DAILY PROGRAM
ROTTA SICANA
(8 days, 7 nights)
Arrival and welcome
Transfer and Arrival at the Azienda Agricola Traina in Prizzi. The horses and ponies that we will use for our trekking are bred and trained here. Historically owned and managed by a local family, the company is a good combination of agriculture and horse breeding with experiences of hospitality and rural tourism. Welcome, room arrangement and presentation of the staff.
In the afternoon we will do a first test ride to test our horse and the Sicilian country roads.
Dinner and overnight stay
Prizzi – Ficuzza (7 hours)
After a good breakfast we will be ready for the first day of our journey. Our destination is the Riserva Naturale del bosco della Ficuzza, the historic hunting reserve of King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, during the Spanish domination of Sicily. Skirting the Raja lake, an artificial basin under prizzi source of a power plant, we will head towards Rocca Busambra, the highest mountain of the Sicani (1650m). After a relaxing picnic by our staff, we will continue the climb until we reach the holm oak and downy oak forest, crossing parts of the reserve with beautiful single treks.
Arrive at a local farmhouse. Relax and visit the Royal Palace, the Real Casina di Caccia, in the small village of Ficuzza.
Dinner and overnight at the farmhouse.
Ficuzza – Corleone (5 hours)
After a good breakfast we leave calmly along the old railway line that connected the various internal territories.
Crossing fields of farmers who cultivate local products, we will reach the gates of the city of Corleone until we arrive at Masseria Ridocco, a suggestive place managed by 2 brothers, horse and cat lovers, belonging to a historic local family.
After arranging the horses and having refreshed ourselves, a particular experience will be planned: Visit of ancient Corleone, with a walking tour together with Marilena Bagarella, who will tell about her life experience in one of the symbolic cities of the Sicilian mafia. Today she deals with courses on legality and civic education for schools and for various types of guests.
Dinner and overnight.
Corleone – Abbey of Santa Maria del Bosco – Sambuca si Sicily (6 hours)
Crossing the countryside fields we will arrive at the Monte Genoardo nature reserve. Inside the wood is the magnificent ancient Abbazia di Santa Maria del Bosco(medieval period) managed by the “Inglesi” family. Today it is a place where it is possible to dine and stay overnight.
Guided tour of the abbey and packed lunch organized by the owners.
Continuing the trek inside the wood towards Mamaterra, next to the village of Sambuca di Sicilia, a sweet little farm run by Mauro and Marcella, a nice couple dedicated to agriculture and educational activities. They also produce their own pasta and bread with ancient grains.
Dinner and overnight.
Sambuca – Sosio river and valley – Burgio (6 hours)
From Mamaterra we will move to reach the Riserva Naturale Valle del Sosio and Monti di Palazzo Adriano, until we arrive near a wooded area for a particular picnic lunch prepared by our staff with a swim in the Sosio river, an ancient stream that crosses the Monti Sicani up to the western coast between the cities of Sciacca and Ribera, forming deep gorges between wild and uncontaminated nature.
Our Trek will continue inside the river for a few km and with a suggestive single trek inside the Lecco forest and downy oaks typical of the Sican landscape, the last of our journey.
Arrive at a local farmhouse.
Relax and visit the village of Burgio, famous for its local ceramics and bell foundry.
Dinner and overnight.
Burgio – Eraclea Minoa (5 hours)
Starting from the town of Burgio, we head south-west along rural roads or paths that cross the hills. This area is characterized by rolling landscapes and cultivated fields, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the sea on the horizon.
After a short picnic stop we will continue westwards, reaching the Agrigento coast and the town of Eraclea, a place known for its pristine beaches and the archaeological remains of the ancient Greek city of Minoa.
Once we reach our destination, we will park the horses in a delightful pine forest by the sea and then enjoy a moment of relaxation with an aperitif and a fantastic dinner based on fresh local fish.
ERACLEA MINOA swimming and walk on the beach
Today will close our travel experience in the Sicani and will be dedicated to moments of relax with the horses between the beach and the extensive neighboring pine forest reaching the mouth of the Platani river.
Picnic on the beach and possible swimming in the sea…
In the afternoon the horses will return home with the van; we will take the time to say goodbye and thank them for their precious company this week!!
Afterwards we can organize a visit to explore the archaeological sites.
Aperitif and dinner.
Goodbyes and airport transfer
Breakfast and departure for the airport.