Day 1
Riding: No riding.
You will be collected from Lalinde train station strictly by 6.30 pm and transferred as a group to your B&B. If you have your own transport then you are also welcomed at the B&B in the late afternoon.
Day 2
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After breakfast, at c. 10:30 am, you are introduced to the horses at Chateau de Bannes (a 15th-century private castle). Set off riding through Lalinde's bastide and follow the canal towards the village of Mauzac which is situated on the right bank of the Dordogne. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing to the ancient fishing port of Limeuil. Dinner and overnight in a B&B or hotel.
Day 3
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After crossing the forest on horseback, you stop for a picnic lunch near the village of St Cyprien on the edge of the Dordogne. The afternoon ride takes you along a medieval path between the castles of Tayac and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to reach the place where you leave the horses for the night in the Valley of the Ceou. Dinner and overnight in a B&B or hotel.
Day 4
Riding: 3 - 4 hours
There is time this morning to visit Castelnaud-la-Chapelle's castle (12th century) and its museum - the castle offers magnificent views across the Beynac, Marquessac and La Roche Gageac.
Today's ride takes you from the Ceou valley to the Dordogne valley where a picnic lunch is waiting for you at the base of a windmill in the Domme bastide. Either before or after lunch you can visit this royal bastide from the 13th century.
In the afternoon you will have great views of the Dordogne valley from this village and your route to Vitrac where you leave the horses. You are then transferred to the well-preserved medieval city of Sarlat for dinner and to overnight.
Day 5
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
This morning's ride takes you from the horses resting place, through Sarlat and onto Campagnac Castle where you stop for a picnic. There is no riding this afternoon and you are free to explore the splendid city of Sarlat. Sarlat is the capital of the Black Perigord region and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with its stunning architecture, art and history.
Dinner and overnight in a B&B or hotel.
Day 6
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Ride along a path towards Meyrals which offers the chance to see the Puymartin Castle, which was first built in the 12th century then destroyed in the 14th century before being rebuilt in the 15th century! Picnic at the foot of Meyrals church before continuing to Audrix which offers a magnificent panorama of the valley of the Vézère. Dinner and night at B&B or a hotel.
Day 7
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
In the morning, you will head down to the Vézère Valley and join the Limeuil river. You will ride along the Dordogne River towards Cadouin, where you have a picnic near the 12th-century abbey. From there, you will go through the Béssede Forest, the most important forest land of the Périgord, and take some time to visit Molière's village, a bastide again from the 12th century, before heading back to the Bannes castle. Final dinner and night at the gites where you spent your first night.
Day 8
Riding: No riding.
You will be transferred together to Bergerac or Lalinde train station after breakfast at c. 8.30am (no later transfers will be possible).
NB. Please note that the itinerary is a guide and may have to be adjusted due to weather or other local conditions, but always with your best interests at heart.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
