Horseback Trail Ride in PROVENCE : COLORS and PERFUMES OF THE LUBERON, PROVENCE PERCHED VILLAGES

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Trip variants

PROVENCE : 4 DAYS LUBERON AND PROVENCE COLORADO , PERCHED VILLAGES

PROVENCE : THE LAVENDER RIDE

PROVENCE : THE LUBERON COLORS & PERFUMES

Thematic

Horse riding in the Luberon

South of France horse riding holidays

Progressive Inn to Inn horseback trail ride

The Upper Provence on horseback

A cheval dans le Colorado Provençal

The Luberon hills, one of the most exquisite place in Provence, a Regional Nature Park. With its forest of green and white oaks, its cliffs of limestone, and its typical drystone villages, the Luberon displays an authentic and picturesque landscapes and villages well described in the famous A Year in Provence Peter Mayle’s novel. Over the hills and through the villages, come to discover the mysterious “Provence Colorado”, fill up your senses with the fragrance of lavender and unique “Provence herbs”, be enchanted by the savour of Provencal cuisine.

See our photo album

Itinerary

HORSEBACK RIDING TRIP IN THE LUBERON
INDIATIVE ITINERARY *:
horseback trail ride provence luberon
image-20220731172934-1
Please note: this year 2022, with an exceptional risk of fires, some forest massif may be prohibited from access overnight, implying possible changes to itineraries, without financial compensation.

Day 1: From Lauris to Buoux. Meeting in Lauris at 12 pm (noon). Free transfer on Monday morning from Marseille week equestrian ride in Provence airport (10:30 am), Aix en Provence tgv station (11 am), Aix en Provence center train station (11:15 am) to Lauris. You will have an introduction to the trail ride and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to your horse and will start the trip through the Luberon rolling hills, towards the beautifull perched village of Bonnieux. The houses, all made with stones, form a striking harmony of earth-toned colours and shapes. Some superb residences dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th century serve as a reminder that Bonnieux was a wealthy village when this region, the Comtat Venaissin, belonged to the Popes. Several bishops also chose to live here and as you ride through the village streets you will no doubt marvel at the architecture and history on display. Take a glimpse on Lacoste, the village of the sadly known Marquis de Sade. Beware and follow your guide very closely so you do not get lost anywhere near his castle. After the picturesque village of Bonnieux, the trail goes down in the Valley of the Aiguebrun river down high cliffs famous for climbers. Overnight in a nice Auberge along the river. Depending on the date, you may be transfered to Lauris for the night.

horseback riding trip in Provence Day 2: From Buoux to Rustrel. We leave on horseback following the green valley of the Aiguebrun on a pleasant shaded path. We head towards the very pretty hilltop village of Saignon, typical of the Luberon, then descend into the Calavon valley along the orchards of cherry, peach, apricot ... the garden of Provence. At noon, a copious buffet awaits us, where we can enjoy a very pleasant break. In the afternoon, we take trails in the pine forests and scrubland, to reach the Colorado Provençal at a late hour for a private access for our riders (by special agreement) after opening to the public: old ocher quarries with reliefs worked by erosion, in red and ocher colors, reminiscent of the landscapes of the Far West. Take your cameras ! After installing the horses, you return to your accommodation for dinner in an inn in the heart of the village.

Day 3: From Rustrel to Cereste. In the morning, we pass over the Colorado with a superb view of the site, then we will head to the beautiful village of Viens, another perched village in the Luberon. Then we will cross the Calavon river to reach Cereste, gateway to the Haute Provence, where we will spend the night in a hotel in the center of the village.

rando Luberon à cheval

Day 4: From Cereste to Buoux. After preparing your horse, you will follow the foot of the Luberon, ride along vineyards, and all kind of froot trees: cherry, apricot, peaches all blooming in April and May. You will arrive at the Auberge des Seguins where you will able to enjoy the pool befor the dinner. Depending on the date, you may be transfered to Lauris for the night.

Day 5: From Buoux to Lauris. You will ride up to the crests of the Luberon to discover an exceptional landscape and a view on the Alps to the North, on the Mediterranean to the South. Then, you will ride down to the picnic inn to inn horseback trail ride in Provence place. You will then ride back to Mas de Recaute through the olive trees and cherry orchards, with nice views on the Sainte Victoire mountain, “Cezanne’s mountain”. Chance to go by minibus to Lourmarin and visit the village, a charming village that inspired the famous American writer, Peter Mayle, who used to leave near the village. Dinner and night at your accommodation or departure if you chose the 4 nights version.

