A tour through the ancient woods and calanchi of Basiliacata, following in the footsteps of aboutrlo Levi and bandits. Basilicata charms you slowly. It becomes a part of you with the leisureliness of a train that takes you from Bari to Matera across the Lucanian countryside, past great cultivated expanses where your gaze becomes lost following the contours of the merging hills. It is a different pace: slow, you have to get used to it, get in tune. Wind, rustling leaves, majestic birds of prey, the endless yellow, at times violent, of the fields, the impenetrable darkness of ancient forests, bare rock, the bold, colourless land of the calanchi,... Small towns, genuine, simple lives.
Woods and Calanchi Tour Description
Day 1
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Independent arrival in Matera and accommodation in a hotel. A guided tour of the Sassi in the afternoon. Typical dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 2
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Matera hills - about 63 kms
Distribution of the bicycles and start tour. Pass along San Giuliano Lake and make a detour towards Grottole, across beautiful hills covered with wheat. Accommodation in an agritourism, dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 3
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The Lucanian Appenine - about 52 kms
Cross the Basento Valley, which takes you to the inland mountains in the Park of the Small Lucanian Dolomites. Cross the first woods until you reach Accettura. After settling in at the Hotel dinner is recommended at the restaurant “da Mario”.
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Day 4
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The Small Dolomites - about 52 kms.
A round trip in the heart of the Park of the Small Lucanian Dolomites with tough climbs, dense woodlands and great bird’s-eye views. Climb at leisure towards Pietrapertosa, set in sandstone at a height of 1000 metres, and return to Accettura crossing the dense Wood of Montepiano.
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Day 5
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The Calanchi Valley – about 80 kms
Enter the valley of the Agri River, moving from the fresh woods to the barren calanchi, fascinating evidence of the process of erosion of the atmospheric agents on the clayey soil. Visit Aliano, one of the towns where Carlo Levi, who wrote “Cristo si è fermato ad Eboli” (Christ stopped at Eboli) was exiled to. In the town you can visit his house and the museum of the peasant civilization. There is a unique view over the Calanchi. Head for Tursi to stay in the Rabatana, an ancient town, which is now almost uninhabited. Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 6
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Toward Pollino - about 85 kms
After visiting the Sanctuary of Anglona, continue through the orchards of the Ionian coast and start climbing towards the woods and peaks of Pollino, the largest National Park in Italy. Dinner and overnight stay in Terranova.
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Day 7
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On the peaks of the Massif - about 48 kms
Perhaps the most demanding, but also the most fascinating part of the tour. Enter the woods of the massif after a difficult climb and go through small villages and great valleys until you reach the towns of San Severino Lucano and Viggianello. Dinner and overnight stay at a warm, cosy inn.
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Day 8
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Breakfast and end of services
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| Extension |
You can extend the tour with 2 nights with to visit the peaks of Pollino park and the coast of Maratea.
Individual rate: €150.00 (2 nights + luggage transfer)
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Prices(per person, 4 participants min.) ↑ top
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Euro |
Self guided
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682,00 |
What's included:
- 7 nights in double room
- 5 dinners
- Luggage transfer
- Guided tour un the "Sassi di Matera"
- Technical and Emergency
- Detailed maps and road book
What's excluded:
Medical/Luggage Insurance, minivan assistance (on request), drinks, lunches and 2 dinners, tips, personal extras, everything else which does not come under the heading "what's included" |
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Single Room Supplement
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126,00 |
| Half Board Supplement (2 dinners, excluding drinks) |
45,00
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Hybrid Bike Rental rental with 24/27 speed - Shimano Deore gear equipped with rear pack frames and side bags
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75,00 |
| Optional services |
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| Transfer from Bari APT to Matera (2 participants min.) |
35,00 |
| Transfer from Viggianello to Bari APT (2 participants min.) |
75,00 |
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Transfer from Viggianello to Maratea (2 participants min.)
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40,00 |
Group Tour Prices ↑ top
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Euro |
Group Tour
Individual fee based on double room occupancy, 8 participants minimum
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946,00 |
What's included, group tour:
- 7 nights in doble room with breakfast
- 6 pocket lunches and 7 diners
- All Transfers from/to Bari airport
- Luggage transfer, guide and minivan assistance
- Guided tour in the "Sassi of Matera"
What's excluded:
Medical/Luggage insurance, cycling guide, drinks, entrance, tips, personal extras, everything elsewhich does not come under the heading "what's included"
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| Cycling guide Group Tour: |
165,00 |
Single room supplement
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126,00 |
Tour Info ↑top
Characteristics
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6 days by bicycle on hilly and mountainous terrain and moderate to high difficulty
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Total Length
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km. 376 about |
| Legs |
from 40 to 65 km to be done in 4 – 8 within the day |
| Terrain |
Panoramic, hilly, mountain
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| Climate |
Hot Summer, pleasant Springtime adn fall |
| Meals |
Breakfast everyday and 5 dinners
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| Nights |
7 |
Dates
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On saturday, springtime and fall
Guided / Group Tour : see calendar
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| Accommodations |
2 nights in 3* Hotel and 5 nights in farm holiday
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Closest airport
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Bari (54 km from Matera) |
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