|
|
|
INTRODUCTION
The walking programme on this holiday is in two different areas of the Spanish Pyrenees: The Isábena
Valley with its medieval hermitages and beautiful hilltop villages, where we explore valleys and high
sierras on walks well off the beaten track in dramatic foothill scenery, and the Ordesa National Park
famous for its canyons, alpine flowers and an amazing range of rare birds of prey and wildlife.
We travel to Spain using scheduled flights from Heathrow or Manchester to Barcelona, where we meet our local,
English-speaking Guide. For the first three nights of the holiday we stay in the small hilltop village of Roda
de Isábena, and the drive there (3-4 hours) is by our own comfortable mini bus along the Spanish coast and
through the scenic foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees.
|
For the next four nights we stay in the pretty little village of Torla at the gateway to the Ordesa National Park.
We are accompanied throughout the holiday by a tour leader and English-speaking guides who live in the area and
who will explain the culture, history and geography of this beautiful part of the Pyrenees. We explore ancient
footpaths, medieval hilltop villages, hermitages and monasteries. Expect to see wild summer flowers with the
snow-covered peaks of the high Pyrenees acting as a backdrop to the walks. Each day we either walk directly
from the hotel, or take a short mini-bus drive to the starting point in order to concentrate our walks in the
most beautiful areas.
A particular pleasure on all our Pyrenean holidays is the high quality picnic lunches, provided by our guides
for the walking programme, using fresh local produce - cheeses, hams, Spanish omelettes, fresh bread, country
wines, fruit, nuts and other local delicacies. Breakfast each day is taken in the hotel, and evening dinners are
either in the hotel or at carefully chosen local village restaurants.
|
| Dates: |
8 - 15 May 2011 |
| Guide Price excl. flights: |
£1100 |
| Guide Price incl. flights: |
£1300 |
| Single supplement: |
£125 |
| Grade: |
Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
|
View in a larger window
|
|
«Top»
HIGHLIGHTS
|
RODA DE ISABENA
Roda de Isábena is a tiny, picturesque hilltop village with narrow lanes and a small medieval square.
It is dominated by its magnificent Romanesque cathedral, which is a real gem, built when Roda was an
important strategic base for the Counts of Ribagorza.
TORLA
Torla is a pretty and busy mountain village at the entrance to the Ordesa National Park, with plenty
of hotels and shops. It has some attractive old buildings in a magnificent setting.
WEATHER
May is an ideal time for a visit to the Pyrenees. It should be warm and sunny, but as with all
mountain areas, conditions can vary and visitors should come prepared for sudden
changes in the weather.
|
|
«Top»
ITINERARY
|
Day 1 - Sunday 8th May 2011 - Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena
Fly from Manchester or London Heathrow to Barcelona. Met on arrival by our guides and transfer by mini-bus
(3-4 hours) to our hotel in the village of Roda de Isábena. We stay at the Hospederia de Roda, a beautifully
reconstructed house next to the cathedral. The village is dominated by its magnificent Romanesque cathedral.
Welcome reception in the hotel, followed by dinner in the cathedral refectory. D
Day 2 - Monday 9th May 2011 - Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena
A circular walk starting with a stunning ridge walk connecting two little Ermitas high up on the beautiful
Sierra de Sis which dominates the Isábena and Nogura Valleys. Expect to see wonderful views all round.
The return to the starting point is through oak woods and pastureland. The walk is in a remote area and
we are unlikely to be sharing it with any other walkers. 12 km (aprox 7 miles).
Dinner in hotel BLD
Day 3 - Tuesday 10th May 2011 - Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena
Drive north (1 hour) to an isolated area of alpine pastures and forests dotted with lovely villages. Here
the tallest peaks of the Pyrenees are in sight and the flowers and vegetation are more alpine in character.
The huge mass of Turbón (2500m) dominates today's walk. This is an idyllic day with little climbing and good
paths rarely trodden by other walkers. We drive back via a shorter, different route, along the upper Isábena
valley. 12 km (7 miles). BLD
Day 4 - Wednesday 11th May 2011 - Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla
After a leisurely breakfast, we check out of the hotel and enjoy a picturesque drive to the village of Torla
(1¾ hours) where we spend the second part of the holiday. On the way we stop to explore the medieval mountain
village of Ainsa in the Ara Valley. The village has an attractive arcaded square, narrow streets and some
decent restaurants in the square for anyone tempted to have lunch. Continue on to Torla and our hotel is located
in the village square. Above Torla you can see the 3000 foot walls of the Ordesa Canyon - one of Europe's most
amazing glacial canyons and a magnet for walkers and climbers. BD
Day 5 - Thursday 12th May 2011 - Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla
A challenging start to the day as we climb through beech and fir forest up to the Circo (cirque) de Carriatta
following the dramatic Faja de Racún (a Faja is a cliffside path) above the canyon and descending the Cirque de
Cotatuero. This is a dramatic and little frequented route in the Ordesa Canyon, and we take it at a leisurely
pace ensuring maximum enjoyment. 10 km (approx. 5.9 miles) 500m climb 800m descent.
