Matera & Pollino National Park
Small Group Tour - 6 days, 5 nights
Matera & Pollino National Park
1° Day: Arrival in Matera and setting
Your arrival in Matera marks the beginning of a unique journey to share with your four‑legged companions. After checking into a refined, pet‑friendly hotel nestled among the stone alleys, take some time to settle in and let the timeless charm of the Sassi gently welcome you.
As the light softens, enjoy an easy stroll with your dog through viewpoints and panoramic terraces, breathing in the slow rhythm of the city carved into the rock. In the evening, enjoy a curated wine‑tasting dinner at Radino restaurant, where selected Lucanian and Southern Italian wines are paired with traditional dishes, for an immersive introduction to the flavors of the region. End the night with a short walk among the illuminated Sassi before returning to your hotel.
2° Day: Adventure in Sassi and bread-making lesson
Cross the ancient paths of the Sassi di Matera together with your dog and a local guide, where history and craftsmanship blend into a sensory experience made of tufaroli, ceramics, whistles, bread stamps, papier-mâché and precious olive oil. Walking between caves and stone houses, you will immerse yourselves in the authentic atmosphere of a Casa Grotta and the rock churches, where everyday life and spirituality have coexisted for centuries.
Visit a traditional oven for a hands-on bread-making mini lesson, then enjoy a warm tasting of fresh bread and typical local products. (Pets are not allowed in the Forno). Free evening to explore Matera at your own pace, choosing a pet-friendly restaurant and a night walk among the illuminated Sassi.
Total: walking 2.5/3 km
3° Day: Murgia Park and the Crypt of Original Sin
A short transfer takes you to the prehistoric landscape of the Murgia Park, ideal for an easy, panoramic walk with dogs among rocky plateaus, wild herbs, and breathtaking views over the Sassi of Matera. Here you will enjoy an aperitivo on the stones, facing the city from the opposite side of the canyon, in a setting where nature and history merge.
You will then “hide” in a landscape that enchants between quarries and rock walls, to discover the historical and artistic wonders of the Crypt of the Original Sin, a rupestrian church with extraordinary frescoes where time seems to hold its breath. Access inside the Crypt may not be permitted to dogs, so the visit can be organized with turns within the group or with a local pet-sitting solution.
The experience ends with an exclusive aperitivo at Casal Dragone, a local wine estate, for a moment of authentic Lucanian taste and hospitality, where you can taste wines and typical products in a relaxed countryside atmosphere.
Total: walking 3/4 van transfer 15 km circa
4 Day: Adventure and culture among rafting and villages
Morning departure from Matera towards Pollino National Park, where pristine nature meets ancient legends. Thrill with a gentle rafting descent on the Lao River, paddling through crystal-clear waters and unspoiled gorges in safe, family-style rafts suitable for dogs. In the afternoon, explore Rotonda Museum and the picturesque village of Civita, heart of the Arbëreshë community, with its stone houses, Byzantine churches and Albanian traditions — perfect for shaded walks with your four-legged friends.
Total: Van transfer ~90 km round trip; rafting duration 2–3 hours (easy level).
5° Day: The majestic Pollino National Park
Venture deep into Pollino National Park to reach Pino Loricato, the majestic 700-year-old guardian pine tree clinging to rocky peaks, offering breathtaking panoramic views and tales of resilience. Hike gentle trails surrounded by ancient forests, rare orchids and vultures soaring overhead, with ample space for dogs to explore safely. Evening in Rotonda with a hearty typical dinner (cacciatore, lagane pasta, wild herbs) and overnight in a pet-friendly local guesthouse. Next morning, comfortable transfer to Bari airport or train station.
Total: Walking ~14 km moderate trails; van transfers 12 km (Rotonda–Colle Impiso round trip) + 80 km to Bari.Walking route 14km, van transfers 12km (from Rotonda to Colle Impiso) return + 80km to Bari.
This route is designed for those who want to discover Basilicata and Pollino slowly, deeply and in style, starting from Matera and crossing landscapes, traditions, and flavors that leave a mark on the heart.
INCLUDED SERVICES :
Guided tours in the Sassi, in the Murgia Park, Pollino Park with minivan transfers.
n.6 nights' accommodation and breakfasts in 4-star hotels.
Hotels may be subject to change but the same level of services will be guaranteed
Radino dinner, n.2 aperitifs with drinks included + lesson and tasting c/o traditional oven, dinner in Rotonda.
Tickets for all places indicated in the program
Upcoming Tour Dates
1st - 5th June 2026
4th - 9th July 2026
31st August - 5th September 2026
31st - 5th June 2027
6th - 11th July 2027
31st August - 5th September 2027
Pricing: € 1.900,00
Price is per person based on double room occupancy, minimum 6 participants, single supplement available on request.