Spanning hundred of kilometers from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees mountain range is a 'must' for any nature lovers. Bordering France and Spain, the area has a unique culture blending the best of both - fine wine, cured meats, and a perfect climate. For adventurers, the icing on the cake are the World Heritage Sites of Cirque de Gavernie and the Ordesa Mont-Perdu National Parks, the home of this trek.

The Ordesa region was given National Park status back in 1918. It's crown jewel is Monte Perdido (the Lost Mountain) is the third highest peak in the Pyrenees standing at 3,355 meters.

Ancient mountain paths connect the tiny villages dotted around these cany

We'll take ancient mountain paths through these canyons to reach tiny remote mountain villages passing Beech and Fir forests, giant glacier fed waterfalls, and dramatic ridge lines, plateaus and peaks.

Your guides have travelled to countless remote regions of the world but call this place home and name this one of their most special routes, full stop. It's truly unlike anything else we have in Europe so you won't want to miss out on this one.

DAY 1 : Arrival & transfer to Nerin, Spain

We'll meet you at Toulouse Airport where you'll have a chance to meet the crew. We'll then hop in the minibus and head over to the Spanish village of Nerin, perched on the southern tip of the Pyrenees. It should take about 4 hours to get there. You'll get to soak up the culture as we'll call the local Basque inn home for the night, filling up on a local traditional dinner before lights out.

(Dinner included)

DAY 2 : Pico Mondoto, Ordesa Canyon to Goritz Refuge

We've come to the Pyrenees as it's offers all the spectacle of the alps but without the crowds. We'll take the much less trodden path entering the canyon, climbing through beech Forests towards Pico Mondoto (2,000m). We'll continue up above the tree line over the high pleateau hearing from Cuello Arena (1,930m) and Cuello Gordo (2,188m), the gateway to the stunning Ordesa Canyon. For all our hard work, our reward is the awesome view at the Ronaldo Gap over Monte Taillón, the Casco and Monte Perdido. Then it's time for some moon walking as the scenery chances dramatically to a lunar-like plain the spans all the way to the Goritz Refuge, where's we'll rest up for the night.

Total hiking time: 6-7 hours

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

DAY 3 : Ordesa Canyon and Cirque de Gavarnie

Today is a day of exploration of this stunning area. We set out from the refuge and take an incredible path that runs along a system of ledges perched perilously high above the canyon. Differential erosion over eons has carved ledges which, in the past, sheep and cow herders, hunters and, more recently trekkers used as convenient pathways to link spectacular routes up and down the canyons. The most spectacular is the Faja Las Flores, which serves as one of the most exciting routes in the entire park, traversing spectacularly above the rim of the Ordesa gorge, offering jaw-dropping vistas of the canyon’s kilometre high walls and its floor impossibly deep below us and beyond across the high Pyrenees.  From here we climb steadily up the upper lip of the Cirque de Gavarnie, a massive natural Amphitheatre which plunging waterfalls cascading off its kilometer-high walls. After likely taking hundreds of unbelievably spectacular images, we return to the Goritz Refuge for a well-earned supper!

Total trek time: 6-7 hours

(BLD)

DAY 4 : Anisclo Canyon - Bestue (1,242m)

As ever, we'll start the day fuelling up with a decent breaky and then head south east over the ridge above the Goritz Refuge, into the Anisclo Canyon. If you're ones of those people that likes rocks, Christmas has officially come early. We'll then traverse along the gorge and then head over the plateu which takes us to the mini mountain village of Bestue where we'll stay tonight.

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

DAY 5 : Bestue - Lamiana

Leaving our new mountain home we'll make for the stupendous gorge of Gargantas d’Escuain. You'll have the chance to explore this secluded spot soaking up the ultimate nature fix before we head for Lamiana, our home for day 5. Dinner and wine for all before hitting the hay for a cosy snooze.

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner included)

DAY 6 : Lamiana - Luchon

We're treated to a beautiful last days hiking heading south east along the ridge passing the Tella Dolmen, an ancient tomb made from a giant slab of rock pointing straight up. We'll then head for the high mountain pass for the selfie-worthy views of Portillo de Tella (2,062m) sitting at the start of the Bielsa Valley. It's then time to descend back to the minibus but not before passing crystal clear glacial waters (and a wild swim dip if you fancy it). We'll then celebrate this awesome journey with a nice cold one before heading back to the picturesque mountain town of Luchon where we'll check into our hotel. You'll have time to freshen up and take a shower before the celebratory dinner.

‍(Breakfast & Lunch included)

DAY 7 : Return to UK

All content, we'll then get you back to Toulouse Blagnac Airport form your journey home.

(Breakfast included)

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Fully qualified, highly experienced and local EVEREST GUIDE (Yep...lucky you)
• Return transfers to Toulouse Airport
• Transfers to and from mountain base
• Guest house accommodation and mountain huts during the trek
• All meals as per above
• 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor
• No extra cost monthly payment plan, on request

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to Toulouse (check implications of COVID-19 but many flights should be running as normal)
• Your personal hiking stuff (boots, socks, sweatband, neon paint...)
• Insurance - you must have insurance for this. It's best to tell them what you'll be doing to ensure you get the right cover
• Booze
• Meals not listed on the itinerary
• Any extra costs if you need to leave early

• Transport to Toulouse (check implications of COVID-19 but many flights should be running as normal)
• Your personal hiking stuff (boots, socks, sweatband, neon paint...)
• Insurance - you must have insurance for this. It's best to tell them what you'll be doing to ensure you get the right cover.
• Booze
• Meals not listed on the itinerary
• Any extra costs if you need to leave early

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Fitness

How fit do I need to be?