BD
Day 6 - Friday 13th May 2011
Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla
We head to the Añisclo Canyon where we walk to a tiny village, abandoned since the civil war, before
descending by a stunning path down into the Canyon itself. The raging waters of the River Bellos have
carved the limestone to create an amazing landscape of soaring cliffs, waterfalls, forest and deep blue pools.
On the way out of the canyon we pass a hermitage built by the miracle working San Urbéz. This is a truly
superb day's walk. 12 km (approx. 7 miles) 300m climb, 500m descent. BLD
Day 7 - Saturday 14th May 2011 - Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla
A classic walking circuit of the Ordesa Canyon following old hunters paths 3000 ft above the valley floor
along the Faja de Pelay to the head of the Valley below Monte Perdido. We then follow the river, with its
lovely waterfalls, back down into the valley through alpine meadows and shady beech forest. Flowers and rare
birds of prey are plentiful here in Europe's oldest national park. This is an unmissable highlight of the
Pyrenees.
18 km (approx. 10.6 miles). 700m climb and descent.
BLD
Day 8 - Sunday 15th May 2011 - Transfer to Barcelona
Transfer to Barcelona by private mini bus for the return flight to UK. 4 - 5 hours, much of it through scenic countryside.
B
B = Breakfast. L = Lunch. D = Dinner.
|
|
«Top»
ACCOMODATION
|
Hospederia de Roda
Our hotel in Roda De Isábena, the Hospederia de Roda, is a beautifully reconstructed house adjoining the
cathedral, with comfortable en-suite rooms which have glorious views, either over the village square or the
Isábena Valley. The hotel is tastefully decorated and well appointed. Its restaurant is housed in the impressive
12th Century monastery refectory where dining is a most enjoyable experience.
Hotel Villa de Torla
We spend the last four nights at the Hotel Villa de Torla, which is a comfortable hotel in the centre of
the village. The hotel has good en-suite rooms with telephone and TV, a bar and sitting area and a small
garden with swimming pool and lovely views up to the Ordesa Canyon. We dine in the hotel, which has a
reputation for preparing excellent local dishes that are typical of this part of the Pyrenees.
|
|
|
«Top»
FLIGHTS
|
Flights are with British Airways from Heathrow and Manchester. Details are the latest known and subject to change by the airline.
Connecting flights are available from other regional airports.
|
Outbound - Sunday 8th May 2011
|
Depart Manchester
Arrive Heathrow
|
BA1387
|
08.15
09.25
|
Depart Heathrow (T5)
Arrive Barcelona
|
BA474
|
11.20
14.20
|
| Inbound - Sunday 15th May 2011 |
Depart Barcelona
Arrive Heathrow (T5) |
BA485 |
13.25
14.40 |
Depart Heathrow
Arrive Manchester |
BA1402 |
18.30
19.35 |
|
|
«Top»
PRICE
|
| Price per person, full board, based on two people sharing a double/twin room
|
£1250.00 |
| Price per person, as above, excluding air travel |
£1100.00 |
| Single person supplement occupying a double room with own bathroom |
£85.00 |
| Supplement for departure from Manchester |
£90.00 |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- Return economy class flight from Heathrow or Manchester to Barcelona
- Private mini bus for transfers between the airport and hotels, and for the
programme of walks and visits to places of interest
- Seven nights hotel accommodation in twin/double room with en suite with facilities
- Breakfast and dinner in hotels or carefully chosen local restaurants
- Picnic lunches for the walking programme
- Accompanying Tour Leader throughout
- Accompanying professional English speaking guides throughout
- Full programme of walks and visits to places of interest
- Welcome reception
- Airport departure taxes and all other local taxes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Beverages
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this brochure
- Gratuities, which are entirely optional
Please Note:
For reasons of safety, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to make changes to
the programme without advance notice. Every effort will be made to avoid this if at all possible.
|
E&OE
|
|
