2. Through Experiential Learning, visits to La
Donaira cover a meaningful range of skills,
educational objectives and learning outcomes,
with significant links to the national curriculum.
La Donaira is also a language immersion
experience for those children who are not
Spanish native speakers!
Our edutainment plan includes one-day
experiences, two to five-day residential trips,
digital-detox weekend programmes, and
summer camp for students aged 7 to 18.
We aim to inspire an
ecologically responsible
connection and interaction
with Nature, generating
knowledge and commitment
towards sustainability.
3. Back
to Nature…
Land
bio-farming and medicinal garden study,
landscape design, eco architecture
building, reuse & recycling, and forest
exploration
Food
organic nutrition, healthy nutritional
habits, and both traditional & creative
cooking
Animals
responsible and humane animal farming,
Lusitano horse & Pajuna cow breeding,
Natural Horsemanship, and equine therapy
Sports
Horseback riding, soccer, hiking, kayaking,
stand up paddling, and adventure games
Heart&Mind
Music, arts & crafts, theater, storytelling,
yoga, and mindfulness
CommunityAwareness
Harmonious co-existence, volunteering,
responsibility and action within a community
Culture
La Donaira, village of El Gastor,
neighbor cities of Ronda,
Seville, Jerez de la Frontera,
and Granada. Spain
LAND & NATURE
STEWARDISH
LAND TENURE
& COMMUNITY
GOVERNANCE
HEALTH &
SPIRITUAL
WELL-BEING
FINANCES &
ECONOMICS
EDUCATION
& CULTURE
TOOLS &
TECHNOLOGY
BUILDING
CARE FOR
EARTH
CARE FOR
PEOPLE
FAIR
SHARE
Why should we go back?
Multiple experts, such as Dr. Stephen R. Kellert of Yale University, Robert
Louv, Andrea Faber Taylor or Roger Ulrich, study the rise up of a number of
physical, psychological, social-emotional, and academic disorders directly
linked to a deficit or lack of contact with Nature. In this last decade, their
studies have shown the benefits of reconnecting with Nature in all stages
of human development.
Our proposal…
Following the principles of Experiential Education, students and teachers
at La Donaira are immersed in direct experiential learning, with a balanced
component of free choice and decision-making. Our objective is that every
experience generates knowledge, attitudes, values, and contribution. In
order for this to happen, experience must be combined with a purposeful
reflection process.
Immersed in the gardens and orchards, the farm, the stables and the forest,
our explorers live an extraordinary experience in quality and educational
value: bio-farming, traditional and creative eco-cooking, elaboration of
herbal remedies, responsible care of animals, the incredible human-horse
relationship, outdoor sports, development of coexistence and communal
living fundamental values…
Permaculture
The farm is the ideal place to explore the rich possibilities that hold the
ethics and principles of permaculture: earth care, people care, and fair
share. La Donaira is the first and only permaculture based edutainment
programme especially designed for children in Spain.
4. La Donaira is a beautiful
organic farm at the
heart of the Sierra de
Grazalema Natural
Park, specialized in
experiential tourism and
permaculture.
La Donaira:
the land
Within the project, horses have a fundamental
prominence and, especially, those of lusitano
breed—our horse stud, our raison d’être. We
currently have more than 60 horses, many of
them born at our land, pushing forward the
philosophy of our stud. As breeders of the
oldest saddle horse in the world, we actively
participate in the development and study of
the lusitano horse. Activities such as traditional
classic dressage or natural horsemanship are
part of the pillars of our work with horses.
Lusitano Horse
Pajuna are the oldest known domesticated
breed of cow, a direct descendant of the wild
Aurochs (Uro). Andalusia has a biodiversity
protection programme that includes this
unique breed. Only about 500 head of Pajuna
remain. This ancient breed indigenous to
the region is extremely hardy and easy to
keep – winter and summer outdoors, 100%
grass fed. Pajuna are not ideal for meat or
milk production – but they are optimized
for easy keeping in the wild. In addition to
being a source of meat and milk year-round,
the herd is a key element in our soil fertility
management – providing us with the king of
bioactive fertilizers – cow excrement!
Pajuna Cow
Our medicinal herb garden is modelled on
the concept of old monastery gardens, which
served as living pharmacies. It contains over
300 different healing, calming, invigorating, and
revitalizing natural herbs. Learning about the
powers of herbs and plants is fascinating and
purposeful for all.
