DATES
Sat 8th June 2024
-
Sat 15th June 2024
7 nights
This year we are spending two weeks in Ordino to give our guests the option of having a 2 week holiday in this beautiful area. It is before the summer season and trails will be quiet for us to explore the fantastic Andorran Pyrenees and even swim in mountain lakes. Do book on for a weeks holiday or let us know if you would like to stay for two - we hope you will.
SUMMARY
Date: Saturday June 8th to Saturday June 15th
Guide: Nicola Archer our local guide
Walking Grade: 2 Goats. There will be options to do more stretching walks.
Base: Hotel Coma an old favourite of WalkingWomen, Ordino in the heart of the Pyrenees. It is a walk into the small town where there are lots of cafes and restaurants. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (open weather permitting) and gardens for sitting and looking at the mountains.
Arrivals: Fly to Barcelona to arrive for a group transfer leaving approx 3pm. The journey is approx 3 hours to our hotel in Ordino. We arrive for a welcome briefing and dinner together at the hotel.
Departures: For the return journey we will leave the hotel after breakfast so return flights best after 3pm on Sat June 10th. The journey is approximately 3 hours from the aiport to Ordino and a group airport transfer is included in the price.
Price: £1250 per person for this holiday to include:
If you are sharing a room the price will be £1060 per person
- Ensuite accommodation with breakfast and dinner each night
- Lunches on 5 walking days
- Group airport Transfer to and from Barcelona
- Tourist Tax
- Experienced local english speaking guiding
- Local transport required for walks
- One day excursion
Not included:
- Travel to Barcelona
- Additional drinks
- One lunch on free day
DETAILS
This holiday is located in the picturesque town of Ordino which is home to museums and the starting point of many varied walks to explore the Andorra side of the Pyrenees and surrounding area. Our walks will give you a spectacular introduction to Andorra,or if you have been before, a chance to rediscover the beautiful country.
In June there maybe opportunities to swim in the many lakes.
Our hotel is known for charming Andorran hospitality and traditional cuisine. It has a swimming pool , tennis courts and has a restaurant and beautiful terrace with views of the mountains. The pool may not be open in June depending on the weather.
There is an indoor sports centre a 10 minute walk away which was well used last year. It is open from 7am in the morning until 8pm sometimes later. There is a large pool and spa facilities including an ice bucket!
ITINERARY
The itinerary may change depending on the weather and at the discretion of our guide. Every day we discuss with the group. The walks are to give those that stay on for 2 weeks the chance to explore more and have options to climb higher and stretch more. There are lots for options for shorter and longer walks.
The walks give you an opportunity to explore this wonderful area and will be a variation of the first weeks walks. There will be a free day and options for excursions to explore more of the area.
Day 1 Saturday :Arrival in Andorra – settle in to your hotel, meet the guide and have a pre dinner briefing about the week. Dinner together at the hotel.
Day 2: Esbalçat Lake and Peak Ascent 200m to the lake at 2300m 3.5km and on to the peak another 400m climb to 2683m and 3km.
We walk to a Glacial lake with high mountain flora, views of the valley and a very pretty lake. It is an easy walk to the lake following the side of the mountain but there is a steep walk down to the road at the bottom of the valley. The walk to the peak has some steep parts but offers wonderful views of the Ordino Valley – we will walk at a steady pace. For those that prefer not to there is the option to rest and wait.
Day 3: Llacs and Bassiets peaks 400m ascent to 2692m 3.6km . There is an option to walk higher ascending 700m and longer to 2777 m 8km.
We walk on the Spanish border. The bus leaves us on the Cabus Pass right on the frontier. We walk to the Llacs peak with an option to follow the ridge to Bassiets into Spain.
This area has a lot of wildlife because not many people walk in this area. Animals we could possibly see are Isards, Muflons, Vultures, Eagles, Ptarmigans.
Day 4:Siscaro Lake 600m.10km. We walk the Incles Valley,one of the most beautiful valleys in Andorra. Our path follows the stream with waterfalls,marsh land and lakes with a wonderful variety of flora along the way.
Day 5: rest day with an offer of an excursion or day to relax at the hotel
Day 6: Serrera Peak – this is a long days walk to give some challenge but also options of making shorter and returning after 500m ascent for those who would rather not climb to the peak. Total climb is 800m + 200m with a distance of 10km.
The Serrera peak is 2913 meters high and is one of the 5 over 2900 meter-mountains in Andorra. it is on the French Andorran frontier in the north of Andorra.
The walk starts at the end of Ransol valley, the path follows the stream with its water falls to the lakes of els Meners. Meners means mines because this was where the most important iron mines were in Andorra. The first mine started in 1604 and the last mine closed in 1891. These mines could only be mined in summer because in winter it was impossible due to the snow. The mines are situated around the collada dels Meners at 2700 meters and on our way to the peak, we pass this col and can see a miners hut which has been restored and can see where the mine entrances are but have been covered over after all these years. From the col we have 200 meters to the top of peak de la Serrera (meaning saw, the peak is a long ridge looking like a saw). From the peak on a clear day we can see Toulouse or Carcassonne and towards Spain to the pre Pyrenean hills, as well as down into the beautiful Sorteny Natural Park.
Day 7: Final walk day Pessons lakes 300m with an addiitonal 300m optional ascent . Total distance 9km
A string of 7 lakes nestling amongst the granite boulders and surrounded by majestic jagged peaks. The walk starts in the ski resort of Grau Roig and winds up through the woods before coming out at the first of the seven lakes. Here there is a mountain hut which serves food and drinks on a large terrace overlooking the lake. The path continues over boulders and streams, past interesting flora and marmots can often be heard and spotted. All the small glacial lakes are quite close to each other and the path takes a route around them.This is a great walk for mountain flowers and high mountain birds. We do a round trip.
CALL 01784 664063 – EMAIL CONTACTUS@WALKINGWOMEN.COM
