A MINE OF MEMORIES
Plunge into the savage and pristine beauty of south western Sardinia, amongst abandoned mines and empty beaches. Ride this guided bike tour in total freedom, at your own pace, enjoying every single spot of this wonderful land.
Tour details
Tour code: LCG4
Starting point: San Salvatore di Sinis
Finish: Pula
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: 13.04, 18.05, 08.06, 14.09, 12.10 (dates refer to the arrival day) (minimum party size: 6 participants)
Price: € 890
Single room supplement: € 150
Bike rental: € 80 (€ 10 per each additional day)
Transfer rates per person (min. 2 persons):
Cagliari-San Salvatore Sinis: € 65
Alghero-San Salvatore Sinis: € 90
Oristano-San Salvatore Sinis: € 20
Pula-Cagliari: € 30
Pula-San Salvatore Sinis: € 85
Services included:
- 7 Nights in 3 star hotels with en suite bathroom
- 7 Breakfasts
- 7 Dinners
- Transfer from San Salvatore Sinis to Arborea
- Transfer at the end of day 2 (optional)
- Baggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- Support van on days 2 and 3
- One English-speaking guide
- The assistance of local professional guides
- Entry to museums and archaeological sites
- Tickets for ferries to Carloforte and Calasetta
- The despatch before tour start of detailed route information (maps, description of tour stages etc)
Not included:
- Lunches
- Drinks with evening meals
Activity level
- Cycling days: 6
- 3 easy stages (mostly flat)
- 2 medium stages (undulating)
- 1 challenging stage (hilly)
Highlights
- The Sinis peninsula with the ruins of the ancient Tharros
- Costa Verde end the dunes of Piscinas
- The ancient mines of Sulcis
- The island of Carloforte and Sant'Antioco
- The Costa del Sud
Programme
Arrival day
Transfer or independent arrival to our hotel in San Salvatore Sinis, where we get to know each other while our guides will explain the route at the welcome meeting and deliver bikes. Dinner and overnight.
1st day: The Sinis Peninsula (52 km)
Travel through the fascinating Sinis wetlands where we will see colonies of pink flamingos and finally reach one of the most beautiful spots on the island: the white quartz beach of Is Arutas and the Phoenician ruins of Tharros.
2nd day: Costa Verde and dunes of Piscinas (46/54 km)
After a transfer to Arborea, we will cycle through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, some of the most savage scenery on the island, to the Piscinas beach with its sands dunes over 50 m high - some of the highest in Europe.
3rd day: The mines of Sulcis (41 km)
This leg takes us back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as we pass the fascinating abandoned mines of Ingortosu and Planusartu. After the golden beach of Portixeddu and looming mass of Pan di Zucchero cliff, we admire the old ore washery at Nebida: nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush, it looks out over the sea at the end of a long descent down 540 steps.
4th day: The island of Carloforte (43 km)
After a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, we will reach Portoscuso, and board on the ferry to Carloforte, where locals still fish the Red Tuna fish. From Carloforte, we continue to the island of Sant'Antioco and end our day in Calasetta.
5th day: Town and island of Sant'Antioco (40 km)
Today, we pedal through the meadows, green in springtime and golden yellow in the summer, of Sant'Antioco. At Tratalias, visit the Pisan sanctuary, one of the most important monuments of the Sardinian Romanesque period. Riding along the lake Monte Pranu, savour the quiet peace of the rolling plains of Sulcis.
6th day: The South Coast (57 km)
Final catwalk of our tour is the beautiful Costa del Sud with its gleaming white beaches, unspoilt natural landscape and imposing cliffs: Cape Malfatano with its 16th Century tower and Cape Spartivento. At Nora we will visit the ancient Phoenician settlement.
Departure day
After breakfast, end of services.