Discover Man and his history in black “Périgord”
Walking in Périgord, also known as the country of Man, is a journey through time. Man has left his mark, from Prehistory through the Middle-Ages, up to the present day. Visiting the sites of Eyzies – cradle of Prehistory -, will you into the worlds of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon.; Visiting the Castle of Castelnaud, you will go back to the “One Hundred Years” War , The city of Sarlat and other medieval sites are a testimony of the middle ages. But Périgord is also about South-west French gastronomy, with its famous truffle or “black diamond”, but also wine, duck and goose. And last but not least, it is an ideal region for travellers in search of nature and space; which is why we offer many discovery walks but also canoeing down the river Dordogne or riding a bike in the Valley of the Five Castles.
Highlights:
- Participate to an educational investigation in historical and prehistorical sites such as the Castle of Castelnaud, the site of Eyzies ( Unesco world historical heritage) and Sarlat .
- Bike, Canoe and Hike in peaceful Dorogne nature (Bio Sphere UNESCO) ( canoeing, Biking, hiking...)
- Experience the local gastronomic culture : truffle and wine producers.
- Enjoy the comfort of a family hotel in the country, its swimming pool and environment.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Perigord Arrival at the airport. Meeting up with our guide and transfer by private bus to our hotel, in the town of Meyral. The rooms of the Domaine de la Rhonie are converted outbuildings renovated with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside: the old tobacco barn, the old sheep fold, and the walnut drying house. Dinner at restaurant and overnight in our hotel ***. Meals (-/-/D)
Day 2: Combo biking/canoeing (0h30 walk 2km +0m -0m; 1h30 bike 9km +160m -160m, 3 h canoe 15km)
Day 2: Combo biking/canoeing (0h30 walk 2km +0m -0m; 1h30 bike 9km +160m -160m, 3 h canoe 15km)Sportive day and discovery of the valley of the 5 castles. A twenty minutes transfer by bus takes us on the banks of the Dordogne river. From Castelnaud, we ride our bikes up the river Dordogne, on the tow-path which the gabariers (“gabare” boat pilots) used to take to get to the village of Vitrac (1h30). As for the less sportive travellers, there will be a bus available (15 min) to take you to our destination. Then we will paddle down the river (3 hours); while canoeing you will have the chance to feast your eyes upon the village of la Roque Gageac, the fortified town of Domme, and finally upon the castles of Castelnaud and Beynac. Transfer by bus to Meyral and our accommodation.
Day 3: Castle of Castelnaud – Picnic on the banks of the river Dordogne - Marqueyssac (2h30 walk; +250m -250m ; 5,5km) From our accommodation, we go back to the village of Castelnaud (15 min). We will visit this exceptional 13th century castle, take parts in different activities that will give us a sense of the life of knights in the Middle Ages and discover the museum of medieval war. Picnic on the banks of the river Dordogne. Then we will walk around the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac ( 35 min), located on a cliff overhanging the river Dordogne. Young adventurous athletes (minimum age: 8) ) will be able to safely try the Via Ferrata (about 45mn). Back to our accommodation by bus ( 15 min). Dinner and overnight stay. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 4: Free day Meals (B/-/D)Throughout this free day, our guide will help you organise your programme. Depending on availability and date of arrival, here are some things you can do:
- Directly on our website :
- swimming pool, games room, guest lounge and a lot of outdoor childrens'games.
- From the Rhonie, there are countless opportunities for hiking, horseback or mountain bike riding available for you to discover breathtaking landscapes and a richly preserved heritage. Possible renting at your expense.
- Visits of the caves of Lascaux and Thot: two major prehistoric sites located in Montignac and listed as world historical heritage by Unesco (1h transfer) Transport and entry tickets at your expense.
Day 5: Bike + Pechalifour(1h30 bike; 15 km - 2h30 walk; +200m -200m; 7,5 km) From our accommodation, we ride our bikes for 7 km on a small road, before we arrive in the lovely hamlet of Pechalifour, where we meet up with Edouard, the truffle grower who will tell us about his passion and craft. Assisted by his two dogs, we will go seek the “black diamond”: the truffle, a Périogord's flagship product that won't have any secrets for you; then we will go for a bucolic walk, a picnic in a cave before heading for Marc and Nathalie's, two organic wine-growers who will give us a tour of their farm and make us taste their products. The day will end with a walk back to Pechalifour where we will take the bike to get back to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 6: Eyzies(1h30 walk; +50m -50m; 3km)After a transfer on a private bus or taxi (15 min), we arrive to Eysies, cradle of prehistory in France and listed as world historical heritage by Unesco since 1979. Through a fun and educational journey, we will discover the life, environment and art of the Man of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon (ancestors to all of us), from the inside. Our tour will take us to the international centre of prehistory: the National Museum of Prehistory and several caves and dig sites. After picnic, we will experience a prehistoric dig activity in real conditions, assisted by archaeologists. At the end of the day, private transfer back to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 7: SARLAT(2h walk; +50m -50m; 3 km)Dinner is not included tonight. Overnight at our accomodation . Meals (B/L/-)
After a transfer by private bus (30 min), we enter the city of Sarlat. Medieval treasure founded in the 9th century and finely preserved. A very mysterious investigation will make you discover life in the Middle-Ages and Sarlat's cultural and historical heritage.
Back to our accommodation after dinner.
Day 8: DepartureAfter breakfast, a private transfer will take you back to airport (2 hours). Meals (B/-/-)
Note: B (Breakfast); L (lunch); D (dinner)
Grade: moderate, 3 to 6 hours walking each day. The typology of the paths are: large dirt road, mule track and wooden path. A prior hiking experience is advisable. There is no technical difficulty but long walks.
Accommodation :
- 7 nights in a hotel***
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 litres), trekking poles advised.
Included:
7 night accommodation in on half board basis (except dinner on day 7)
All transfer by private bus
Rental of bikes (day 6) and canoes&bike (Day2)
Entrance for the sites of Eysies (Day 6), Marqueyssac (Day 3), the castle of Castelnaud (Day 3) and the visit of la Truffière(Day 5)
Via Ferrata activity on day 3 ( For 8 year old children and up)
Investigation in Sarlat
English spoken tour leader, specialist of the region
All Lunches (except on day 1 and day 8)
Not included:
1 lunch in Sarlat on Day 7
lunches on day 1 and day 8
Transfers, activities and entrance on Day 4
All beverages
Tourist taxes
Everything not mentioned in “included”
Cancellation policy:
The client can cancel their holiday at any time. Any cancellation by the client must be sent as soon as possible to Mandala Tour in order to update the rooming list and to determine the cancellation charge applicable. The cancellation charges are expressed hereafter as a percentage of the total tour price:
1) No charges for cancellations 30 days or more before departure
2) Cancellation 29-15 days before departure: 25% of the tour price
3) Cancellation 14-9 days before departure: 50% of the tour price
4) Cancellation 8- 4 days before departure: 75% of the tour price
5) Cancellation less than 3 days before departure: 100% of the tour price
