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this trek is relatively easy it gives access to some of the
most astonishing scenery in the Pyrenees. For centuries the
soft rock of the Sierra de Guara has been carved and burrowed
by the force of water. This natural history has left behind
a fairy tale landscape of canyons, dry pools and sheer cliff
faces. The villages seem to hang on the clifftops, and above
all this is the ever present circling of vultures.
This trip is more about enjoying that landscape than covering
long routes. This is not country to rush through. The average
time spent walking per day is 4.5 hrs and the average ascent
or descent is about 400 metres. But with terrain this varied,
you will feel as if you have changed planets on each outing!
En route you will see some of Spain’s most dramatic
dry canyons as well as turquoise pools and tumbling waterfalls.
It’s a great place for photos and our guides always
love to go there because the walkers are always so happy!
This trip allows you to walk without heavy bags apart from
what you need for the day, like picnic and water. Some days
are ‘loops’ meaning you come back to the same
accommodation at night. Twice during the week you change accommodation
to find walks in a new part of the range, and on those days
your luggage travels with you.
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| HOLIDAY
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Fly to Pau Pyrenees
The flight is met by a minibus
for the transfer to the old thermal town of Argeles Gazost
for a night in a two star hotel. It is also possible to stay
the night in Lourdes if you would like to visit this site
of pilgrimage.
DAY 2 - Transfer to the Sierra
de Guara entering via the Salto de Roldan – a colossal
natural doorway between the Pyrenees mountain chain and the
Ebre basin. Time for a quick ascent on foot to the Pena San
Miguel (1123m). The day ends to the ancient Castillo de Montearagon.
DAY 3 – A gentle ramble
on to the Val Ousera – a place that feels like it’s
at the end of the world! A good day for vultures.
DAY 4 - A great walk to the
beautiful Mallos de Vadiello. Its turquoise lake water and
giant rocks provide a home to a colony of both the dark vultures
we see in Western Movies and the white Egyptian vultures.
Both are magnificent in the air.
DAY 5 – Underneath the
dominating summit of the area – the lordly Tozal de
Guara - we follow the length of the little known canyon Peonera,
a real entrail of a canyon winding deep through the rock.
DAY 6– We travel the
surreal architecture of the Mascun canyon to reach the exotic
arabic city of Alquezar sitting high on a cliff top above
the enormous Vero canyon. The towns red tiled roofs stand
out in sharp contrast with the black walls of the canyon.
It’s a very special and unspoilt town where you can
still feel the Moorish influence.
DAY 7 -
The morning is spent exploring the winding streets of Alquezar.
In the afternoon we travel back to France for a last night
in a two star hotel.
DAY 8 - Fly back to London
You head back in our minibus
to Pau Airport or Lourdes SNCF to connect with transport back
home.
Please Note: This itinerary
may be altered if conditions, weather forecasts or the overall
fitness of the group are judged to put the safety of the group
at risk. For this reason Pyrenean Mountain Tour guides and
instructors reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary
without notice. These changes will be explained to the group
if they occur.
EQUIPMENT
AND PACKING IDEAS
Please note: this is a hot, dry area. Attention needs to be
given to the possible effects of sun and dehydration and you
must carry plenty of water and sunscreen. We recommend that
people joining this trek are equipped with the following:
Technical equipment
Comfortable Walking Boots
Walking pole if you like them
Clothing suggestions
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over trousers
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses
Shorts and T-shirts
Good quality walking socks
Other useful items
A small rucksack
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife
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Ski trips and more throughout Europe and beyond
Don’t let our name fool you: as well as Pyrenees
trips, we can take you to the Alps, South Tyrol, Dolomites,
Tatra Mountains and even further. In France, Spain,
Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Slovenia…even
Mongolia.
Downhill skiing, alpine skiing, off piste, telemark
skiing, ski tours, ski touring snowshoeing, trekking,
mountaineering, expedition training, motorcycle tours,
expedition training, walking, activity holidays, canyoning,
mountain biking, white water rafting, road touring,
cultural tours and study – chances are we have
just what you’re looking for. We can also arrange
all accommodation, from a hotel or B&B to a self-catering
apartment or gite.
Can’t see what you’re after? We’d
be happy to arrange a bespoke trip for you.
Pyrenean
Mountain Tours
2 Rectory
Cottages, Rectory Lane, Wolverton,Hants,
RG26 5RS, UK
tel and fax: (0044)(0)1635 297209, web: www.pyrenees.co.uk
(Pyrenean
Mountain Tours is a trading name of European Mountain
Holidays Ltd.)
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a few more details |
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Books
The
best general guidebook for this area of the Pyrenees
is the Rough Guide to
the Pyrenees (published by the Rough
Guides Series) and Trekking in the Pyrenees
(published by Trailblazer)
Order
books
online at: www.amazon.com.
Questions
?
Email Justin
for help.
Fitness and Walking
Standards
On this walk you need to be able to keep going
at a gentle ramblers’ pace. There will be
plenty of stops.This
is a grade B walk.
Not sure if you
are up to it ?
Do not be shy about discussing your level of fitness
with Wendy.
She will be able to advise you. People of all
ages and fitness levels are welcome and all can
enjoy mountain activities if the selection of
routes is appropriate and well informed.
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details & costs |
What
your Holiday will Cost
This holiday costs £525
per person.
Discounts
We are able to offer some discounts on groups
of four and more. Please call for details - 01635
297209.
Departure Dates &
Flight Details
Holiday
start dates:
16/6/07
11/8/07
8/9/07
We recommend that you use the following flights:
Depart
Ryanair flight FR2356, at 13.15 from London Stansted
to Pau Pyrenees;
Return
FR2357, at 16.35 from Pau Pyrenees to London Stansted.
Ryan
air flights are generally cheaper the further
in advance that you book and can be purchased
for as little as £50.00 return.
Go
to www.ryanair.com to book your flights.
Transfer
Arrangements
We
collect you from Pau in our own minibuses and
coaches each Saturday and Sunday for a fixed fee
of £40 per person. This service is timed
to meet the Ryanair flight from London.
If you want a transfer on another day, please
call Wendy to discuss the possibilities.
Tel: 01635 297209
Email: Pmtuk@aol.com
Transfer Time: 1 hr 45 mins.
Alternatives
Alternatively if you fly to Toulouse, you can
easily get a train to Lourdes where we can pick
you up and transfer you to Arqeles Gazost.
It is also possible to participate in these holidays
if you have your own car or prefer to hire a car
so you can move around independently after your
trip. If you do wish to hire a car, please contact
Wendy who can
help you.
Included
in the Price
• Half board in a two star (en suite)
hotel at the start and end of the trip.
• Half board in simple gites and refuges
for five nights.
Normally these gites consist of dormitories of
four people in each room with a comunal dining
room. There is a substantial cooked meal in the
evening and breakfast in the morning. Usually
they have hot showers (and are accessible by road,)
unlike higher mountain refuges.
• all guiding fees
•
transfer of baggage
Not
Included in the Price
• Any extra activities you choose to do
on top of those listed above
• international travel
• transfers
• drinks and beverages
Spending
Money ?
There are cash machines at Pau airport and in
Luz Saint Sauveur if you need money at the beginning
or end of your trip. You will only need money
for drinks and snack bars in the refuges.
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