Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
ITALY : TRAILS ON THE ABRUZZI REGION...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
The Molise region is located between Rome and Naples. In the greenest part of Italy, you will discover an amazing face of these mediterranean country. Passing through oakwoods, meadows and rivers, you will feel like pionneers on the preserved paths of the region. More than this, these trails take place in the heart of the Abruzzi National Park, officialy recognized by the UNESCO for its diversity. Western riding lovers or just beginners, you will apreciate Carmine and Astrid paint and quarter horses, living all year long in great paddocks. This way of life make them happy horse and very safe companion. The base camp is a XIXth century, recently totaly refurbished farm in the woods. The ideal place to enjoy the Dolce Vita ! |
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ITINERARY
COLLE DELL'ORSO RIDE
Day 1 - Saturday
Arrival at Roma or Napoli airport.
Then, train to Isernia (approx 2 hours train from Roma Termini or
Napoli train station).
Pick up in Isernia train station at 19h45 . Earlier transfer on the
first day but from 4.30pm can be arranged with extra cost. Please
check "Access" section below for further information.
Dinner and overnight at the farm.
Day 2 - Sunday
The morning is yours. You may sleep late, take your time over
breakfast, do whatever you like.
After lunch there is a brief demonstration in western riding. Next
we do a test-ride to enable you to get acquainted with the horse you
are going to ride on the trail. Dinner and overnight are at the farm.
Day 3 - Monday
At about 10.00pm, we leave the house and ride through Alto Molise
hills, meadows and woods. In the shade of mighty oaks we are having
a picnic near the ruins of a Smanitic temple.
After lunch, we continue our way through the endless hills. At the
end of the day we arrive at the "azienda agrituristica"
where we'll have dinner, based on regional specialities and served
near the fire-place on chilly evenings. Night at the azienda.
Day 4 - Tuesday
After breakfast we continue the trail, following the old Tratturo Casteldi
Sangro-Lucera. The Tratturo is a centuries-ols track that is still used
to move cattle from the far south where grass is scarce in summer. After
the Tratturo we reach Pescolanciano with its old castle. Here we stop for
lunch.
Next we go to the Colle dell'Orso. The trail gets steeper, climbing about
1,800 feet. The route leads us over narrow paths, through beech-woods with
carpets of leaves.
In the evening we reach a simple mountain hut where we dine and spend the
night.
Day 5 - Wednesday
Today is dedicated to the magnificient scenery of the plateau of Colle
dell'Orso and the cowboys. During our ride we will enjoy the most splendid
views of the Abruzzi and Maltese Mountain ranges, with peaks of appr. 6
500 feet. The most impressive scene of all is, however, the herds of cattle
and wild horses in the plains. We will try to get near them and gallop with
them.
After this very special experience it is time for lunch !
Then we return to "cowboy- land", over the hills and through the
valleys we ride as far as the so-called Magic Forest. This piece of woodland
is completely sheltered by rocks and there are but two possible ways of
access, which makes the visit quite adventurous. Leaving the Magic Forest
we go back to our mountain hut, which is by the way equipped with a shower.
In the evening we make a camp-fire or light the fire in the fire-place.
Day 6 - Thursday
In the morning we enjoy the beauty of the Colle dell'Orso, called
Magic Mountain by some, just one more time. Again, we pass trhough
the enchanting forests until we reach the rockery Morgia Quadra. Then
the road continues along a vertical mountain slope. From here you
can see the plain of Pescolanciano. Somewhere on our way we stop to
have a picnic.
In the afternoon the route descends, leading us back to civilization.
In the evening we leave the horses in a stable nearby Civitanova where
we eat and sleep at a hotel in the historical centre. Civitanova is
a picturesque place located at the foot of the mountains near the
Tratturo Celano-Foggia, in a valley nearby the river Trigno.
Day 7 - Friday
Today we take it easy. First we ride through Civitanova. Then we pass
a valley where the river trigno has been dammed, creating a cistern.
We follow the Trigno to Pescolanciano, climbing the hills that border
on the forest Collemeluccio. This is one of the forest protected by
UNESCO. The project is called Man and Biosphere (MAB). Worldwide UNESCO
protects 254 forests. Four of them are located in Italy; two of which
in Molise. The last few miles on horseback take us over open heatland
and dense oakwood.
