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PAYS BASQUE: HORSE RIDES SPANNING FRANCE AND SPAIN...
Guides - Accomodation - Dates & rates - Book this ride
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The Pays Basque is unquestionably one of the more magical places in the world... A trail ride in the mountains, tonic with many, impressive and sometimes all-turning view points, on deep and wild valleys, with eagles and vultures overhead. |
RIDE ITINERARY
During these short rides, you will try one of the itineraries detailed below. They vary depending on the season, the group composition... and the mood of the guide!
Itinerary "Around the Aldudes Valley by the summits"
Day 1
Meeting in Urdos, small village nearby Saint Etienne de Baïgorry, at 8:30am. There we are acquainted with the guides, the horses and our fellow riders. We get into saddle towards Saint Etienne de Baïgorry and begin to climb the Aharza Pass.
At noon, we have lunch in a wild environment and take our time to relax. Then we ride towards the Monhoa summit. 360° around us, the views are extraordinary as soon as we reach the first crests above Saint Etienne de Baïgorry. We arrive at the refuge at 7:00pm. The welcome is warm and the dinner made of local meals is delightful!
Dinner and night at the refuge.
Day 2
At 9:30am, we get back into saddle to ride towards the Ehunzaroï Pass, near the Spanish border. We climb the Argaray and ride on the crests line to the Lindus Pass. The lunch break takes place again in a wonderful environment. This afternoon, we cross the border to Spain and go down to Urepel for 6:00pm.
Transfer to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry.
Itinerary " Around the Rhune"
Day 1
Meeting at the guesthouse in Olhette at 8:45am. For the first day of this ride, we begin to climb the Ibardin Pass. At noon, we have lunch outdoor, far from civilization.
In the afternoon, we head towards Sare, one of the most beautiful villages in France, where we spend the night.
Dinner and night in an hotel in Sare.
Day 2
Today, we begin our ride at 9:30am for another day in the mountains. We ride along the Nivelle banks, then along the ancient road of the king Louis XIV. We take our picnic from our saddlebags at lunchtime, then we ride again, climbing the Rhune and the Three Fountains. Once we get up there, we will enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view on the Bay of Biscay, then we go down to the refuge around 6:30pm.
Itinerary "One day in France, one day in Spain"
Day 1
Meeting in Urdos, small village nearby Saint Etienne de Baïgorry, at 8:30am. This morning, we ride towards Bidarray and around the Arla, enjoying a wonderful view on the valley and Saint Martin d'Arossa. We eat our picnic in Bidarray, in the village or on the Nive banks.
Then, we leave for the Mehache Pass, riding at the feet of the Artzamendi Mountain.
Dinner and night in a spanish venta, nearby the "Calves Pass".
Day 2
This morning, we go down to the abandoned village of Aritzakun, then we climb the Gorramendi before going down to the village of Eratzu for lunch on the central place of the village.
Then, we keep on trailing climbing the Elhorieta Pass and its cromlechs, then the Ospeguy Pass, and we go down to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry by the brigand path.
Return to Urdos around 7:00pm.
HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE
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Horses
Our horses are mostly Anglo-Arabs. Many of them were born at the farm. They are used to living in herd and to trail riding. They are lively, safe and good-balanced. Tack We use English tack. You cannot come with your own saddle. Saddlebags are provided so you can take your small personal belongings on horseback during the day.
Riding experience |
Useful information
Children are accepted from 15 years old, or 13 years old if they are with an adult.
Please note that we can walk near our horses in difficult paths, so you have to take good shoes !
Mawimum weight : 90kg.
YOUR GUIDES
Guides
Our trail rides are supervised by guides who have a diploma for guiding trail rides.
They perfectly know the area, and love it, so it will be a pleasure for them to help you discover the region!
ACCOMMODATION
We stay in one or two-star hotels and refuges depending on the itinerary. In refuges, you will sleep in common dormitories.
You can stay one more night before or after the trail ride in double or single rooms in hotels.
Meals are made of local food and prepared by the cottages and hotels where we stay overnight. Lunches are packed lunches taken outdoor.
DATES AND RATES
| 2012 | ||
| May 12 to 13 | 265 € |
available |
| June 09 to 10 | 265 € |
available |
| September 15 to 16 | 265 € |
available |
"a la carte" departures for 5 riders minimum booked ! For more information, please contact us!
Single room supplement: 15€ per night.
Possibility to stay one more night at the end of the trail : 57 € for a double room, 77 € for a single room, on half-board basis.
Included
- 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 ?").
Not included
- transport to and from the meeting point,
- transfers from and to Bayonne train station or Biarritz airport (60€ per person for round trip) or Bordeaux airport (90€ per person for round trip).
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drinks,
- 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 Chloe, the specialist for this horse riding tour ...
GENERAL INFORMATION
DURATION
2 days / 1 night / 2 days on horseback
LANGUAGE
English / French speaking guide.
GROUP SIZE
4 to 10 riders
MEETING POINT
The meeting point is in Olhette or Urdos, depending on the selected itinerary.
Transfers can be organised in Bayonne train station or Biarritz airport (50€ per person for return transfer), or in Bordeaux (90€ per person for a return transfer).
CLIMATE
The Pays Basque enjoys the moderate climate of the south-western part of France.
In the mountains where the major part of this trail ride takes place, the climate is fresher, particularly in the morning and during the night.
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.