Medicinal Herb Garden
& Greenhouse
Nestled within the Serranía of Ronda and at
the feet of Grazalema National Park, La Do-
naira has an extension of 250 hectares. It was
certified ecologic since 2009 because at our
farm we do not till, use chemical pesticides
nor fertilizers. At La Donaira we work with ani-
mal rotation. Our horses, cows, sheep, geese,
etc. participate actively in the conservation,
cleaning, and enrichment of our ground. Yes,
animals are fundamental for the conservation
of our grazing land. Holm oaks, olive trees,
vineyards, fruit orchards, and vegetable gar-
dens have their main role in the farm also. As
a result, we produce wine, olive oil, preserves
and marmalades. We feed our community off
the fruits and vegetables our land provides us
with. We strive to help conserve the biodiver-
sity of the area by protecting autochthonous
breeds such as the pajuna cow, introducing
indigenous breeds of local sheep or develo-
ping a programme for placing multi-purpose
nesting boxes. We create our own bio ferti-
lizers through our organic matter recycling
process…
Everything has a purpose; everything alive at
our land is for the common good. It is our land,
our farm.
Our land,
our farm
5. 1. Create an emotionally safe context for purposeful learning, with the
ultimate objective of fostering an active ecological awareness.
2. Through immersions in Nature, enjoy an array of cognitive, physical,
social, emotional, and creative experiences inspired by permaculture.
3. Explore bio-farming and sustainable agriculture, ecological
restoration, and soil building in a youth friendly approach.
4. Cohabit with animals, collaborate in their care, and reflect upon
the sustainability of responsible animal breeding and conservation
initiatives for endangered local species.
5. Discover the local fauna and flora and reflect upon its role in the
context of the natural environment.
6. Appreciate the impact on our well-being of natural spaces and of
those designed under the principles of eco architecture and bio-
construction.
7. Gain deeper knowledge and practice of healthy nutritional habits.
8. Cohabit productively and peacefully within the diverse human
context at La Donaira and the local community.
9. Immerse and connect with Andalusian history, culture, and
traditions.
By the end of their visit at La Donaira, participants
will be able to:
1. Become an active and responsible participant of a community
and cooperative network.
2. Identify the basic principles of permaculture.
3. Carry out basic techniques of biodynamic sowing, growing,
and harvesting.
4. Gain awareness and take responsibility in the humane care and
well-being of animals.
5. Recognize unhealthy nutritional habits and how to improve
them.
6. Describe the process of making herbal remedies from a
medicinal garden, as well as elaborate eco-cooking and healthy
bakery recipes.
7. Plan a design to allocate and use resources provided by the
natural context that surrounds them.
8. Develop an action plan to apply permaculture principles in
their individual and closest community.
9. Appreciate and delve deeper into the historic, cultural, and
gastronomic richness of Spain.
Edutainment objectives Learning outcomes
6. Experiences at La Donaira will help our children understand where it all
comes from and the importance of growing it clean and chemical free.
Daily routines in the farm include, among many other:
-bio-farming: sowing, planting, harvesting, making organic compost, ...
-olive oil & wine making
-elaborating medicinal herb remedies and teas form our medicinal herb
garden
-study of the soil and land
Daily active involvement in the care of our animals include:
-feeding the livestock
-helping in the cleaning chores at the stables and grooming our horses
-horseback riding, experiencing natural horsemanship and equine
therapy
-handling of our portable hen houses
-learning the basics of shepherding and behaviour of shepherd dogs
We play and exercise daily in a carefully designed sports plan which
includes:
-horseback riding
-hiking
-kayaking and stand up paddling
-yoga and directed mindfulness sessions
-traditional games and sports
Forest fun includes:
-outdoor Visual Thinking Strategy circles
-forest theatre, storytelling, arts and crafts
-learning the habits and patterns of the forest and its animals
-exploring basic tracking and stalking technics
-discover and practice bird language skills
-map making and orienteering games, treasure hunts, …
The possibilities are endless!
Body, heart &
mind:
Edutainment plan
7. Plan your experience
One-day
Two to five-day residential trips
Digital-Detox weekends
Summer Spot Camp
One-Day Experiences
Sample Programme:
Residential Trip and
Summer Spot
Sample Programme:
07:00
08:30
11:00
12:00
10:30
11:00
14:00
16:00
16:30
20:30
22:00
13:30
15:00
17:00
17:30
19:30
La Donaira experiences are designed for children and students ranging
from 7 to 18. Project-based, Experiential Learning, Montessori and Waldorf-
inspired teachers, make up our educational team.
In addition, La Donaira functions as a laboratory to implement and
develop different eco-projects at your school: a vegetable garden,
a water harvesting plan, eco-composting using organic left-overs,
constructing and keeping a portable pen or hen house, etc.
