Pyrenees activity holiday
| country: | Andorra, Spain |
| departures: | 2010: 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep 2011: 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep |
| price: | From £689 - £719 (8 days) including flights from the UK. From £489 - £519 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Action-packed days in the mountains
Walking & 4WD
Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Andorra is the perfect place for an activity-filled week in mountains blessed with cool breezes and glorious sunshine. You explore the beautiful Siscaro Lakes and Incles Valley on foot - climbing above the treeline. Then a 4WD excursion along old smugglers’ routes affords some breathtaking views and the chance to rest your legs.
Rafting & Biking
Crossing into Spain, you cycle to the put-in point for your white water rafting experience. This area is well-known for its rapids which will certainly get the adrenaline pumping! Back in Andorra a drive takes you to the El Cortals Valley where you bike through forests with a choice of routes depending on ability. After a traditional BBQ lunch you can take a walk or an exhilarating ride down the valley.
Free Time Activities
Andorra has no taxes and consequently is the ultimate place to go tax-free shopping! If you wish to indulge in some retail therapy you can go to Andorra La Vella which it is just a short bus ride away. For those seeking more adrenaline - there are a range of optional activities such as Via Ferrata climbing or horse riding.
Walking & 4WD
Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Andorra is the perfect place for an activity-filled week in mountains blessed with cool breezes and glorious sunshine. You explore the beautiful Siscaro Lakes and Incles Valley on foot - climbing above the treeline. Then a 4WD excursion along old smugglers’ routes affords some breathtaking views and the chance to rest your legs.
Rafting & Biking
Crossing into Spain, you cycle to the put-in point for your white water rafting experience. This area is well-known for its rapids which will certainly get the adrenaline pumping! Back in Andorra a drive takes you to the El Cortals Valley where you bike through forests with a choice of routes depending on ability. After a traditional BBQ lunch you can take a walk or an exhilarating ride down the valley.
Free Time Activities
Andorra has no taxes and consequently is the ultimate place to go tax-free shopping! If you wish to indulge in some retail therapy you can go to Andorra La Vella which it is just a short bus ride away. For those seeking more adrenaline - there are a range of optional activities such as Via Ferrata climbing or horse riding.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London After your flight to Barcelona, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation (approximately four hours), journeying north by chartered bus to Soldeu in Andorra. Situated on the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, squashed between France and Spain, the principality of Andorra measures a mere 25km by 30km. Andorra’s independence can be traced back to Charlemagne, who captured the region from the Muslims in 803 AD but it was only in 1993 that the Andorran people voted to establish the country as an independent and democratic state. Although small, Andorra is blessed with some of the finest scenery in the Pyrenees and is a great place for an active week in the mountains. Hotel - 7 nights (D) |
| Day 2: | Siscaro Reserve This morning you will take your first excursion out into the impressive mountains of this tiny country. The drive to Port Envalira takes approximately 30 minutes and is boasted as being the highest road pass in Europe. Starting at 2500m you have a short 100m climb to the summit of Pic Maia. At this height there are spectacular views across the Andorran mountains. From here the rest of the day is a ridge walk. Being mostly flat or descending, this is a great introduction to the Pyrenees, and a chance to stretch your legs and acclimatize to the altitude. The scenery is stunning and the walk will hopefully give you the chance to see some of Andorra’s flora and fauna. It is always worth keeping an eye out for the griffon vultures which are often seen circling high overhead. On the way you will pass the Siscaro Lakes where on hotter days there is a chance to have a swim. From here the descent is more rapid and the path brings you out right opposite the hotel. You will arrive back at the hotel between 3pm and 4pm giving you a chance to either relax in the sun, take the bikes out for a ride, or visit one of the neighbouring hotel’s spa centre. (BD) |
| Day 3: | The Iron Route Setting off in the vehicles and with the bikes, you head off to the Ordino Valley, one of the most picturesque valleys in Andorra. Starting at the top end of the valley at 2000m you get fitted with a bike and helmet and then explore with a guide the old iron route of Andorra. Iron was Andorra’s first industry which brought the first real settlements to the area. Easy going off road tracks take you along the valley past the old iron mines, mills and forges, finishing in the village of Ordino. The tracks are mostly wide 4x4 dirt surfaces, no cars take these routes, and though the ground might be a bit rough in places, no technical mountain biking skills are needed, just a good knowledge of normal bike riding. After a rest and refreshment in the village you are back in the vehicles and up to the col de beixalls at 1800m where you are back on the bikes for a thrilling 8km off road descent into Encamp. Throughout the day there will be full vehicle support so that if people prefer not to bike it is possible to walk and/or ride in the 4x4. From Encamp it is just a short 15 minute drive back to the hotel arriving between 5pm and 6pm. (BD) |
