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Horseback riding tours
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 LazioCampania Northern Italy Sicily Tuscany
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Matera, the National Pollino Park and the Coast of Matera
Puglia/Basilicata
Italy
Your walk will begin with a visit to the city of Matera; then, head towards the Rock Church Park, rich in ravines, marked by traces of Mediterranean history and nature; next, on to discover prehistoric caves, Neolithic villages and frescoed churches and houses built into the rock. After this, you will continue towards the National Pollino Park. This massif is surrounded by valleys painted with streams running down and rocky mountains that jealously preserve the best examples of the rare “Loricato” (Bosnian Pine). This last stop will take you to the Tyrrhenian coast where you can enjoy the dominating scenic views from Maratea. The uncontaminated nature, intense light and panoramas will leave you with enchanting memories of Basilicata, to be explored on foot.
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Meeting:
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Matera
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Airport:
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Bari
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Transfer:
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Transfers are not included
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Riders:
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Min
8 riders
Max
16 riders
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Trip Rating
Video
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
7 nights in 3 and 4-star accommodations, all breakfast and 3 dinners, information material, maps and road book, guided tours
| A | 2009 | 8 day walking tour | 8d / 7n | €960 | $1440 |
| additional 4 reserved dinners + | €95 | $145 |
| Single supplement | €160 | $240 |
Trip starts in Matera (transfer available from Bari)
Trip ends in Maratea (take train back from here)
Transfers are not included - we recommend to rent a car.
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Every Saturday from March to November.
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Rates do not include:
Lunches, 3 dinners, drinks, entrance fees, gratuities
Day 1 – the Sassi of Matera – 2 hours walk
Individual arrival in Bari airport and transfer to Matera by bus. Accommodation in the Hotel in Pietra 3* (or similar). Afternoon: guided tour of the Sassi (UNESCO world heritage site), and the historical centre: the Baroque town, the Romanesque Churches and the rock civilization. Free dinner at a typical restaurant in the Sassi.
Day 2 - the Rock Church Park – 6 km/5 h walk
A short trip to Matera Moors in search of the treasures of the rock civilization and its unique flora and fauna. Route (setting off from Matera on foot): Grotta dei Pipistrelli, Jazzo di Lamaquacchiola, Cristo la Selva and the Saraceno village. Packed-lunch at Cristo la Selva village. In the afternoon, journey by bus to visit the town of Montescaglioso with the ancient Abbey of S. Michele Arcangelo. Back to Matera by bus, free dinner and overnight stay.
Grade: easy to moderate
Day 3 - the Pollino National Park – 8 km/5 h walk - Height difference: 259 m.
Journey to the Pollino National Park (2 hours’ drive). The walk begins in the Peschiera River area.
You will walk through one of the largest forests in Basilicata: beech trees and oak trees reign supreme. Peschiera River is home to several, rare, important animal species: the most important being the otter. Trip to Viggianello in the afternoon, accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Grade: easy
Day 4 – Serra di Crispo – 12 km/7 h walk - Height difference: 678 m.
A trip to the “heart” of the Pollino Park. Along a path through the forest on the abandoned Rueping, an Austrian railway used for carrying wood in the 19th century. After a little lake called "Lago Fondo" you will come to Pietra Castello (1750 metres) where you will see the first “Loricato” (Bosnian) Pines. From here you will climb up to the Grande Porta del Pollino set at a height of 1958 metres, and the summit of Serra di Crispo (2056 metres), called the “Garden of the Gods”. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Grade: moderate to high
Day 5 – the Pollino Patriarchs – 14 km/8 h walk - Height difference: 771 m.
Today you will reach the summit of Mount Pollino, the second highest peak in the Park. Cross the beech wood with a view of the rocky coasts dotted with Bosnian Pines. Here you can see eagles and pilgrim hawks. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Grade: moderate to high
Day 6 - The Tyrrhenian coast: Maratea – 3 h walk
Journey to Maratea and accommodation in a 3* hotel. Self-guided tour of Mount San Biagio and the Redeemer statue, with a breathtaking view over the cliffs and coves along the coast. Head down to the town on foot along a paved path to visit the historical centre. Free time to enjoy the beautiful town of Maratea. Free dinner and overnight stay.
Grade: easy
Day 7 – flying over Trecchina – 4 h walk
Journey to the neighbouring village of Trecchina. From the main square where you can see the leaning tower of the church, go along the street lined with Liberty-style houses that takes you to the beautiful Forraina Chapel. From here take the path followed by pilgrims every year, carrying the statue of the Virgin to the Sanctuary. From the top you will see the Noce river valley, the Tyrrhenian Sea, Mount Sirino and Pollino. Back to the village along the same path. Return to Maratea. Free dinner and overnight stay.
Duration: 4 hours
Level of difficulty: easy
Day 8 – breakfast and end of trip
We recommend to rent a car for this trip !
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Meeting:
Matera
Airport:
Bari
Transfer:
Transfers are not included
Trip starts in Matera (transfer available from Bari)
Trip ends in Maratea (take train back from here)
Transfers are not included - we recommend to rent a car.
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Hilly and mountainous routes; trails to be covered in 2 to 7 hours throughout each day
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Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
8 riders
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Max
16 riders
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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 except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Pass. more
*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.
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..view other reports for different trips
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Tack:
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--
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Horses:
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|
--
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|
Pace:
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|
Hilly and mountainous routes; trails to be covered in 2 to 7 hours throughout each day
|
|
Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
8 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
(a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. (b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and the Vatican City.
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.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| 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 |
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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Matera, the National Pollino Park and the Coast of Matera
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