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Somogy Naturepark Ride
Hungary
Hungary
In Southern Hungary between Lake Balaton and River Drava lies the Somogy National Park. It was founded in 1980 and is extremely rich in watercourses, lakes and green forests and consequently, has much wildlife. With a great amount of effort "The Somogy Provincial Association for Nature Conservation" (SPANC) and the Ornthological Society have organized a riding tour through one of Hungary´s most spectacular landscapes. Forest and sand paths offer extensive possibilities for brisk trots and canters, and only when you are not too busy observing the abundant wildlife.
Well-trained guides take up to an 8 riders maximum to discover this unknown Hungarian region with its special flora and fauna, with some of the rarest animal species in Europe such as the Otter, the Ferruginous Duck, the Black Stork, the White-tailed Eagle and many others.
The lodgings are usually owned by the SPANC and are picturesquely located on lakes, where you can enjoy the immense peacefulness of nature, content after a long day´s ride. Your luggage is transported by support vehicle for you along the way as we ride from destination to destination. The tasty cooking is hearty - Hungarian cuisine with a good quality wine to accompany! The day often ends by the campfire where freshly caught fish or fish soup is cooked.
This is an ecological journey through unsettled European countryside, with excellent opportunity to observe the wildlife far away from the general tourist trails. You will be riding 3 - 5 hours daily, going 20 - 45 km and occasionally on foot for a hiking tour, one of which is a hike to the Petesmalon Reserve to view the 15 fish ponds, along with European Otter and the Osprey sightings.
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Meeting:
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Keleviz, Somogy
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Airport:
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Budapest
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Transfer:
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Budapest 4:30 PM, drop off time 12 noon
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
6 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations with private and share bath - on 4 nights it will be in simple forest cabins, meals, 6 riding days -- riding cap is mandatory
| A | 2010 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €850 | $1300 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from Budapest (Hotel Mercure-Buda ) at 4:30 PM return pp
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€
65
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$100
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2010
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Transfer from Balaton airport - return pp
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€
25
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$40
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Transfer from Budapest central at 4:30 PM.
Transfer from Balaton airport or train station or transfer from Budapest airport - to be paid locally
Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2010
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04/04
- 04/11
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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04/18
- 04/25
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
|
| A |
2010
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05/02
- 05/09
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
|
| A |
2010
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05/16
- 05/23
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
|
| A |
2010
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05/30
- 06/06
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
|
| A |
2010
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06/13
- 06/20
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
|
| A |
2010
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06/27
- 07/04
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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07/11
- 07/18
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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07/25
- 08/01
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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08/08
- 08/15
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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08/22
- 08/29
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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09/05
- 09/12
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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09/19
- 09/26
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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10/03
- 10/10
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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10/17
- 10/24
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, AP
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2
/6
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Insurance (mandatory). Vaccinate against "FSME"
Sample Itinerary (subject to changes)
Day 1: Saturday: Pick up at train station in the afternoon and you will be driven to Lehner Manor House just outside the village of Keleviz; 15-km south of Lake Balaton. Arrival time is approximately 7:30 p.m. Here you will have a chance to meet the staff, and with the help of a slide-show, will learn about the area. Dinner and over-night stay in Lehner Manor
Day 2: After breakfast, assemble at stables, where under the guidance of the tour leader, you will choose your horse for the tour. The first day of riding will be a round trip to the Lake Balaton, through lovely hills and vineyards until you reach Kéthely. There, from the top of a hill, you will enjoy a stunning view of the biggest lake in Central Europe. After a tasting of local wines, lunch will be served in a typical cellar. In the afternoon, the group will slowly ride back to Lehner Manor taking a shorter way through the forest. Dinner and over-night stay in Lehner Manor.
Day 3: In the morning you will ride 15-km to the pastures of Somogyfajsz – one of the few remaining examples of wooded pastures – once a typical landscape of the region. During the ride you will have a chance to see a herd of grazing Hungarian Gray Cattle. Lunch will be served under the century-old oak trees. From there the ride will continue, for another 15-km, to the Boronka Park – a protected area managed by the conservancy. We will stop for the night in the heart of the forest; have dinner by the fire; and finally, sleep by the waterside in restored fishermen’s cottages.
