HORSEBACK RIDING TRIP IN SICILY
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 1: Arrival at your accommodation, a charming restored 19th century noble house, surrounded by the wild nature of Madonie Park with spectacular views of the north coast of the island and the Aeolian Islands. Dinner based on local products and night.
Day 2: Sanctuary of Gibilmanna and Pizzo Sant'Angelo (about 5 hours on horseback). A charming introduction to the territory that takes you all the way around and brings you to the top of the highest mountain in the territory of Cefalù, Pizzo Sant'Angelo (1081 meters) from where, weather permitting, you can admire the high Madonie, the Tyrrhenian Coast from Palermo to Capo D'Orlando, the Aeolian Islands and more. Picnic break, passage and visit of the sanctuary of Gibilmanna, before returning to your accommodation.
Day 3: Wine tasting (about 5 hours on horseback). Departure after breakfast following an old “trazzera” (old paths used for transhumance which date back to the Bourbon era) towards Castelbuono, one of the most famous villages of the Madonie, with magnificent views of the high mountains . Visit the renowned vineyard of Abbazia Santa Anastasia, a restored abbey, wine tasting and lunch, before returning to your accommodation in the afternoon.
Day 4: Rural life and Cefalù (about 5 hours on horseback). In the morning, you ride to a local farm on horseback to experience Sicilian rural life, learning how ricotta and local cheeses are made. You then return to one of the most panoramic places in the territory of Cefalù, with fantastic views of Palermo on one side, and the Nebrodi mountains on the other. In the late afternoon, you descend to the charming seaside town of Cefalù. Guided tour of the beautiful historic center and delicious seafood dinner by the water.
Day 5: Madonie Mountains (about 6 hours on horseback). After breakfast, departure for a two-day Inn to Inn trail ride in the high mountains of the Madonie. You start with a beautiful climb in the middle of wild vegetation and Mediterranean woods, with a breathtaking view of the Tyrrhenian Coast. After the picnic, you begin the ascent on the northern slope of the Carbonara Massif, the second highest mountain in Sicily (1979 m), crossing forests of holm oaks and beeches to Piano Battaglia, ski resort mountain in the heart of the Madonie Park, where you dine on typical products. Night at the Rifugio Marini mountain refuge.
Day 6: Madonie Mountains (about 6 hours on horseback). Before leaving the high mountains, you visit the Battaglietta, carsic sinkhole where all the water from the melting snow flows, to head towards Cefalù through underground tunnels. Descent from the high mountains through beautiful forests to reach the territory of the characteristic village of Isnello. Picnic break before returning in the afternoon to your accommodation through wild and well-preserved vegetation, with beautiful views of the north coast.
Day 7: Sant'Ambrogio beach (about 5 hours on horseback). On the last riding day of your stay, you ride through dense Mediterranean vegetation and small country roads to the quaint little seaside village of Sant'Ambrogio, where you visit a local oil press and enjoy an oil tasting of olives. Depending on the weather and the time of year, descent with the horses to the beach and picnic on the beach, before returning to the accommodation in the afternoon.
Day 8: Breakfast and free transfer to Palermo airport. End of your horseback riding in Sicily.
* Indicative program that can be modified if necessary. Riding times given as an indication.