Self-Guided Family Safari in the Pyrenees – 7 Days of Wild Landscapes and Adventures

Highlights

500 year-old history of medieval villages

Extremely well-preserved catalan history and culture

Short hike to the gorgeous Sallent waterfall

Great day combining history and culture

We will set out northwards towards the Collsecabra. This region is the very heart of Catalunya and is characterized by steep cliffs, forests, isolated farms and ancient villages. We will visit the village of Rupit. Going back hundreds of years, we will wander along the picturesque winding streets. This enchanting village is still inhabited, but we will not find here the hordes of tourists who crowd the streets of Barcelona, and the contact with the locals is direct.

We will carry on, driving towards the Panta de Sau, a lake surrounded by tall mountains, where optional activities such as kayaking and off-road segwey can be added. These give the fully immersive feeling of being one with nature.

We will end the day with dinner at the village and spend the night at a hotel in the area.

Highlights

Horseback riding

Zipline park or Treetop adventure park

A taste of the French Pyrenees

Andorra

Today we will visit 3 countries. We will start our day in Spain, heading towards the Cerdanya Valley.

We´ll go out on a horseback riding excursion in the valley, guided by professional riders who will lead us through the impressive scenery. Riding can be suited for all levels.

After lunch we will cross the practically invisible border into France, where we´ll arrive at an adrenaline-fuled Zipline Park. This is a fun activity for all ages, where you zoom across a lake in various exciting ziplines.

After the activity we will head towards the small co-principality of Andorra, with its beautiful ski-slopes, duty-free shopping, and incredible scenery which has made it so popular.

Highlights

Tristaina´s glacial lakes

Tobotronc mountain sled

Duty-free shopping in Andorra

We´ll kick our day off with a beautiful hike to the hidden lakes of Tristaina. These are a group of glacial lakes located in the high peaks of Andorra. A map and a thorough explenation will be given in your tour file.

After the hike it is highly recommended to go and check out the Tobotronc – the longest railed mountain sled in the world! Or otherwise visit a local historical museum which gives a great look on the history of the life in this tiny country.

Before heading out of Andorra it will also be suggested to stop in central Andorra – a shopping heaven where you can find a large concentration of duty-free shopping.

We´ll leave Andorra, heading towards the Noguera Pallaresa Valley, where we will spend the night.

Highlights

Rafting

Aiguastortes National Park

We will begin our day with rough and exciting Rafting… Rushing waters, fantastic scenery and great fun – could you ask for more? This exciting, challenging and highly enjoyable activity takes place on the breathtakingly beautiful Noguera Pallaresa river. Here we take into account more than just the rafting itself, one cannot forget the surroundings in the process – the wild scenery, the varied flora, the cliffs and all the excitement of nature.

Wet-suits and safety equipment will keep you safe and warm, and the professional team of guides will ensure your safe arrival at the finishing point. No previous experience is necessary, nor is taking part compulsory (though it is highly recommended!).

After lunch we will make our way along ranges and picturesque villages towards the Aiguas Tortes National Park – one of the most famous and beautiful parks in Spain. We will be taken, in park vehicles, up to the Pic Amitges at 2400 meters high. Depending on the season (about till the middle of June) there is a good chance of seeing snow and glaciers floating on the high mountain lakes.

We will set out on a trek to the Maurici lake,(Anyone who prefers to can return with the park vehicles).

Highlights

Val d´Aran

Freedom Trails

Colomers Lakes

Today we will be travelling in Val d´Aran. Aran Valley is surrounded by enormous mountains that kept it isolated during hundreds of years, and which contributed to the development of the valley´s distinct culture and language.

Today there will be a few options available. A full day hiking trip towards the lakes of Colomers are highly recommended, or alternatively, you could hike towards the abandoned village of Montgari, a spot which was used as a refuge to many refugees escaping from France during WWII, and is a part of the routes which came to be known as the “Freedom Trails”.

A visit to a local traditional cheese factory can be arranged as well during this day.

Highlights

Ordesa National Park

Torla Valley

The Lost Mountain (Monte Perdido) and the Añisclo Gorge

Our sixth day will be devoted for a trip around Ordesa National Park. This park is one of the most important sited in the Pyrenees due to its many unique glacial cirques, canyons, and waterfalls, some of which are among the most beautiful in Europe. Thanks to its wild topography, a wide variety of flora and fauna can be found here, including vultures and mountain antelopes. The area is also known for its wild bears, though they are extremely rare and are hardly ever seen.

In the afternoon we will head down from the “Lost Mountain” range towards Añisclo Gorge, where a pleasent hike can be taken among the beautiful rock formations, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation.

Highlights

Montrebei Gorge

Montserrat

Barcelona

Before saying goodbye to the Pyrenees,we will go on a hike in Montrebei Gorge, which is the largest gorge in Catalonia and is an important wildlife sanctuary, in which many wild (some indigenous) birds and animals can be witnessed.

There is no road for the passage of vehicles neither are there any railroad tracks, nor power lines. The canyon´s walls can reach up to 500 meters in places where its width does not exceed 20 meters. There are various walking routes in the gorge at different levels of difficulty, which can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.

Afterwards we will start making our way back to Barcelona, and if time permits, we could make a short visit to Montserrat, “The Serrated Mountain”. This site, along with the Benedictine monastery and church in its heart, is the most famous pilgrimage site in Catalonia for pilgrims, tourists, photographers, and mountain climbers especially due to the “Black Madonna” housed in the church, but also due to the unique conglomerate rock formations, sculpted by eons of wind and water.

Once the tour finishes one of our guides will be waiting for you at the airport/hotel to pick up the car and wish you safe travels. If you have extra days to spend in the city, our guide would love to give you recommendations and tips.

