Day 1: Arrive and head straight for the water!

You'll be met by your guide at Toulouse Airport ready and raring for a few days of water adventures. Then we have a 1.5 hour scenic transfer right into the Pyrenees. We'll stretch those stiff plane legs with an hour's walk up to Lac Bareilles and it'll be straight into the water for a dip to kick off that holiday feeling and wash away all the stress that you left behind at home.

We'll spend the afternoon dipping in the water, picnicking and basking in the sun and generally exploring this stunning area. By the end of the afternoon you'll feel like you've been here forever. We'll head to the town of Luchon in the evening to get settled into our rooms and share a meal together.

Day 2: Canyoning in Aiguestortes National Park

It's an early start and boy will it be worth it! Another hour and a half of truly scenic roads take us over the border to Spain, with views of the epic Viu Canyon to excite us for our adventure in the Aiguestortes National Park.

With a specialist canyon guide, we'll suit up and hit the gorge, where we'll spend a few hours jumping into crystal clear plunge pools, scaling waterfalls, abseiling down ravines and narrow corridors and generally having the most adrenaline-fuelled time. This is a truly magical place, where the sun shines down through the gorge, illuminating the glacial waters and taking you to a place of nature immersion.

Lunch will be another picnic on the beach and a chance to soak up some of that Spanish sun before hitting the canyon again in the afternoon. Home for the night will be a hotel by a gorgeous lake where you'll have the chance, if you're not completely zonked out on adrenaline from the canyon, to  go water-skiing or swimming before dinner.

Day 3: Kayak and Trek Mont Rebei

Another adventure-packed and completely different day in the gorge today. After a satisfying French breakfast we'll head out towards Mont Rebei gorge, a truly spectacular reserve boasting oak forests, turquoise waters. limestone cliffs and wildlife such as eagles and vultures. So beautiful and ripe for adventure is it, that it has been recgonised by various adventure and outdoor magazines (Nat Geo included) as one of the best and most beautiful places for a European adventure.

Today we hit the kayaks and paddle silently through the azure waters and towering limestone cliffs. Lunch, you guessed it, is a beach-side picnic with a chance to dip if you haven't quite got your fill yet.

The afternoon sees us following in the footsteps of traders and farmers 100 years ago, as we traverse wooden staircases bolted into the rock that were used long ago by mules. This narrow trail carved so carefully into the cliffs is truly one of the most interesting and spectacular trails in the world. An experience you won't forget.

After a magical day, we hop back on the bus to Luchon where we'll be staying in the centre of this lively little mountain town for a celebratory end-of-trip meal together.

Day 4: Return home (with a sneaky morning adventure?)

It might be time to go home, but if you've been savvy enough to book an afternoon or evening flight, you might have chance to pack in a bit more adrenaline first. Paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking or even chilling out in the town's thermal spa are all options here before we whisk you back to the airport.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Fully qualified, highly experienced and local guides for each activity
• Return transfers to Toulouse Airport
• Canyoning equipment and kayak hire
• Guesthouse accommodation (shared)
• All meals as per the itinerary (breakfast, picnic lunches, etc.)

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights
• Personal equipment
• Dinner on arrival (due to differing flight times)
• Insurance
• Snacks, alcohol etc
• Any costs associated with having to leave the expedition early
• Any additional activities in Luchon before departure

• Day sack (40-50L)
• Dry stuffsacks - France has banned plastic bags
• Waterproof rucksack cover or liner
• Warm headgear
• Sun hat with wide brim or neck covering
• Sunglasses
• High SPF sunblock and lip salve
• Base layers (thermal ones for high altitudes)
• T-shirts (preferably not cotton)
• Fleece
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
• Shorts/ trekking trousers - ones that convert to shorts are ideal
• Underwear (preferably not cotton)
• Gloves for higher altitudes
• 4-season waterproof walking boots with ankle support
• Trainers/ crocs/ sandals for the evening
• Trekking socks
• Evening clothes
• Water bottles or bladder - 2L capacity
• Basic wash kit and alcohol gel
• Personal first aid kit and medication
• Head torch
• Passport with at least 6 months expiry
• Copy of travel insurance
• EH1C (formerly E111)

Optional

• Sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold
• Water purification tablets (water is supplied but handy to have)
• Toilet paper and trowel if you think you'll need to hide behind a rock during the day!)
• Camera
• Walking poles
• Snacks - you'll be well fed but might want some of your favourite snacks to hand
• Ear plugs
• Pen knife
• Swimsuit - we provide a wetsuit for canyoning but there may be other opportunities for a wild swim)

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We haven’t included flights as this gives you options from the UK. There are many flights arriving in Toulouse daily from many different airports – chat to us for more information.

We’ll pick up from the airport at 11.30 am on day one of the itinerary. On the final day, we’ll drop you off at Toulouse airport for 2.30 pm.  (These times are approximate and are TBC.) Please find flights that work for these timings.

If there are any issues with this please do let us know and we’ll try to help, however it might mean getting a hire car, train or taxi to your start/finish point.

The base is 1h 40 mins drive from Toulouse Airport

Do I need to be super fit for this trip?

This is a beginner's level weekend for those seeking a bit of adventure. You don't need to be super fit but a decent level of fitness is probably required for you to fully enjoy it (as with anything!) You can take the weekend as hard or easy as you like though, so don't stress about being a hardy mountaineer!

Do I need to have canyoning or kayaking experience?

No, not at all, there'll be a fully qualified guide with you for both activities so no need to worry about that.

What will the weather be like?

In the summer temperatures in the Pyrenees tend to reach the mid-20's, though they can get down to freezing in the evening with being in the mountains. The weather is generally better than the UK, but it's always worth checking the forecast beforehand!

Are flights included?

Flights aren't included as this gives you options if you're travelling from the UK. There are many flights that arrive in Toulouse daily from many different airports – contact us for more information.

You'll be picked up from the airport at 11.30 am on day one. On the day you leave, you'll be dropped off at Toulouse airport for 2.30 pm approximately.

If there are any problems with this please let us know and we will also try and help, however it might mean in getting a hire car/train or taxi to your start/finish point.

The accommodation is 1h 40 mins drive from Toulouse Airport.

Is there a minimum age for this trip?

Yes, all our trips are for people of 18 years of age and older.