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Spectacular Sardinia


Discover a unique piece of Italy on this walking adventure through wild and unspoilt Sardinia




From the capital Cagliari, we venture into the island’s interior to discover a traditional land of shepherds and agriculture, rolling hills and meadows covered with wildflowers. In contrast, the coastline offers rugged cliffs and spectacular coves and beaches. Sardinia also offers an astonishing wealth of archeological treasures; dotted with little Nuraghic (pre-historic) villages that date from 1500 and 500 BC; today a symbol of the island. The pathways we take wind through pine forests to reach jagged sea cliffs and rocky creeks – there are spectacular views at each turn. Myrtle, rosemary, rock rose and sea lavender border the sandy beaches, many of which can only be reached by sea or on foot. The white chalk rocks and limestone cliffs give the water an enticing crystalline pale blue colour, and the coastline is dotted with stunning caves. On this walking tour you’ll experience a superb variety of terrain and gain a real insight into local Sardinian life.



Gallery View map

Tour Highlights

  • Beaches of Sardinia

Inclusions

  • Peregrine tour leader, transport and sightseeing.

  • Mini-van
  • On foot
  • 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners

Spectacular Sardinia

Day 1
Arrive Cagliari
Meals Privided:
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Cagliari is easily accessible by plane or boat from mainland Italy. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel that is centrally located (details are in your travel documents). 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 in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour.
Day 2
Cagliari - Su Nuraxì - Aritzo
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we transfer to the small village of Barumini, in the centre of Sardinia. Here we visit the amazing Nuragic site of Su Nuraxì, the biggest in the whole of Sardinia. We can also visit the village itself and the feudal Palace of Zapata, where Nuraghic remains have been discovered recently. We then embark on walk takes onto the high plain (or Giara) of Gesturi, an amazing basalt plateau that rises unexpectedly from the plain of the country, as huge natural fortresses. The plateau has a very special ecosystem, entirely different from the the surrounding country, and features beautiful little lakes. But the highlight of the area is the presence of little horses, one of the very last wild herds in Europe. They are believed to be the ultimate descendants of the horses brought to Sardinia by the Phoenicians, 2500 years ago. After a great walk we enjoy our picnic lunch here, we travel on by bus to our next base, a nice hotel at the feet of the Gennargentu Mountains, now a major National Park. But before settling in our hotel, we make a last spectacular walk over the amazing Mount Texile, an isolated mountain (called ‘Tacco’ in Italian), now declared a natural monument. We then settle in our nice family-run hotel, where we dine on local specialties (4-6 hours walking)
Day 3
Aritzo – Mamoiada – Oliena
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we discover the indigenous culture of Slovenia and will undertake some short walks. We start the morning with a drive through a spectacular landscape to reach the small village of Mamoiada, known for its intriguing ‘Mamuthones’; local actors who performed pagan rituals in ancient times. The precise origins and meaning have been lost in the centuries, but they certainly have maintained intact their fascination and mystery. We visit the village and its museum, before continuing on to Orgosolo. From here we take a nice round walk, which shows us the many interesting murals of the area and this is where we can buy our picnic supplies. Our next stop and our base for the next two nights is a beautifully located hotel just outside Oliena, underneath the towering walls of the Supramonte. From here we take an interesting walk to discover some dramatic mountain scenery. (3 hours walking)
Day 4
Oliena – Su Gologone - Oliena
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today’s walk takes us through a wild limestone landscape, underneath the towering walls of the Supramonte. This vast area is an isolated land of shepherds, slashed with deep gorges and inaccessible peaks that are home to a rich fauna of eagles, wild sheep, foxes, wild cats, and wild boar. Part of the walk brings us through a pleasant agricultural landscape, the other part through great mountain scenery. From the mountain's high ridges there are airy views across the high belvederes, karst plateau and the sea shore towards Olbia. For those who wish, it is possible to climb up to the plateau, either at the Monte Gorrasi or the Punta Sos Nidos. You can of course also take your time to walk through the intriguing village of Oliena. Another highlight along the route is the beautiful Su Gologone spring, an opening in the limestone that is the only source of running water in the area. (4-5 hours walking).
Day 5
Oliena – Tiscali - Dorgali
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we begin our day with a short transfer into the valley of Lainaittu, along the grotto of Sa Oche. Here we can pay a visit to the amazing Nuraghic temple of the Sacred Spring, discovered only recently. From there we then start our great day walk, which will bring us into the homeland of the Nuragic people. We start with a stretch climbing up towards Mount Tiscali. The underground village of Tiscali, in a hollow at the top of the mountain, is perhaps the most scenic archaeological site you’ll ever seen! Then, through a beautiful gorge, called the ‘steps’ (Scala) of Surtana, we descend to the lush valley of the Flumineddu River. We arrive down at the river at the entrance of the Su Gorropu gorge, which is one of the most impressive natural beauties of Sardinia. Dug by the forces of the Flumineddu River waters, the gorge looks like a real canyon with dizzy heights up to 500m high. A fairly easy walk can bring us there. There is also the possibility for a swim in one of the small lakes, before walking the last few kilometres (optional transfer) to our beautifully located accommodation in Dorgali, where tonight we’ll have a great meal together.(4-6 hours walking)
Day 6
Dorgali – Santa Maria Navarrese
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we transfer to the medieval church of San Pietro, on the high plain of Golgo, where we take a loop walk through an almost ‘Far West’ landscape, along a number of prehistoric nuraghe, to one impressive viewpoints of the whole area. Other highlights here are the great sinkhole of Su Sterru, and a number of natural ponds. Then we travel to the so-called Pedra Longa (‘Long stone’), a rock outcrop, with great views over the whole coastline. An easy coastal walk from here brings you all the way down to the charming seaside village of Santa Maria Navarrese, where we will spend the next two nights. This evening we’ll dine at the hotel restaurant. (4-5 hours walking).
Day 7
Gulf of Orosei
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
The last walking day is dedicated to the southern part of the wild coast of the Gulf of Orosei. After breakfast we begin the day with a transfer along one of the most beautiful roads on the island, with great views over the Gulf of Orosei. We are dropped off at the start of the trail above the Gulf of Orosei. From here we’ll walk along a beautiful path through the wild nature of the narrow canyon of ‘Codula De Luna’. We pass through an isolated landscape, where nature is immense. Our destination is the cove with the wondrously moon-shaped beach of Cala di Luna, reputed to be one of the Mediterranean’s finest beaches. Cala di Luna ('Moon Beach') is completely cut off, accessible by foot or boat only. In the cliffs that border the beach there are six immense grottos, whilst a forest of laurels divides the beach from a neighbouring lake, where you have another occasion for a refreshing swim (or opt for another stretch along a beautiful path either along the coast, or more inland, in direction of yet another beautiful isolated inlet, Cala Sisine). In the late afternoon you are being picked up by boat and transferred to Santa Maria Navarrese, where you can settle in your comfortable family-run hotel. (3-4 hours)
Day 8
End Cagliari
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
This morning we transfer from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cagliari where our trip ends at approximately midday.

IN A NUTSHELL

8 days
$2,450
15

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
06/05/201213/05/2012 $2,450
09/06/201316/06/2013 $2,450
19/05/201326/05/2013 $2,450
05/05/201312/05/2013 $2,450
21/10/201228/10/2012 $2,450
23/09/201230/09/2012 $2,450
09/09/201216/09/2012 $2,450
24/06/201201/07/2012 $2,450
10/06/201217/06/2012 $2,450
20/05/201227/05/2012 $2,450
23/06/201330/06/2013 $2,450
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