At 5.00 pm we arrive at Carmine and Astrid'a place and enjoy the farewell
dinner !
Day 8 - Saturday
After breakfast drop off at Insernia station at 8.00 am. Make sure
to book a flight leaving after 1.00pm from Rome or Napoli. Later drop
off can be arranged with extra cost, latest departure at 10.30 am.
Please check "Access" section below for further information.
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MATESE LAKE
TENT ADVENTURE TRAIL (detailled
programme)
This itinerary will be a delight for all experienced riders. A perfect
mix between nature and culture. You will ride on paths through unspoilt
environment, and on some well known like the Tratturo a century old
track, still used for cattle drive.
You will have the occaison to swim in the Lago Gallo and the visit
the famous Sepino, an ancient roman city, with its very impposing
theater and the twenty columns of the Basilica.
ABRUZZO NATIONAL PARK (detailled
programme)
The national park of Abruzzo (Parco Nazionale d' Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise) is the most famous element of the region. Created in 1922, it is the first national park of Europe. It extends over 22 municipalities and 100 000 hectares. It's covered in 2/3 of forests, its highlight is on the ridge behind the Mount Marsicano (still having no name) and rises as height as 2253 metres, in the North of the park (Mount Marsicano is 2245 metres).
Further to the success of this park with the tourists, the other numerous parks were opened to the debuts of the 1990s, what makes that Abruzzo is considered as the region the most protected of Italy (more than one third of the surface is considered as nature reserve!).
So, you will have can be the luck(chance) during your pony trek to meet the marsicain brown bear (emblem of the park), the wolf of the Apennines, the chamois of Abruzzes and the lynx which thanks to the preservation(conservation) of the park, were able to be saved from the extinction.
MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK (detailled
programme)
A perfect ride for nature lovers who want to make the most of the
Italian environment.
With your horse as a guide, you'll discover these WWF recognized
reserves.
Enjoy the silence, the mountain, the fauna and the flora of this
unspoilt part of Italy.
Dolce Vita, excellent italian food and wine mixed with horse, nature,
beautiful flora and fauna in an UNESCO protected National Park,
these are the ingredient of these ride !
ALTO MOLISE
- Tent adventure trail (detailled
programme)
What is the best way to discover this particular region of Italy
?
An horse riding trail and nights under tents seem the more suitable
!
Let the horse be your guide through abruzzian oakwood and mountains,
on century old tracks, till remains of pre roman civilization and
finally reach the peaks to have nice sight on the valleys.
CAUTION : Please note that trails are confirmed
from 4 riders. But a minimum of 6 ridersis required to make the above
detailled trails. So if the group is composed of 4 or 5 riders, a special
stationary stay
is shedulled, onwhich, who'll come back everyday to the farm for the night.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
To make the most of your stay in Italy, we offer you to spend a few nights in its capital. The Coloseum, Spain Square, Saint Peter's square in Vatican City...there are so many things to do and see.
That for, we offer you to book as many night as you want in a central 3 or 4* hotel, with breakfast, to be free to o and visit what you want.
Cf. "Options" section below for detailled prices.
This is just a suggestion, feel free to contact us if you have any other idea, or for any advice !
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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Horses |
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Tack You should be confident at all paces, and fit enough to ride from 5 to 6 hours daily, for an average 25 to 40km per day. We will ask you to take care of your horse ; feel free to ask how if you need any help. As the trail wil follow mostly mountain tracks we have to adjust our pace. We will try to canter each time it's possible, but the main paces during these trails remains walk and trot. Riders should not exceed 90 kg and 2 meters high. Accompanied children are welcomed from 12 years old if they have compatible riding skills. Unaccompanied teens are accepted from 16 years old. |
Required riding level
The trail rides' rhythm is quite intensive, from 5 to 7h each day
in the saddle, but an experience with western ridind is not compulsory.
On all the trail it is necessary to be able to easily manage a horse at
the 3 paces, to have certain endurance in the saddle, and to know how
to look after your horse (grooming, saddling, and unsaddling).
