WILD SARDINIA: 9 DAYS/ CAGLIARI- GENNARGENTU- OROSEI

When one speaks of "Sardinia”, the mind can't help but journey to marvelous beaches, crystal-clear waters, pristine islands, and small hidden coves, all waiting to be discovered. In the collective imagination worldwide, Sardinia represents one of the most beautiful seaside destinations imaginable, rivaling exotic locations overseas with its charm and beauty. However, Sardinia offers much more than its coastal beauty. The island hinterland island holds centuries of history, unexplored wild nature, and fauna, small villages populated by local people who, generation after generation, have passed down the secrets of a little-known but deeply emotive folk tradition. Artisans and shepherds, whose livelihoods have sustained the island's economy for centuries, contribute to the charm of this remarkable but often overlooked region, isolated from the rest of Italy due to its geographical features. This itinerary promises to unveil the richness of Sardinia's cultural and natural heritage. From the nuraghe villages, typical constructions that testify to settlements dating back to 1500 BC, to the peaks of the Gennargentu and its local vegetation and fauna, passing through the small inland villages to discover their traditions. Starting from Cagliari and concluding in Orosei, this active and immersive adventure will lead you on a captivating exploration, culminating in the breathtakingly clear waters of the central-eastern coast. Allow yourself to be guided on this extraordinary itinerary that promises to leave you speechless!

9 days/ 8 nights- 2 pax minimum

Day 1: Arrival to Cagliari

Free arrival in Cagliari and check-in at the hotel. Free time. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Giara di Gesturi- Barumini

The day will be dedicated to exploring Cagliari hinterland. Starting from Cagliari, in just over an hour, you will arrive at Giara di Gesturi, a plateau located in the center of the island. Here, you will observe a typically Mediterranean landscape home to the famous wild horses, one of the symbols of Sardinia. You will have some free time for lunch on your own, and then you will continue towards Barumini: a Nuragic city built 1400 years before Christ and the most important archaeological site in Sardinia. Before returning to Cagliari, you will stop at the Archaeological Museum Casa Zapata. It is a building from the late 16th century that houses archaeological artifacts from the Nuragic era. After learning more about Sardinia's past, you will return to Cagliari. You can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, either relaxing on one of the wonderful beaches along the Cagliari coast or exploring the city of Cagliari. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Iglesias

The day will be dedicated to exploring the Iglesiente region, famous for its mining past and its paradisiacal coastline. You will meet the guide near Iglesias During the tour, you from walking paths to traveling by your own vehicle, while an experienced tour guide leads the way. You will delve deeper into this land rich in history starting from the end of the Umberto I tunnel, a tunnel built in the XIX century to connect the Monteponi mine with Fontanamare beach. Not far from here, you will observe the ruins of other buildings related to this sector, such as an ancient chimney. You will walk towards the mining village of Nebida, continuing to delve into the interesting past of this region. In ancient times, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans were already aware of the richness of Sardinia's undergrand: Indeed, these powerful civilizations quickly began to exploit the abundant mineral deposits of Sardinia, which immediately proved that is a highly valuable and essential resource. Walking through the hills of Nebida, you will reach the remains of the Lamarmora washery, where the zinc and lead obtained from the mines were separated and classified. Afterwards, a nearby viewpoint will give you a panoramic view of the Masua coast and the Pan di Zucchero rock. Once you reach Masua beach, you can relax for about half an hour. Once you have regained your strength, you will return to Porto Flavia Mine, which remained operational until 1964. During this visit, you will have the exclusive opportunity to explore the mining site with prior access.Inizio moduloHere the exciting tour of the beaches and mines of Iglesiente will come to an end at 2:00 p.m. You will have the rest of the day to independently visit the beautiful island of San Pietro or Sant'Antioco, or relax on the beach. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Arrival to Parte Montis- Farm tour-pecorino making class

Departure towards the region of Parte Montis, where you will begin a two-day immersion into the authentic Sardinian hinterland experience. Upon your arrival, an authentic experience awaits you in the company of a local shepherd who will guide you to discover the secrets of local pecorino cheese production. From visiting the farm to the production process, you will uncover the secrets of this delicious cheese. Accommodation and overnight stay at a local country house.

Day 5: Horse ride in Parte Montis

The day will begin with a wonderful horseback ride through the countryside of Parte Montis. A local guide will introduce you to trusted travel companions, and you will start on a beautiful and relaxing horseback ride that will put you in total contact with the land and its roots.Inizio moduloAt the end of the horse ride, you will have free time to explore the small villages of the area and their handicraft shops. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at the country house.

Day 6: Arrival to Orosei

Departure for Orosei and free day.

Day 7: Gennargentu 4x4 tour

The day start with a delightful exploration of the Sardinian hinterland. You will hop on the jeep that will take you across the Supramontane mountains. You will follow a sixty kilometer off-road itinerary in the Gennargentu National Park and, along the way, you will make several stops to discover the archaeological sites that attest to the presence of barbarian populations on the island. You will see that the Gennargentu National Park is a mountainous area covered in Mediterranean flora with resistant vegetation, capable of withstanding high summer temperatures. The weasel, the fox or the peregrine falcon are some of the species that live in this placeIn one of the stops, you will enjoy a typical Sardinian aperitive, with cheeses, cured meats, bread and Cannonau red wine. After 6 hours of tour you will return to the hotel and you can relax for the rest of the day. Free evening. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 8: Orosei Gulf cruise

To complete our active itinerary exploring the wild side of the island, we have planned a day of relaxation on a boat to discover the wonderful beaches of the Gulf of Orosei. After meeting with the guide, you will hop on the boat that will take you on a discovery journey of the Gulf of Orosei. Depending on the size of the group, you will experience the journey with a dinghy or a motorboat. Both boats are equipped with seating and sunshades, but their sizes may vary. During the journey, you will make stops at the four most stunning beaches of the Sardinian bay. Along the navigation, we will stop for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can swim, snorkel, admire the scenery, or have lunch on your own by the sea. Additionally, you will visit Goloritzè, located in front of a huge cliff of white stone, and you will visit the Venere Pools, Ziu Santoru cove, and the beaches of Luna and Sisine.  With a bit of luck, you will observe some specimens of amphibians, mammals, and birds that inhabit the area while enjoying a refreshing swim. Before returning to the port, you can enjoy a small aperitive including a traditional sweet or fruit and a glass of wine. You will finish the activity after seven hours of sailing, returning to the starting dock. Free evening. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9: Departure

Free departure.