Life at La Donaira is lived outdoors. High in the Serranía de Ronda, horses graze across open hills, native donkeys follow ancient tracks, and dusty paths disappear into oak woodland. On this estate-hosted journey, families have 1,500 acres of wild Andalusian countryside to explore together. Groom a pony, wander the hills with a donkey and meet the animals behind the farm gates. Somewhere between dusty boots, exploration and learning new skills, one small adventure has a habit of leading straight into another.
Freedom to Roam
in Wild Andalusia
At La Donaira, horses, animals and outdoor adventures invite everyone to rediscover the simple joy of exploring together
La Donaira, Andalusia, Spain
Map View
Overview
Pony care and riding
Explore the estate
Meet the farmers
Forest trails
Archery and family games
Natural soap making
A Signature Journey
From £0
Tailored to you
No two journeys are exactly the same. Every experience is adapted around your interests, preferred pace, group size and travel dates.
BackWhat we love
Wild childhood
There is something wonderful about watching children take ownership of an adventure. At La Donaira, the landscape gives them plenty to work with: a track disappearing into the woods, an animal they want to know better, something unfamiliar to try. Parents get swept along too and before long, nobody is asking what happens next. You’re too busy finding out.
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Meet
Up close with the horses
Before anyone rides, there is a pony to brush and care for. Younger children learn how to approach, run a brush through its coat and gradually get comfortable together before climbing into the saddle for a gentle ride. Older, more experienced riders can head further into the hills following trails across La Donaira with the equestrian team. By the time everyone returns to the stables, favourite horses have usually been firmly decided.
Roam
Take the long way
Meet La Donaira’s gentle Andalusian donkeys, brushing their coats and getting to know their personalities before setting off together into the Serranía. Native to these hills for thousands of years, they make wonderfully unhurried companions. Follow dusty tracks through oak woodland and open country, stopping whenever something catches your eye, with birdsong and the steady rhythm of hooves along the way.
Care
Behind the farm gates
Follow one of La Donaira’s farm team beyond the gardens and into the barns, paddocks and hidden corners where daily life on the finca unfolds. Hens scratch around your feet, goats and sheep wander over to investigate and there always seems to be something happening around the next corner. Stop to meet the animals, ask questions and discover the small jobs and routines that keep the farm going.
Aim
Give it a go
Beneath the oaks along La Donaira’s forest trail, there are life-sized 3-D models of animals to discover or sketch on woodland walks. Back at the ranch, pick up a bow and learn the basics of archery, taking turns to aim and waiting for the satisfying thud of an arrow finding its target. Before long, scores have been compared and everyone has a story about the shot that almost made it.
Explore
Wild imagination
Climb aboard La Donaira’s horse-drawn carriage and set off along dusty tracks into the Serranía. With the Cortijo disappearing behind you and mountains rising ahead, it doesn’t take much imagination to feel as though you’re setting off on an expedition of your own. Watch the horses pick their way along the trail and keep an eye on the landscape ahead. Who knows what might be waiting around the next bend.
Make
Made together
Natural materials from the farm are measured, mixed and transformed as families with children aged eight and over learn the art and science of traditional soap-making. Follow the cold[1]process method step by step, choosing ingredients and creating something of your own from what grows around you. Hands get busy, efforts are compared and everyone leaves with something they’ve made together.
Gather
Around the family table
As evening settles over the Serranía, everyone finds their way back to the table. Dinner follows whatever the seasons are giving, while conversation returns to the day’s adventures: favourite animals, arrows that hit —or spectacularly missed —and the things each person spotted on the farm. Tomorrow’s plans begin to form between courses as the last light slips from the hills.
Reflect
Growing wild
Dusty boots by the door. A favourite pony waiting at the stables. A donkey encountered somewhere along a winding track. Stories of adventures told around the table. Give children an interesting world and the freedom to find their place within it, and days like these have a way of taking on a life of their own.
On the journey
Signature moments, curated around you
Every experience is thoughtfully shaped around your interests, pace and the season, while staying true to the spirit of the journey.
- Pony grooming and gentle riding
- Skill-matched trail rides for ages 10+
- Andalusian donkey walking experience
- Behind-the-scenes farm tour
- Family forest archery experience
- Natural soap-making workshop for ages 8+
- Seasonal family farm experiences
- Estate-grown family dining
- Time to explore La Donaira together
Where you'll stay
A world of its own
La Donaira is an intimate retreat within a beautifully restored 111-year-old Andalusian cortijo. Individually designed rooms and suites combine natural stone and wood with handwoven rugs, copper baths, fireplaces and fine Portuguese linens, making returning indoors feel every bit as inviting as heading out. For extended families travelling together, the entire finca can be taken for exclusive use, turning La Donaira into your own private world for a few days.
Additional Information & Cancellation
Good To Know
Local insights, insider tips and practical information to help you plan your journey.
Where is La Donaira in Andalusia, and how do you get there?
La Donaira is a beautiful 700-hectare estate in the Serranía de Ronda, near the whitewashed village of El Gastor in southern Spain. Surrounded by oak woodland, open pasture and rolling hills, it's a wonderful place for families who love nature and outdoor adventures. Málaga and Seville are convenient arrival airports, and we'll arrange private transfers to the estate, around 30 minutes from Ronda.
When is the best time for a family holiday at La Donaira?
