Pyrenees Activity Adventure - a Family Holiday in Spain - 2010/11 Itinerary
8 days - from $1240
• Discover the fun of kayaking, rafting & abseiling
• Unwind in our superb family-run hotel with its great pool
• Explore the surrounding mountains by jeep & on foot
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Aigues Tortes National Park - Jewel of the Pyrenees
Driving up in Land Rovers into the heart of the Park, we first spend a relaxed day around the Sant Maurici Lake; with water and creeks literally everywhere, we soon discover why the name of this National Park means 'winding waters'. There are also dozens of peaks reaching up to 3000m, and the two named the Encantats ('Enchanted ones') are the symbols of these mountains. With luck eagles and vultures can be spotted - or perhaps even a whistling Marmot. Our hotel base in Sort is just a few miles outside the borders of the National Park and is blessed with an excellent micro-climate, receiving more sunshine than practically anywhere else in the Pyrenees.
Rafting & Kayaking
The Noguera Pallaresa river is probably the best in Spain for any kind of whitewater activity. The watershed is high up in the mountains close to the French border, steadily gaining momentum as it descends - superb for a great ride through the rapids on our rafts. There are also three lakes where the waters are calm and ideal for kayaking. Since our hotel is only a stone's throw away from the river, you can easily just spend your time on the banks, enjoying the backdrop of the Pyrenees or having a refreshing dip. Swimmers can also make the best of the lovely hotel pool and garden.
Canyons & Gorges
A few miles south of our base, the river carves through the mountains to form the Collegats Gorge. This area of dramatic rock formations is famous for its 'canyoning' activities, which you have the opportunity to try. We'll gear up in wetsuit, harness and helmet and start walking down the river bed, sometimes having to jump, slide or abseil; our instructor will give us all necessary guidance, and this is a real highlight of the tour.
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Itinerary:
Day 1 Join Barcelona Airport and drive to Sort. Day 2 4-Wheel-drive adventure Jumping aboard our jeeps, we head up to the beautiful Aigues Tortes National Park where we will walk around Saint Maurici Lake and enjoy a picnic lunch. Day 3 White-water rafting The exhilaration of river-rafting can be enjoyed by all and most people just want to get straight back in the raft at the end of it! Day 4 Mountain biking Today has been kept aside as a free day. You may choose to relax around the pool and village or the adrenalin seekers amongst you can go mountain biking (optional). Day 5 Kayaking The art of paddling through the water doesn't (usually!) take long to master and we'll spend a fun morning on Sant Antoni reservoir. Day 6 Canyoning We'll gear up in wetsuit, harness and helmet and start walking down the river bed, sometimes having to jump, slide or abseil; our instructor will give us all necessary guidance - this is a real highlight of the tour. Day 7 Hydrospeed For those of us with energy left, there's a chance today to go kayaking again or try your hand at the ultimate close-up white water experience; hydrospeed (optional). Day 8 Drive to Barcelona Airport where tour ends.
Accommodations: 7nts at the comfortable, family-run Hotel Pessets in Sort; 7 breakfasts & 1 lunch included.
Transport: Bus/4-Wheel-Drive/Inflatable raft/Kayak.
Comment: A helter-skelter of activity for all levels of ability. No previous experience in any of these activities is necessary, as qualified instructors will be at hand. A good general level of fitness is recommended in order to get the most out of this trip. All equipment is provided. Travel distances are short and there are plenty of opportunities for additional activities and walks for the keen!
Group: Approx. 14 to 20.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader and driver plus professional guides as required.
Trip Reference: FPY2010
