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This part of Spain has
been called the ‘Pyrenean Eldorado’ because of
its wild west canyons and high limestone plateaux. From a
distance little seems to have changed since this fantasmagoric
landscape was created by the effects of water on the soft
rock of the Sierra de Guarra. But look more closely and you
will find the effects of man: small hermitages and romanesque
churches perch on any small expanse of flat land, however
vertiginous, and ancient villages seem to hang from the cliffsides.
And above all this the evocative circling of vultures.
This grade C walk takes you across wild country
and through tunnels and canyons burrowed by water. Your guide
will be able to explain this fascinating geology. At night
we stay in old traditional villages ending the week in the
ancient city of Alquezar. As Moorish and exotic as its name
suggests this town is set above the dramatic ‘canyon
of canyons’, the Vero (and you shouldn’t try this
route without also trying some of the excellent wines of the
region, anything with ‘Vero’ in the title is almost
guaranteed to taste great!). By day we wind in and out of
this complex landscape, sometimes following the beds of dry
canyons (a good way to escape the afternoon sun) and sometimes
stopping for a swim in a warm rock pool.
Small gites provide the lodging on this trek and you carry
just the things you need for the week such as a change of
clothes. (There is also the option in some weeks of walking
virtually ‘luggage free’ as your cases will be
moved from village to village by our van and will be there
waiting for you when you arrive. This option is a little more
expensive. Please contact Wendy for dates and details.)
Email: Pmtuk@aol.com
Telephone:(0044) (0) 1635 297209
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HOLIDAY
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Arrive at Pau airport
for transfer to either Argeles Gazost or St Lary Soulon depending
on starting times next day. Night in a two star hotel..
DAY 2 - Transfer in minibus
to Lecina in the high Aragon. We walk along the chaotic path
of the famous Vero river to get to the little village of Paules
where we spend the night in a gite.
DAY 3 –
First the banks and then the giant entrails of the Mascun
canyon guide us to the tiny hamlet of Rodellar then on to
Las Almunias. A day of fantastic natural architecture carved
through erosion by torrential water.
DAY 4 - Today we cross the
Sierra which separates the Mascun and the Balces canyons.
At its heights this route offers magnificent views of a long
stretch of the Pyrenean mountain chain. We sleep in Las Almunias.
DAY 5 – A day for cooling
off in natural rock ‘piscines’ as we follow the
river route to Bierge. The guidebooks describe the waters
of these rivers ‘emerald’ – and it isn’t
an exaggeration.
DAY 6– Today we follow
little, hidden paths which wind along the cliff walls. At
the end of the day we arrive in the beautiful city of Alquezar.
Its roots in an Arabic influenced past are evident in every
street and in the layout of this ancient city .
DAY 7 - After a few minutes
walk we encounter one of the biggest shocks of the route at
the col de San Lucas. Suddenly the river Vero appears in all
her splendour and we spend the rest of the day admiring her
as we head for our summit at the Tozal de Mallata.
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 and weather are judged to put
the safety of the group at risk, or if they indicate another
route would be preferable for the group’s comfort. 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
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
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses
Shorts and T-shirts
Good quality walking socks
Other useful items
Small Rucksack
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife
Optional items
Change of clothing to include: underwear,tracksuit bottoms,dry
shirt, spare socks
Camera and film Paperback novel (light!)
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
Sheet sleeping bag liner (if you like them....)
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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 te 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
This is not a hard trek and most of it takes place
on gravel and sandy pathways. However the average
height gain/loss per day is 600 metres and average
walking day is six hours so you do need to be
in reasonable condition. The Sierra de Guarra
can also be very hot and this can be difficult
for unfit people. You need to carry a lot of water.
The guide sets a steady pace but you need to be
able to keep going as villages are few and far
between. This is a grade
C 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
Guided
This holiday costs £525
per person, based on two people sharing a twin
or double room in the hotel and small gite rooms
on four nights.
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:
9/6/07
21/7/07
29/9/07
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 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.
Included
in the Price
• Half Board accommodation in hotels for
2 days
• full board accommodation in huts or gites
for five days
• guiding fees
Not
Included in the Price
• Any extra activities you choose to do
on top of what is listed above
• international travel
• transfer for Pau
•
drinks and beverages
Accommodation
in small gites/hostals with two star hotel on
first and last night. (Typical gite is a four
bed dormitory with bathroom facilities near bedroom.
Two star hotels provide own en suite bath or shower
rooms). You carry what you need for the week on
your back – include extra underwear, a water
bottle, a torch and if you like a sleeping bag
‘inner’ sheet to use with blankets
provided by the gites.
Spending
Money ?
There are cash machines at Pau airport and in
Alquezar 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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