Welcome to the heart of the Dordogne region, known to the French as Périgord and the village of Les Eyzies (population c. 900). Les Eyzies lies at the heart of an unspoilt area of great natural beauty with rolling hills, tranquil rivers and fascinating cliff and rock formations. A stay here in the incredibly scenic Périgord Noir (Black) region, before your trip commences, is an excellent idea. Les Eyzies is best reached via the provincial centre of Perigueux approximately 100 kms north-east of the city of Bordeaux. There are daily direct fast trains from Paris' Gare d'Austerlitz (four - five hours) and Bordeaux (one hour) to Perigueux among other routes. Here you change for a direct regional service to Les Eyzies (30 minutes). We recommend that you consult www.sncf.com for exact train departure times regardless of your routing. Whilst at your discretion, we recommend arriving/ departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transports minimal carbon emissions. Arriving at Les Ezyies train station is already magical in itself – it is a delightful heritage station plucked from yesteryear and lies only 600 metres walk from our hotel. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac nestles against the cliffs and oak forests on the bank of the meandering Vézère river. Following the discovery in the 19th century of remarkable remains of prehistoric human occupation, the village has come to be known as a capital of prehistory. A trip to see the many fascinating artifacts at the museum-of-prehistory is highly recommended. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place on a notice, placed near the reception of our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. Tonight a 'welcome dinner' to meet our fellow travellers. Santé!

After breakfast we leave the bustling town of Les Eyzies, where the local market is held every Monday morning. We stroll along the Vézére River, an ochre colored river that flows and snakes through rolling hills covered with oaks and chestnut trees, to... the wizard’s cave ! Do you remember the tale of Hansel and Gretel? Children lost in the woods who are attracted by barley sugar windows and the gingerbread roof of a witch’s house? Well, this is it. Without a doubt, we are irresistibly seduced by this troglodyte cliff-side house and by its cave perched over the small village of Saint Cirq in Dordogne, only a few miles from the village of Le Bugue. Hidden among bamboos and banana tree plantations, we enter another dimension, that of Saint-Cirq’s Wizard dating from 15,000 years ago. After discovering this very interesting little cave, introducing you to the prehistory of the area, it’s time to share our first picnic ! Local goat cheese and the world’s sweetest strawberries will give you more energy to walk back to Les Eyzies. (5 hours walking, +300m cumulative gain)

After breakfast we leave les Eyzies and walk up the small scenic valley of Beune carved out over thousands of years by the meandering river that shares it name and gaze upon its mysterious landscapes as we wander. We then walk along the hilltops that seem almost like lofty balconies nestled in wooded hills and festooned by orchids. As we walk our environs are beautiful typical Perigord farms where ducks and geese are bred for local culinary specialties. Now we arrive at the grandiose Château of Commarque founded during the 12th century on the request of the abbots of Sarlat. At its inception the 'Château de Commarque' was only a wooden tower assuming a role to deter the ambitions of the rival Beynacs and to insure the safety of the valley. It was placed at a strategic nexus of two important commercial roads: the road from Périgueux to Cahors and the road from Brive-la-Gaillarde to Bergerac. The castle was constantly further fortified over the centuries and changed hands many times in the maelstrom of wars across the ages such as the French wars of religion and the Hundred Years war when occupied by the English. We now take time to enjoy our fresh picnic lunch in bucolic picturesque surroundings enroute to our fabulous 'feature Stay' night stop in Bardenat. Our hotel in Bardenat is a charming inn in the heart of Perigord. Local cuisine awaits us tonight with the products of the farm and a well deserved swim in the garden's swimming pool after today's walk. (6 hours walking, +600 cumulative gain - longer walk)

After breakfast we bid 'au revoir' to our hosts and wander off through hills and forest and rejoin the tranquil banks of the Vézère River. We now walk by the ghostly prehistoric shelters of Castermerle and of Conquill hewn from sheer rock. Opposite these ancient relics is the postcard perfect village of Saint-Leon, a quiet and picturesque village located on a scenic bend in the river. Once a river port this tiny township (pop. 441) is a vestige to medieval times and an undiscovered gem. There is time for lunch along the river at a small café whose owner (a wonderful character) assembles flavorsome salads from the freshest of produce with a smile and a whistle. We complete today at the La Roque Saint Christophe (St Christopher's rock), set high above the waters of the Vézère river. This site (the biggest cave dwelling habitation in Europe) consists of about one hundred caves on five levels hollowed out on the limestone cliffs. This site is believed to have housed up to 1000 people. Walking up and down the stairs and passageways you discover early traces of occupation that go back over 50,000 years becoming a veritable fortress during the medieval centuries. A late afternoon transfer to our new base in the countryside outside of Beynac known as one of the most beautiful villages in France.Its magnificent castle was protected by the sheer drop on the side facing the Dordogne River and its northern defenses were reinforced around 1598 when a double wall, two rows of moats and two barbicans - a type of fortified gateway were constructed. From this panoramic location we enjoy breathtaking views over the whole of the valley and the surrounding Châteaux. Just below is the village itself stretching along the banks of the calm river. It was inhabited as early as 2000 BC and during the Middle Ages and in medieval times lived off the traffic on the river. The traditional gabares (boats) have today given way to canoes and rowing boats set against the picture postcard backdrop of the fortressed castle. Another 'feature stay' for our next two nights with an inviting swimming pool to cool off after rewarding walking and sumptuous regional fare for dinner. (5-6 hours walking, 500m cumulative gain).