Highlights

500 year-old history of medieval villages

Extremely well-preserved catalan history and culture

Short hike to the gorgeous Sallent waterfall

Great day combining history and culture

We will set out northwards towards the Collsecabra. This region is the very heart of Catalunya and is characterized by steep cliffs, forests, isolated farms and ancient villages. We will visit the village of Rupit. Going back hundreds of years, we will wander along the picturesque winding streets. This enchanting village is still inhabited, but we will not find here the hordes of tourists who crowd the streets of Barcelona, and the contact with the locals is direct.

We will carry on, driving towards the Panta de Sau, a lake surrounded by tall mountains, where optional activities such as kayaking and off-road segwey can be added. These give the fully immersive feeling of being one with nature.

We will end the day with dinner at the village and spend the night at a hotel in the area.

Highlights

Horseback riding

Zipline park or Treetop adventure park

A taste of the French Pyrenees

Andorra

Today we will visit 3 countries. We will start our day in Spain, heading towards the Cerdanya Valley.

We´ll go out on a horseback riding excursion in the valley, guided by professional riders who will lead us through the impressive scenery. Riding can be suited for all levels.

After lunch we will cross the practically invisible border into France, where we´ll arrive at an adrenaline-fuled Zipline Park. This is a fun activity for all ages, where you zoom across a lake in various exciting ziplines.

After the activity we will head towards the small co-principality of Andorra, with its beautiful ski-slopes, duty-free shopping, and incredible scenery which has made it so popular.

Highlights

Tristaina´s glacial lakes

Tobotronc mountain sled

Duty-free shopping in Andorra

We´ll kick our day off with a beautiful hike to the hidden lakes of Tristaina. These are a group of glacial lakes located in the high peaks of Andorra. A map and a thorough explenation will be given in your tour file.

After the hike it is highly recommended to go and check out the Tobotronc – the longest railed mountain sled in the world! Or otherwise visit a local historical museum which gives a great look on the history of the life in this tiny country.

Before heading out of Andorra it will also be suggested to stop in central Andorra – a shopping heaven where you can find a large concentration of duty-free shopping.

We´ll leave Andorra, heading towards the Noguera Pallaresa Valley, where we will spend the night.

Highlights

Rafting

Aiguastortes National Park

We will begin our day with rough and exciting Rafting… Rushing waters, fantastic scenery and great fun – could you ask for more? This exciting, challenging and highly enjoyable activity takes place on the breathtakingly beautiful Noguera Pallaresa river. Here we take into account more than just the rafting itself, one cannot forget the surroundings in the process – the wild scenery, the varied flora, the cliffs and all the excitement of nature.

Wet-suits and safety equipment will keep you safe and warm, and the professional team of guides will ensure your safe arrival at the finishing point. No previous experience is necessary, nor is taking part compulsory (though it is highly recommended!).

After lunch we will make our way along ranges and picturesque villages towards the Aiguas Tortes National Park – one of the most famous and beautiful parks in Spain. We will be taken, in park vehicles, up to the Pic Amitges at 2400 meters high. Depending on the season (about till the middle of June) there is a good chance of seeing snow and glaciers floating on the high mountain lakes.

We will set out on a trek to the Maurici lake,(Anyone who prefers to can return with the park vehicles).

Highlights

Val d´Aran

Freedom Trails

Colomers Lakes

Today we will be travelling in Val d´Aran. Aran Valley is surrounded by enormous mountains that kept it isolated during hundreds of years, and which contributed to the development of the valley´s distinct culture and language.

Today there will be a few options available. A full day hiking trip towards the lakes of Colomers are highly recommended, or alternatively, you could hike towards the abandoned village of Montgari, a spot which was used as a refuge to many refugees escaping from France during WWII, and is a part of the routes which came to be known as the “Freedom Trails”.

A visit to a local traditional cheese factory can be arranged as well during this day.

Highlights

Ordesa National Park

Torla Valley

The Lost Mountain (Monte Perdido) and the Añisclo Gorge

Our sixth day will be devoted for a trip around Ordesa National Park. This park is one of the most important sited in the Pyrenees due to its many unique glacial cirques, canyons, and waterfalls, some of which are among the most beautiful in Europe. Thanks to its wild topography, a wide variety of flora and fauna can be found here, including vultures and mountain antelopes. The area is also known for its wild bears, though they are extremely rare and are hardly ever seen.

In the afternoon we will head down from the “Lost Mountain” range towards Añisclo Gorge, where a pleasent hike can be taken among the beautiful rock formations, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation.

Highlights

Montrebei Gorge

Montserrat

Barcelona

Before saying goodbye to the Pyrenees,we will go on a hike in Montrebei Gorge, which is the largest gorge in Catalonia and is an important wildlife sanctuary, in which many wild (some indigenous) birds and animals can be witnessed.

There is no road for the passage of vehicles neither are there any railroad tracks, nor power lines. The canyon´s walls can reach up to 500 meters in places where its width does not exceed 20 meters. There are various walking routes in the gorge at different levels of difficulty, which can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.

Afterwards we will start making our way back to Barcelona, and if time permits, we could make a short visit to Montserrat, “The Serrated Mountain”. This site, along with the Benedictine monastery and church in its heart, is the most famous pilgrimage site in Catalonia for pilgrims, tourists, photographers, and mountain climbers especially due to the “Black Madonna” housed in the church, but also due to the unique conglomerate rock formations, sculpted by eons of wind and water.

Once the tour finishes one of our guides will be waiting for you at the airport/hotel to pick up the car and wish you safe travels. If you have extra days to spend in the city, our guide would love to give you recommendations and tips.