HORSE & YOGA TRAIL

THE NEW EXPERIENCE ON AZORES - FAIAL ISLAND

Faial Island is perfect for Trail Riders and Yogis. Explore the island's best spots and enjoy daily yoga sessions at our Ecolodge.

Ride on Faial Island's best trails and join daily Yoga sessions at PÁTIO Ecolodge. Experience scenic cliffs and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean on our Lusitano Horses. Stay at our nature lodge for energy and tranquility. Participate in Yoga classes for all levels in our studio or at unique spots like the oceanfront. Breathe in, breathe out, and enjoy the moment. Spot dolphins and whales on an ocean tour or explore the historic harbor town of Horta.

Arrival on Faial Island (Horta Airport) and transfer to PÁTIO Ecolodge. First contact with the horses and briefing of the trail week. Get to know the group and the guide. Allocation of horses. (depending on your arrival time might happen on the next morning). Dinner.
(~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 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. Here your Yoga instructor is waiting for you. to enjoy a relaxing Yoga session in the studio of the Ecolodge.
Enjoy a drink at the bar and in the evening a nice dinner in the restaurant.
(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)
See itinerary of the 1st Day.
This morning you will join a team of marine biologist on a whale watching tour on the ocean. Discover this huge mammals and joyful springing dolphins (extra). Enjoy your back packer picnic whilst sitting at the harbor and observing the movements of the boats. The afternoon you can visit by your self the century-old harbor town and stroll around. Later we will drive you back to the lodge where the buffet is waiting for you.
(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)
See itinerary of the 1st Day.
Today is time to relax and to appreciate the fantastic atmosphere around the Ecolodge. You will start with a morning meditation. Afterwards you find time to hike around the Ecolodge. Visit the amazing cliff coast or walk through mystical forests. A lunch is prepared for you. In the afternoon spend time at the saltwater pool or enjoy a nice place in the garden to relax. Before dinner you will experience a joyful Yoga Session with your instructor. A tasteful dinner buffet is closing the day.
(~20km, 4-5 h riding time)
See itinerary of the 1st Day without yoga session.
Our guests who don’t want to extend their stay with us, we will transfer to the airport or the ferry harbor.

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, 5x saddlebag picnic, 1x 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
Whale Watching & Transfer PÁTIO - Horta - PÁTIO (only April to October), during November to March there is the possibility to book a Half-Day-Tour to visit Horta and the Caldeira

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 3 different kind of accommodation.

Prices

LS Double: 1.765 € Single: +210 €
SS Double: 2115 € Single: +560 €
HS Double: 2.235 € Single: +690 €
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: 1.665 € Single: +100 €
SS Double: 1 .835 € Single: +280 €
HS Double: 1.975 € Single: +420 €
20 sqm room, sea and island view (double/twin, shower room, minibar, free wifi)
LS Double: 1.645 € Single: +90 €
SS Double: 1.765 € Single: +210 €
HS Double: 1.905 € Single: +350 €
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:

1LS: 17.11 - 24.11.2024 | 29.12.2024 - 05.01.2025 | 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 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 or non-yogi. 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