Day 6: End after breakfast for the 6 nights version, free transfer to Aix-en-Provence train stations or Marseille airport (departure at 9:30 am).

* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary without any compensation (weather conditions, fire risk, ...)

MEETING/DEPARTURE

image-20220413165703-2 MEETING:
4 & 5 NIGHT VERSIONS:
Monday at noon in Lauris. Free tansfer from Marseille airport (10:30 am), Aix en Provence TGV station (11 am), Aix en Provence center train station (11:15 am).
* 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.

DEPARTURE:
4 NIGHT VERSION:
Friday afternoon at ±5 pm. Free transfer to La Roque d'Antheron. Bus from La Roque d'Antheron (see schedule) to Aix en Provence center. Bus shuttle (see schedule) from Aix center to Aix en Provence TGV station or Marseille airport. Bus shuttle from Aix center to Marseille center train station (see schedule).
5 NIGHT VERSION:
Saturday morning after breakfast. Departure at 9:30 am of the free transfer to Aix en Provence center train station (±10 am), Aix en Provence TGV station (±10:30 am), Marseille airport (±11 am).
* Please note: no departure possible before 9:30 am, plan a train or plane departure sufficiently after the scheduled arrival time to avoid having to take a taxi. Tgv train: not before 11 am, flight: not before 12 pm.

Riding

RIDING LEVEL:
To participate and enjoy this trip, you must be comfortable at the three gaits (walk, trot, canter) outdoors on balanced horses.

RYTHM:
First afternoon, 3 hour ride, other days, average 5 hours per day on horseback: 2-3 hours the morning, 2-3 heures the afternoon, with a break of around 2 hours at noon.

GUIDE:
1 qualified guide speaking French and English + 1 professional assistant ensuring luggage transports and preparing lunch buffets.

provence horseback riding HORSES:
Essentially crosses 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.

TACK: rando cheval Provence et Camargue
Comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags. Trail ride saddles are especially designed for long rides as well as for the gaits employed on this type of terrain. The saddles are comfortable for both the horse and the rider.

Comfort

ACCOMMODATION:
You can choose to book this ride all nights in 2-3 person bedrooms, or mixed in 2-3 person bedrooms and in dormitories. Dormitories are mixt up to 6 person rooms, 2 nights in a 20 person room.

INDICATIVE ACCOMMODATION (subject to availability):

Les Seguins
Nights 1 & 4: All dates in dormitory, in bedroom between 15/08 and 01/09

Les Gargoulettes
Nights 1 & 4: In bedroom between August 1st and 15th, riders transfer from Les Seguins

Le Rustreou
Night 2 in bedroom

Le Chateau
Night 2 in dormitory

L'Aiguebelle
Night 3 in bedroom

La Florentine
Night 3 in dormitory

Mas de Recaute
Night 5 in bedroom & dormitory

MEALS: luberon horseback ride
Dinners at the host tables in guesthouses, or local restaurants. Local cuisine, varied and refined. Special diets can be adapted. Wine is included with meals.
At noon, an assistant prepares hearty buffets (see pictures). For small groups, some picnics can be taken in the saddle bags.

LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
Provided by the assistant in a minibus.

Rates

Infos tarif

image-20220731172934-1
Please note: this year 2022, with an exceptional risk of fires, some forest massif may be prohibited from access overnight, implying possible changes to itineraries, without financial compensation.

2022 PRICE / PER PERSON:
4 NIGHTS:
In dormitories: 1250 €
In 2-3 person bedroom (4 nights): 1300 €
Single supplement (4 nights): 200 €*
* The single supplement has to be added on the 2-3 person bedroom price. If you book in shared bedrooms and if there is no other rider to share, the single supplement will be applied.
Arrival transfer from Aix center, Aix tgv, Marseille airport: free at set times.
Departure transfer to Aix center, Aix tgv, Marseille airport: not included.
Booking fees: 15 €
5 NIGHTS:
In dormitories (4 nights): 1300 €
In 2-3 person bedroom (5 nights): 1400 €
Single bedroom supplement (5 nights): 250 € *
* The single supplement has to be added on the 2-3 person bedroom price. If you book in shared bedrooms and if there is no other rider to share, the single supplement will be applied.
Arrival transfer from Aix center, Aix tgv, Marseille airport: free at set times.
Departure transfer to Aix center, Aix tgv, Marseille airport: free at set times.
Booking fees: 15 €

