Summer Holidays in the Pyrenees
Walking, trekking and muti activity holidays are based mainly in the Hautes Pyrenees in France, but from our base in Luz St. Sauveur we also offer trips to the Spanish Pyrenees. The Pays Toy region, as it is known, borders the protected mountains of the Parc National des Pyrenees and the Neouvielle Reserve. Hunting and new building have been outlawed and the result has been a gradual re-population by Pyrenean wildlife: lizard, marmot, boar and different species of eagles and vultures. Because the mountains are protected, there is a unique range of flora - more than 250 species of wild flowers cover the mountain sides from May through to September.

The Pays Toy is also home to the most dramatic natural sites in the Pyrenees. Visit the daunting Cirque of Gavarnie with its 426 metre waterfall or the famous deep blue Lac du Gaube below the north face of the Vignemale. You can walk past violent water cascades in the pine forests of the Marcadau valley or trek into Spain through the gigantic natural stone doorway at the Breche de Roland.

Alternatively, for a more sedate holiday, browse around the agricultural markets and try the excellent local cheeses, honey and wines. Or spend some time in the higher villages. With their flowery window boxes, ancient stonework and 'aeroplane' views, they are as pretty as you will find anywhere in the mountains.


Pyrenean Odysseys
This year we are working closely with our friends who run a local co-operative called Pyrenean Odysee. All of the summer holidays are described on our sister site www.pyrenees-mountains.com. (Be sure to mention that you found your holiday through this Pyrenean Mountain Tours web site, or tell Mandy or Sian how you found these holidays, and there will be a nice surprise from us waiting in your hotel room!)

Walking and Trekking
Walking in the Pyrenees, either with a trained mountain professional or independently, is both fun and a learning experience. All the guided trips are designed to leave you the independence to do your own thing while making sure you benefit from Mandy and Jonathan’s safety qualifications and mountain experience.  Years of walking, working and living here mean your guide chooses the  best route for each day, can improvise if the weather changes, knows where to look for birds and animals and is on hand for any emergencies.  These are not group ‘tours’ but days out with people who live locally and caer about the natural environment, local history and culture.  The programme of walks includes:

Discover the Pyrenees
Discover Pyrenees Mini Treks
Flora and Fauna of the Pyrenees
Pyrenean High Level Route 1
Pyrenean High Level Route 2
The Tour of Mont Perdu
Guided Days Walks

For those who prefer to walk on their own and find the way themsleves at their own pace we also offer Independent Walks


Multi Activity Holidays
Drive, cycle, paddle, climb - visit at your own pace in your own way

Staying in Hotel Les Templiers, or in a self catering apartment, our multi-activity weeks can include a half day white-water rafting, a high ropes course in the trees, half day via-ferrata, half day canyoning, mountain biking, and a full day of guided walking.  Additional activities such as paragliding, bungy jumping, horse riding and mountain biking are available and easy to organise.  Keep those teenagers occupied and challenged (and you too!).  Best for families with children over 12 years old.

We also arrange road cycling holidays - the Col des Tourmalet is 15 kilometres away and, for those who want explore further afield by 4x4 or motorbike, we offer a roadbook covering six days of tracks and 'pistes' in foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Follow the links below for details:

Classic Mutli Activity
Young Family Holidays
Road Cycling
Off Road Driving and Motorbiking in Spain
  

Accommodation
Use our characterful accommodation as a base to discover the Pyrenees at your own pace.

Hotel Les Templiers
With only 10 rooms Hotel Les Templiers provides a pleasant, character filled and personal base for your holiday in the historic centre of Luz. We are happy to provide advice on daily excursions, ring ahead and book activities for you, let you know what the weather is doing and generally help you get the best out of your holiday. See the hotel website for details of rooms and prices for rooms, breakfast and half board. Details.
  
Three week and longer apartment/house rental
In the Val d’Azun (an east-west valley to the west of Argeles-Gazost) Mandy and Sacha rent their beautiful house out for the summer. The house is suited for a family of six or two couples, with two bedrooms inside and a charming chalet in the garden for a couple. There is a south-facing terrace with fabulous view over the valley below. It is situated just five minutes above Argeles Gazost and there are numerous activities in the area and natural sites to visit. Mandy and Sacha are on hand to provide advice and support. Visit the websites of www.valdazun.fr or www.argeles-gazost.com (sites in French though!) for a taste of the area.  Details.
   

Traditional Mountain Farmhouse above Bareges
Renting this old farm house on the Midaou Plateau in the mountains above Barèges will really get you away from everything.  On a warm, south facing slope directly above Barèges, between the Col du Tourmalet and Luz St Sauveur, the  farm house has basic but modern bathroom and kitchen facilities and two big bedrooms, each with two double beds and a single bed.  We provide sheets and bath towels. The kitchen has a microwave, stove, filter coffee maker, toaster etc.  Wood is provided for the fireplace so you can grill marshmellows or cook your lamb cutlets and sausages over the hot coals. The Midaou Plateau is on the GR10 footpath and numerous walks set out from the front door, both down towards Sers and St Justin's cross, up towards the Neovielle Nature Reserve or straight out the back and up the mountain.  This is a pastoral paradise for those wanting a week immersed in the mountains. Françoise and Didier will drive your provisions up in their 4WD and you can follow in your car, or leave your car in Barèges and walk up the path (15-20 mins). As with all rentals in France you are expected to leave the house clean at the end of the week and cleaning products are provided. Details.
    
Self Catering Apartments in Luz
Self catering accommodation in and around the lovely old market town of Luz is available.  We provide you with a folder full of information along with maps of Luz and the valley with different points of interest indicated.  The apartments we offer are in the centre of Luz, with only two or three apartments per building.  All are independent but connected to the owner’s house.  They are also close to Hotel Les Templiers making it easy for you to drop in and ask for advice as you need it.  For a three bedroom apartment you will pay around 650€ per week depending on the number of people and the apartment.  The standard arrangement is that you clean your apartment at the end of the week and leave it as you found it.  Details.