Spend three or four days with a Mountain Leader

Use the rest of your week on other activities like rafting or sightseeing

Mix harder and easier walks if you wish

Learn about wildlife and birds

We have constructed this particular holiday in response to many requests from previous visitors who wanted what for them was the best of both worlds – some guided walking to take them to new places but some independent time for shopping, sunbathing or walking alone. In some couples, families or groups, one person is a keen walker while others prefer a less strenuous holiday. This holiday is designed to allow this kind of flexibility. There are no minimum numbers so you can join this holiday as a single person, a couple or as a family or group. You can be based in a hotel (one or two stars but all en suite rooms) or in a self catering apartment.

We can offer this flexibility because we live in the town of Luz Saint Sauveur and have excellent contacts with local guides and mountain leaders. Each week we construct a menu of available guided walks tailored to the needs of our different visitors. Families with small children might enjoy a half day stroll to see marmottes. Children love spotting these fat little furry creatures who poke their heads out from behind the rocks and whistle warning cries to their neighbours at your approach. Or maybe your group, or some of its members, are up for a strenuous high mountain hike?

When you are discussing your holiday with Wendy or Sandra they will ask you detailed questions about your preferences and will be able to tell you the best times for the combinations you would like. Some walks run every week while others (see panel on right) are rarely announced more than a week ahead in our part of France, but we know the likely options, how to find English speaking guides and who offers the most interesting outings and how easy or difficult they are. Before you arrive we will construct a list of the options for you to select from when you arrive. We then make the necessary bookings, liaise with the various mountain leaders, fix the rendez-vous points and organise your local transport to the start points and back to your accommodation at the end.

On some days you are likely to walk with one of our own staff in a small, English speaking group. On other days the leader will be French (but able to explain things in English) and there may be both French and English people in your group.

This holiday suits people who want to get the best out of the area, do some great walking and learn about the local environment and culture. It’s not a holiday that is packaged up and the same every week for every visitor. We aim to get the best programme for your group from the many choices available in any summer week. We can guarantee some elements in advance (see side panel on right) and other elements will be suggested for you to pick from when you arrive. It’s a great holiday for people who know what they want but are prepared to be flexible and work with us about which days particular activities occur and who are relaxed about walking with both English and French guides and companions on different days.


HOLIDAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Fly to Pau Pyrenees
The best way to get to the Pyrenees is on a Ryanair schedule to Pau. We pick you up from there in our minibus and drive you to Luz St Sauveur in the French Pyrenees. You meet up with one of us in the bar or at your accommodation to finalise the week’s programme.

DAY 2 - The Cirque of Gavarnie. We drive up to the village of Gavarnie (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and from there you set off on the first guided day via the Cirque of Gavarnie. The morning ends at a memorable lunch spot below the 'Grande Cascade' (the longest waterfall in Europe at 426m). After lunch you trek along a dramatic balcony path to return to Gavarnie. There are great views of the Breche de Roland. Six hours with breaks. Relaxed pace.

DAY 3 – A day off. You might want to visit the farmers’ market in the town which is held every Monday. Or take a local walk (we will give you notes and lend you maps). Or perhaps today is the day to visit the elegant local Spa for a swim or treatment in the volcanic waters.

DAY 4 – This day might be a guided walk in the gentle Aigues Cluses valley – home to many very rare flowers and plants, including some used in homeopathy. The name of the valley means ‘hidden waters’ because the stream which runs though its centre disappears and re-emerges from the ground all the length of the valley. Five hours. Relaxed pace.

DAY 5 - Another day for you to relax and do your own thing. How about walking to lunch in a great mountain restaurant? We’ll give you suggestions for routes and venues.

DAY 6 – To walk off that lunch some of your party might want to attempt a high mountain walking challenge today. One classic guided day starts from the Barrage d’Ossoue above Gavarnie. You visit the historic Bayssellance refuge before attempting this steep peak. On the way up you see the Glacier d’Ossoue - the largest remaining ice field in the Pyrenees. You can get drinks and omelettes for lunch at the Bayssellance refuge (8 hours strenuous walking). Or you might prefer to spend your day in gentle ramble to look at birds or animals. Either option is possible but you need to tell us your preferances in advance.

DAY 7 - Today could be a day to go out and look for mushrooms. In the company of a local expert you will search the most likely places to find cepes and other local delicacies. We can even arrange for you to bring them back and cook them for dinner if you wish – lots of fun for kids and adults. (There is a reasonable extra charge for the rest of dinner. But our mushroom expert is the best chef in the valley so the offer is not to be missed!)

DAY 8 - Fly back to London
You are transferred back to Pau Airport or Lourdes SNCF to connect with transport back home.

Please Note: The above is a sample itinerary. When you contact Wendy she will be able to give you a clearer idea of which outings will be available in any one week.

EQUIPMENT AND PACKING IDEAS
We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Comfortable Walking Boots (3 or 4 season)
Walking pole if you like them

Clothing suggestions
Shorts
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof overtrousers needed
Warm hat
gloves
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses
T-shirts

Other useful items
Small rucksack for day wallks
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus Penknife

Optional items
Camera
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate_

Additional items for Unguided Days
Compass