Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
FRANCE - CORSICA : TRAIL RIDING IN THE HEART OF THE AGRIATES DESERT...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
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If this region was glorified by the writers, it is Corsican people which wrote the most beautiful lines there...
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... |
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 isalated viollage of Novella, with its big façade, its nice porchs, 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 desertic, 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 cattles ! 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 vehicule which drive us to Corte (2h drive).
Diner and night in bungalow or cottage in Corte.
Day 8 - Saturday
After breakfast, transfert 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.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Consult us for any extra stay in Corsica / Sardinia !
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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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 accidented ground. You'll have to walk down on some hard tracks.
Tack |
Required 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.
Children are welcomed from 12 years old if accompagnied by an adult, or 14 years old if alone.
This Agriates desert Trail, except some differnece 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 diplomed 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 vehicule will join you every evenings with your luggages and sometimes during lunch time. Maximum luggage weight : 20kg.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
This trail happens in a particularly wild environment, but with comfortable accommodations in guesthouse, shelters (dormitory). The second and sixth night are planned in bivouac (tents and mastress provided). The other nights are in cottage or bungalow.
In each cases, we ask you to take your sleeping bag.
Food
At lunch, picnic will be pull out from saddlebags. and dinners will be served with our hosts with hot meals. You'll have the opportunity to taste local specialisties (cooked pork meats, cheeses and local alcohols).
DATES AND RATES
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Agriates Desert |
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| September 20 to 27 |
790 € |
available |
| October 04 to 11 |
790 € |
available |
| october 18 to 25 |
790 € |
available |
RATE INCLUDING
- 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,
- the total financial guaranty (APS) of all payments made to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- the transportation to reach Bastia (contact us if you require a flight or a boat trip, and any extra stay in Corsica),
- tips,
- personal expenses,
- any extra stay,
- optional insurances : more information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Please for any enquiry contact Claire, the specialist for this destiantion !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
France - Corse
LENGTH
From saturday to saturday.
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horsback.
LANGUAGE
French and english - riders from all nationalities.
GROUP SIZE
From 5 to 12 riders maxi.
ACCESS
Meeting point to Bastia airport or Bastia port.
Transfers are organised from the airport or the port as follow :
2 shuttles are planned and desserve 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.
CLIMATE
Middle climate all year long in Corsica, but we don't suggest this ride in july and august because of the very hot summer there. At the period we do this ride, it's possible to have some rains, and fresh evenings. However, you'll enjoy the nice temperatures during the day for riding and bathing !!
Formality
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccins - health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning
your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurance is compulsory.
These informations are given for information purpose only. You must hold
identity and sanitary elements necessary for the entrance in the visited
country.
REFERENCE :CH89a-desert-des-agriates
