Gavarnie, Cirques and 3,000m peaks I French Spanish border cols I 6 days
fromThe Cirque de Gavarnie is a UNESCO world heritage site and we will traverse between the Cirques of Troumousse, Estaubes and Gavarnie climbing at least one 3000m peak on the way. You can expect to see Ibex, vultures and stunningly beautiful waterfalls and cliffs.
According to one legend Roland’s Breach was cut by Count Roland with his sword in an attempt to destroy the sword, after being defeated during the battle of Roncesvalles in 778. In a variant of one of the legends associated with salto de Roldan a rock formation about 25 km (16 mi) north of Huesca, Roland the foremost of Charlagmanes paladins was being hotly pursued by Saracens the Muslim Arab occupiers of Spain. Cornered at Salto de Roldán, he escaped by leaping the chasm on horseback from one of the crags to the other; the horse died in the attempt.
We can provide an airport transfer from Tarbes/Lourdes airport
- 5 nights accommodation
- UNESCO world heritage site
- Guide
- 3000m peak attempt
- Stunning scenary
- Do ask for alternative dates
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Tough - Trip grade 4
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Group Size Medium Group
- 2 nights hotel accommodation, 3 nights in high mountain auberge or refuge dormatory or tent accommodation, the last two carrying your sleeping bag and night kit
- International Mountain Leader or mountain guide
- Food and drink as per the programme
- Local transport
- Personal trekking insurance
- Airport transfer from Lourdes/Tarbes airport (but can be arranged for groups) – journey time 1 hour. Taxi’s available and taxi/bus
- Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
- Your personal trekking equipment and sleeping bag
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Day 1
Toulouse - Luz St Saveur
Airport pickup at Tarbes/Lourdes airport and transfer to Luz St Saveur/Viscos or meet at Luz St Saveur at 7.30pm according to preference.
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Day 2
Port de Canau (2726m) and Cirque de Troumouse
Port de Canau (2726m) and Cirque de Troumouse
Meet at 9am at the Auberge de Maillot.
We start the day taking a tram up into the cirque de Troumouse from the Auberge de Maillot. From here we climb up to the Port de Canau and have an optional ridge walk to climb Pic de Bouneu. We have an excellent view over into Spain and aroud the cirque de Troumousse. After descending we make a high level traverse of the cirque beneath the cliffs of Peak Munia to descend down into Heas. From here we will be given a lift up the road to our auberge dormaory accomodation.- Night: Auberge de Maillot (Dormitory) (B,L,D)
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Day 3
Lac Gloriettes, Cirque d’Estaubé and Port de Tuquerouye or neuf de la Pinéde Refuge Espugettes
Lac Gloriettes, Cirque d’Estaubé and Port de Tuquerouye or neuf de la Pinéde Refuge Espugettes
We walk up from the spectacular lac Gloriettes into the cirque d’Estaube, beautiful and capped by steep faces. After lunch we get the chance to look into Spain into another world and see Monte Perdido and or the ibon de Marbore lake. Each final climb is tough and we cross the Hourquette d’Alans (2430m) to reach our night stop at the refuge Espugettes.(B,L,D)
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Day 4
Refuge Espugettes - cirque de Gavarnie - refuge Sarradets or Col de Tentes
Refuge Espugettes – cirque de Gavarnie – refuge Sarradets or Col de Tentes depending on conditions
In the morning we start from the refuge Espugettes (2027m) to begin out traverse into the cirque de Gavarnie. We will spend some time looking at its magnificant waterfalls before crossing the Eychelle des Sarradets and making our final climb up to the refuge Saradetes (2737m). 6-7hrs. In case of bad weather an alternative day will be done where we will descend to Garvanie and climb to the col de Tentes and stay nearby wild camping. (refuge or camping) (B,L,D) -
Day 5
Ascent of pic Taillon and possible other 3000m peaks
Refuge Saradets – Breche de Rolande – Pic Taillon – Col de Tentes
From Refuge Sarradets or the Col de Tentes we will make an attempt on Pic Taillon (3144m) and depending on the group/ conditions we will descend to the col de Tentes via pic Gabieto or back the same way. We will then descend to our hotel accommodation in St Luz de Saveur. A long, tough and rewarding day. (B,L)
- Day 6 Departures
We walk up from the spectacular lac Gloriettes into the cirque d’Estaube, beautiful and capped by steep faces. After lunch we get the chance to look into Spain into another world and see Monte Perdido and or the ibon de Marbore lake. Each final climb is tough and we cross the Hourquette d’Alans (2430m) to reach our night stop at the refuge Espugettes.
Refuge Saradets – Breche de Rolande – Pic Taillon – Col de Tentes
Hotel La Grange Aux Marmottes, Viscos – Les Campanules ***
La Grange Aux Marmottes – Les Campanules is located in the Le-Pays-Toy valley, in the heart of the Pyrénées. It has an outdoor swimming pool and guestrooms have a private bathroom with lift access and TV.
La Grange Aux Marmottes – Les Campanules serves traditional regional cuisine in the hotel’s restaurant and guests can relax with a drink in the garden.
Or Logis Hôtel La Brèche de Roland ***
Auberge Maillet
The Auberge du Maillet welcomes groups in dormatories or rooms we use depending on availability. It is located at the foot of the Cirque de Troumouse, 1800m above sea level, and 13 km from Gèdre in an exceptional location giving a “home-like” welcome.
Refuge Espugettes
Refuge Sarradets
Due to open soon, under rennovation. We change the itinerary slightly to climb pic Taillon if the refuge remains closed.
- 2 nights hotel accommodation, 3 nights in high mountain auberge or refuge dormatory or tent accommodation, the last two carrying your sleeping bag and night kit
- International Mountain Leader or mountain guide
- Food and drink as per the programme
- Local transport
Excluded
- Personal trekking insurance
- Airport transfer from Lourdes/Tarbes airport (but can be arranged for groups) – journey time 1 hour. Taxi’s available and taxi/bus
- Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
- Your personal trekking equipment and sleeping bag
For the high mountain refuges not accessible by vehicle, Sarradets and Espugettes it is neccessary to carry sleeping bags on these nights. On other days any other luggage apart from your day bag will be transferred. In the case of camping near the col de Tentes if Sarradetes is closed it will not be neccessary to carry your sleeping bag.
Yes this is a theme of the weeek where we will step into spain on many occasions.