Fenix Tours
Basilicata Ionian side is characterized by 5 rivers whose valleys are crossed by highways. An attentive eye can perceive that sometimes the river valley narrows and suddenly opens up . It was not the river flooding that created these "plains", rather they are the remnant of ancient lakes dating back to the Pleistocene (9600 BC), when the ultra-rapid melting of the glaciers and floods that occured, reshaped the landscape.
The Upper Agri valley is the classic example of this geologic phenomenon. The woods, the artificial lake Pertusillo and the many villages that dot it, make it really attractive.
Near the upper part of the lake, there are the ruins of Grumentum, an ancient city founded by the Romans and abandoned in 1050 AD following the continuous raids of the Saracens. The archaeological park and the attached museum tell us part of its history. The locals to prevent the 6th century statue of the Madonna from falling into the hands of the Saracens, hid and buried it on one of the peaks surrounding the valley. Rediscovered accidentally centuries later, it gave rise to the local cult of the Madonna di Viggiano.
Twice a year a procession moves the statue from Viggiano to the Sacro Monte (1725 m.) in early spring and undertakes the reverse journey at the end of summer. The event is extremely folkloristic and beautiful to follow but also during the rest of the spring-summer period, it is worth taking the path leading to the sanctuary and admiring from above, the Upper Agri Valley with the mountains of the Apennins , Cilento and Pollino. We are in the heart of the National Park of the Lucanian Apennines and besides wilderness, many small pretty towns like Anzi, Guardia Perticara and Brienza can be visited.
Not far away are there are the magnificent Mount Alpi (1900 m.), Mount Sirino (2005 m.) and the Mount Raparo (1764 m.). The Alpi, has a colony of Bosnian pines on the north ridge, the second mountain has three lakes, Sirino, and higher up the enchanting Remno (or Laudemio) and the small and seasonal Zapano; the third mountain has its name due to the presence of extended highland pastures and there is also the Abbey of Saint Micheal at Mount Raparo. All of them are great places for trekking and can be included into the excursion by those who love physical activities.
Please do not forget to read the Terms and Conditions before booking. The reservation is valid after the payment of the advance or the full amount.
For the same tour there are two prices based on the number of people: 1 to 3 and 4 to 7 people. For groups of 8 or more people, please contact us.
After deciding which excursion you want to do, click on the booking button that will open a partially pre-filled e-mail. You must indicate the date, the number of participants and your special requests. Probably it will take more than one e-mail to define the excursion but as soon as you receive our confirmation email, you can make the payment (in advance or in full).
By clicking any payment button opens a window and you can choose whether to pay with your Paypal account (if you have one) or by credit card or any other online payment method existing in your country that is affiliated with Paypal. This alternative changes depending on the country.
If your currency is not the euro (€), you can pay via the Wise or XE platforms. Paypal applies commercial exchange rates (those of the bureaus of exchange for example) very unfavorable, while Wise and XE apply the official rates with very low fees. Simply open a Wise or XE account and make the payment via the mobile app or PC by making the transfer to the bank account of Fenix Tours. The bank account will be communicated to you in the confirmation e-mail
The balance can be be paid by PayPal, Wise or XE or at the latest, at the start of the tour by credit card 
or cash (euro)
.
There are many activities and places to visit: the sanctuary of the Madonna di Viggiano dominates the valley of Agri from its 1725 meters and although the path leading to the top of the mountain is easy to access, it is quite steep although easy. In the town down below there are the ruins of the castle from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the Agri valley and a few kilometers away there are the ruins of the ancient monastery that gave rise to the same Viggiano.
The ancient Roman center Grumentum, is located near the lake of Pertusillo and it is a real surprise to find the remains of the ancient city among the mountains of Basilicata.
Brienza with its magnificent and legendary castle is another pearl as is the small but charming villages of Guardia Perticara and Anzi that dominate the respective valleys of Sauro and Camastra.
For those who love hiking, the Sirino, Raparo and Alpi mounts are of breathtaking beauty and offer strong sensations for the presence of extensive forests and ancient centers and monasteries such as the one on the slopes of Mount Raparo as the ancient Byzantine rite monastery dedicated to Saint Michael Archangel.
The wide range of places to visit therefore allows you a not indifferent choice in the territory of the Lucan Apennines National Park.
The recent Lucan Apennines National Park has not yet opened its wings but is a beautiful place to explore.
| 1-3 people | 4-7 people | ||||
| Full Price | Down Payment | Balance | Full Price | Down Payment | Balance |
| 750 € | 225 € | 525 € | 1050 € | 315 € | 735 € |
There are many activities and places to visit in a two days excursion: the sanctuary of the Madonna di Viggiano dominates the valley of Agri from its 1725 meters and although the path leading to the top of the mountain is easy to access, it is quite steep although easy. In the town down below there are the ruins of the castle from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the Agri valley and a few kilometers away there are the ruins of the ancient monastery that gave rise to the same Viggiano.
The ancient Roman center Grumentum, is located near the lake of Pertusillo and it is a real surprise to find the remains of the ancient city among the mountains of Basilicata.
Brienza with its magnificent and legendary castle is another pearl as is the small but charming villages of Guardia Perticara and Anzi that dominate the respective valleys of Sauro and Camastra.
For those who love hiking, the Sirino, Raparo and Alpi mounts are of breathtaking beauty and offer strong sensations for the presence of extensive forests and ancient centers and monasteries such as the one on the slopes of Mount Raparo as the ancient Byzantine rite monastery dedicated to Saint Michael Archangel.
The wide range of places to visit therefore allows you a not indifferent choice in the territory of the Lucan Apennines National Park.
The recent Lucan Apennines National Park has not yet opened its wings but is a beautiful place to explore.
| 1-3 people | 4-7 people | ||||
| Full Price | Down Payment | Balance | Full Price | Down Payment | Balance |
| 1200 € | 360 € | 840 € | 1680 € | 504 € | 1176 € |