| Day 4: | Soldeu – Free Day Today has been left free for you to choose from the many activities that are on offer in Andorra. You may decide to go horse riding, quad biking or visit the thermal baths of La Caldea. Take to the trees for tree-top zip-lining or go canyoning. If you have a head for heights you can try your hand at Via Ferrata climbing. There are of course plenty more opportunities for walking and mountain biking or you could simply choose to relax, enjoy the sunshine or go duty free shopping. (BD) |
| Day 5: | Rafting & Mountain Biking Following another smugglers’ route you drive out of Andorra to the Port de Cabus on the Spanish border; where the tarmac ends so does Andorra. Disembarking, the bikes are unloaded and it is on with the helmets for a thrilling downhill biking experience. The biking is almost all downhill on dirt roads where there are very few cars. The first 3km or so is the steeper and rougher section and so anyone who is unsure can opt out and join the ride later for the remaining 10km which is flatter. En route there are some spectacular views along valleys to distant peaks, the odd shallow stream to bike through and the chance to stop in a typical mountain hamlet. Your support vehicles follow, giving any assistance necessary; those not wishing to cycle can make the journey in the vehicle. The end of the cycling finds you at the put-in point for your exhilarating white water rafting. Here you kit up with paddles, helmets, buoyancy aids, wetsuits and of course your rafts and guides. The rivers around Sort provide excellent rafting opportunities with differing grades of rapids (up to class III). The rivers wind through impressive scenery of forest-covered banks and the adrenalin gets pumping as you blast your way through the white water. After drying off there is some time to relax before returning by vehicle to Andorra and Soldeu (BD) |
| Day 6: | Cortals Valley Biking & BBQ Today’s activities take place in the stunningly beautiful Cortals Valley. Half way up the valley you jump on the bikes for a ride along a flat track to the Engolasters Lake giving you the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. Around the lake there are plenty of fun tracks to be taken and you normally have the choice between an easy flat track or a more exciting path through the woods. For those slightly less energetic there is also a lakeside bar. Retracing your route you return to the vehicles. You have the option to ride the demanding 3km tarmac road ascent to the barbeque area; a climb that follows part of the Tour of Spain route. However, the vehicles are available for anyone not fancying this. For lunch you will stop in a Pyrenean meadow and enjoy a traditional Catalan barbeque. After lunch it’s back on your bikes once more for the last part of the day’s cycling as you head for the top of the valley. From here you cross a rope-suspended bridge and take an off-road descent followed by an on-road exhilarating switch-back descent to Encamp; a total descent of over 800m. For anyone not wishing to cycle the routes they can be done on foot and there is a possibility of taking the longest gondola (ski lift) ride in Europe. At the end of the day you return by vehicle to Soldeu, a 20 minute drive away. (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Incles Valley A short drive takes you into the Incles Valley, where you start today’s walk. Initially you’ll walk up along the forested mountain slopes. This part of the walk is along a single track through the woods where there are many examples of pine forest plants, lots of beautiful flowers and rhododendrons in June, wild fruit mid summer and wild mushrooms in September. Then arriving on a plateau just above the tree line at 2000m, the gradient lessens as you reach the beautiful Querol and Salamander Lakes. It is common to see groups of thickset mountain horses grazing on these high slopes. As the horses are allowed to roam free they normally have large bells strapped around their necks to allow the owners to find them. Contouring along the valley you come to the Cabana Sorda Lake sitting below an impressive semi-circular amphitheatre of rock; an ideal spot to stop for lunch. From the lake eager walkers can continue the hike up to the peak at around 2600m giving you an amazing bird’s eye view of the valley. For the people staying at the lake there is the chance to have a swim, a refreshing dip in a waterfall or watch the fishermen - there are plenty of mountain trout. After lunch you’ll descend off the grassy higher slopes through thick woodland to the top of the valley where you can either take transport back to the hotel or, for those with more energy, you can continue back on foot. (BD) |
| Day 8: | Fly to London This morning, you transfer by bus to the airport in Barcelona where the trip ends for Land Only clients and those on group flights to the UK fly to London. (B) |
how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: This trip provides income for a variety of local business, from our ground agents to the small, independent hotel where the group are based. The variety of activities on this trip are all operated by local companies so the money spent by our groups directly benefits the local economy of Soldeu and provides vital employment. All activities are devised to cause minimum environmental impact on the region being explored.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |