Family Adventure In The Pyrenees

• 1

  Join Barcelona airport and drive 3.5 hours to 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.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 2

  Walk in the Aigues Tortes NP

  We leave in the morning and head off in the Land Rovers of the National Park to the Sant Maurici Lake at 1.900 m altitude, one of the emblematic sites in the Pyrenees. Placed amidst rugged mountain ranges with peaks up to 3000 metres, this lake has it’s own magic with ever changing colours between blue and green. The image of the two Encantats peaks is surely the most stunning one. We walk along side the lake, pass a beautiful waterfall and reach the 'Mirador', the viewpoint high above Sant Maurici. Nearby we have our picnic lunch with local specialities such as longaniza sausage or farmhouse goat cheese. Later we continue our walk along the other side of the Sant Maurici lake and take our Land Rover taxis back to Sort. (Approx 3 hours walking, 300m ascent)

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 3

  Rafting

  In the morning we drive to our activities base right next to the river, don our wet suits and lifejacket and then go on the first exploration of this exciting river on our rafts – 14 km with some exhilarating rapids waiting to be conquered. The fun is guaranteed once you have passed through the 'washing machine'. 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 Sort and its surroundings. It is the main village in the area with approx 2000
  inhabitants, a small, old center and with a backdrop of the Pyrenees – very inviting for a stroll. It used to be the capital of an ancient county and the remains of the former ruler’s castle, dating back to 11th century still overlook the village. There are several pleasant bars and cafés where one can sit on the terrace and watch life pass by.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 4

  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. In the evening a dinner out of the village could be organized since there are some really delightful restaurants tucked away in small mountain villages not to far from Sort.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 5

  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 surroundings or ask the Tour Leader to organize another activity for you. There is a wide range of possibilities; recommended is the exhilarating mountain bike ride through the Montgarri valley or perhapsyou may wish to spend the afternoon horse riding.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 6

  Afternoon Open Kayak

  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 will 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' (or bearded vulture) - a huge vulture close to extinction in Europe and the only one of its family that doesn’t eat flesh, concentrating instead on the bones - with a bit of luck we can see one.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel

• 7

  Free day

  By today you will hopefully know which activities you liked most and there are plenty of possibilities for a very active finale, perhaps by exploring 'hell's' canyon, abseiling 20 meters into a cave and subterranean river or 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

• 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, not to mention the many incredible architectural works of Antoni Gaudi.