Cap Rando Organization : Trips organized by Cap Rando in Provence with our guides and horses
Type
Stationary trail rides
Comfort
In 2-3 person bedrooms, single bedrooms with supplement
Level
Level 3 :You must be able to walk, trot, canter and gallop outdoor
Highlights

A horseback trail ride to finish the year riding under the famous sun of Provence. Day or half day rides in the Luberon Regional Nature Park, in the forests or along vineyards, olive and other fruit trees. Hot picnics will be brought by our assistant. You will come back every night to the Gargoulettes guesthouse, just beside the Cap Rando riding center to enjoy the covered swimming pool, jacuzzi, the aperitive and the dinner. And for the New Year eve, a memorable Provencal dinner and party.


SEE ALL OUR END OF YEAR RIDES OFFER IN PROVENCE - SPAIN - ITALY


 

Itinerary
Programme intro

INDICATIVE ITINERARY:

12/26: After airport or train collection, riders will gather at the "Gargoulettes" just beside the “Mas de Recaute” your French Farm Home late in the afternoon. Introduction to your accommodation, an aperitif and presentation of the ride will mark the start of your week in Provence. Dinner at the host’s table.

12/27: A short hack to get you in the saddle in the hills around the Mas (Provincial farm). Two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon with a conducted tour of a cellar and a tasting of wines of “Cotes du Luberon”. Back to the farmhouse, you will enjoy a rest in front of the fire place before the dinner prepared by our chef.

12/28: Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely picnic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on its cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to get the best production of : wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons ... the Provence treasures !

12/29: Half day off, visit of Lourmarin, it's castle and local market: a famous village classified "one of the nicest village in France" where Albert Camus, the French novelist lived and where he is buried. Free lunch in the village. Afternoon ride in the pine tree hills and along olive trees, vineyards and other fruit trees with a stop in a cave for a wine tasting.

12/30: First day of a two day trail ride: Lauris-Buoux: You will ride to Bonnieux, beautiful perched village where all houses made of stone blend with the limestone cliffs at the foot of a plateau covered with almond trees and lavender. The buffet will be prepared close to the village. The afternoon, you will follow the Aiguebrun, single stream through the Luberon, a very pleasant trail along the clear waters sheltered by lush vegetation and stunning cliffs popular for climbers. Horses stay in field, riders transfer back to your accommodation in Lauris. 

12/31: Second day trail ride. Buoux-Lauris: After breakfast, transfert back to the horses near Buoux. You will ride to the crests of the Luberon to discover a wonderful view: the snow peaks of the Alps to the North and the Mediterranean sea to the South. A nice picnic will be prepared near the village of Lourmarin. The afternoon, following the foothills of the southern side of the Luberon with nice views on the Sainte Victoire mountain painted by Cezanne, you will come back to Lauris. Provençal dinner end new year’s Eve.

01/01: Departure after breakfast. Transfer to Aix en Provence train stations and Marseille Provence airport.

Optional extension with three days riding in the Camargue:

01/01: A rest morning after a late CNew Year eve Eve. Light lunch, free transfer to the Camargue. At 2 pm, you meet your local guide and your Camargue horse. Departure around 2:30 pm for a two-hour horseback ride in the traditional Camargue, during which you can discover the richness of the interior of the Camargue Regional Nature Park. Free evening. Night at the Mas.

02/01: Breakfast around 8:30 am. Horseback riding around 9:30 am for a full day horse ride in the heart of the Camargue. Ride on the banks of the Petit Rhône, dammed for the protection of the Camargue. Crossing the Petit Rhône by ferry with your horse, destination the "Domaine du Grand Raft", private property. Visit this wild place, discover its beach and pine forest, fauna and flora of Camargue. Picnic on the beach. Return to the Mas (farm in Provence) by the interior of the land. Aperitif, dinner and night at the Mas.

