Family Adventure In The Pyrenees

• 1

  Join Barcelona airport and drive to the hotel in Sort

  Arrive Barcelona airport, transfer 3.5 hours to Sort and check-in at hotel. This charming mountain village close to the Noguera River is the centre for watersports in the Pyrenees. The name means 'luck' in Catalan.
  
  The main transfer leaves Barcelona airport at lunchtime although there is another transfer that can be arranged in the evening - please inform Explore which transfer you would like to be on.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  None

• 2

  Walk in the Aigues Tortes National Park

  We leave in the morning and head off in Land Rovers to the Sant Maurici Lake which is placed amidst the rugged mountain ranges of the Pyrenees with peaks of up to 3000 m surrounding the area. The image of the two Encantats peaks is surely the most stunning one in the mountain range. We walk along-side the lake, passing a beautiful waterfall before reaching the 'Mirador', a viewpoint high above Sant Maurici. We have our picnic lunch close by with local specialities such as longaniza sausage or farmhouse goat cheese before continuing our walk along the other side of the Sant Maurici lake and then driving back to Sort. (Approximately 3 hours walking, 300 m ascent)

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 3

  Canyoning and Abseiling

  In the morning we drive 30 minutes north to the beautifully set Guingueta reservoir, one of the dammed lakes of the Noguera river. There are excellent views of the Pyrenees with the backdrop of mountains all around. After changing into our wetsuits and harnesses we'll spend the morning abseiling, jumping and sliding down the Estaron Canyon. We'll be back at the hotel at lunch time and then the afternoon is free for more optional activities or relaxing by the pool. In the evening a dinner out of the village can be organized in one of the delightful restaurants tucked away in small mountain villages not to far from Sort.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

• 4

  White water rafting along the Noguera River

  In the morning we drive to our activity base right next to the river where we don our wet suits and lifejacket to explore this exciting river on our rafts along a 14 km stretch of the river. Pass through some exhilarating rapids including the famous 'washing machine' rapid which will throw your raft onwards as your travel down the steep body of water and we are sure you will yell with triumph once through this rollercoaster of a rapid. The river Noguera is unique as there is a high enough water level all year round for water sports. The afternoon is free for exploring the village of Sort, an old capital of the area with remains of the castle dating back to the 11th century still overlook the village. A great location with beautiful surroundings and the backdrop of the Pyrenees, the town also boasts several pleasant bars and cafes where one can sit on the terrace and watch life pass by.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 5

  Free Day - optional canyoning, abseiling, horse riding or mountain biking

  By today you will hopefully know which activities you liked most and there are plenty of possibilities for a very active day, perhaps exploring 'hell's' canyon which involves abseiling 20 meters into a cave, horse riding or mountain biking. Another option involves a more challenging way of floating down the river in an activity called hydrospeed where you hang on to a little board following the current through rapids and calmer sections of the river.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 6

  Free morning by the pool with an afternoon open kayak excursion

  This morning is left free for relaxing or filling in with further optional activities that your tour leader can help you organise. This afternoon we will transfer to Geri de la Sal village where we get changed into our wet suits and spend the afternoon kayaking down the Noguera River through some exciting rapids and stunning canyons. These kayaks are often referred to as 'open kayaks' (inflatable, very stable mini-rafts). This area is one of the last habitats of the 'quebrantahuesos' vulture (or bearded vulture) which is close to extinction in Europe - with a bit of luck we can see one.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 7

  Free Day - optional mountain biking

  Today you can rest at the pool or on the banks of the river. Alternatively you may want to go for a walk in the surrounding area or ask the Tour Leader to organize another activity for you. There are a wide range of possibilities; recommended is the exhilarating mountain bike ride through the Montgarri valley or perhaps you may wish to spend the afternoon horse riding.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 8

  Return to Barcelona

  After breakfast we drive to Barcelona Airport where the tour ends. If you are staying on you may wish to explore this fascinating city with its many attractions such as 'La Boqueria' food market, Las Ramblas boulevard lined with bars and restaurants and not to mention the many incredible architectural works of Antoni Gaudi.
  
  If you flight is later than the dropping off time at Barcelona airport, there is the opportunity to travel into Barcelona by bus and bags can be stored at the airports left luggage for around Euro 10 per piece of luggage.

  Included Meals:  Breakfast