This morning we head into the heart of the Dordogne, beginning with a guided and leisurely stroll around the bastide town of Domme, We will enjoy the morning market of this medieval masterpiece of cobblestone streets, exquisite honey-coloured homes and compact gardens of creeping wisteria vines. 'Bastides' were fortified new towns built in medieval Languedoc, Gascony and Aquitaine during the 13th and 14th centuries in an effort to colonize, what was viewed as a wilderness region especially in southwest France, and almost seven hundred new towns, or 'bastides' were built between 1222 and 1372. Of more modern flavour bastide Domme, like La Roque Gageac, is now listed in the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France' (The most beautiful villages in France) - an official categorisation of the 100 prettiest French villages. Within the walls of this 12th-century village, you can visit the caves where the villagers hid during the Hundred Years' War. On the Grand Rue, the town's shopping street, you may purchase some of the many exquisite handicrafts, wine and food specialties of the Périgord. Our walk then descends through the village of Saint Julien-de-Cenac, along the Dordogne. This afternoon there is the opportunity to undertake the optional activity of canoeing on the Dordogne River, from Cenac to Beynac (12 km, about 2 ½ hours). You'll drift off to Beynac via La Roque Gageac and Castelnaud. Not only are you going to discover these beautiful places on foot, but also by water. And you'll see the beautiful cliffs along the river before La Roque Gageac, the magnificent castle in Castelnaud which since the Middle Ages has stood above its village. After Castelnaud, at the end of your descent, the village of Beynac awaits. The canoe trip is an early taste of tomorrow's walk where you will be in the heart of the same villages! Tonight is spent back in Beynac and tonight you may wish to enjoy a local dinner of regional specialties . (2 hours walking, +300 cumulative gain + optional activity: canoeing, 2 hours)

Castelnaud - La Roque Gageac - Sarlat Today we walk from villages to castles.This morning we amble through cornfields en route to Castelnaud following the ambling path alongside the wide slow flowing Dordogne River. Perched on a hillside on the left bank of the Dordogne, Castelnaud dominates the small borough coiled at its feet. A stronghold of the English during the Hundred Years War we have free time to enjoy the sweeping views from its dominating position aloft a rocky outcrop. We then cross the Dordogne River before walking through a plain and then reaching La Roque-Gageac. Nestled next to the water, at the foot of the impressive cliff, where the elegant houses, their banana, bamboo and palm trees, are perched on the rock. La Roque-Gageac is considered one of the most beautiful villages in all of France. In the late afternoon we transfer to the pretty provincial town of Sarlat, capital of the Perigord Noir. (4 hours walking, +300 cumulative gain.)

Your guide is on hand to offer suggestions of things to do and see, though today is free to explore Sarlat. Once the capital of the Périgord, Sarlat contains more medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century buildings than any other city in southern France and is a true splendour with its sandstone architecture. There is time to experience the town's open-air market—the largest and liveliest in all of the Dordogne—which offers a mind-boggling array of fruits, vegetables, truffles, meats, cheeses, crafts and trinkets. This afternoon you have the option of visiting the Lascaux II prehistoric caves. With your picnic items bought this morning at the market those wishing to join this optional will transfer to Lascaux II. Here we receive a private guided tour of Lascaux II, a stunningly accurate facsimile of the famous Lascaux cave, containing some of the world's finest prehistoric paintings. Discovered in 1940, the original cave was open to the public for over 20 years until scientists determined that the carbon dioxide created by the constant stream of visitors (almost 1200 per day) was compromising the preservation of the paintings. The cave was officially closed for public viewing in 1963. To offset the loss to the public, the Dordogne Department tourism authority created Lascaux II—a life-size reproduction that gives visitors a sense of the original cave's splendor. For those who wish to stay in medieval mode for the afternoon why not stroll through Sarlat's historic centre and discover its labyrinth of vaulted passageways, hidden squares, streets lined with ochre stone houses and shops and cafés galore.

After breakfast and saying farewell to new friends you are transferred back to Sarlat Station. If you intend on using this transfer service please do not plan onward train travel before 10:00am. If you need to leave earlier please discuss your requirements with your tour leader who may be able to make alternative arrangements for you, depending on the availability of vehicles (a surcharge will apply). The cities of Bordeaux via Bergerac and Perigueux are common destinations from Sarlat offering gateways for onward travel. Au revoir today to the beautiful Dordogne.