Horseback riding in Pays Basque, France

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Pyrenees Border Trail


Itinerary for Pyrenees Border Trail




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday):  Arrival
Transfer from Bordeaux to Mimizan and pick up of all clients in Mimizan for the transfer to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry. Time to explore this old and famous city. Enjoy a typical Basque dinner at a restaurant in the middle of the historical quarter of Saint Jean Pied-de-Port (to be paid extra). 
Meals included: none
Overnight at Gite "Amestoïa" in Saint Etienne de Baïgorry


Day 2 (Monday): Saint Etienne de Baïgorry to Banca
Start from Saint Jean Pied-de-Port or Saint Etienne de Baïgorry to Banca according to the weather. Breakfast at 8:00am and departure at 10:00am. Discover the famous village of Saint Etienne de Baïgorry by horse. Our ride leads us to the top of the of Monhoa summit, where we get a 360° view of the surrounding Aldudes valley and the ocean. 
Riding approx. 6.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Gite Espila


Day 3 (Tuesday): Banca to Urepel
Departure at 10:00am. We ride from summit to summit to get spectacular views of Spain. We will ride along the ridge line between France and Spain, going through the Ronçevaux Pass and Natural fortification of Lindus (1300 m above sea level). You get a magnificent 360° view on the surrounding: Quint country and Spain. After our lunch break (around 2pm) on top of the mountains, we reach the a picturesque village of Urepel (Aldudes Valley) around 6pm.
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Erreguina


Day 4 (Wednesday): Urepel to Banca
Departure at 10:30 am to discover the traditional life of the Basque people. We will see shepherds taking care of their Kintoa pork (often black & white, this breed was saved from extinction about 20 years ago). 
For lunch, we will go to a restaurant and taste some of the local specialties as well as local wine. We start riding around 2:30 pm and start with the ascent of the Harguibel mountain on the Spanish side. We come to the highlight of the trip for many: crossing the Spanish virgin forest, an unforgettable moment!
We should arrive in Banca around 6:30pm. For dinner, we will sample the famous trouts of the Banca Valley River. 
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Erreguina


Day 5 (Thursday): Banca to Saint Etienne de Baigorry
Departure at 10:00am to ascend and cross the pass of El Elhorrieta. On our way, we pass 'Kromlech', which are prehistoric graves dating from 22000 years BC. Once we reach the top of the mountain, we get a 360 ° view over France, Spain and the ocean. We then descend towards the pass of Ispéguy.
Lunch is taken in a typical Spanish restaurant around 1:00 pm. After the break, around 3:00 pm, we continue our descent on the thrilling path of the smugglers towards Erratzu village. After crossing the picturesque countryside and the nearest city on horseback, it’s time to put all the horses in the truck and depart to the Atlantic Coast by minibus (around 5:30 pm).
We stop for dinner (around 8:30 pm) on the way to Mimizan, where we will spend our last nights. Arrival at Mimizan should be around 9-10 pm.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan


Day 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday): Ride around Mimizan (Contis & Bias)
The rhythm of our ride is changing and it is the time to enjoy long and quick gallops in tone of the largest Forest of Europe. At times, we have a view over the nearby beaches. We will also have time for an exciting gallop on the white sand beach of the Aquitaine Coast.
On the evening of Day 7, we might be able to ride on the beach again for sunset (schedule depends on tide times).
Our last dinner is spent in a nice restaurant featuring seafood and other traditional meals from the area.
Riding approx. 5 hours daily
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan


Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
Transfer back to the Bordeaux with crossing of the city Center if we have time!
Meals included: Breakfast
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Pyrenees Border Trail
Tour Code: IT-FRAN07
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : May-July, September-October

Trip Rating :
Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 05/12 - 05/19 8d / 7n 8 day ride 4 /9 Reserve
A 2024 06/09 - 06/16 8d / 7n 8 day ride 4 /9 Reserve
A 2024 06/23 - 06/30 8d / 7n 8 day ride 4 /9 Reserve
A 2024 09/08 - 09/15 8d / 7n 8 day ride 4 /9 Reserve
A 2024 10/06 - 10/13 8d / 7n 8 day ride 4 /9 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: English Saddle with saddle bags
Horses: Anglo-Arabs
Pace: Moderate in the mountains with some fa...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport: Bordeaux
Location on Google Map
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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