You certainly don't need to be Wonder Woman (or Superman) for this one but you will need to be able to walk for 7 or 8 hours a day with your pack. Fitness is very specific to the activity so whilst you might not put yourself in the 'high' fitness category, so long as you can do a full days walk covering rough terrain with some long climbs then you're all good to go.

Food and Water

Where do we get drinking water from?

Bottled or filtered drinking water will be provided during the trip. We’d advise bringing your own bottle, to reduce plastic waste where possible. During the trekking day we also pass streams in various places that you can top up from if you should run out, so take purification tablets with you, should you wish to fill up.

What is the food like in the refuges and hotels?

The food is plentiful and of very good quality, often using locally sourced ingredients. Breakfasts consist of pastries, fresh bread and jams and you can expect hearty meals in the evenings. Packed lunches will be simple, but filling.

Do you provide snacks during this expedition?

We provide some snacks for your days on the mountain, however do bring some of your favourite snacks from home, a range of fast and slow release energy snacks. The pure ‘energy’ style bars which are solid are quite tough to eat on the mountain so go with simple things. Flapjacks, shortbread, sweets, nuts and chocolate are great, snacks that you’re going to really look forward to eating and which will give you energy.

Accommodation

What is the accommodation like?

You’ll be staying in simple but comfortable accommodation in the hotels.

The refuges are more basic, these are inaccessible mountain huts – albeit large. They all have running water, so flush toilets are standard. Most will have hot showers, but on a busy day that hot water will be in high demand and may run out. Accommodation here is in dormitories, so earplugs are recommended if snorers keep you awake!

Food along the way will be good with ample carbohydrate content – think pasta, rice, potatoes etc, but don’t expect a la carte, food often has to be flown in by helicopter! Given we are all carrying our own kit we don’t want to be weighed down by tents and cooking equipment, and as the refuges have beds and washing facilities they are considered the sensible and more comfortable option on these routes.

Kit

What bag do I need?

A rucksack of around 40-60L should do you just fine – it’s better to have a bigger bag with space, than a smaller one with everything crammed in!

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Aim not to carry more than you need. Your day sack should contain only the essential items you will need for the day and activities and your aim should be to keep it as light as possible. We’d recommend you carry at least: a warm layer, waterproof jacket, your packed lunch and snacks, spending money, water, camera, sun cream and personal medication.

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If you are borrowing or buying a rucksack, ask someone to help you adjust it to fit your back. And ensure you are making these adjustments with weight inside it, not empty. Generally, it should sit reasonably high on your back so that the weight is acting vertically downwards, not forcing your shoulders back or drooping past your backside. Again, it’s about how you feel comfortable wearing it and important to get right.

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Make sure too that it is either waterproof or you have a waterproof cover for your rucksack. It’s not a bad idea to pack your gear into waterproof stuffs sacs, in case of a deluge.

Do we need any technical gear for this?

No, this adventure is a trek, so standard walking gear outlined in the kit list should suffice.

Do I need a sleeping bag?

No, you’ll be in accommodation throughout and bedding is provided in the hotels and the refuges – though you may wish to bring a sleeping bag liner if you get cold.

Do I need a down jacket?

You'll need a warm layer, and something like a fleece or down jacket is ideal. Need a new down jacket? We've done our research into the best women's down jacket.

The Activities

How fit do I need to be?

Although we’re not at altitude, or in somewhere like the Himalaya, don’t underestimate this trek. The days are relatively long with reasonable altitude gains (and losses) each day. If you make an effort with fitness before coming out you’ll enjoy it far more than if you are struggling up every hill each day barely able to notice the spectacular views.

Can we swim in the lakes?

Try and stop me! Of course. This is one of the best parts. It's fresh but exhilarating.

The Weather

What’s the weather like up there?

It’s likely to be lovely and sunny, and reasonably warm (pretty hot lower down). However, we’re in the mountains, and not very far from the Atlantic, so there is every risk of rain, thunderstorms, and wind. Night time temperatures can be chilly.
The climate of the Pyrenees is generally better than the UK, but there is still the risk of inclement weather, so we advise in the kit list to pack accordingly. And, just like any other holiday, having a quick last minute look at the forecast before you come out can be a useful pointer of what’s in store.

Travel

Flights aren’t included what time should I arrive and depart to Toulouse?

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

We will be at the airport at 11.30 am on day one of the itinerary. On the day you leave, we will be dropping the team off at Toulouse airport for 2.30 pm.  (These times are approximate and are TBC.). Please, therefore, find flights that work for these timings.

If there are any issues with this please do 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.

Bagneres de Luchon is 1h 40 mins drive from Toulouse Airport.

Insurance

Do I need special insurance for this trip?

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition, we cannot take you on the expedition without proof of insurance.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however, this can be arranged at a later date. We will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks (or less depending on when you book) before your departure.

We can recommend True Traveller as an option when looking for travel insurance for your trip. Many other insurance providers are of course available and we do recommend that you shop around to get the best cover for you on the expedition you are undertaking. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip, to include, at a minimum, medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip and for the adventure activities included.

Electronics

Will my mobile work?

In the cities, yes, out in the countryside, likely on and off! Most UK providers will provide coverage as part of your plan in France and Spain, but do check before you travel.

Will there be somewhere to charge my phone and camera?

There will be plug sockets in the rooms in your hotel, and some in the refuges, though availability of these isn’t guaranteed. We advise bringing a powerpack (we recommend Anker or PowerTraveller) to ensure your phones / cameras / other electronics are charged throughout!

Is there a minimum age for this trip?

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