This extraordinary trail leads you through imposing landscapes and wild valleys, framed by mighty mountain peaks inhabited by eagles and vultures, to the wide sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean.
Besides horseback riding, you will also discover the culture of the Basque Country. From Saint Jean Pied-de-Port (UNESCO World Heritage Site), you will ride the famous Way of St. James and old smuggler trails through the Quint region. From the high mountain passes you can see the Gulf of Gascony. The landscape here is green as in Ireland and harmonious as in Tuscany. Untouched jungle, small old villages and many valleys with thousands of sheep and wild herds of horses are only some of the highlights. Pure nature, loneliness and a lot of distance to the stressful everyday life are guaranteed here!

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Bordeaux to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port and visit of the historic old town (UNESCO World Heritage Site!). Saint Jean Pied-de-Port is a well-known stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela and offers a lively flair with many pretty shops and shopping facilities. Dinner together in a nice restaurant in the pretty old town. Overnight stay in a 3* Gite de Charme.

Day 2: Saint Jean Pied-de-Port - Banca.
Start at 10.00 a.m. with the ascent to the Monhoa peak with impressive 360° panorama (weather permitting) and continue riding over the Urdanzia Pass from where you will enjoy a fantastic view over the Aldudes Valley. Overnight Banca at Hotel Erreguina or at the rustic Gîte Espila.

Day 3: Banca - Urepel - Aldudes.
Start at 10.00 am. Today´s ride takes you through an impressive mountain world with imposing peaks and views as far as Spain! You will cross the watershed and the Lindus Pass where you will enjoy a spectacular mountain panorama! On horseback you continue through the Quint region and the Aldudes Valley to the picturesque village of Urepel. Overnight stay at Hotel Erreguina in Banca.

Day 4: Aldudes - Banca.
Start at 10.30 a.m. with the ascent to the mountain Harguibel. On the way you will discover the Spanish jungle - pure nature experience! For dinner today we have trout - fresh from the river of the Banca Valley. Overnight stay again in Banca.

Day 5: Banca - Ispeguy Pass - Erratzu - Mimizan
Start at 10:00 am with the crossing of the Elhorrieta Pass (854 m) from where you have an impressive view of the surrounding valleys and the Spanish Pyrenees. There are also prehistoric tombs to visit before continuing towards the Ispéguy Pass. For lunch, you will get a taste of Spanish air, as you will have lunch in a typical Spanish restaurant. An exciting path along a former smugglers trail leads you down to Erratzu. You will ride through the city before you leave for Mimizan on the Atlantic Ocean. After a beautiful panoramic ride along the coast you will reach the guesthouse with pool. In between you will have a break to enjoy dinner. With a good Bordeaux wine.

Day 6 - 7: Mimizan - Contis - Mimizan Contrast pure
After the mountain peaks now the foaming waves of the Atlantic and blue to the horizon! For two days you explore the area on horseback to your heart´s content, with a completely different landscape: Les Landes, the largest forest in Europe - always with magnificent views of the sea - and of course the wide, white sandy beach, which invites you to gallop! In good weather you can even swim in the sea with the horses. Your riding tour ends in style - with a beach ride into the sunset on the last evening! Dinner in Mimizan.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to Bordeaux - if there is time, with a ride through the city centre - and flight home.

Accomodation
Accommodation in the mountains is simple but comfortable. Accommodation is in rustic, cosy inns and private gîtes as well as family-friendly 2-star hotels.
You spend the nights near the Atlantic Ocean in the guesthouse with pool and terrace close to the horses.
The lunch break is relaxed, with time for a little siesta. Lunch is usually served in the form of a picnic. Salads, baguette, cheese platter, dessert and coffee/tea/drinks are usually served at a table. For dinner there are delicious dishes, e.g. from the Basque Country, prepared with love by your hosts.

Saddle & Tack: English and French endurance saddles. Saddlebags are provided.

Experience: From the age of 3-5 years regular riding in all gaits. The gallops usually take place individually (separated from the group) or in pairs one after the other. You ride about 6-8 hours a day, sometimes in difficult terrain, at a moderate pace with trot and canter in the mountains (gallops at the beach). You should be physically fit (short sections lead the horses also in the mountains). Rider weight max. 85kg. Minimum age: 18 years. Max: 72 years.

Horses: French trotters, thoroughbred and Anglo-Arabian horses up to approx. 1.70m. They are easy-going, sure-footed and sociable. The horses live all year round on huge pastures in a herd.