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SOUTH CORSICA : BONIFACIO ON HORSEBACK

Bonifacio on horseback is a very original trail ride, which will make you discover the South of the Island of Beauty until reach Bonifacio and come in this dizzy city on horseback, with amazing views on lavezzi Islands and Sardinia coast ...   This trail can be combine (depending dates) with the Great Crossing of the Corsican mountains which end in Porto Vecchio for a 2 weeks trail ride between mountains and sea. This trail begins in Porto Vecchio and lead us to the magnificent city of Bonifacio and his famous calcareous cliffs, by crossing 2 mountainous massifs : l'Alta Rocca and Cagna.

RIDE ITINERARY

Day 1 : Saturday
Welcome at Figari airport and transfer to porto Vecchio (30 min drive). Arrival of all riders during the day. Welcoming dinner and night in guesthouse (sharing rooms).

Day 2 : Sunday
After an early breakfast, we meet the horses. We saddle up and leave our departure point around 9.00am. Today, we ride along the sea and next along the Cavu river. Night in guesthouse.

Day 3 : Monday

Today is a long day on horseback but not a difficult one. We start the day with the ascent until Ospedale lake, and next we cross the forest overhanging Porto Vecchio by forest tracks. We have there a magnificent view on Pinarellu Gulf and Saint Cyprien Gulf. Dinner and night in the small village of Catalavone.

Day 4 : Tuesday

Our route leads us today to the shade of oak cork forest. Next we descent to the Ospedale valley with a magnificent view on Porto Vecchio salt basin, before to reach Muratello village. This day is shorter than monday in order to enjoy a good rest around the swimming pool. Dinner and night in bungalow / guesthouse.

Day 5 : Wednesday

Our program starts with the ascent of Baccinu pass (1000m) across trails and tracks. We have to walk a little bit in hard ways to help our horse. The lunch stop is planned to the sheep barns of Bitalza used during round up. The access is only by a small track. Once at 1800m altitude, we discover a superb point of view on the sea and all the South part of Corsica. When the weather permitted, we also can see Sardinia !

Dinner and night in Cottage of charm, Piscia sheep barn.

Day 6 : Thursday
Today we start the descent to Figari plateaus. This part of the ride is particularly wild and protected by the government. We reach in the afternoon Talza lake where we stop for dinner and night in bivouac next to the lake.

Day 7 : Friday
To end this trail, we ride to Bonifacio, its fine sand beaches, its blue waters and its famous calcareous cliffs are waiting for us.... From Ventilègne, we reach the Trintiy of Bonifacio. We come into this fortified city and climb the steps on horseback to access the cliffs and the incredible view to Lavezzi Islands and Sardinia coast !

During the time the horses are driven back to the riding centre, you'll enjoy the visit of the city.

Late afternoon, transfer back to Porto vecchio (30 min drive). Good bye dinner and night in guesthouse.

Day 8 : Saturday
After breakfast, transfer to Figari airport.

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.

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 english saddles. Saddlebags and helmets are provided.

Recommended riding level

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.

Useful information

Children are welcomed from 12 years old if accompanied by an adult, or 16 years old if alone.

Maximum wieght : 90kg

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 the Island of Beauty of total safety.

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, bungalows or guest farm (dormitory). The sixth night is planned in bivouac (tents and mattress provided).

No single room available on that ride.

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 Figari airport 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 reach Figari (contact us if you require a flight or a boat trip, and any extra stay in Corsica),

- 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 Céline for any enquiries...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Meeting point to Figari airport.

Transfers from and to Figari airport are included in the price. We organize one transfer depending to arrivals of all riders.

Possibility to reach Porto Vecchio by bus from Bastia city centre (2h drive and average 20€). And a free shuttle is planned from Bastia Airport to Bastia city centre.

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.