Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Casa "Il Bosco" - the home of out lovely hosts. They live in a beautifully restored 19th-century country house set amidst the wild landscapes of the Madonie Park. Enjoy sweeping views of the northern Sicilian coastline and the Aeolian Islands, followed by a dinner crafted from local ingredients. Overnight at Casa "Il Bosco."
Day 2: Casa "Il Bosco" to Casalvecchio (7.5 hours of riding - slow pace)
After breakfast, you'll be introduced to your horse and set off around 8:30 AM. Today’s ride will be at a slower pace, mostly walking, as we navigate challenging terrain surrounded by breathtaking natural views. Ride through lush Mediterranean vegetation with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pass near Castelbuono and pause for a picnic lunch before ascending the scenic River Pollina valley. We’ll journey along captivating and seldom-traveled trails, making our way to the Rainò River Valley, a tributary of the Pollina River, located on the eastern edge of the Madonie Park. Our evening will be spent at local Agriturismo where we’ll savor a delightful dinner crafted from fresh, farm-sourced ingredients.
Day 3: Casalvecchio to Monte Soprano (6 hours of riding)
After breakfast, depart at 8:30 AM and ride through San Mauro Castelverde. Follow a scenic ancient path ("trazzera") crossing the provinces of Palermo, Enna, and Messina at 1200 meters altitude, passing a wind farm before descending into the Sambughetti-Campanito reserve for a picnic lunch. Continue into the territory of Nicosia and Cerami before reaching Monte Soprano, a working farm with a pool nestled in the Nebrodi Mountains. Dinner and overnight at Monte Soprano.
Day 4: Monte Soprano to Villa Miraglia (7 hours of riding)
Ride through the heart of Nebrodi Natural Park along the "Dorsale" Ridge, a 100-kilometer dirt track cutting through forests and high pastures with breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Aeolian Islands, and Sicily’s southern interior. Today we will have the chance to do some long trots and canters. Enter the beech woods of San Fratello, home to the native sanfratellani horses, before stopping for lunch beneath ancient trees. Arrive at Villa Miraglia in the afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Villa Miraglia to Monte Colla (8 hours of riding)
Cover more than 40 kilometers along the Nebrodi Ridge, riding through mountains, forests, and along lakes. Visit Maulazzo Lake, with its backdrop of Monte Soro, the highest peak in the Nebrodi range, and continue to Lake Biviere di Cesarò, a haven for migratory birds. End the day at Monte Colla, an 18th-century aristocratic home in the isolated Randazzo territory, where you'll have a well-earned dinner and rest.
Day 6: Monte Colla to Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi (7 hours of riding)
After an early breakfast, we’ll depart around 8:30 AM. Leaving the hotel and its charming cherry orchards behind, we’ll start our descent from the Nebrodi Mountains, enjoying breathtaking views of Mount Etna as we traverse open farmland. Our midday break will be in the heart of serene woodlands at the volcano’s base, where we’ll stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll ascend through captivating, almost surreal landscapes, following the stunning Pista Altomontana trail. This route offers incredible views of the volcano’s summit, nearby mountains, and the coastline. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi, nestled in a magnificent forest of larch pines.
Day 7: Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi to Feudo Magazzeni (6 hours of riding - slower pace - climbing and descending the volcano)
We’ll depart around 8:30 AM and, depending on the season and conditions, ascend higher up the volcano through stunning pine and beech forests. Our route will take us to the site of Etna’s significant lateral eruption in October 2002. We’ll explore the craters from this event, navigating pathways through a surreal, lunar-like terrain, before continuing through forests of birch, beech, and larch pines to reach the impressive Sartorius craters, formed during a major eruption in 1865. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we’ll descend the northeastern slopes of Etna, passing through tranquil, picturesque forests. Our day concludes at Feudo Magazzeni, a beautifully restored historic estate surrounded by hazelnut groves in Sant’Alfio. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure.