Only for intermediate or experienced riders, this adventurous trail of 100 miles takes you through the remote mountains and friendly villages of Crete. There is an unguided trail option anytime for experienced riders able to care for their own horses. In this case you are equipped with maps and route descriptions and the trail is already clearly marked. Guided trails take place once a month. You stay at tavernas with the horses nearby and on some nights at the beautiful Country Hotel Velani . You have 2 saddlebags for your personal belongings and a change of contents is brought to you midweek. This truly is an opportunity to explore another culture on good horses with secure back up. Most people in Crete speak some English and arriving on horseback in small villages you are eagerly awaited guests. The countryside lends itself to good riding with many dirt tracks winding through olive groves and mountains. You are free to stop at any olive grove for your picnic lunch or linger at as many tavernas as you want!
Why not read Danni's article on the Unguided Lasiti Trail as published in the Equestrian Lifestyle magazine.
No single rooms available. Riders must be prepared to share.
2010: £135/€145/$195
SAMPLE ITINERARY - LASITHI TRAIL UNGUIDED
Day 1 Arrival, a welcome tour through the stables, a dive in the pool and evening dinner in the restaurant at the hotel. A briefing about the trail riding you'll be undertaking.
Day 2 We ride in a northerly direction; we ride up the hills of Sfendili. We cross the Byzantine church of Avdou, and ride quickly over the plateau of Mochos and have an excellent view to the Psiloritis Mountains, the highest peak of the island. Overnight in Avdou in the hotel. This gives you the opportunity to get to know your horse, and make sure that they are right for you, as tomorrow you begin your unguided trail.
Day 3 The trail starts with a spectacular climb. After riding through the gorge of Gonies you climb up from sea level to 1000 meter high, over the small old donkey route. In the past the only possible path to the Lassithi Plateau. Enjoy the breathtaking views and eat a lunch cooked in a traditional oven. In the afternoon ride over the Lassithi Plateau. This fertile Plateau between the tops of the Dikti Mountains is known for its white windmills irrigating the land. Meet the locals still working with their donkeys on the land. Here you make a quick canter over the flat plateau. Overnight in Magoulas.
Day 4
Today you cross through the Dikti Mountain Range in south direction. Nothing but nature, experience the special feeling of being alone with the horses, the mountains, the nature and some rough but friendly shepherds. Overnight - transport back to our base hotel in Avdou.
Day 5
Ride downhill through a desert land dried by the south winds out of Africa until you meet the clear blue water of the Libyan Sea for a refreshing dive. Here you can go swimming with the horses. (IMPORTANT: The swimming is dependent on safe weather conditions). You sleep next to the sea and of course here you eat fresh fish from the wood-fire. Overnight in Keratokambos.
Day 6
First you ride along the sea and then turn inland again. Follow the Anapodaris River which cut out a 5-km long gorge. Still now the water is cutting the gorge deeper; you grow dizzy from the depth. Suddenly the land becomes more friendly, hilly with many olive and vinyards. Cross through villages and along lake Ini. The horses stay near Arcalochori. Overnight in Avdou at the hotel.
Day 7
Ride back to Avdou through typical Greek country side. Cross Greek villages where time has stand still. Feel welcome to stop and drink an Raki with the Cretans at one of the village squares. Next to your path rise the Dikti Mountains, which you will not forget quickly. Overnight in Avdou at the hotel.
Day 8 After breakfast depart for the airport and your flight home.
Notes: The riding times vary from 3 hours to 7 hours on one day. In the case of unguided trails the days can be taken at your own pace and on some days there are shorter or longer routes available to your accommodation that night. As with many of our horse riding holidays, the itinerary may change due to weather or other local considerations. The trail is not available in July and August due to the heat, the Sun and Riding program is offered instead with a few hours riding in the cooler hours of the day.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
8 days/ 7 nights on a basis of Dinner Bed and Breakfast, dinner a la carte at local restaurants and at the base hotel, from the dinner on the first day until breakfast on the last day. Overnight stay in the base hotel (see Sun and Riding Program for details), during the trail overnight stay in village hotels and base hotel, with toilet/shower en suite. During the overnight stays in Avdou you can enjoy your meal at the base hotel. Luggage is carried in saddle bags and a change will be brought to you on the Wednesday of the trail. All horses, and tack and guide.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Lunches (picnics can be ordered from your overnight hosts or purchased very cheaply along the road wherever you decide to stop), drinks, transport to and from Heraklion. The return transfer from the airport is not included. Guest can take a taxi at the airport which costs around 45 euro. Night tariff is around 55 euro.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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