Tabernas Desert

Enjoy a 4WD adventure in Europe’s only desert landscape on this scenic drive through the Tabernas Desert, situated between the Sierra de los Filabres and the Sierra de Alhamilla. Boasting over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, annual rainfall of a mere 200 millimeters and temperatures ranging from 23° F to 118° F (-5°C to 48°C), the gray tones of the desert’s gullies, ravines, and other geological formations turn golden when the sun rests on them at sunset. Essential to the history of cinema in Almeria, Tabernas Desert served as a location for hundreds of movies, including “Lawrence of Arabia.” Dozens of spaghetti westerns, such as “A Fistful of Dollars, “For a Few Dollars More,” and “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” gave rise to an era of rampant shooting. Adventure stories war films, and science fiction films have all made use of the landscape, including “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Conan the Barbarian", "Game of Thrones", or "The Crown". Marvel at the desert’s similarity to the American badlands, and the deserts of north Africa and Arabia. En route, you will learn about the geological formation of this extraordinary place, including the flora and fauna that somehow manage to survive there.

Hop on your 4x4 and discover the landscapes of the Tabernas Desert Natural Park. Take in the sights of its rock formations caused by erosion, known as the “badlands” or wastelands. Make several stops throughout the tour to discover the geology of Tabernas in depth. During your tour, also learn about the Westerns filmed here and learn some of the secrets of Western cinema. Film director Sergio Leone chose these landscapes to film emblematic feature films, such as “Death Had a Price” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.

After collection from your accommodation or a convenient meeting point in the city center, drive off into the surrounding landscape and appreciate the natural beauty north of Granada, near the foothills of Sierra Nevada mountains. Stop at Guadix, which is known for its Troglodyte past and its cave houses, many of which are still occupied by locals. Walk through the main streets of the city center in a small group and marvel at the imposing Cathedral of the Incarnation built in a Gothic and Baroque style over the site of a former mosque. Visit the cave district and Tropolis, a museum located in an original cave. Learn about cave dwellings past and present, and the traditions and craft professions that are linked to them. Enjoy the scenery and capture shots of the photogenic Calahorra Castle, situated on a hill above the town of the same name. It is one of the first Italian Renaissance castles outside Italy built on the site of a former fortification. Finally, explore the Tabernas Desert on your own. See the landscape of arid slopes and the location chosen by Hollywood directors who created the Spaghetti Western. Find out where they filmed Lawrence of Arabia, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, and many more. Enjoy an exquisite local lunch. After your meal, relax with an hour of free time to have a coffee or a stroll before returning to Granada.

Participants have to be at rancho 10 min. before the activity starts. Arrival, free parking at rancho and welcome by the instructor Individual set up: preparation of each one for the ride. Once everybody is ready, the monitor will introduce the horses to each participant and there will be few minuts of small training to make sure all the riders have the proper level to do the tour. Departure for the 3 hours tour by the desert. The instructor will give the proper instructions to enjoy as much as possible the ride and will give some explanations of the Desert curiosities. During the tour there will be some small stops. During the tour the monitor will propose at some spots some trots and galops. The ride finishes at rancho Malcamino's where the participants will be able to have picnic (not included) if they bring with them.

Enjoy a nighttime ride through the Tabernas Desert on this horseback riding tour. Arrive at the ranch in the town of Tabernas and get ready for your desert trek. After some safety instructions, get introduced to your horse. Set off on a peaceful ride through moonlit desert landscape. Do some stargazing as you go. Stop at some spots designated by your guide. Immerse yourself in the nocturnal desert environment without having to get off your horse. Back at the ranch, take a picture with the horses. Toast your successful trip with a glass of cava. If you'd like, stay and help with the animals (optional). If you bring a picnic lunch, feel free to use the relaxing area at the ranch.