The Alps from the horseback

Champoluc

Duration: 5 days
Price: from 1500 EUR per person
Level: good riding skills and knowledge of horses
When: 11-15 September 2020 or upon request
Max-min persons: 8-10
Included: flights from selected airpoorts, transfer, accommodation in double room, one night in mountain hut with shared rooms, breakfast, lunches and dinners during the ride, horse rent and horseback trail guide, guide from theAlps, one yoga pass.

Extra: Please bring your own riding helmet and -boots.

Once upon a time, horses were the main means of transport in the Alps. Along with donkeys and mules, they were the only way for the people living here to get from one valley to another on narrow mountain paths.

Experience the Alps from a different point of view horseback riding, along ancient mule tracks, through the beautiful valley of Champoluc.

You will stay comfortable at a charming hôtes right next to the ranch and one night in a cozy mountain hut.

Program proposal

Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five

Day one

We meet up in the afternoon at our small Hôtes with only five rooms, nestled in the green of Barmasc at an altitude of 2000 meters. Giulia from the Green Ranch will join us for a sparkling welcome drink at the terrace with a briefing about the program and the days on the horseback. We follow with dinner at the neigbour's at Le Bracconnier.

Day two

The breakfast table is filled with local home-made products and everything tastes particularly good up here.

We go together to the ranch to prepare our horses. Giulia has already made a first plan on how to pair horses and riders.

We start off with a half day ride, from the open field of lush grass filled with butterflies and flowers, with room to gallop, through the small hamlets of this, the sunny side of the valley. Our trek leads us to the well preserved medieval village Antagnod, listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy.

A scenic ride back to Barmasc where we enjoy a late lunch. You can catch the evening sun in the outdoor Jacuzzi or go for a shorter walk (by foot) before dinner in a typical mountain restaurant.

Day three

Higher and further! We leave Barmasc and the Green Ranch behind us for a two day trek. We follow the ancient irrigation canal Ru Cortoud on narrow trails and smaller gravel roads. We stop for lunch at an agriturismo, a farmstead, where the menu features authentic local dishes made with seasonal products from the own farm. Don’t miss the creamy gelato, made out of fresh milk from the cows pasturing, literally, around the corner.

Parts of the trek is quite challenging and some parts must be done by foot leading the horses while other sections allows you to go faster –with wind in your hair, adrenaline in your veins.

After a long day in the saddle you will be warmly welcomed to the mountain hut Ferraro by Valerie and Julienne. To spend an evening in a rifugio is a special experience, on the mountain you are among alikes, you exchange knowledge, tell stories and get to know each other over a rustic dish and a glass of wine or two.

We spend the night in the hut with our horses peacefully grazing outside.

Day four

We ride down to Champoluc, entering the village trough the pinewoods and open fields of Pianvillly. We stop for something light to eat and drink, at the outdoor café before continuing the beautiful ride back to Barmasc.

If you want you can join our yoga session, specially made for riders. Or maybe you want to some time to visit the small shops and cafés along the pedestrian street in Champoluc?

Dinner and a last night’s stay in Barmasc.

Day five

Time to relax! Depending on your following plans we are happy to suggest you how to spend the day.

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