor is waiting for you at the studio. After a long riding day, a relaxing Yoga session (90min.) helps you soothing your body and mind .Enjoy a drink at the bar and in the evening a nice dinner will be served.

Day 6. Yoga & Relax

Today is time to relax and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere around the Ecolodge. After breakfast you will have time to hike in the surroundings of the Ecolodge; Visit the impressive cliffs or hike through mystical forests. At 11am we enjoy an energizing yoga practice followed by a healthy lunch in our restaurant. Spend the afternoon by the saltwater pool or enjoy a nice spot in the garden to relax. At 5 pm your yoga teacher will welcome you to the studio to guide you through a relaxing Nidra meditation. At 7 pm a delicious dinner will be served.

Day 7. Full-Day Trail

(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)

Today you will take part of the Faial-Trail. Depending on the running course of the trail you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding in the landscape close to the Volcano of Capelinhos. A delicious saddlebag picnic or a served picnic is waiting for you. The horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge. Your Yoga instructor is waiting for you at the studio. After a long riding day, a relaxing Yoga session (90min.) helps you soothing your body and mind .Enjoy a drink at the bar and in the evening a nice dinner will be served.

Day 8. Departure or extension of your stay

Stay with us longer if you have decided to extend your program. But when you leave, a transfer to the airport/ Ferry terminal is provided for you.

Horse & Yoga Trail Package:

INCLUDING:

Briefing at arrival for riding and yoga
Daily individual trail briefing on the riding days
all High Quality Yogamaterial (mat, block, belt, blanket)
4 Yoga Session with qualified English-speaking Instructor
1 Meditation Session with qualified English-speaking Instructor
4 full-day riding days with qualified English-speaking guide
Friendly, persistent and sure-footed Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses
Special High Quality Trail Equipment (Prestige Trekker saddles)Incoming/Outgoing Transfer transfer after breakfast
All transfers according to the program
7x overnight stays (according to chosen option), lounge, garden, free WiFi
7x breakfast, 4x saddlebag picnic, 2x lunch, 7x dinner without drinks
choose between meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan food

NON INCLUDING:

Australian raincoat rental fee €5 per person /day
Drinks and meals, unless otherwise mentioned in the program
Tips (recommendation/week: €50)
Other personal expenses
Travel insurance
Incoming/Outgoing Transfer transfer not after breakfast

Horse & Yoga Trail without packing.

We love to concentrate us on the essential of this trail - You & the horse.

Riding a trail with us means that you’d don’t have to pack every day your luggage. You stay the whole week in your preferred PÁTIO Ecolodge accommodation. Whereas the horses stay on several overnight paddocks spread on the trail route.

You have the choice of 4 different kind of accommodation.

Prices

LS Double: 1 999 € Single: +400 €
SS Double: 2 199 € Single: +500 €
HS Double: 2 299 € Single: +700 €
40 sqm detached panorama apartments, sea and island views (double/twin beds, shower room, mini-bar, kitchenette, living room, private terrace, free wifi)
LS Double: 1 599 € Single: +200 €
SS Double: 1 699 € Single: +300 €
HS Double: 1.899 € Single: +400 €
20 sqm room, sea and island view (double/twin, shower room, minibar, free wifi)
LS Double: 1 499 € Single: +200 €
SS Double: 1.599 € Single: +300 €
HS Double: 1 799 € Single: +3000 €
18 sqm tiny house, sea view (1 double alcove bed, shower room, mini-bar, kitchenette, free wifi)

Dates

Dates of Horse & Yoga Trail:

In SS Shoulder Season (Apr-May & Oct) and HS High Season: (Jun-Sep) daily guest arrival is possible.

In LS Low Season (Jan-Mar & Nov-Dec) there are fixed and guaranteed dates:

20.02 - 27.02.2024 | 19.03 - 26.03.2024 I

03.11. - 10.11.2024 / 08.12. - 15.12.2024 / 27.12. - 03.01.2025 (New years Trail) /. 19.01. - 26.01.2025. / 16.02. - 23.02.2025 /16.03. - 23.03.2025

What else to know:

Qualifications of the rider:
Able to ride the 3 gaits in the open field. Light trot, easy seat in canter, sporty. Rider weight max. 95 kg. We expect support from our trail guests with the care of the horses, saddling and grooming as well as tidying up and cleaning their personal trail equipment. We recommend bringing the following equipment: waterproof trekking shoes, raincoat or jacket and pants, riding cap. Riding equipment up to 10 kg is transported as free baggage with Azores Airlines

Qualifications of the yogi:
We practice an intuitive yoga style based on Hatha combined with a joyful Vinyasa fluidity, influenced by dance background and Yin simplicity. Our instructors are easily adopt to beginner and advanced style.

Double room sharing, Holiday House sharing and participation of non-riders :
Double or twin rooms / apartments / tiny house / holiday house are only available for guests traveling and booking together. Minimum occupancy of the Holiday House is 1, maximum 6. We do not offer ½ occupancy for single traveller looking for a roommate. Tiny houses are only suitable for single or couples due to their double bed.

The trip is suitable for accompanying non-riders. In this case, we will charge the proportional accommodation and services used by the non-rider.

Minimum age.

16 years old. (Below 16 years after individual consultation)

Important note for Trails & Yoga.

All information about the trail are guidelines. We reserve the right to make occasional changes to ensure the flow of a high-quality riding holiday. Depending on the season, weather, national holidays, local activities and possibly simultaneous trails, there may be short-term deviations in the schedule. This can include the number of riding lessons / day, the route to a location or alternative accommodation. Our trails can be ridden in both directions. Depending on the starting date, the start can be in different places. All changes are up to our discretion. If there are changes, we guarantee compliance with our high quality standards.

Horse-Trail Guides and Yoga Instructor.

Our horse trail guides and Yoga Instructor are dedicated and experienced. They speak English and mostly a second or third language. As trained professionals, they have extensive knowledge of their art. Also they know a lot about nature, history and island life. Safety is our top priority for you and us.

Ecolodge Apartment