Dates:
W sprawie wolnych terminów zapraszamy do indywidualnego kontaktu z organizatorami.
During the ride, we provide qualified instructors specializing in tourist horseback trail ridingand an interpreter (English and French).
Route:
Supraśl – Surażkowo – Borki – Kondycja – Radunin – zb. Wyżary – Królowe Stojło – Józefowo – Skroblaki – Kruszyniany – Zb. Ozierany – Bobrowniki – Chomontowce – Rudaki – Łosiniany – Łużany – Skroblaki – Słuczanka – Waliły – Załuki – Jakubin – Kołodno – Cieliczanka – Supraśl.
Route length: approx. 140 km
The route of the ride runs through the areas presenting all the most valuable assets of the Knyszyn Forest. The Knyszyn Forest is the closest neighbor of the world-famous Białowieża Forestfor its primeval forest qualities, and scenes from the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia “. The Knyszyn Forest is located in north-eastern Poland and borders Belarus. This border is also the external border of the European Union.
The horseback ride through the Knyszyn Forest consists mainly of forest tracks stretching for many kilometers, frequented mainly by wild animals; varied topography with many smaller and larger hills; villages located on the edge of the forest with multiculturalism characteristic of this part of Poland. During the ride, we might have the chance to see European bison, elk, deer or wolf.
Program:
Day I
Meeting at the airport in Warsaw and transfer to Supraśl by car (approx. 2.5 hours). In Supraśl, after checking in at the hotel and eating a meal, a meeting at the KS “Victoria” Equestrian Center, where the briefing takes place, during which we assign horses, discuss the route of the trail ride, safety issues and all organizational matters.
Day II – 21 km
We set off from Supraśl , passing, among others, near the orthodox monastery in Supraśl, one of the most important cultural objects of Podlasie. Then we plunge into the backwoods of the Knyszyn Forest, among pine forests and the Supraśl River winding nearby. On the way, we make a short stop and a mini photo session in the “Forest Gallery” under an old oak tree (a place commemorating the tragic events of the January Uprising of 1863).
The area we are passing through has already been traversed by hunters from the Mesolithic era, who established their camps on the sand dunes by the Supraśl River. In the village of Konne, which is on the route of our expedition, one of the most interesting archaeological discoveries related to this period was made. Just before the outbreak of World War II, the grave of a hunter from over 9,000 years ago was discovered here. The find was sent to the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw, where it was lost in the turmoil of war. Verification studies carried out in the post-war period confirmed a type of burial rare in Poland, in which the deceased was placed in the grave tied up and sprinkled with a red dye – ochre.
On the way, we make a short stop and a mini photo session in the “Forest Gallery” under an old oak tree (a place commemorating the tragic events of the January Uprising of 1863).
In the middle of the trip, a 2-hour rest and provided lunch (for the riders and horses) are planned in a charming horse farm in Surażków (Gospodarstwo Agroturystyczne ” Ritowisko “), where we have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the breeding of the Kladruby horses. The breed was bred at the stud Kladruby nad Labem (Czech Republic), created in 1572 by Emperor Maximilian II and is considered in the Czech Republic as a national treasure. Kladrub is currently one of the heaviest warmblood horses, available in only two colors (gray or black) with a height of more than 170 cm and a weight of more than 700 kg with a characteristic humpback head. They were typical carriage horses, perfect for harnessing to this day. The best example of this is ” Ritowisko “, whose host drives two-, four- and even six-horse carriages.
In the afternoon we continue our journey. There are such attractions ahead of us as: a beautiful Orthodox church in Łaźnia; the charming village of Pieczonka “drowned” in the forest; forest ducts running along the borders of the ” Bahno in Borki” nature reserve. This reserve was created to protect well-developed boreal peat bog communities , characterized by a rich flora of vascular plants and bryophytes and a large number of protected species.
After traveling about 10 km, we reach “Uroczysko Borki”, where two climatic shingled houses await us, sunset and fog over the vast meadows located on the Supraśl River and a charming hostess with a delicious dinner.
Day III – 30 km
The next day, after an early breakfast, we set off on a long route. Ahead of us, among others Radunin with beautiful wooden buildings of a typical Podlasie street village; the Wyżary forest reservoir , perfectly developed for tourism, where horse refreshments and meals will be organized; “drowned” in the Józefowo forest. Practically the entire route runs through the wilds of the Knyszyn Forest, where we still have to take into account the possibility of meeting bison, moose, deer or even a wolf.
Parts of our route run along the Napoleonic Route and the January Uprising Trail. The march of Napoleon’s troops, retreating under the pressure of the Russian army in the winter of 1812, and the January Uprising of 1863, are the two events that left the strongest impression on the memory of the local population. Soldiers’ graves, places of battles and skirmishes, camps, marching routes of the Napoleonic army and insurgent troops: all this can be found in the field, as well as in the names of wilderness and stories passed down from generation to generation.
