5-Day Sarlat Small Group Package Highlights of the Dordogne
Description Summary
Highlights
- ✓Wander the charming streets of Sarlat
- ✓Discover the stunning village of Rocamadour
- ✓Cruise along the scenic Dordogne River
- ✓Explore the enchanting Dordogne Valley
- ✓Savor local delicacies at vibrant markets
Description
Experience the enchanting beauty of the Dordogne with our 5-Day Small Group Travel Package, based in the picturesque town of Sarlat. Over five days, you'll wander through the charming streets of Sarlat, embark on a scenic cruise along the Dordogne River, and marvel at extraordinary cave paintings dating back to 15,000 BC.
This unique journey includes a guided walking tour and excursions to stunning sights like the breathtaking Rocamadour. Perfect for those seeking to discover hidden gems and savor the local cuisine, this intimate tour allows you to connect with fellow travelers while exploring the rich culture and landscapes of the Dordogne.
5-Day Dordogne Escape from Sarlat
Experience the Dordogne at its best on a 5‑day small‑group package based in the medieval town of Sarlat, with just eight travelers per departure for a relaxed, personal feel. From your base in the historic center, you’ll explore honey‑stone villages, river landscapes, clifftop sanctuaries, and some of the world’s most remarkable prehistoric sites.
Sarlat – Medieval heart of the Dordogne
Settle into your comfortable hotel in Sarlat‑la‑Canéda, one of France’s best‑preserved medieval towns. Wander its maze of lanes, golden façades, and lively squares, then join a guided walking tour that reveals hidden courtyards, market spots, and stories from the Middle Ages.
Villages & Dordogne River cruise
Discover the postcard‑perfect Dordogne Valley, where fortified villages cling to cliffs above the river. Visit scenic hilltop bastides and fairytale riverside towns, then board a traditional gabarre boat for a leisurely cruise beneath towering castles and limestone cliffs.
Prehistoric caves & ancient art
Step back tens of thousands of years in the Vézère Valley, often called the cradle of prehistory. Explore world‑famous cave sites or high‑quality replicas that showcase astonishing Paleolithic paintings and engravings, bringing human creativity from around 15,000–20,000 BC vividly to life.
Rocamadour – Dramatic day out
Travel to the dramatic clifftop village of Rocamadour, a spectacular pilgrimage site stacked above a gorge with chapels, sanctuaries, and sweeping views.
Small‑group comfort, central stay
With a maximum of 8 participants, you enjoy easy interaction with your English‑speaking guide, plenty of photo stops, and a friendly, unhurried pace. Four nights in a centrally located Sarlat hotel with daily breakfast are included, along with entrance fees on key excursions, so you can focus on soaking up landscapes, history, and food rather than logistics.
Book your Dordogne & Sarlat Small‑Group Adventure and turn five days in southwest France into a collection of stories you’ll keep telling long after you return.
Included / Excluded
- ✓Hotel stay for 4 nights in a 3* or 4* hotel
- ✓Breakfast from day 2 to day 5
- ✓Sarlat Gourmet Tour
- ✓Villages of the Dordogne valley & Rocamadour visit
- ✓Lascaux IV Museum, La Roque Saint-Christophe visit
- ✗Meals, drinks (lunch, dinner)
- ✗Personal travel insurance, expenses
- ✗Gratuities for the driver/guides
Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN SARLAT
- 1
Arrival in Sarlat – Settle In & Explore
Arrive in Sarlat on your own and check in at your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the medieval streets, squares, and cafés at your own pace, then enjoy dinner in a local restaurant at your own expense.
Day 2 - GOURMET TOUR / VILLAGES OF THE DORDOGNE
- 1
Morning – Sarlat Gourmet Market Tour
Meet your guide in central Sarlat on market day for a walking food tour, tasting regional specialties as you explore the medieval streets and bustling stalls.
3 hours
- 2
Free time for lunch in Sarlat
Stay in town for free time and choose your own spot for lunch at your own expense, from casual market snacks to traditional Périgord restaurants.
1h 30m
- 3
Afternoon tour of Dordogne Villages
In the afternoon, leave Sarlat by minivan and drive to the hilltop bastide village of Domme for a guided stroll and panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley.
30 min
- 4
From Domme to La Roque‑Gageac – River cruise
Continue to La Roque‑Gageac, then board a traditional gabarre boat for a scenic cruise on the Dordogne River, passing beneath dramatic cliffs and riverside castles.
1 hour
- 5
Beynac-et-Cazenac village
Travel on to Beynac, one of France’s most beautiful villages, and explore its steep lanes and fortress‑topped ridge above the river.
40 min
- 6
Return to Sarlat
After your visit in Beynac, relax on the short drive back to Sarlat, arriving in the early evening with time to enjoy dinner on your own.
