Crete Senesi - Val d'Orcia

Itineraries include about 5 to 6 hours in the saddle each day (except day 4)

PROGRAM 5 DAYS*

DAY 0
Arrival to Sovana - preserved medieval village on Maremma’s hills, at the foot of Monte Amiata -
at Sovana Hotel & Resort in a 12.000 sqm park of olive trees and a good view on Roman chatedral.
Dinner with typical Tuscan food, made with carefully selected products from the best local producers.
An opportunity to get to know other riders and the guide.


DAY 1
Short transfer.
Assignment of the horses.
10am set off riding towards the small town of Proceno.
Going north along Lente river, we join a medieval fortress – Castell’Ottieri.
Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way to San Rocco church.
Who wants can go - by 10 minutes uphill walk by foot - to visit the curch.
Landscape change During the afternoon: gentle Tuscan hills and wide gravel roads to enjoy a good canter.
The night is spent in the walls of the castle of Proceno - a 12th century fortress which has been converted into a guesthouse. When possible, guided tour of the castle walls by your host whose family have lived here for 3 centuries. The castle is wonderfully situated in the centre of the medieval hilltop town with views across the town and surrounding countryside.
Dinner at their hosts restaurant.


DAY 2
10am set off riding towards Radicofani, set on Val d'Orcia, a beautiful hilltop village with a fortressclose by, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The route takes you up and down hills in a area called pass Crete Senesi, an area with hills and valleys, almost devoid of vegetation, with clay soils that spread an unmistakable light that is a little bluish, a little gray and almost yellow-white on bright days. An incredible ride, almost a 360° lunar landscape filling the eyes.
Stop for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint on the still distant Radicofani.
Passing Celle sul Rigo, a small medieval village where you may stop for an ice cream, you reach Radicofani where you stop for the night at the Sterposi guesthouse where Antonello and his wife made a dinner often locally caught and cooked - perhaps hunted wild boar and pasta freshly made.


DAY 3
Shorter day setting off at 10am for a ring trekking.
Crossing Radicofani village to descend along typical Sienese hills.
Riding surranded by mediterranean scrub we come across a very steep path.
Lunch at Radicofani. You can visit Rocca tower to enjoy a 360° panoramic view on Val d'Orcia.
Horseback ride to Sterposi farmhouse.
Free afternoon to take advantage of services'agritourism


DAY 4
10am set off riding.
Riding on one of the most beautiful tuscan ridge - this beauty is from spectacular sight view on Celle sul Rigo, Castell'Azzara and Proceno -
to join old Cassia, historic road that connected Siena with Rome.
In the hamlet of Centeno, famous place where Galileo was imprisoned during his malaria hillness, we cross the new Cassia.
Return to Proceno Castle for the night.


DAY 5
10am set off riding heading southwest.
We pass a very small rural village-Pratolungo and the nearest village of San Quirico.
We reach Vitozza,an important rock settlementcomposed of caves - part of an Etruscan necropolis, Etruscan columbarias, and the remains of a medieval village, within the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park.
Stopping for a picnic lunch.
Landscape change during the afternoon: virgin wood that lead to a vast valley called the Grand Canyon.
Continuing along Lente river - where we can observe endangered species such as fario trout and crayfish.
Fording its tributaries several times, we go up on a path that links Pitigliano at Sovana.
Farewell to the horses.
Short transfer to Sovana Hotel and Resort for the night.
Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 6
Breakfast and onward travel.




PROGRAM SHORT TREKKING (4 DAYS AND 4 NIGHTS)*
The shorter version is the same of "Program 5 days" without "day 3"


*Please also note that the route and day by day arrangements may varied, or run in reverse, at your guide's discretion if the weather or other local conditions or circumstance require

WHERE
Hills of Siena and Viterbo. Trail starts in Sovana and heads north to Radicofani fort and towards the iconic Val d'Orcia.

