 |
Horseback riding tours
Rides in France
Intro to France
Alsace Burgundy Loire Pays Basque Provence South of France Southwest
Spain
Portugal
Italy
Europe Overview
Add Ons:
Hiking
Cycling
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Pyrenees Border Trail
Pays Basque
France
The
Pyrenees Border Trail is an exhilarating route, with thrilling scenery
over wild valleys framed by rugged peaks, as eagles and vultures soar
overhead. Discover the culture of the Pays Basque people and the
reasons why they wish to live apart from France.
From St Jean-Pied-de-Port, former capital of Basse Navarre and Unesco
World Heritage Site, to the village of Sare, listed as one of the most
beautiful villages of France, we will follow both the path of St
Jacques de Compostelle and various mountain passes in the tracks of the
infamous smugglers throughout the Quint region, discovering the lovely
Gulf of Gascogne in the background.
St Jean Pied-de-Port…Urepel…Les Aduldes…Bidarray… an indescribable
feeling! Here, the countryside is green as Ireland and more harmonious
than Tuscany. Explore primeval virgin forest, spruce villages and
hamlets, fresh and hidden valleys filled with thousands of sheep and
wild ponies, putting the finishing touches to the countryside, leaving
us to believe we could live to be one hundred years old in such
spendor! Unquestionably one of the most magical places in the world and
an unforgettable trek on horseback!
|
Meeting:
|
Hotel des Remparts at 5:00 PM or at 4:20 PM at the train station of Saint-Jean-Pied de Port
|
|
Airport:
|
Biarritz/Bayonne
|
|
Transfer:
|
Pick up Biarritz Airport or Bayonne Train Station 16:00 hr.
|
|
Riders:
|
Min
4 riders
Max
10 riders
|
|
Trip Rating
|
|
|
|
Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Breakfast and dinner (lunch on the trail in local places) except on first and last night, all lodging in country inns and gites mostly with private shower (except 2 nights), 6 riding days.
| A | 2010 | 8 day ride, AP except dinner on first and last night | 8d / 7n | €1150 | $1760 |
| Single supplement Day 1 to 7 (when possible) | €85 | $130 |
| Single supplement for last night in Bayonne | €25 | $40 |
Rates Note:
... with 3 riders only : add small group supplement, or we switch to the Cote d'Argent Ride.
Transfer Option:
|
2010
|
Transfer from Bordeaux airport return pp
|
€
100
|
$155
|
|
2010
|
Transfer from Bayonne train station or Biarritz Airport at 4 PM and drop off hotel on day 7
|
€
65
|
$100
|
Rates do not include:
Transfer from Bayonne train station or Biarritz Airport. First and last night dinner.
Day1: Transfer. Arrive St Jean Pied de Port, meeting at Hotel des Remparts at 5 PM,. Dinner is in the old city. Overnight in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Urdos according to the size of the group. Dinner is not included tonight.
Day 2: Departure at 10 AM. Saint_Jean-Pied-de-Port - Banca Ascention of Monhoa summit - Urdanzia Pass - View from above of Aduldes valley - Overnight in Banca, Hôtel Erreguina or in gite d'altitude Espila according to the the size of the group.
Day 3: Departure at 9:30 AM. Banca - Urepel / Aldudes Watersheds and views into Spain as well into French side - Lindus Pass - Discovery of the Quint region and the Aldudes valley. Aldudes Village, Overnight Gite St Sylvestre or in the gite of Urepel according to the size of the group
Day 4: Departure at 9:30 AM. Urepel /Aldudes - Cayolar Gaintza Crossed of the village of Aldudes - Ascention of the mountain Harguibel - Discovery of the Spanish virgin forest and the Cayolar at the end of the day – Overnight in Banca, Hôtel Erreguina
Day 5: Departure at 10 AM. Banca - Urdos Elhorrieta Pass - Panoramic view in front of Ispéguy Pass – Thrilling way going down to the city St Etienne de Baïgorry - Tasting of wine of Irouleguy - and crossed of the vineyard of Mignaberry before arriving to Urdos. Overnight Gîte ** à Urdos and Hôtel Manechenea ** à St Etienne de Baïgorry according to the size of the group!
Day 6: Departure at 9:30 AM. Urdos - Col des Veaux 19h00 Descent towards the famous village of Bidarrai situated at feet of the watersheds crètes of Iparla - Ascention of col des Veaux - New watersheds - The cliff of the vultures - Prehistoric site ( Kromlech) - Overnight: Gite d’altitude* au col des Veaux
Day 7: Departure at 9:30 AM. Col des Veaux - Olhette Discovered Aihnoa and one of the most beautiful village of France Sare - Climb up to Rhune or turn around according to the Forcast - Panoramic view over the Gulf of Gascogne.
End of the trip at 7 pm in Olhette. Tranfer to the Hotel La Rhune in the village of Ascain, or Biarritz airport or Mimizan for those who take a flight from Bordeaux the following day (dinner is not included tonight).
If you select the transfer option from Bordeaux - the overnight is in Mimizan and we include dinner in the transfer package.