Except on the beginners trail where you'll be taugh on how to take care
of a horse, how to ride, etc.
Accompanied children are accepted from 12 y.o and 16 y.o if they are non
accompanied.
Maximum height: 6'55 feet
Maximum weight : 90 kg.
YOUR GUIDES
You will be welcomed in Abruzzi by Carmine and Astrid.
Carmine has started riding in his 20-ies, and he's now a little bit over
50. After running one of the biggest riding centre in Italy named "Staffoli"
he came to Abruzzi to offer and make discover its beautiful landscapes.
He's also very involved, in FISE, the Italian Riding Sports Federation.
Before being involved in horse riding world, Astrid was historian. She
has worked in different riding centres, close to Amsterdam (she's Dutch)
and then in Italy.
In most cases, trails are guided by Astrid and Carmine and they are well equiped for the trails: cellular phone, horse shoes and first aid kit.
ACCOMMODATION
Abruzzo National Park and Majella National Park
All night spent in a 3* hotel, shower every day
Colle dell'Orso ride
Nights spent in hôtel or mountain shelters (sleeping bag needed
for mountain shelters), shower every day.
Matese Lake Tent Adventure Trail (sleeping bag needed)
First and last overnight in 3-star hotel and 5 overnights in 3-persons
tents occupied by 2 persons. No shower!
Alto Molise - tent adventure trail (sleeping bag needed)
Three night at the farm, 3 overnights in tents and one in a mountain lodge, three days without shower.
Breakfast and dinner are served at the hotel or (depending on accomodation)
prepared by the service team. There will be a long stop for lunch at carefully
selected places : viewpoints, shady pine forests, little bays... to give
the riders and horses a little rest.
Depending on the trail you've chosen, you'll have lunch at the restaurant or when possible, we will grill local specialities (meat and fish). Water, juices and wine are included.
DATES AND RATES
| 2008 | ||
| September 13 to 20 (Majella National Park) |
1075 € |
full |
| September 27 to October 4 (Abruzzo National Park) |
970 € |
available |
| October 11 to 18 (Colle dell'Orso ride) |
825 € |
available |
Single room : Riders booking alone are supposed being prepared for sharing
accomodation with another rider of same sex. No supplement will be charged
if we finally cannot find someone else for sharing with you. Where
possible, single accomodation available, approx. supplement of 17
€ per night to be paid on arrival depending on number of nights.
Please ask us at booking time if you choose this solution.
| Extension stay in Rome | ||
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3* hotel |
Double room to be shared |
60 € |
| Single room |
100 € |
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4* hotel |
Double room to be shared |
75 € |
| Single room |
140 € |
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Included:
- Night
- Breakfast
To add:
- Meals, drinks,
- All other personal expenses (visit, tips...)
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride as described, on full board basis
- the transfers from and to the airport.
- the financial guarantee of deposits sent to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- any other service
- tips and personnal expenses
- optionnal insurances : further
information...
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Abruzzi - Italy
LENGTH
8 days / 7 nights / 5,5 days on horseback
Colle dell'Orso Trail
8 days / 7 nights / 5,5 days on horseback
Matese Trail
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback
Alto Molise - tent adventure trail
8 days / 7 nights / 5,5 days on horseback
Majella National Park
8 days / 7 nights / 5,5 days on horseback
LANGUAGE
GROUP SIZE
From 6 to 8 riders.
If group size is only 4 or 5 riders, departure will be also guaranteed,
but on a different itinerary.
Please contact us for the detailled programme.
ACCESS
Pick up in Isernia train station at 19h45 on day 1, and drop off on last day at 08h00. Domestic train tickets can be provided by Randocheval prior departure.
Make sure to book a return flight before 1.00pm, on the last day !
Transfers in can also be organized earlier on day 1 (from 16h30), and later on last day (max 10h30), for an additionnal 20€ per rider per way, to be paid locally. These specific transfers should be ordered at booking time.
CLIMATE
The rainfall reaches its maximum, in the whole region, in the month of November and the minimum in the summer.
Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date with your usual
vaccinations, in particular the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurance is compulsory.
REFERENCE :CH112-italie-abruzzi-en