MEETING POINT
Sovana Hotel and Resort, in the village of Sovana - south Tuscany (afternoon arrival, usually on Sunday)

TRANSFER
Optional transfers to Orvieto train station, Roma airport, Florence airport.
Transfers are subject to change and they to be paid directly to the driver.
Orvieto train station (±1h drive):
±150 € / car from 1 to 3 people / each way;
±180 € / minibus from 4 to 8 people / each way.
Roma airport (±2h drive):
±300 € / car from 1 to 3 people / each way;
±350 € / minibus from 4 to 8 people / each way.
Florence airport (±2h30 drive):
±500 / car from 1 to 3 people / each way.

RIDER REQUIREMENTS
These rides are at a fairly relaxed pace overall but there are good chances to canter each day and you need to able to control a well schooled horse at all paces in open country. You will follow white dirt tracks, narrow paths through the forest, and will climb up to ridges and descend into deep valleys so should have a good independent seat. Suitable for intermediete riders and above. You should be reasonably riding fit and should have a fairly good level of general fitness as there can be long periods of trot and canter. You should be able to mount a horse without help, be confident on and around horses and comfortable, relaxed and secure in the saddle. There is some tarmac work every day, crossing roads, riding through local villages but you do have to cross busier roads occasionally but safe going that the horses are used to. You may be asked to get off from time to time to lead the horses over rough or stony ground. Pace: moderate overall, some good chances to move on, also fast canter. The pace will vary from day to day and will be limited by the terrain. There are good opportunities to trot and canter on the chalky white dirt track or when you cross agricultural land and ride through vineyards.
WEIGHT
No strict weight limit on these rides but, if you are over 14 stone / 85 kgs, please contact us to check that suitable horse is available.

PACE
These rides are at a fairly relaxed pace overall but there are good chances to canter each day and you need to able to control a well schooled horse at all paces in open country. Pace: moderate overall, some good chances to move on, also fast canter. The pace will vary from day to day and will be limited by the terrain. There are good opportunities to trot and canter on the chalky white dirt track or when you cross agricultural land and ride through vineyards.

HORSES
Well trained and looked horses. They are all responsive, willing and enjoyable to ride as well as being sensible and calm to handle.
They are fairly lively temperament but calm with traffic and surefooted.
Mixed breed. They are medium builded local Italian saddlebreds crossed with various other breeds. Some local Maremma crosses, Anglo Arab, Sicilian, Andalucian & Apaloosa crosses.

TACKS
Mostly English style and most horses are ridden in snaffles.
Mostly Wintec saddles or similar. Very comfortable - but don’t expect tack to be gleaming, or anything more than adequate.
There are pockets in the saddle blankets with room for water bottles, a light raincoat, suncream etc
Horses are prepared and tacked up for you each morning - some help with untacking etc at the end of the
day is appreciated.

GROUP
Rides are usually run for a minimum of 4, and
groups are limited to a maximum of 7 or 8, although occasionally up to 10, guests. If you are a group we can encrease the number.

ACCOMODATION
Accommodation each night is chosen for their location (so horses can stay close by), atmosphere andhospitality.
It is at comfortable agriturismos, country guesthouses or village hotels all of which have been chosen for their character, location, atmosphere and hospitality. They are simple and traditionally furnished; although simple, are all reasonably comfortable.
In most cases there is a swimming pool in the structure.
Bedrooms may be in small ‘apartments’.
Bedrooms have their own bathrooms with loo and shower.
You can have twin or double beds.
Most of the accomodations provide shampoo, shower gel and hairdyers; all provide towels
Back-up assistance will take care of moving luggages by vehicle.
*For Single travellers who are travelling alone: single rooms can usually be arranged on request for a supplement

MEALS
Mostly there is no menu and many courses comes.
House wine is included.
Water is provided on the trail.
Vegan, vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

- Strongly reccomended properly fitted riding helmet. Horses can kick up dust during the ride
- Jodphpurs, at least 2 pairs
- Ankle boots with a rubber sole confortable for walk and half chaps
- Lightweight windproof and rainproof jacket
- Vest with pockets or belt bag for personal items
- Swimwear
- Sun cream