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CORSICA : EQUESTRIAN TRAIL IN AGRIATES DESERT...

If this region was glorified by the writers, it is Corsican people which wrote the most beautiful lines there... Leave to the discovery of the wildest Corsica, but also the sweetest! You will fall under the charm of this white light, in the country of the sun and the olive tree, the world of the smells and the colours of the scrub land.   After beaches in the gold-coloured and fine sand of the desert of Agriates, the " Road of the customs officers " will take you up to the doors of Saint Florent's citadel...

RIDE ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday
Reception at the airport or at the port of Bastia. Transfer up to the riding school to Corte 1 hour drive from the airport, or 1h30 from the Port). Installation in the shelter. Welcoming dinner, introduction to the ride and overnight in bungalow or in cottage.

Day 2 - Sunday
After an early breakfast, we meet the horses. We saddle up and leave our departure point around 8.30am. Today, we join the foot of Popolasca peaks (2180m altitude), just surrounding a small village with the same name. This evening, bivouac, or cottage in case of rain.

Day 3 - Monday
This morning, we ride up for a new day of trail. After crossing Castifao plains, we reach the small and isolated village of Novella, with its big houses, its nice porches, without forget the beautiful ruins of its XIe century castle, its mill and its aristocratic house... Dinner and night in cottage.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Today is a long day to reach the entrance of the Agriates Desert. This area is big as 16 000 hectares and only its name is desert, because it was in the past the breadbasket. Today, it always keeps his numerous low houses of dry rocks used as accommodation or wheat stock, or shelter for cattle ! We start our descent to the sea where we stoop for dinner and night in cottage.

Day 5 - Wednesday

After a fortifying breakfast, we get back into the saddle and continue our trip. We can then admire magnificent panoramic sights on the gulf of Saint Florent, its beaches of gold-coloured sand and its turquoise blue waters.
During this day we trail ride approximately four hours on customs officers' road then take advantage of a break bathing with horses. Here, we are right by our evening cottage where we have dinner and night.

Day 6 - Thursday

The day route leads us in discovering a region of vineyards and beaches : region of Nebbiu. We cross these very different spaces as we are used in Corsica and we delight of the sight on its vineyards, its green pastures and its terrace cultivations. Then, we go back up towards Piève (miscellaneous meanings of which that of the "region", formerly governed by monks) in 400 metres altitude. Dinner and night in bivouac.

Day 7 - Friday
This morning, we ride our last day. We start with the ascension of Bocca di tenda (1300m altitude). Late evening, we reach our support vehicle which drive us to Corte (2h drive).

Diner and night in bungalow or cottage in Corte.

Day 8 - Saturday
After breakfast, transfer to Bastia airport or Bastia port.

Important : The route is communicated as a rough guide and can be modified without advance notice for safety reasons, of meteorology or accessibility. However, we shall make all the necessary efforts to preserve the interest of the route if modifications must be brought.

SPECIAL DEPARTURE CAVALL'IN FESTA CORTE

You wish to discover an even more authentic face and in a warm atmosphere? Add at the end of our "Agriates Desert" below, 3 days on the traditional festival of the horse in Corte from June 12th to 14th 2009: Cavall' in Festa!

Day 7 - Friday

After our ride, it is the hour of return on Corte at about 5 pm, then transfer by minibus on the fairground. We meet the other riders around a lamb barbecue and take advantage together of the evening. Night in bungalow to the riding school or in shelter to Corte..

Day 8 - Saturday

In the morning, possibility of participating in the parade on horseback in the streets of Corte.
In the afternoon, if the heart says to us, we can participate in a mini--TREC. And this evening, an equestrian show is organized for our biggest pleasure!
Night in bungalow to the riding school or in shelter to Corte.

Day 9 - Sunday

Today, we have a free access at the fair. We take advantage of competition of CSO and training, but also presentation of breeding horses...

According to your schedule of flight, transfer to Bastia airport or Bastia port.
The meals are not included this day.

This extra stay includes half board basis and transfers.

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses

Our riding base also is a riding school, which guarantee you well trained horses. The most part of horses are robust and strong Corsican horses. Some Merens horse also are available.

Horses often are compared with sheep because of their secure feet in very uneven ground. You'll have to walk down on some hard tracks.

Tack

We use Corsican saddles, and Mac Lellan saddles. Saddlebags are provided.

Riding experience

To join this trail, you have to be comfortable at all paces in open spaces, even if the most part of the ride is made at walk. We will ride about 30km a day, 5 to 6 hours in the saddle.

A good stamina is necessary. If you're more than 90kg weight, please consult us before booking.

Children are welcomed from 12 years old if accompanied by an adult, or 14 years old if alone.

This Agriates desert Trail, except some difference in altitude is a medium trail in difficulties with 2 days on the coast line and a short day riding in the middle of the week, to have some rest.

YOUR GUIDES

Guiding

This trail is guided by an experienced and qualified guide. He leaves all year long in Corsica and knows this region better than everyone else. He'll make you discover his own Island of Beauty .

Logistic

Our support vehicle will join you every evenings with your luggage and sometimes during lunch time. Maximum luggage weight : 20kg.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation

This trail takes place in a particularly wild environment, but with comfortable accommodations in guesthouse, shelters (dormitory). The second and sixth night are planned in bivouac (tents and mattress provided). The other nights are in cottage or bungalow.

Take your sleeping bag with you anyway.

Meals

For lunch, picnic will be taken from saddlebags. Dinners will be hot meals. You'll have the opportunity to taste local specialties (cooked pork meats, cheeses and local alcohols).

DATES AND RATES

- The trail ride as described in full board basis, including wine during meals,

- The transfers from and to Bastia airport or port at required time schedules,

- Total and unlimited financial guarantee (APS) of all payments made to us (see "why ride with us ?"),

- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?").

- the transport to Bastia (contact us if you require a flight or a boat trip, and any extra stay in Corsica),

- the meals on day 9 on the special departure Cavall'in Festa

- any other service or optional visit entries, personal expenses

- tips,

- a tour to discover other regions of France before or after the trail (castle life, golf training, thalassotherapy spas...), see our "after ride proposals".

- optional insurances.

BOOKING - MORE INFORMATION

Contact Charlene, the specialist for this horse riding tour ...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Agriates Desert Trail
From saturday to saturday.

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback.
Agriates Desert Trail - Special Cavall'in Festa departure
From saturday to monday , 10 days / 9 nights / 8 days on horseback

Meeting point to Bastia airport or Bastia port.
Transfers are organised from the airport or the port as follow :

2 shuttles are planned and go to Port and Airport.

The first one around 10am and the second around 3.00pm.

The last day, you'll be drop back after breakfast at 9.00.

These time schedules, can be changed a little bit depending flight schedules of the riders.

HEALTH

There are no specific health formalities and emergency medical treatment is as widely available in the country.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

A valid passport is required of all foreigners entering France, except people living from a Schengen agreement country for who a valid ID card is enough.

All foreign citizens who wish to come to France must be able to present regulatory proof of the purpose of their stay, means of support and accommodation. In some cases, they need a visa to enter France. Visas must be applied for before leaving for France at a French consular office.

France is a member of European Union. No visa is required for citizens of other EU states.

No visa is required for US visitors staying less than 3 months.

Please check these informations at your local French embassy.