Spring Walking in the Pyrenees -
May and June 2010
Guided Walking Holidays
See the mountains in their true springtime glory!
This time of year, we base ourselves in Bagnères-de-Luchon, in the French Pyrenees. It's a great time to visit the Pyrenees as the spring flowers blossom and hibernating animals emerge to feed. It's also a time when the mountains are pretty empty as Europe doesn't holiday until July. Using the excellent accommodation of Rolfe and Marni at Papilio, we've put together three options, which should cater for all needs and experiences. 
Option 1. Daily guided walks.
The fabulous accommodation at Papilio, will provide you with comfortable beds, ensuite rooms, filling breakfasts and evening meals. You'll have five days out walking in the mountains with an assortment of routes and terrain. This will also be a great chance to see wild animals such as chamois; great birds of prey such as the Griffon Vulture and the Lamergeirer; fields of wild flowers many only found in the Pyrenees. We will cross over into Spain on some days, and explore hidden valleys, and climb to mountain tops. You'll also have a free day where you can go off do your own thing. Indulge in the thermal baths, or treat yourself to experience of seeing the mountains from a parapente, or try to mountain biking on some of the great routes they have out here.
What's the cost? Seven nights accommodation in Papilio, six breakfasts, five packed lunches, five evening meals, return airport transfer, five full days of guided walks with a qualified International Mountain Leader -
£650. (Not included - airfares or other transportation to France, two evening meals where we suggest you enjoy the local cuisine in town, holiday/mountain insurance).
Tell me more about the accommodation and area Option 3. Hut to hut guided walking.
This trip will give you a real sense of being out there. On your arrival, we will book you into the Hotel Panoramic, which is in
Bagnères-de-Luchon. This will give us a chance to get together and talk about the week's adventure, last minute packing and a chat about our route. We set off the next morning for the Valley d'Oo and will complete a five day circuit in the high mountains, crossing into Spain and back to France again. The views will be amazing; the routes and terrain varied and a chance to see plenty of wildlife.
Each evening we will arrive at a mountin hut for our accommodation, meals and friendly hospitality. Food will be plentiful; there's wine and beer for sale and each hut wil be different. The sleeping accommodation will be in bunks but they are warm and comfortable and after a full day on the mountain, I don't suppose you'll have any complaints.
What's the cost? Two nights with breakfast in the Hotel Panoramic, five packed lunches, airport transfers, five full days of guiding -
£470. Extra costs will be your travel into France, two evening meals in Luchon, holiday/mountain insurance, five nights in mountain huts, which will be about €50-60 per night.