Moreover, all of the activities enrich team building and give students and
teachers the chance to develop new skills and interact with their peers in
an authentic natural environment. La Donaira is also a language immer-
sion experience for those children who are not Spanish native speakers!
Welcoming the new day: wa king up,
Y oga/Meditation & Brea kfast Buffet
The La nd & Animals:
-Sta bles, Horses & Natu ral Horse ma nship
-Sheep & Hens
-Medicinal Herb Garden & Greenhouse
Daily Eco-Cooking workshop: ela boration of lu nch a nd sna ck
Sna ck, Relax & Free Time
Perma-design Workshop: den building / Forest & Adventu re
Fu n: simulation, tra cking, a nd stalking
Lu nch, Relax & Free Time
Heart & Mind Workshop:
Arts & crafts: stone-art/ Da nce & Music: the living forest /
Mindfulness: e motions tree / Free writing: what happened here?
Sna ck & Relax
Sports & Adventu re Fu n: kaya king
Shower & La Donaira Diary
Dinner, Friends & Evening Fu n: night expedition & LD ja m
session
Gratitude Circle & Sweet Drea ms
Arrival at La Donaira:
Welcome Sna ck
The La nd & Animals:
-Sta bles, Horses & Natu ral
Horse ma nship
-Sheep & Hens
-Medicinal Herb Garden &
Greenhouse
Lu nch & Forest Immersion Adventu re:
The lost forest
Perma-design workshop: the school
vegeta ble garden
Ref lection & Ta ke Action Circle
Departu re
8. Accommodation
The children arrive to discover La Donaira’s headquarters: a magical spot under the protection
and shade of a centenary eucalyptus tree. Yurts, caravans, and tents build our camp and home
here.
Every lodge is designed exclusively for our camp, providing the immersion experience of life in
nature in a comfortable and hygienic setting with running hot & cold water, toilet facilities, single
beds & bunk-beds, enchanting eco-designed covered eating and leisure areas, natural spring
pool, our tree-castle, ...
9. Once upon a time all food was organic, and so it still is at La Donaira! Our land is 100%
chemical free, providing us with clean organic food.
The art of cookery is practiced daily at the farm. Students have the chance to learn about
traditional cuisine at our chef’s eco-cooking daily workshops. Specialized in organic,
vegetarian and vegan cuisine, our extraordinary chef prepares every snack, picnic, and
meal with fresh vegetables and fruits from our land, eggs from our hens, and a wide
variety of organic vegetable protein. A world of new tastes and sensations to discover!
During residential trips, our menus also include fresh meats and fish delivered at La
Donaira.
We cater for all dietary requirements, including all allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free,
and dairy free diets.
Healthy and organic food:
Nurturing body, heart & mind.
10. We are located a stone’s throw away from the cities of Ronda, Málaga, Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, and Granada.
Visits to the history, culture, and traditions of the pure essence of Andalusia are a privileged bonus we enjoy to its
max during our summer camp.
There are several and very convenient options to get to La Donaira. We can provide you with flight or train informa-
tion, as well as managing reservations and bookings. Whether by plane or train, members of our educational team
greet the children on the spot. Our shuttle transports participants and team to the village of El Gastor, neighbour
village of La Donaira.
Location & getting here
We offer school trips with a significant difference: give children authentic back-to-nature experiences they will never forget. Students do not just visit the
farm; they become farmers and Nature explorers during their stay, living adventures that will make a change for a lifetime!
In addition, La Donaira is also a language immersion experience for those children who are not Spanish native speakers!
La Donaira is run by qualified and experienced professionals in the fields of Education and Sports, as well as in all the fields related to the farm and agri-
culture, horsemanship and horseback riding. All participants are insured and fully covered by our liability and medical insurance.
Please check availability on our online calendar.
Get in touch to discuss your school’s requirements and we will put together the perfect programme for you!
telephone: +34 951 39 00 59 / 658 99 31 69
educa@ladonaira.com
www.ladonaira.com/ldspot
Book your Experience: Why us?
Lat: 36°50’57.87 ″N
Lon: 5°17’55.38″ W
Our participants can fly into any of the
two major international airports, Seville
or Málaga.
Plane
Seville and Málaga Renfe stations
are part of the very convenient
national rail network.
Driving to El Gastor, neighbor village
of La Donaira, is a very pleasant drive.
Roads are safe, in good condition, and
signposting is clear.
TrainCar
11. Finca La Donaira
Apartado de Correos 581
CP 29400 Ronda
España
GPS:
Lat: 36°50’57.87″N
Lon:5°17’55.38″W
email: educa@ladonaira.com
tel: +34 951 39 00 59
www.ladonaira.com/ldspot
fb: www.facebook.com/ladonaira
Contact