Day 8: Departure from Bayonne after breakfast on your own -- or drop off in Bordeaux by mid morning.
**Itinerary is subject to change.

Meeting:
Hotel des Remparts at 5:00 PM or at 4:20 PM at the train station of Saint-Jean-Pied de Port
Airport:
Biarritz/Bayonne
Train station:
Saint-Jean-Pied de Port
Transfer:
Pick up Biarritz Airport or Bayonne Train Station 16:00 hr.
Distance:
110 miles
|
Tack:
|
|
English Trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Anglo Arabian
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with some fast sections. 6-8 hours in the saddle per day. 30 -35 kms per day. You should be in good physical condition.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
5
out of 5) Good Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
13
|
Max
69
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
200 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
We have 20 horses, the majority of which are Anglo-Arabs, and 10 ponies. A large number of our horses come from the family stud farm "Des Sables". Appearance and bloodlines are important qualities for us in our horses for this ride and we take great care in providing the horses with a good quality of life.
This trek is really exciting and requires a fit intermediate rider, confident at all paces and able to ride 6 to 7 hours each day over varied and sometimes challenging terrain.
All the opportunity to trot or to canter offered by the landscape are taken. The trail is occasionally difficult and we will ask the rider to walk next to his horse. Good physical condition – A smile and good humour – are essential. Each person will take care of his or her horse during the trip.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. . more
The Basque has two different weather zones: one by the coast, Maritime climate, and the other in the south where the Mediterranean climate prevails. There is a transition area in between in the Llanada de Vitoria where the Maritime climate mixes with the Mediterranean.
Temperatures are not extreme. In the coast, temperatures are an average of 19 ºC in Summer and 9 ºC in Winter. The highest temperatures can hit the mid 30's ºC when the Foehn wind blows and when the Siberian anticyclone settles in, temperatures can go as low as 0 ºC. Llanada de Vitoria is the coldest area with average temperatures of 5 ºC in Winter and 20ºC in Summer.
Average High and Low Temperatures for Biarritz, France (in Celsius)
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
High 17 22 24 26 27 25
Low 7 10 14 16 17 10
Average Rainfall for Biarritz, France (in mm)
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
118 117 81 61 72 84
Sheets and towels are provided at the hotels and gite.
**Luggage is transported to your accommodations of the fourth and last day. In between you carry your belongings on your horses. Pack light**
| ... this list is only a guideline for you |
|
|
| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
|
|
| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable riding pants or jodhpurs |
| Walking shoes with mini-chaps preferable to rubber boots |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Lightweight waterproof/windproof coat |
|
|
| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Comfortable pants |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
|
| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Flashlight |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Flask |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and enough extra film and batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Knife |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
|
..view other reports for different trips
During the trek we stay in a hotel and two star Gîtes. Sheets and towels are provided. Private bathrooms are available for four nights and shared bathrooms are provided for two nights. The dinner on the first evening is not included in the price.
Hôtels and Gites during the trail are :
- Gite ** à Urdos or Hôtel des remparts ** in St jean-pied-de-Port
- Hôtel Erreguina** à Banca
- Gite St Sylvestre aux Aldudes
- Gîte ** à Urdos and Hôtel Manechenea ** à St Etienne de Baïgorry
- Gite d’altitude* au col des Veaux
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
We have 20 horses, the majority of which are Anglo-Arabs, and 10 ponies. A large number of our horses come from the family stud farm "Des Sables". Appearance and bloodlines are important qualities for us in our horses for this ride and we take great care in providing the horses with a good quality of life.
This trek is really exciting and requires a fit intermediate rider, confident at all paces and able to ride 6 to 7 hours each day over varied and sometimes challenging terrain.
All the opportunity to trot or to canter offered by the landscape are taken. The trail is occasionally difficult and we will ask the rider to walk next to his horse. Good physical condition – A smile and good humour – are essential. Each person will take care of his or her horse during the trip.
|
Tack:
|
|
English Trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Anglo Arabian
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with some fast sections. 6-8 hours in the saddle per day. 30 -35 kms per day. You should be in good physical condition.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
5
out of 5) Good Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
13
|
Max
69
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
200 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
We have 20 horses, the majority of which are Anglo-Arabs, and 10 ponies. A large number of our horses come from the family stud farm "Des Sables". Appearance and bloodlines are important qualities for us in our horses for this ride and we take great care in providing the horses with a good quality of life.
This trek is really exciting and requires a fit intermediate rider, confident at all paces and able to ride 6 to 7 hours each day over varied and sometimes challenging terrain.
All the opportunity to trot or to canter offered by the landscape are taken. The trail is occasionally difficult and we will ask the rider to walk next to his horse. Good physical condition – A smile and good humour – are essential. Each person will take care of his or her horse during the trip.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
|
 |
|
|
Pyrenees Border Trail
Tour Code: IT-FRAN07
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,760.00
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
English Trekking
Horses:
Anglo Arabian
Pace:
Moderate with some fast sections. 6-8 ...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
Biarritz/Bayonne
Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
|