Day 4: Horses and riders will go from Boronka to the reserve of Petesmalom, a distance of about 45 km, stopping for lunch in Kisbajom – one of the best-preserved and a very typical village in the region. After lunch we will arrive at the center of the nature reserve. Here riders have a chance to recover from this long journey by relaxing in one of the very famous Hungarian thermal baths of the region. Dine on fish-soup and sleep in the newly restored thatch-roofed house. Evening program? Frog concert by the fire.
Day 5: The horses will be given some time to rest and the riders will have a walk through the nature reserve of Petesmalom. This reserve, comprised of 14 fish ponds (still used for fish rearing) is very rich in natural life. During the 2½ hour walk, an expert will explain the different bird species present. Otters, one of Europe's rarest mammal species, also live here in enclosures and can easily be seen while feeding. In the afternoon, after lunch, the group will ride to the Mike fish ponds. Dinner and overnight in Petesmalom.
Day 6: Our ride today is through forest and swamps of incomparable beauty to Csokonyavisonta – 30 km South of Petesmalom. There the Conservancy owns an old school house on the lakeshore, where the riders will stay for the night.
Day 7: The group will push down to the Croatian border and the Drava-River – the wildest river in Central Europe. Here you can go for a long canter on the sandy river-beach. Lunch is served in a house on the river in Rinyatamási. In the afternoon we ride back to Csokonyavisonta. There the horses will be left and you will be driven back to Somogyfajsz. Farwell dinner at 8:00 p.m. Overnight in Somogyfajsz.
Day 8: End of tour and departure after breakfast - transfer back to Budapest.
Conservancy Projects:
Somogy Wild Water Project...
The Somogy Panc has elaborated this project in 1989. Within the framework of our project we have purchased wetlands in the Inner-Somogy region that are the most significant wetland habitats within the ecological corridor connecting the Lake Balaton with the Drava River. The Association is seeking new sponsors for further land purchasings.
White-Tailed Sea Eagle Protection Project...
Thank to the project, the number of the White-Tailed Sea Eagles have increased from sixteen nesting pairs (1987) to sixty-two pairs (1997). The further task of the project is providing an conserving the living conditions for this stand.
Black Stork and White Stork Protection Project...
Europe’s most well known birds are the storks, but their habitats are the most endangered. The main task of the project is the exact count and inventory of the stand. By the protection of their habitats and by the placement of artificial nests the present stand can be sustained.
Black Adder Protection Project...
The Adder (Vipera berus bosniensis) is one of the rare representatives of the verbetrates in Somogy county. The Adders are present in the area in low numbers. We don’t know much about their life and biology. The only way to sustain the present stand is the better understanding of the species. Within the framework of the project we do ethological and ecological researches.
Otter Protection Project...
The Foundation for Otters and the Somogy PANC have signed a cooperation contract for the protection of otters in Hungary. The biggest stand of otters in Europe is in Hungary. The fishponds of the Somogy PANC are the most significant habitats of the otters. The task of the project is to carry out surveys concerning the number of otters and their habitats, the continous odservation, and the otters’ propagation to avoid thier unnecessary hunting. The otter-display area will be built under this project’s banner.
Ancient Hungarian domestic animals...
For several centuries in Somogy county the most important source of income was the breeding and grazing of domestic animals. With this close relationship between people and nature, special species of plants and animals were introduced in Somogy county. By keeping and breeding these special domestic animals, the present condition of the grasslands can be sustained.
Once upon a time in Somogy Country….
The aim of the project is the combined protection of ancient traditions together with the architectural environment built by humans long past. The buildings, the flour-mills, fishermen’s houses and other historical buildings are suitable for renewing the ancient traditions and to prove the sustainability of the farming practices based on traditions.
Meeting:
Keleviz, Somogy
Airport:
Budapest
Transfer:
Budapest 4:30 PM, drop off time 12 noon
Distance:
100 miles 2.5 hrs
Transfer from Budapest central at 4:30 PM. Transfer from Balaton airport or train station or transfer from Budapest airport - to be paid locally
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Tack:
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English
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Horses:
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Hungarian Half Blood/ Arab mix (Kisberi)
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Pace:
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Demanding with long trots and canters - requires a confident rider with firm seat.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong intermediate
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Age:
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Min
14
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
6 riders
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Riding helmets are mandatory for this ride.
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You will enjoy six days of horseback riding with 3 to 6 hours in the saddle per day.
You will explore the beautiful Nature Park of Somogy on a truly unforgettable ride through 200-kilometers of scenic countryside, forests and nature preserves. There will be a few side trips on foot to visit the fish ponds etc.