03/01: Breakfast around 8:30. Departure for the last horseback riding day in the Camargue around 9:30 am. Ride in the direction of Saintes Maries de la Mer by the bridle paths, between land and ponds. Discovery of the different "levels" of the Camargue to the coast. Picnic at "Bouvao d'Aubanel", in the shadow of the Laupio. Translations and explanations of these words will be provided by your guide ! Discovery of the eastern beach of Saintes Maries de la Mer and the Departmental Reserve of Imperials in the afternoon. Landscapes of marshes and sansouïres, richness of the fauna and flora of Camargue. A multitude of birds are at the rendezvous according to the times, among which the beautiful flamingos (350 species of migratory birds are recorded in the Camargue). End of the ride to the "Pointe de Cacharel". Transfer by minibus to the Mas and separation. End around 5 pm. Possible transfer (20 € / person) to Arles train station (train to Marseille airport).

* The itinerary may be changed, depending on weather conditions or other imperatives.

MEETING/DEPARTURE

MEETING:
The 26/12 evening at the Gargoulettes in Lauris, 300m from Cap Rando equestrian center. Free transfer from Marseille Provence airport (5 p.m.), Aix en Provence TGV station (5:30 p.m.) or Aix en Provence center station (5:45 p.m.).

DEPARTURE:
01/01 morning after breakfast. Free transfer to Marseille Provence airport (11am), Aix en Provence TGV station (10:30 am) or Aix en Provence center station (10:15 am).
With Camargue extension: 03/01 at 5 p.m. Paid transfer to Arles station (train to Marseille airport).

Riding

RIDING LEVEL: image 986
You should be comfortable at the three paces: xalk, trot, canter.

RYTHM:
4-5 hours on horseback on average every day with a half day rest.

GUIDE & ASSISTANT:
1 qualified guide speaking French and English + 1 professional assistant ensuring the preparation of midday meals.

HORSES:
provence horseback ridingEssentially crossing of Spanish, Arab, French breed. Horses are allocated according  to each rider weight, height, riding level and experience. All our horses are trail riding “professionals”. Living throughout the year in a herd, trail riding is their only work activity. For these reasons, they are well-balanced gentle, yet wilfully engaged. Camargue extension: mainly Camargue horses.
selle de randonnee
TACK:
Comfortable trail ride saddles, hollow and secure, fitted with saddlebags. Comfortable for both the horse and the rider.

 

 


 

Comfort

ACCOMMODATION: image 24
In a comfortable guest house, the Gargoulettes: next to the equestrian center, with an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam, isolation box ... to relax after your horseback rides. Optional extension in the Camargue: in a more simple guest house.

rando a cheval provence camargue

Les Gargoulettesimage 994

MEALS:
Taken every evening at the guest house: family cuisine made from local products. Every evening your host serves you a homemade aperitif. At noon, an assistant prepares hearty buffets and hot meals. One free meal in Lourmarin. Refined New Years Eve meal with champagne. On the extension in the Camargue: 1 free dinner (not included) in a local restaurant, 1 dinner at the guest house, cold picnics.



image 987 image 988 image 989 

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Rates
Infos tarif

2020 PRICE / PER PERSON: 
1290 € in 2-3 person bedroom
Single bedroom supplement: 250 €.
3 DAY CAMARGUE EXTENSION:
390 € in 4-6 person mixed dormitory. 
410 € in 2-3 person bedroom
490 € in single bedroom.
Arles trai station transfer last day: 20€ / person.
Booking fees: 15 €

THE PRICE INCLUDES: 
Equipped horse rental, guide, assistant ensuring the preparation of the lunch buffets, accommodation, meals (except the 29 free in Lourmarin), dinner and Christmas Eve party, transfers from / to the stations Aix-en-Provence or Marseille airport at fixed times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our deposit of travel operator.


THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks excluding meals, possible visits, lunch on the 29th in Lourmarin, the first dinner of the Camargue extension, transfer to the Arles station from the Camargue extension.

Dates