PRICES INCLUDE:
Horse and tack rental, the guide, the assistant ensuring the preparation of the lunch buffets (some picnics may be taken in the saddlebags for small groups) and the transport of luggage, accommodation, meals, drinks (table water and wine during meals), free arrival transfer from Marseille airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV station, Aix-en-Provence center SNCF station at fixed times, free departure transfer (only for the 5 nights package) to Marseille airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV station, Aix-en-Provence SNCF station center at fixed times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals and not included drinks (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks), any visits, tips, departure transfer (for the 4 nights package, included in the 5 nights package) to Marseille airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV station, Aix-en-Provence SNCF station in-Provence center at fixed times, all that is not indicated in "prices include".

INSURANCE (if you don’t already have one):
We offer to Europe Union citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information

Dates

THIS RIDE WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED IN 2023 WITH THE PROHIBITION OF ACCESS TO COLORADO PROVENCAL FOR HORSES: SEE THE SPECIAL PROGRAM WHICH WILL BE OFFERED IN SPRING AND FALL WITH PASSAGE IN OCHRES WITHOUT CROSSING THE PRIVATE SITE OF THE PROVENCE COLORADO :

Other dates may be available for this product, contact us if you cannot find the desired date.

Dates	From	Infos	Contact
29/08/2022 - 02/09/2022	1250€	4 NIGHTS LAST AVAILABILITIES	+ Infos
29/08/2022 - 03/09/2022	1300€	5 NIGHTS LAST AVAILABILITIES	+ Infos
26/09/2022 - 29/09/2022	1250€	4 NIGHTS REPLACED BY THE FALL PROGRAM	+ Infos
10/10/2022 - 13/10/2022	1250€	4 NIGHTS REPLACED BY THE FALL PROGRAM	+ Infos
17/10/2022 - 20/10/2022	1300€	5 NIGHTS REPLACED BY THE FALL PROGRAM	+ Infos
29/10/2022 - 01/11/2022	1250€	4 NIGHTS REPLACED BY THE FALL PROGRAM	+ Infos
31/10/2022 - 03/11/2022	1300€	5 NIGHTS REPLACED BY THE FALL PROGRAM	+ Infos

Booking

How to book

HOW TO BOOK:

By booking with Cap Rando, you get the benefit of the French travel agency law, one of the strictest in the world: an unlimited financial guarantee for all your payments !

BOOKING PROCEDURE:

1. CHECK THE AVAILABILITY, PRICE, DISCOUNT:
Check the availability and price (depending on the type of accommodation and after possible discounts) by contacting us through the availability & quote request form or by phone +33 (0)483431321, whatsapp +33(0)609520324, or e-mail: contact@horsebackridingvacations.eu

2. BOOKING:
Fill out the online registration form:
https://www.horsebackridingvacations.eu/form/formulaire-d-inscription

3. INSURANCES:
Cap Rando is covered for its professional civil liability: GENERALI contract n ° AL974010.
To register on a Cap Rando holiday, you must be covered by an individual liability insurance covering your activity, individual accident, assistance, repatriation, and possibly cancellation (strongly recommended not to lose your payment in case of unforeseen your cancellation insurance contract).
For Europe Union citizens only: we offer to subscribe the "Cap Protection Security" from Chapka Insurance. This covers you for cancellation, interruption of stay, individual accident, assistance 24h / 24h, medical expenses abroad, luggage insurance, civil liability. You can also only take a cancellation insurance if you have insurance covering other risks.
See all information about our cancellation policy and Chapka insurance offer.
For non West European citizens: if you pay by credit card, depending on your card, you may be fully covered: check your contract.
You can subscribe directly an insurance for instance on: https://www.axatravelinsurance.com/

4. PAYMENT:
A 30% deposit is required upon booking, the balance being due 60 days before the stay date. Less than 60 days before your departure date, full payment is requested at registration.
You can pay:
- By credit card on our secure payment website: Click here to access the server
- By bank transfer: Bank information

Your payments are guaranted by our GROUPAMA travel agent bond.
If you book a trip through Cap Rando, you have the guarantee not to loose any payment.
The French law is the strongest and requires all French travel agencies to have an unlimited financial guarantee for their customers in case of financial failure.

5. CONFIRMATION:
You will receive a confirmation file and contract with the invoice and all practical information within 24 hours after reception of your registration form and payment.