25 min
FULL DAY DORDOGNE PALEOLITHIC ART & TROGLODYTE SITES
- 1
Pick up in Sarlat
Meet your guide and small group at the meeting point on Place Pasteur in Sarlat, then board your comfortable minivan for a day devoted to prehistory.
- 2
Les Eyzies & National Prehistory Museum
Drive to Les Eyzies‑de‑Tayac, in the heart of the Vézère Valley, and visit the National Prehistory Museum with your guide to discover tools, fossils, and artifacts that trace hundreds of thousands of years of human history.
- 3
La Roque Saint‑Christophe
Continue to La Roque Saint‑Christophe and explore this impressive troglodyte cliff site, where homes, defenses, and shelters were carved into the rock high above the river.
- 4
Free time for lunch in Montignac
Travel on to the riverside town of Montignac and enjoy free time for lunch at your own expense, with several cafés and restaurants to choose from near the river.
- 5
Lascaux IV – International Cave Art Centre
Visit Lascaux IV, the state‑of‑the‑art replica of the original Lascaux cave, and follow your guide through immersive galleries that recreate the dazzling Paleolithic paintings in remarkable detail.
2 hours
- 6
Return to Sarlat
ROCAMADOUR VILLAGE HALF DAY DISCOVERY
- 1
Pick up in Sarlat
Meet your English‑speaking driver‑guide and small group at Place Pasteur in Sarlat, then board your comfortable minivan for the short drive into the Lot countryside.
- 2
Drive to Rocamadour
- 3
Guided visit of the sanctuary
1 hour
- 4
Free time for personal discovery
1 hour
- 5
Return to Sarlat
Rejoin your minivan and relax on the drive back to Sarlat, where your half‑day Rocamadour tour ends at the original meeting point.
SARLAT
- 1
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Breakfast and check-out at your hotel. End of our services.
Start / End Locations
Commentary
Audio • Language: en
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- 5‑day small‑group package based in Sarlat, with a maximum of 8 participants
- Package includes accommodation in central Sarlat, daily breakfast, and guided day trips
- All tours are operated in English by a local, Dordogne‑based guide
- Day tours generally start and end at a central meeting point in Sarlat
- Expect full, but not rushed days, often with travel by minivan
Know Before You Go
- You should be comfortable with moderate walking, including cobblestone streets
- Tours run in most weather; bring good walking shoes, a light jacket, and a refillable water bottle
- Some activities (boat rides, river levels, cave access) can be adapted or replaced
- The package is not suited to guests with significant mobility limitations
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 60 days
Cancellation Notes: We accept payment by credit cards (Visa, Master card, American Express) or bank transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest). There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund : 60+ days > 20€ fee per person 59 to 30 days prior to arrival - 30% of the overall price (deposit) 29 to 15 days prior to arrival - 75% of the overall price 14 days or less prior to arrival - no refund
Options and Pricing
| 3* Hotel, double room sharing - Hotel Le Renoir (or similar) | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Price per Adult | €920.00 |
| 4* Hotel, double room sharing - Hotel Plaza Madeleine (or similar) | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Price per Adult | €1,245.00 |
Terms and Conditions
All our terms & conditions can be found here: https://www.ophorus.com/terms-sales
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Additional Information
This package is ideal for curious travelers who want to dive deep into one of France’s most atmospheric regions without the stress of driving narrow country roads or planning every detail themselves. It suits solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends who enjoy small‑group camaraderie, expert local guiding, and a relaxed pace with time to soak up markets, cafés, and village life.
If you’re drawn to prehistory, medieval towns, scenic river valleys, and authentic food—and you like the idea of unpacking once in Sarlat while day trips reveal caves, Rocamadour, and Dordogne’s most beautiful villages—this is very much your kind of trip.
Please note that we do not distribute water bottles anymore to limit our environmental impact. We strongly recommend that you bring a reusable bottle.
Voucher Information
Present your voucher on mobile or printed at pick-up; please arrive 10 minutes early at the confirmed meeting point, as the tour cannot be delayed for late arrivals. This is a small-group tour for adults who enjoy wine and walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended, and wine tastings are reserved for guests of legal drinking age. For any last-minute questions or urgent issues, contact our local support number shown on your confirmation voucher.
Health & Restrictions
Not recommended for
- People with medical conditions
Group Information
We can handle any group size (from 8 people) ranging from small groups to larger groups. Transportation options include private vehicles, mini-vans, mini-buses and large buses.
Just get in touch to find out more! Contact us by email: groups@ophorus.com (groups from 8 people)
For groups of 2-8 people please fill out this form: https://ophorus.com/contact-us