Every season brings something different to discover. Spring is particularly lovely, with wildflowers, green hillsides and comfortable temperatures for riding, walking and exploring the farm. Summer brings long days, swimming and outdoor adventures, with more active experiences planned for cooler mornings and evenings. Autumn offers beautiful light, milder weather and the changing rhythms of farm life, while winter is quieter and perfect for cosy evenings back at the cortijo. We'll shape the experiences around your family's interests and the season.
What ages is Wild Childhood suitable for?
La Donaira welcomes children of all ages, and we'll tailor the journey to suit your family. Younger children can enjoy meeting the ponies, spending time with the farm animals and exploring the gardens, while older children and teenagers might love archery, riding and more adventurous activities. Trail rides have a minimum age of 10, and the traditional soap-making workshop is designed for children aged eight and over. We'll confirm the suitability of each experience when planning your stay.
Do children need horse riding experience to enjoy the ponies and horses?
Not at all. La Donaira offers gentle introductions to horses, including grooming, learning how to approach them and spending time getting comfortable together. Younger children can enjoy pony experiences, while older children may be able to take riding lessons or explore the estate on horseback, depending on their age and experience. The equestrian team will help choose suitable activities and horses, with the animals' wellbeing and everyone's safety guiding the arrangements.
What can children discover on La Donaira's working farm?
There's a whole world to explore beyond the gardens and stables. Accompanied by the estate team, children can meet donkeys, hens, goats and other farm animals, discover where their food comes from and learn about the small jobs that keep the farm running. La Donaira is a working organic estate, so there's always something growing, being cared for or changing with the seasons. It's a wonderful way to turn everyday farm life into a shared family adventure.
What is the family archery experience at La Donaira?
La Donaira offers an outdoor archery experience that begins with learning the basics of handling a bow, aiming and shooting at targets. The estate also has a forest trail with life-sized 3D animal models, adding a playful sense of exploration to the experience. Children and adults can take part together, with activities adapted to age and ability. We'll confirm minimum ages, equipment and supervision arrangements with the estate before booking.
Can we walk with La Donaira's Andalusian donkeys?
Yes. La Donaira offers several ways to spend time with its gentle Andalusian donkeys, from grooming and getting to know them to guided walks through the surrounding countryside. The estate's Sound of Nature Walk follows peaceful tracks through the Serranía de Ronda, with birdsong, rustling leaves and the steady rhythm of hooves along the way. It's a lovely experience for families who enjoy animals and exploring nature without being in a hurry.
Can we book La Donaira exclusively for our family?
Absolutely. La Donaira offers exclusive use of the entire property, making it a wonderful option for extended families, several generations travelling together or a special family celebration. You'll have the estate's accommodation and facilities reserved for your group, with dining and experiences tailored to your preferences. From private riding sessions and farm adventures to relaxed family meals, we can work with the estate to create a few days that feel entirely your own.
What accommodation is available for families at La Donaira?
La Donaira has a small collection of individually designed rooms and suites within its restored Andalusian cortijo. Some are particularly well suited to families, including the Sophia suite, which can accommodate four guests and potentially five on request, and Magnolia, which has a mezzanine sleeping area suitable for older children. We'll help choose the best arrangement for your family's ages, group size and preferences, whether you're travelling as one family or several generations together.
Are the experiences private, and is everything arranged for our family?
This is an estate-hosted Signature Journey, thoughtfully designed around your family. Working closely with La Donaira's team, we'll coordinate your accommodation, animal encounters, riding, archery, workshops and other experiences. Many activities can be arranged privately, while some estate experiences may be shared with fellow guests. Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian during their stay. Your personalised proposal will confirm what's included and which experiences are private or shared.
Can we extend our stay or combine La Donaira with a family beach holiday?
Absolutely. We recommend four days or more to enjoy the journey, but the duration and programme can be tailored to your family's interests and preferred pace. You might spend longer exploring the farm, enjoy additional riding or outdoor activities, or combine your stay with a beautiful family-friendly hotel on the Andalusian coast. We'll take care of the accommodation, private experiences and transfers along the way.
Cancellation
Wellness Traveller Tailor-Made Travel Booking Conditions
This Signature Journey is designed by Wellness Traveller Ltd and delivered in partnership with our trusted local destination team.
Payment Terms
A 30% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remaining 70% balance is due 60 days before your journey begins. For bookings made within 60 days of the journey start date, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellation Terms
We understand that plans sometimes change. If you need to cancel your journey: 61 days or more before your journey begins: Your 30% deposit is non-refundable. Any payments made above the deposit will be refunded. 60 days or less before your journey begins: 100% of the total booking value is non-refundable. Some elements of your journey may require advance payment to local partners and may become non-refundable earlier. Where different cancellation terms apply, we will make these clear before you confirm your booking. A £25 administration fee applies to customer-requested cancellations, except where you are exercising a statutory right to cancel without charge.
Your Financial Protection
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Wellness Traveller, Member 5735, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
• Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Wellness Traveller. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/
Travel Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is a condition of booking for our Signature Journeys.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, including appropriate cancellation cover, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and any activities included in your journey. Contact Wellness Traveller If you need to cancel your booking, please contact us in writing at hello@wellnesstraveller.co and include your booking reference number.
For full details, please see our Booking Conditions
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