SAMI TRAIL - GREECE

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On this riding trip you will explore the secluded mountains surrounding the Monastery of Themata which extend to encompass Agia Efimia as well as Mount Aenos, a National Park. You ride on well schooled Haflinger horses - perfect trail horses - in mountainous areas, on old donkey paths, gallop on the beach and across olive groves and even have the chance to swim in the sea with your horse. You will visit old ruined villages, destroyed by the earthquake in 1953 and see the most interesting sights - all on horseback. Greece is the largest Ionian Island. Its history is around 4500 years old. Just a few holidaymakers know the beauties of this island. High mountains with green valleys among them, rivers and streams with crystal clear water coming from the top of Mount Ainos, 1628 meters high. The view from the monasteries up on the mountains will take you a breath away as well as the hidden caves and old ruined villages, which make up the island of Kefalonia.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days riding Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010: double pp £855/€979/$1,319 Departure dates 6-13 April 2010 Approximate riding time per day approximately 5-7 hours in the saddle daily Riding ability required Intermediate on, riding fit Group size 4 - 8 Meeting point (getting there) Kefalonia Airport or Sami port Transfer By taxi to start, about €40 per vehicle, free on return journey Flight guide London - Kefalonia from £130 return. Weekday flights tend to be cheaper. Single supplement detailed prices No single rooms available. Riders must be prepared to share.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - SAMI TRAIL

Day 1
Arrival in the late afternoon and dinner.

Day 2
We leave the stable in the morning and we go to the Monastery Fanentes from which we enjoy the view to Lefkada and Ithaka. We continue our ride and we go to Melissani Cave and from there to the sandy beach of Sami. We have a break for picnic and if you want you can swim with the horses. Then we visit the villages Liviatata and Old Karavomilos, which were destroyed in the 1953 earthquake. From there we continue up to the mountains passing by wild goats and a beautiful high plateau with a fantastic view over Sami Bay and Ithaka. We reach the 500 years old Monastery Themata, where we have barbecue and home-made wine. We sleep in the two bedrooms of the monastery.

Day 3
We go up to the mountains. In this district live over 4000 goats all over the year. We enjoy the great view and the wild nature. For dinner we'll eat lamb on the grill, made by a native shepherd. We retire to our tents for the night.

Day 4
Next morning we pass through a canyon and we have a nice picnic on the mountains. We arrive Drogarati Cave for which we can make an optional detour. If you like you can visit it. After that we return to the stable. We sleep in comfortable twin guest rooms after an evening meal of traditional Greek specialities and local wine.

Day 5
In the morning we climb up a donkey trail to the foot of Mount Aenos. On a high plateau we eat our picnic, enjoying a beautiful view over the Bay of Sami. We continue around the base of Mount Aenos, taking a steep downward path to the village of Valsamata which nestles in a beautiful valley. We sleep in the guest rooms and visit a traditional local taverna for our evening meal.

Day 6
After breakfast we go to the 16th century monastery of St Gerasimos. We visit a vineyard for a wine tasting. We climb the opposite side of Mount Aenos, ascending to a height of almost 1600 metres via a forest track through the National Park. We ride in the woods amongst the world-famous Cephalonian fir trees and continue to our camp. We may spot the beautiful but elusive Mount Aenos wild horses. We sleep in two-man tents or under the stars.

Day 7
After breakfast we ride to the beautiful village of Pirgi where we stop in a bar for lunch. In the afternoon we return to base where we have a traditional Greek meal with wine.

Day 8
Your horse riding holiday comes to and end as you say a sad farewell after breakfast at the end of a lovely week exploring Kefalonia on horseback.

Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

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.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Seven nights accommodation as per itinerary. Six days horse riding for 5 - 7 hours a day. Full board (breakfast, picnic and an evening meal). The accommodation is per person sharing, single - rooms cost extra and are available only on request. Entrance fees for the caves are not included. Return transfers from Sami port.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Return transfers from Argostoli Airport, entrance fee to the caves, transport to and from Kefalonia are not included. Single supplement only if not willing to share

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