Hunting for the white truffle of Alba
An exclusive excursion amongst the Langa & Roero woods in search of the elusive mushroom.
Pier Carlo Vacchina ed il suo amato tabui faranno vivere a te e ai tuoi amici un’esperienza unica.
Accompany the trifulau (expert truffle hunter) and his dog for a walk amongst the natural truffle grounds in Langa and Roero.
Among the beautiful UNESCO Hills, you’ll discover the truffle’s characteristics, history and the techniques on how to search for it (and find it)
And in the end, you can feel that inebriating feeling of victory, when the dog finally unearths the mysterious mushroom.
Walking in the woods in search of truffles, wether black or white, is one of the most intense and emotional experiences that our territory can give.
Searching for truffles in Langa
How is the hunt carried out?
The hunt takes place during the day, in collaboration with the Associazione Trifulau Colline di Langa (Langa Hills Trifulau Association), between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
It is an exclusive activity: you and your friends will be alone with the Trifulau, to which you can ask all your curiosities!
The real protagonist of the excursion is the dog, nicknamed Tabui in jargon, which sets the group’s pace, moving through the trees and sniffing at the base of the trunks.
After walking through the woods, often moving “back and forth”, the tabui is suddenly stricken by the scent at a precise point and starts to turn the earth over lightly to attract the trifualu’s attention.
The trifulau then comes along with his ‘sapin’ (small hoe) and delicately opens the hole where the dog began digging, he then pulls out the truffle with his hands causing an explosion of fragrance.
The truffe hunt is simulated, in the sense that the truffes are previously buried by the trifulau so as to give a demonstration of their work and that of the tabui (the truffle dog).
Since the hunt takes place in a natural truffle setting, we may also find truffles that haven’t been buried artificially, but that naturally grown on site.
Warning
Never trust those who say they will take you on a “real”, and not simulated, truffle hunt.
All paths and the search sites are jealously guarded by each trifulau, and is it highly unlikely they will let anyone else know their secret.
Useful info
Important things to know before joining the search
Truffle hunting is a real excursion through the woods, so it is important to keep in mind some key points.
Outfit
Wear comfortable shoes to walk a couple of hours in the woods. And remember that the woods … are woods. There may be some mud, dry leaves: wear appropriate clothing.
If it is autumn, remember to bring something that protects you a little from the rain (a small umbrella or a k-way), if it’s winter bring something warm.
Location
The search can be carried out in various natural truffle grounds in Neive or Trezzo Tinella.
Although you can give your preference to one of these places, the last word is up to the Trifulau, who will decide based on the climate and the practicability of the land.
Prices
The search price is € 146,00 for two people + € 12 for each additional person.
Children up to 10 years: free.
Possible interpreter: € 122.
Hours and duration
The search can be carried out every day from 8:00 to 20:00 and lasts 1h / 1: 30h
Exclusive activity
Unlike other proposals in the area, this activity is completely exclusive: you will not join other groups, you and your friends will be alone with the trifulau!
Frequently asked questions
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1
Search periods
Black Truffle: all year round, except from 15th March to 15th May. Alba White Truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico): October, November and December.
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2
Where
The search takes place in one of this natural Tartufaia: Neive or Trezzo Tinella. The trifulau will choose the location.
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3
Spoken languages
In addition to Italian, you can request the interpreter and do the hunt in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Russian.
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4
Payment
Payment must be made when booking with paypal or credit card.
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5
How big can the groups be?
Above 15 people it is advisable to divide the group. The reservation must be made separately, by completing the form for each group.
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6
Cancelling
If you cancel within 10 days of booking, the full amount paid will be returned. From 9 to 3 days 50% will be returned, net of commissions. With less than 3 days notice the full amount paid will be withheld.
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7
What happens if there is bad weather?
If for any reason the trifulau has to cancel the search (for example unfavorable weather conditions), the full amount will be refunded.
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8
What happens if I arrive late?
The delay of more than 30 minutes will result in the cancellation of the search without any refund of the amount paid.
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9
Can truffles found during the research be kept?
The truffles found during the research are the property of the accompanying trifulau, but it is obviously possible to buy them directly from him.
Book the hunt
Fill out the form and leave for your experience. The booking confirmation e-mail will contain the name and address of the accompanying Trifulau and the meeting place.
NB: If the group is less than 5 people, on the weekends of October and November it is possible to be joined with another small group.
Groups
Above 15 people it is advisable to divide the group.
Reservations must be made separately, filling in the form for each group.
Customer cancellations
When the cancellation occurs 10 days or more before the date of the experience, the entire amount paid will be returned.
From 9 to 3 days 50% will be returned, net of commission.
With less than 3 days notice, the full amount paid will be withheld.
Trifulau cancellation
For any reason (for example unfavorable weather conditions), it will result in a full refund of the amount paid.
More information
The delay of more than 30 minutes, compared to the defendant by the booking party, entails the cancellation of the search without any refund of the amount paid.
The truffles found during the research are the property of the accompanying trifulau.