6. CANCELLATION POLICY:
See general conditions and special covid conditions: cancellation conditions.
Please note: Any stay may be canceled in the event of insufficient bokkings to ensure the stay up to 21 days before the starting date. In this case, a replacement stay may be offered to you, if it does not suit you: full refund is guaranteed without compensation. We advise you to book refundable flights / trains.

Reviews

GUEST REVIEWS

Chris (USA)

I had a wonderful time, Titeuf was a sweet horse, the ride was lovely, the group was fun, the dinners were delicious, and Didier the guide was so helpful and interesting. I hope to come back next year if my hip holds out.

Meredith (New Zealand)

"Amazing trip! Great horses and scenery." The horses were great - well suited to their riders and forward yet responsive. They work hard and are very fit, but never gave the impression they were jaded or bored. Some of the tack was a little tired and we were short of saddle bags, but little niggles only in a fabulous trip. A lot of the ride was slow due to the terrain, but that was specified in the trip description so I was happy with this

Simon (UK)

"5 days of wonderful trail riding" Lovely mix of horses (and riders) in the group - all well matched by our guide Didier Mejard. Mixture of conventional tack and trail riding/western - everyone learned some new skills of knot tying or girth lacing ! We were all amazed at just how fit and tough the horses were - it was very hot throughout - over 40C on one day - 6hrs plus in the saddle over 25km or so with a mix of paces - my lovely mare Carmen hardly breaking into a sweat !!! Got re-routed on one day because of the exceptional fire risk in the Grand Luberon - but Didier figured out a good alternative which meant trucking the horses back to Cap Rando one night and starting from there the next day - meant we got to ride down/in the Durance river - cool at last !

Anny (UK)

We were a nice group, from several countries. We became well known and had a nice time together. The horses were trained and safe. The guide was knowledgeable and clever. The food in the woods (lunch) was fresh and tasted delicious. The accommodation and food there were also very good.

Josephine (Belgium)

"It was really exciting." The horses are very good and social. They fit for good for experienced and less experienced riders. At the beginning of your travel, they will give you a horse which you choose and which one you described.

Christine (UK)

We loved this ride. This is probably one of the most beautiful and scenic rides in Europe. The horses were well looked after and the tack fitted so that they were all comfortable. This is a knowledgeable place and the guide was excellent. There are so many great photo opportunities from horse back here that its hard to choose. We were a group of very experienced riders and whilst it is not a particularly fast ride, which we could cope with it didn't need to be as there was so much to see. Horses were great. Food is also excellent on this trip as is the accommodation. There is a choice of accommodation either hostel or more B&B auberge type. I would definitely pay the extra for the B&B type accommodation at Lauris because the beds are more comfortable but out on the trail all the beds were great. The back up vehicle is brilliant has everything you need both for you and your horse. I would do this trip again because it is amazing. Whilst I have had to tick a date we went here 3 years ago.

Patricia (USA)

Beautiful villages and meals (but didn't see all the villages mentioned in the itinerary). Very nice people in the group. My horse was wonderful. Very careful and never stumbles; I felt very safe even being close to steep cliffs

Colleen (USA)

All riders were experienced, friendly and considerate. Our guide was very knowledgeable and tried his best to please everyone. The scenery was varied and beautiful, and lunches on the trail were great. Loved riding into the villages ! Horses were well looked after. The trails were sometimes very rocky and steep, but the horses handled them well. I think the hours in the saddle some days were longer than represented in itinerary, but we all enjoyed it and had a good rest at lunch.

Colleen - USA

Tous les cavaliers étaient expérimentés, amicaux et agréables. Notre guide était très bien informé et fait de son mieux pour plaire à tout le monde. Les paysages étaientt variés et magnifiques, et les déjeuners sur la piste étaient super. J'ai adoré monter dans les villages! Les chevaux étaient bien soignés. Les sentiers étaient parfois très rocheux et escarpés, mais le
les chevaux évoluaient très bien. Je pense que les heures en selle certains jours étaient plus longues que présentées dans l'itinéraire, mais nous l'avons tous apprécié et nous nous sommes bien reposés au déjeuner.

Horseback Trail Ride in PROVENCE : COLORS and PERFUMES OF THE LUBERON, PROVENCE PERCHED VILLAGES

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Horseback Trail Ride in PROVENCE : THE LUBERON COLORS & PERFUMES

Horseback Riding Trip in PROVENCE : THE LAVENDER RIDE

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