This package is designed for experienced riders who wish to explore Italy on horseback, stopping off at different points within the Cilento National Park.
This package won’t be available until further notice
Itinerary: Casal Velino (Agritourism I Moresani), Moio della Civitella (Campetella Farm), Rofrano, Cuccaro Vetere, Casal Velino.
Of medium difficulty, requiring a good level of physical fitness.
Saturday: participants arrive and settle into their accommodation at the I Moresani Agritourism. Welcome dinner to get to know the other participants and the guide, presentation of the program and overnight stay.
Sunday: breakfast followed by a full day’s ride with picnic. Return to the agritourism in the afternoon; dinner and overnight stay.
Monday, 1st stage: after breakfast, we leave the hills of I Moresani and head towards the sea along the valley of the River Alento, then towards the valley of the River Mingardo and the Massif of Mount Bulgheria. Afterwards, we climb up to the ruins of the Greco-Roman fortress Civitella del Monte. After lunch, we return to the agritourism by mini bus; the horses remain at Moio della Civitella. Dinner and overnight stay.
Tuesday, 2nd stage: breakfast at the agritourism then departure by mini-bus to rejoin the horses where we left them. We ride on through an area of rich vegetation and characteristic mountain villages up to Rofrano, a town built around the year 1000. The old town centre grew up around the Basilica and the convent of Basilian monks. Right here, in the old renovated convent, we will take our overnight stay and breakfast next morning.
Wednesday, 3rd stage: after breakfast, we set off for the village of Cuccaro Vetere, along the foothills of Mount Gelbison whose origins are to be found in the Byzantine-Greek colonization of lands in southern Italy. The view here is amazing and overlooks the enchanting bay of Palinuro and the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as Mount Bulgheria, called “the sleeping lioness” (1225m asl). In the village of Cuccaro Vetere we stop for the night at a local B&B.
Thursday, 4th stage: after breakfast we head towards the sea through dense forests of chestnut trees and ferns, until we reach Mandia, a hill-top village in the municipality of Ascea; then riding along the old salt road we reach the sea and Velia Elea, the ancient city founded by the Phocians in 500 BC, cradle of the ancient philosophical school of Parmenides.
Return to the I Moresani agritoursim in Casal Velino for dinner and overnight stay.
Friday: short excursion
Saturday: breakfast and departure.
Languages spoken: Italian and English
Minimum number of participants: 4
Duration: 8 days, 7 nights, 5 days riding.
Itinerary: I Moresani Agritourism, Alento River Valley, Moio della Civitella Roman Fortress, Rofrano, Laurito, Montano Antilia, Cuccaro Vetere, Mandia, Greek city of Elea Velia, I Moresani Agritoursim.
Distance: about 140 km in total; daily stages from 25 to 40 km.
Difficulty: medium – good level of physical fitness required.
Maximum body weight: 90 kg
Gaits: walk, trot and canter (where possible)
Altitude: from 0 metres asl to 800 metres.
Habitat: very varied and striking – including river valleys and mountainous terrain with forests of oak and chestnut trees.
Terrain: mainly country paths and gravel roads.
Guides: the trek is led by an expert guide and an assistant goes ahead during the stages to prepare the horses’ rest stop and transport the luggage.
The horses: all trained in English riding and particularly suited to trekking.
The stages: they generally do not last more than 5/6 hours a day, with a longer stint in the morning and shorter in the afternoon.
The mini-bus: it carries our luggage and is used for some transfers.
The agritourisms: these are chosen based on authenticity, quality of food, comfort and adequate accommodation for the horses. They are basic but of good quality. Inland Cilento is still largely undeveloped so does not offer a wide choice of accommodation.
The picnic: this is prepared every morning and brought to us at lunch time.
Dinner and breakfast: these are served in the agritourism with particular attention paid to the use of typical products.
Overnight accommodation: in double or triple rooms. The choice of a single room only applies to the nights spent at I Moresani.
