Murgia Park

Introduction
Puglia/Basilicata Italy
Come explore the beautiful Murgia National Park on horseback.

The Murgia Park was established in 1990 with the name of Natural Historical Archaeological Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera and it is part of the Unesco world heritage list, with the Sassi di Matera. 
The park is located among a spectacular rocky landscapes, one that testifies the ancient relationship between man and nature in the south of Italy. It covers about 7000 hectares between the municipalities of Matera and Montescaglioso, in Basilicata, a few kilometers away from the border with Puglia. 

The terrain is characterized by a soft rock- the so-called “tuff” -which has played an essential role in the local landscape, drawing cliffs, valleys, and caves used by men who settled there since prehistoric times. Some caves date back to the Paleolithic age and some villages date back to the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages. This shows that people inhabited the area since a very long time. It seems like some of the first occupants of these lands were mostly shepherds and herders. 
Nowadays, the landscapes are doted with farms, sometimes fortified, the characteristic sheep pens called “Jazzi”, cisterns, and wells.

The Murgia Park is host to about 1,200 botanical entities (one-sixth of the entire national flora), some of them very rare. Another evidence of the surprising natural richness is the abundant fauna that roams the park, including foxes, hares, porcupines, wolves, wild boars, wild cats, as well as important birds of prey such as the red kite, the lanner, the buzzard, the Egyptian vulture, and, above all, the hawk lesser kestrel, the small bird of prey that is the symbol of the Park.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a center-based ride, so all nights are spent in the same accommodations.

Description
The farmhouse is located a few kilometers away from Matera. The rooms are modern and equipped with comfortable beds. In the common area, you will find a coffee machine, flat-screen TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi access.

Room Occupancy
In case you are a solo traveler, the single supplement fee is mandatory.


Meals
All breakfasts and lunches are included. Dinners and drinks need to be paid extra. 

Meals that are included in the package feature local products and recipes.

For dinner, you can drive to Matera (only 10 minutes) where you will find plenty of restaurants. It is also possible to have dinner at the farmhouse for an extra fee (paid locally).

Dietary Restrictions
We can usually cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that the itinerary below is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.

Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Check-in at the farmhouse in the early afternoon. You can go for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Meals included: none
Overnight at farmhouse in Matera

Day 2: Murgia Woods Ride
After breakfast, we meet at the riding school and assign the horses. We then transfer for 15 km towards the Bosco di Lucignano, in the Murgia Park.
After unloading the horses, we start our trek along paths and ancient transhumance sheep tracks. Following the footsteps of shepherds and brigands, we ride through ancient woods and the dense Mediterranean scrub.
We will go back in time to discover the unspoiled nature of the Murgia Park: its smells, and stunning colors. A journey through the history of man, Neolithic villages and fortified farms where we will stop to refresh ourselves while savoring typical Murgian products.
The arboreal vegetation is abundant and varied, mainly consisting of oaks, fragni, and holm oaks, as well as shrubby and evergreen lianosa: junipers, honeysuckles, mastic trees, and brooms. In the undergrowth, there are amazing plants and flowers, some very rare, such as the ash tree, the male peony, the one-leaf cerere, the Matera offride, the Trionfetti cornflower, and a wide range of orchids. 
During our ride, we might meet herds of podolic cows grazing as well as some wild animals such as foxes, wild boars, wolves, porcupines, and a varied number of insects and birds of prey.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at farmhouse in Matera

Day 3: Murgia Churches Ride
This morning, we meet at the stables and tack-up our horses. Today's trail leads us towards Murgia Timone and Murgecchia, both sites of naturalistic and archaeological importance. You will ride along paths of Mediterranean scrub with some views over the canyons of the Gravine including the breathtaking view of the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO world heritage site. We stop for lunch at an environmental education center, located inside a pastoral jazzi. Then, we get back in the saddle, riding through ancient sheep tracks and visiting the rock churches in the area. We are back to the farmhouse in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at farmhouse in Matera

Day 4: Departure day
Breakfast and end of tour.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Murgia Park

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Matera
Airport: Bari Airport
Transfer: Bari

Climate:
                                                Matera area