The riding is a combination of forward going for excitement and slower approaches for observation of the nature and wildlife on Hungarian horses and Arabian crosses.
*Riding caps are mandatory - please bring your own. The center has some caps available, but very limited in sizes.
*Riders must obtain their own insurance for this ride.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passport Note Nationals staying for longer than 3. more
Hungary has a temperate continental climate with Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. Depending on the location, winters can be cold, cloudy or windy, the summers warm with the occasional intense heatwave. May, June and November are the rainiest months, although more rain usually falls in the West and Southwest than in the East. The number of hours of sunshine a year varies between 1900 and 2500 – among the highest in Europe. From April to the end of September, you can expect the sun to shine for about 10 hours a day. July is the hottest month (average temperature 23.2° C) and January the coldest (-1.3° C). The average annual temperature is 11° C. Autumn is beautiful, particularly in the hills around Budapest and in the North. In Transdanubia and on the Great Plain it’s harvest and vintage time!
| … this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable, normal riding attire. Also possible are light but sturdy pants without strong seams on the inside, no leggings, please! |
| Riding boots or ankle-high flat shoes |
| Long-sleeved shirts (against sunburn) |
| Riding helmet (mandatory) |
| Light gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Windbreaker, riding coat or poncho (protective against wind and rain) |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Warm sweater for evenings outside |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
| Towel |
| Hat with sun-shield |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Camera and enough extra films and batteries |
| Fanny pack for camera, money and all your personal items |
| Address book and pen (for postcards) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
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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
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..view other reports for different trips
Night 1, 2 and 7: Somogyfajsz Castle or Lehner Manor B&B - Basic accommodation.
Night 3: Boronka Nature Reserve - Share 1 or 2 fishermen’s houses. Comfortable accommodation.
Night 4, 5, 6: Petesmalom Otter Park - 1 single large dormitory with 1 bathroom for all to share. Use the thermal bath facilities on each day. Basic accommodation.
Meals: Meals are included in the package and are typical Hungarian Country cuisine, but special diets can be catered for. Wine is included with dinner.
The accommodations for this trip are simple, but they are all in very beautiful natural surroundings!
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
You will enjoy six days of horseback riding with 3 to 6 hours in the saddle per day.
You will explore the beautiful Nature Park of Somogy on a truly unforgettable ride through 200-kilometers of scenic countryside, forests and nature preserves. There will be a few side trips on foot to visit the fish ponds etc.
The riding is a combination of forward going for excitement and slower approaches for observation of the nature and wildlife on Hungarian horses and Arabian crosses.
*Riding caps are mandatory - please bring your own. The center has some caps available, but very limited in sizes.
*Riders must obtain their own insurance for this ride.
|
Tack:
|
|
English
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Hungarian Half Blood/ Arab mix (Kisberi)
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Demanding with long trots and canters - requires a confident rider with firm seat.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong intermediate
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Age:
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Min
14
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Weight:
|
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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|
Min
2 riders
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Max
6 riders
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|
You will enjoy six days of horseback riding with 3 to 6 hours in the saddle per day.
You will explore the beautiful Nature Park of Somogy on a truly unforgettable ride through 200-kilometers of scenic countryside, forests and nature preserves. There will be a few side trips on foot to visit the fish ponds etc.
The riding is a combination of forward going for excitement and slower approaches for observation of the nature and wildlife on Hungarian horses and Arabian crosses.
*Riding caps are mandatory - please bring your own. The center has some caps available, but very limited in sizes.
*Riders must obtain their own insurance for this ride.
Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
Nationals staying for longer than 30 days, who are not staying in a hotel, will need to register with the local police.
Note: Hungary joined the Schengen Agreement on 21 December 2007 for overland entry points and seaports, and on 29 March 2008 for airports.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to register with the immigration department.
3. Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA staying longer that 90 days will need to apply for a long-stay visa.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) Visitors are not entitled to take any gainful employment. Non-EU visa-exempt nationals need a work permit and working visa in advance.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No/3 |
| Canadian |
No/3 |
| USA |
No/3 |
| Other EU |
No/2 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| 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.
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Somogy Naturepark Ride
Tour Code: IT-HU-RT01
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,300.00
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
English
Horses:
Hungarian Half Blood/ Arab mix (Kisbe...
Pace:
Demanding with long trots and canters ...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
Budapest
Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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