Basilicata Active
From Matera to Maratea, passing through the Pollino massif, an active week for families with plenty of outdoor activities.
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BASILICATA

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

Easy/average

VARIABLE

MAX 12 PAX

In this week you will go across the region of Basilicata and its unspoiled nature far and wide.

Matera with its history and its Murgia park will welcome you to start a week of outdoor activities ideal for families. You will enjoy the views from the Pollino National Park, a World Heritage Site included in the global list of geoparks by UNESCO and its suggestive massif surrounded by valleys, streams and forests.

The week ends on the Tyrrhenian coast: in Maratea you will enjoy a unique seaside and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Policastro.

Discover the full itinerary

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Day 1

Matera

Arrival in Matera, accommodation in B&B, guided tour of the Sassi* (approx. 2 hours) in the afternoon. Welcome aperitivo with a briefing about the weekly program. Overnight in Matera

* If preferred the guided tour can be replaced with a treasure hunt more suitable for children/teenagers

Gradient: 200m

Duration: 3 hours

Length: 4km

Day 2

Biking up and low on Matera hills *

Today your morning activity will take you exploring a wildlife oasis between Matera and Miglionico and Lake San Giuliano.  The approximately 30 km route winds through the hills around Matera, crosses lush wheat fields and reaches the lake where you can stop for a picnic in the shade of a pine forest. The excursion can be completed with a visit to the Crypt of Original Sin and its frescoes dating back to the 8th century. The afternoon is free to explore Matera at your leisure or if you prefer it is possible to arrange a cooking class where you can cook and then have dinner together. Overnight stay in Matera.

* Also available with gravel bikes or e-bikes on request with a fee. You can switch to a hike instead of the bike tour (difference in altitude 200 m – duration 4/5h – length 9 km)

Gradient: 200 m

Duration: 4-5 hours

Length: 9 km

Day 3

The Lucanian Dolomites between Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano: The Route of Seven Stones

You’ll leave Matera to head towards Pietrapertosa (90 min.), one of the most characteristic villages of the Lucanian Dolomites. After checking in your B&B, there is time to buy something for the picnic in the mountains and you are set off on the excursion. From the Saracen fortress of Pietrapertosa, crossing the town center, you’ll venture along the path down to the Caperrino stream and will reach the peaks around the castle of Castelmezzano. After a visit to the town, you’ll take the path back to Pietrapertosa at your pace.

Difference in altitude 500 m, duration 5 hours – length 10 km

The rest of the day is free to enjoy the slow rhythms of the Lucanian mountains or if you prefer you can experience the thrill of the angel’s flight by booking directly on site.

Overnight stay in Pietrapertosa.

Gradient: 500 m

Duration: 5 hours

Length: 10 km

Day 4

The Pollino massif: Ruggio Plan and Belvedere

A transfer of approximately 90 minutes will take you from Pietrapertosa to the Pollino Park, where you will immediately start walking on today’s path from Piano Ruggio up to the Belvedere. Skirting along a mountain crest, you cross meadows full of flowers in spring, beech forests with centuries-old trees that preserve the best examples of the rare Loricato pine looming on the overhanging rocks. We will study the traces of animals such as wild boars, black squirrels, foxes and wolves and the characteristics of many kind of trees: white fir, lime, Neapolitan alder, rowan, maples. Picnic included along the path

Quick transfer with accommodation in Rotonda, a charming village located in the Mercure Valley immersed in an untamed nature and home to the Pollino National Park. Free time to discover your new destination. Overnight in Rotonda

Gradient: 129 m

Duration: 3 hours

Length: 7 km

Day 5

Pollino Park: Soft rafting* and Aquatrekking**

The day is dedicated to two outdoor activities on water. In the morning, with a soft itinerary suitable for the whole family, you can venture into a rafting along the gorges of the Lao river where you will experience the unspoiled nature of this extraordinary national park stretching from Basilicata to Calabria. Picnic included after the rafting.

In the afternoon you will be accompanied by off-road vehicles to the start of the aqua trekking where you’ll explore with the wader (suit with boots) the clear waters of the park’s streams and also swim!

*level: easy.  Duration 1h.  length: 4km (all safety equipment is provided upon boarding)

** level: easy. Duration 2h  length: 1.5 km

Return and overnight in Rotonda.

Day 6

Maratea

From Rotonda you’ll travel to Maratea, the only Lucanian city overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea (approx 1 hour). After you’re all set up in your hotel, walk through little and quiet streets of the town center. The choice is yours whether to take advantage straightway of the intense blue waters of the Tyrrhenian sea or to opt for an easy 6 km hike up to Mount San Biagio where you can admire the coast from high up next to the statue of “Cristo Redentore”. If you prefer, you can book an ice cream workshop especially designed for teenagers and children who will discover how to make ice cream in one of the best workshops in the region. Overnight stay in Maratea

Day 7

Maratea

This day could be devoted to a relaxing beach day or to embark on one or more water sports and activities that Maratea offer. You could choose from kayaking to snorkeling, a cruise or different excursions to explore the coast, its caves and its hidden coves. Overnight stay in Maratea.

Day 8

Maratea

Breakfast and end of services with the possibility of extending the tour to include other destinations such as the Lucanian Badlands, Potenza and Vulture area or the Ionian coast.

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