For the night and dinner, we reach the charming and extremely picturesque village of Skroblaki, lost in the Forest, which suddenly emerges from the forest backwoods. Skroblaki is a typical single-street ? village, with beautiful wooden houses on both sides of a cobblestone street, wells in the backyards, storks and screaming cranes in a nearby clump of bushes and a dense forest wall just behind farm buildings.
Day IV – 20 km
The next day is an encounter with the “Polish Orient”. After breakfast we go to Kruszyniany – the “capital” of the Polish Tatars, where we will have the opportunity to visit the mosque and mizar and eat lunch in the famous “Tatarska Yurt”. It is also an opportunity to travel the 5 km long Ecumenical Trail around the Ozierany reservoir on horseback. This trail commemorates and reflects the religious and cultural diversity of the region, and at the same time leads through beautiful landscapes. It is a historical commemoration of the Tatars, Jews and Orthodox believers who once lived here. The Ecumenical Trail is a complex of monuments, shrines and crosses characteristic of a given religion.
In the evening, we return to Skroblaki, where, apart from a delicious dinner, a sauna and banya (steam bath) await us to relax after the hardships of the first three days.
Day V – 25 km
Another day is another experience of learning about the “ends of the world”. We drive along the Polish-Belarusian border, which is also the external border of the European Union. Along the way, we will see border villages huddled along the border river Świsłocz: Bobrowniki, Chomontowce, Rudaki, Łosiniany . When visiting them, one always has the impression that time has stopped and we have been, by a strange twist of fate, transported to the realities of the 19th century. Today will also catch up with us: undoubtedly, we will meet Border (Guard) patrols, who keep the area safe and peaceful.
In the evening, return to Skroblaki and undoubtedly long stories over dinner, and then by the fire.
Day VI – 22 km
The next day is the beginning of the return from the eastern border towards Supraśl . At the beginning, a long, sandy, straight road, perfect for an unrestricted gallop, which after 8 kilometers turns into a causeway between vast ponds, which is irrefutable proof that we have reached Piłatowszczyzna. Then Słuczanka: a long village with a cobbled street, beautiful wooden houses, in front of which there are still benches and where we can still see the resting inhabitants.
Soon after, we reach Waliły, the home village and residence of the famous painter Leon Tarasewicz, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, who not only creates, but also breeds decorative chanterelles in his home village, which are champions of many national and world exhibitions.
We will reach Załuki through the village of Pieszczaniki, where we will have dinner and overnight stay in “Drzewny Kocura”. But first we have to leave our horses at the farm of Mr. Piotr, who is a well-known breeder of draft horses. This time it will be an opportunity to get acquainted with the conservative breed of Sokółka horses, whose Podlasie is the cradle and the main breeding region.
Day VII – 20 km
In the morning after breakfast we continue our journey. From Załuki we head for Jakubin , a town which today is just a place on the map and where we can only see the ruins of Jakub Sakowicz’s farm. After a short ride along a forest road, the most beautiful, interesting and most difficult section of our rally is ahead of us: Wzgórza Świętojańskie – a range of the highest moraine hills in the Knyszyn Forest . Relative heights reach up to 80 m, with an inclination of up to 30 degrees (steep hill slopes). Before us: Mount St. Anna (202 m above sea level) with a place commemorating the January Insurgents of 1863, Góra Kopna (211 m above sea level ) with an observation tower and mount st. John (214 m above sea level). Next to it, we pass by Królowy Most known from the films from the series “At Lord God behind the stove”.
On the way, an hour’s rest with lunch and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views. After the meal, we continue our journey through the lush and diverse forests of the Knyszyn Forest. After passing the forest village of Cieliczanka and driving another 4 km, we will see Supraśl with towering towers of churches and orthodox churches, which can be admired for nearly 1 km, entering the city from the side of Cieliczanka.
Then we will have a farewell dinner, an evening walk along the boulevards on the Supraśl River (for the ones with some energy left) and an overnight stay in the monastery, which will undoubtedly provide us with another unforgettable experience.
Day VIII
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye to the horses, to the organization team, Supraśl and Podlasie, probably with a heavy heart. Supraśl is worth staying here for a few days longer. A charming town with a history dating back to the end of the 15th century, with numerous monuments, picturesque streets, spread along the Supraśl River, surrounded by the Knyszyn Forest, it will surely charm everyone. The health resort spas offer rehabilitation treatments, graduation tower (mineral-rich water droplets in the air in the tower have beneficial health effects similar to that of breathing in sea air and regional cuisine. rich tourist offer are additional advantages that won’t make you regret the time spent here.
Meanwhile, we will accommodate for packing and transfer by bus to Warsaw to the airport (2.5 hours).
Price:
7500,00 zł/person (1630 USD/person)