Ride through the mountains and valleys of the French Alps, amongst the spectacular scenery around Mont Blanc and immerse yourself in fresh air, French cheeses and local wines. The villages you ride through are ski resorts in winter but the summer is equally beautiful. This is also a great option for families as the riding is not too challenging for children and they have sensible horses.
Day One: airport pick up Geneva
On arrival at Geneva airport you are transferred c. 1 hour to the small town of Samoens, which literally means Seven Peaks.
Depending on the time of your arrival you can explore the town and visit the botanical gardens “La Jaysinia”. These 3.5 hectares of gardens specialise in alpine flowers and are open every day (except when there’s snow on the ground) and admission is free. The gardens contain about 8,000 plants from around the world, including 4,500 alpines and 500 varieties of trees and shrubs. The gardens are at an altitude of 700-800 metres above sea level and are situated on a steep, south-facing limestone slope overlooking the old village. The gardens also feature the ruins of Tornalta castle (12th century), a chapel (1687) and fountains and cascades.
You meet your horse guide for dinner in the evening where you will be briefed for the week ahead. Overnight in a three star hotel.
Day Two: – First riding day
After breakfast you meet the horses and set off riding towards the natural reserve of Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval, which has been named as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval has many attractions including waterfalls, which is one of about thirty waterfalls in the area. You ride along tracks through the mountains and alongside the Giffre river, which are perfect for some trots and canters.
Overnight at camping le pelly mountain tent x2 pax with beds toilets and shower are not private
Day Three: – 2nd riding day Lac de gers
Today’s ride takes you to Gers Lake which is situated on a scenic plateau at 1,534m. The ride takes c. 4 hours and your destination is a guesthouse owned by a lovely French couple. They will delight in providing you with a delicious home cooked meal at the end of the day.
Some of the rooms here contain three beds.
Overnight at Gers guesthouse.
Day Four: – 3rd Riding day
After breakfast, set of riding back towards Samoens through the mountains, crossing the Giffre river and allowing the horses to cool their legs.
Overnight in a 3 star hotel.
Day Five: – 4th riding day
Riding along Giffre valley to Taninges lake de Flérier.
We will visite la Chartreuse de Mélan and enjoy a nice lunch at Flérier lake restaurant.
The Charterhouse of “ Mélan” is a former monastery belonging to the Carthusian order, located in the town of Taninges in Haute-Savoie, in the department of Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The Charterhouse received nuns. It was then transformed into a minor seminary, then into a departmental orphanage. It now hosts a departmental cultural center. The chartreuse was classified as a historical monument in 1911.
Hotel night in a 3 stars hotel
Day six: – 5th riding day
Set off early to ride to Gollese pass at 1,784m. You will ride along the well-known GR5 route, passing the village of Les Allamands and stopping for lunch at Sebastian Baud guesthouse. After lunch it’s just a short ride 2 hours to your guesthouse at 1,400m.at lake les mine d’ or.
Hotel Mine d’ Or or similar
end of ride
Day Seven: – departure
Free Time Till Time of Flight Departure (chance to visit the Village).
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Ability description: | Strong novice and above, able to rise to the trot and canter. The riding is not particularly challenging although there are opportunities to trot and canter. It is more important to be fit and in good health for riding at altitude. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 6 nights / 5 days of riding (c. 4 hours riding per day) |