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Horseback trip in Provence that will take you from the Luberon hills, to the Alpilles of Van Gogh hills. A unique human and equestrian experience, a trip rich in history and culture ...
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
This ride is the first part of our Luberon to Camargue, Mediterrean week trip.
Day 1 (Sunday): Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence tgv train station (5:30 pm). Or meeting directly at the accommodation in Lauris between 4 pm and 7 pm. At 7:30 pm, welcome aperitif and presentation of the trail ride. You will be introduced to your guide and spend a first friendly dinner at he «host’s table». Overnight at Les Gargoulettes guesthouse.
Day 2 (Monday): From Lauris to Mallemort. The ride will leave from the foot of the Luberon mountain, decending to the Durance valley where we will cross the river (on a bridge in case of flood risk). Picnic brought by our assistant on the other side of the Durance river. In the afternoon, we will ride along the Alpilles canal to the farm where the horses will stay for the night. Transfer with minibus to your accommodation, in Lauris, dinner at the host table overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris.
Day 3 (Tuesday): From Mallemort to Eygalieres. After breakfast, transfer to the horses. We will ride in a rich valley among fruit trees to Lamanon where we will enjoy the lunch buffet, The afternoon, we will enter in the Alpilles Nature Park, Van Gogh’s country. We will ride in hiils and we will reach the Roman village of Eygalières late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse near Eygalieres.
Day 4 (Wednesday): From Eygalieres to Les Baux de Provence. A cultural day as you will ride in the landscape Van Gogh liked to paint. You will stop near St-Rémy-de-Provence, in front of the hospital in which Van Gogh stayed and made his most famous paintings. Admire beautiful Roman monuments, before you make your way towards lunch in the hills. The afternoon ride will take you on the crests of the Alpilles : striking panorama on the surrounding area. We will even see the gleam of the mediterranean sea in the distance. At the end of the trail, discover a breathtaking sight on the medieval village of «Les Baux-de-Provence ». Taxi transfer (not included) to Arles train station or back to Lauris. End of the program.
* Indicative itinerary that may be changed if necessary.
Sunday afternoon at your accommodation in Lauris between 4pm and 7pm. Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence TGV station (5:30 pm). with SNCF or Trenitalia No transfer from Marseille center: take the bus shuttle to the airport. No transfer from Aix en Provence center: take the bus shuttle to Aix tgv station.
* Please note: the shuttle cannot keep groups waiting, especially if your train or plane is late: plan to arrive ahead of the meeting time to avoid having to take a taxi in the event of a delay.
Wednesday afternoon. Taxi (not included) to Arles train station (arrival at the station around 6.30 p.m.). Taxi (not included) back from Les Baux de Provence to Lauris and arrival around 7pm if you have left your vehicle.
LEVEL: 
To participate and enjoy this horseback riding trip, you must be comfortable at all three gaits (walk, trot, canter) outdoors on balanced horses.
RYTHM:
5 hours per day on horseback on average: 2-3 hours in the morning, 2-3 hours in the afternoon, with a long break of about 2 hours at midday. The three paces are practiced depending on the terrain.
TEAM:
1 qualified guide speaking French and English + 1 professional assistant ensuring luggage transport and preparation of lunch buffets.
HORSES:
Local crossbreeds, medium-sized, selected for their character and adapted to the type of trek we offer. All our horses are "professionals" of trekking: they do only this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live all year round in a herd, off-season from November to March in semi-freedom on more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are balanced, kind and willing. The horses are allocated after discussion with your guide according to your size, weight, level and experience.
TACK:
Comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags.
ACCOMMODATION: 
- In guesthouses in 2-3 person bedrooms. Single bedroom available with supplement.
Indicative accommodations (depending on availabilities):
Les Gargoulettes
Night 1
La Sarriette
Night 2
MEALS:
Dinners are prepared at the guesthouses Local cuisine, varied and refined. Special diets can be accommodated. Wine is included with meals.
At lunchtime, an assistant prepares copious buffets based on fresh regional products.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
By car.
2025 PRICE / PER PERSON:
In 2-3 person bedrooms: 1000 €
Single bedrooms supplement *: + 180 €
Booking fees: 15 €
* If you book in shared rooms and we do not have a rider registered to share, the “single rooms” supplement will be charged and refunded if a person registers wishing to share as well. You can refuse this supplement, cancel your reservation no later than 30 days before departure, and obtain a refund of your payments.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse and tack rental, the guide, the assistant ensuring the preparation of the lunch buffets and the luggage transports, accommodation, meals, drinks during meals (table water and wine), arrival transfer from Aix-en-ProvenceTGV train station or Marseille airport, the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks excluding meals and not included during meals (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks), possible visits, personal expenses, tips, departure transfers & transfer back to Lauris if you have left a car, all that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE (if you don't already have one):
We offer to European citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
Bookings for this ride are open about 1 month in advance.
Depending on the filling of the integral trip from the Luberon to the Camargue