Summer and Autumn Pyrenean Walking Holiday
Summer and Autumn walking holidays in the Launguedoc-Roussillon region of the Pyrenees.
Dates: 4th -11th July, 22nd - 29th August, 5th -12th September, 12th -19th September 2009.
Price: £650
Includes guiding by Indie (IML), accommodation at Mas Forge, excellent home cooked food by Theo, transport whilst in the Pyrenees and transfers to and from the airport. Does not include flights. Flights go for about £50 to £120 if booked at least a month and a half in advance. Everyone must get to the same airport to benefit from free transfers so please get in contact with us first before booking flights.
Itinerary
Day 1
Walk in local area introducing you to this wonderful region, the centre Mas Forge has wonderful views of Mt Canigou and the first day involves walking on the lower slopes of this magnificent mountain (2,800m) (4 hours).
Day 2
Old village of Py – Col de Jou –Mas Forge. An easy traverse around the mountain and through forests, wonderful views, trees and flowers.
(4 hours).
Day 3
Summit of Tres Estelles, a beautiful local 2,600m peak. This is an easy summit to gain and the itinerary is varied with flower covered slopes, pine forests and offers spectacular views of surrounding mountains. (6 hours)
Day 4
A free day, choose how you want to spend it- a walk on your own, sight seeing or simply relax at Mas Forge.
Day 5
A walk up the Caranca Gorge, this involves cableways and suspension bridges, towering limestone cliffs and tumbling streams and waterfalls, a dramatic 5 hour gorge walk which you will never forget.
Day 6
Summit Canigou (2,800m)
The summit of this majestic mountain can be attained in one day (8 hours). It is magnificent journey which changes from pine forest to flower covered slopes through to open pastures and finally a scramble up to the rocky summit. It is possible to extend the summit into a 2 day journey staying over-night at a mountain hut.
This is a suggested itinerary which can be changed depending on the needs and desires of the group and on weather conditions. There are literally hundreds of walks and other activities in the area, including natural thermal baths, so we are never stuck for something to do.
indielyndale@hotmail.com
+44(0)1803 867100
07818032443
Indie Lyndale
8 Seymour Place, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5AY
Winter Walking Holiday
Winter walking holidays in the Launguedoc-Roussillon region of the Pyrenees.
Dates: 27th February - 6th March 2010, 6th - 13th March 2010.
Price: £650
Includes guiding by Indie (IML), accommodation at Mas Forge, excellent home cooked food by Theo, transport whilst in the Pyrenees and transfers to and from the airport. Does not include flights. Flights go for about £50 to £120 if booked at least a month and a half in advance. Everyone must get to the same airport to benefit from free transfers so please get in contact with us first before booking flights.
Snow shoeing is an amazing and up-and-coming activity which allows you to tread deep into the virgin snow covered landscape of the Alps or Pyrenees without the expense or experience required for off-piste skiing. Wearing specially designed plastic 'raquettes' which spread your weight out over the snow you are able to explore a silent and majestic world of snow covered forests and frozen lakes.
Read headmaster Richard Dean's description of our snow shoeing course here.
Itinerary
Saturday: Arrive Perpignan airport, pick up and transfer to our centre Mas Forge (45 min drive). Settle in then meet early evening for welcome drinks and the first of the wonderful meals which are served at Mas Forge.
Sunday: Walk in local area to acclimatise, the views of Canigou are fabulous from any of the forested valley sides.
Monday: Snow shoe walk up towards Pic Carlit (3000m) through magical forests and arriving at a impressive frozen lake high in the mountains. Finish the day at the relaxing thermal baths which nestle in the mountainside.
Tuesday: We will start the day with a short visit to Prade market; a colourful market offering all sorts of local produce followed by a walk around the Carança Gorge. This is a dramatic limestone gorge which is only accessible by traversing the cliff sides on rock ledges and crossing from side to side via suspension bridges.
Wednesday: Day off. We always leave Wednesday free as the days can be quite tiring but we can advise on a range of active or relaxing excursions you can undertake yourself.
Thursday and Friday: Two snow shoe days exploring the various mountain and forest trails in the area. Specific walks are decided on nearer the time dependent on weather but there are always wonderful walks available whatever the weather.
This is a suggested itinerary which can be changed depending on the needs and desires of the group and on weather conditions. There are literally hundreds of walks and other activities in the area, including natural thermal baths, so we are never stuck for something to do.
Snow Shoeing FAQ
What is Snow Shoeing Exactly?
Snow shoeing involves strapping plastic 'shoes' over your boots which spread your weight out over the snow allowing you to explore deep into the snowy mountains and forests.
How Fit Do I Need to Be?
We recommend snow shoeing for anyone who can walk comfortably for 5-6 hours in relatively rough terrain- such as moorland or low level mountains.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
We don't recommend it for the under 12s but don't have an upper age range as 'old age' is more mental than physical!
Where Do We Go?
Starting from our base at Mas Forge we drive to nearby locations which tend to be mountain paths during the summer from where we walk up into the mountains through forests and towards frozen lakes and peaks.
Snow Shoeing Gallery
indielyndale@hotmail.com
+44(0)1803 867100
07818032443
Indie Lyndale
8 Seymour Place, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5AY
