Here’s the deal: a journey into the heart of the Pyrenees, departing from Pau, the capital of Béarn, heading toward two wild and unspoiled pastoral valleys: the Aspe and Ossau Valleys! You’ll then cross the border into Spain, winding through canyons with turquoise waters! You’ll cap off the trip in style with an ascent to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, at an altitude of 2,877 meters, a hike through the heart of the magnificent Cirque de Gavarnie, and some relaxation by the ocean in Biarritz.
Description
Duration : 10 days – 9 nights
2 adults & 2 children
From June 28th to July 07th
PROGRAM :
CHAPTER I — INTO THE HEART OF THE PYRENEES
Aspe Valley · Wild Lodge · High Mountain
Day 1 · Sunday, June 28
First Steps into the wild
Your adventure begins the moment you land at Pau Airport. Our coordinator will meet you for a private transfer to the heart of the Aspe Valley, one of the most pristine valleys in the French Pyrenees. Bearded vultures circle above the limestone cliffs. The journey itself sets the tone for what lies ahead. You’ll settle in at Le Bain Sauvage, a luxury lodge nestled in the valley in Bédous.Dinner on your own (we’ll provide recommendations) and your first night in the Pyrenees.
Accommodation: Le Bain Sauvage **** — Bedous
Day 2 · Monday, June 29
Hiking to Ansabère
Your private mountain guide joins you this morning for one of the Aspe Valley’s crown jewels: the hike close to the Aiguilles d’Ansabère. These dramatic limestone needles rise from the forest like a row of broken teeth, forming one of the most striking skylines in the Pyrenees. The trail winds through ancient beech forests, open pastures and high alpine terrain before the cirque opens up before you — raw, silent, and completely overwhelming.A full day in the wild, at your own pace, with a guide who knows every rock. Back to the lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: Le Bain Sauvage **** — Bedous
CHAPTER II — CROSSING INTO OSSAU
Day 3 · Tuesday, June 30
From Escot to the Ayous Lakes
Transfer this morning to Escot, the trailhead for one of the GR10’s most celebrated crossings: the route from the Aspe Valley over into Ossau. The path climbs steadily through forest and open pasture before the landscape shifts dramatically. Limestone gives way to volcanic rock, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau appears on the horizon.You arrive at the Ayous lakes as the afternoon light turns golden three high-altitude mirrors reflecting a perfect image of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, one of the most iconic views in the entire Pyrenean chain. Dinner at the refuge, sunset over the water. One of those evenings you carry with you forever.
Accommodation: Refuge d’Ayous — Ossau Valley
Day 4 · Wednesday, July 1
Down from the Heights and Into a Canyon
This morning’s hike brings you down from the refuge to the Bious-Artigues parking area, through pastures alive with wildflowers and the sound of bells. A last look back at the Pic du Midi d’Ossau before the valley swallows it whole.Then a change of register: transfer into the Tena Valley in Spain for an afternoon canyoning session a first taste of the turquoise waters and natural slides that await you over the next two days. By early evening, you arrive in Boltaña and check into your hotel.
Accommodation: Monasterio de Boltaña**** — Aragón, Spain
CHAPTER III — THE SPANISH CANYONS
Canyoning · Aínsa · Spain
Day 5 · Thursday, July 2
A Full Day in the Canyons
The Spanish Pyrenees hide some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Europe and the canyons around Aínsa are among the very best. An approach hike through an arid, mineral landscape, then you drop in: natural slides in turquoise water, rope rappels, pools and cascades. Your guide takes you through one of Europe’s finest canyons, perfectly suited for the whole family intense, exciting, and never beyond reach. A day of cold water and uncontrollable laughter.
Accommodation: Monasterio de Boltaña **** — Aragón, Spain
CHAPTER IV — GAVARNIE & THE PIC DU MIDI
Hautes-Pyrénées · UNESCO World Heritage
Day 6 · Friday, July 3
At the Top of the Stars
Back in France. This morning, you ride the cable car from La Mongie up to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 9,439 feet. A legendary scientific observatory, 5,000 sq ft of immersive exhibits, 360° panoramic terraces overlooking 185 miles of Pyrenean chain, and the story of the astronomers and researchers who have worked here for over a century. Lunch with a view, in a silence that makes your head spin.In the afternoon, you descend toward the Cirque de Gavarnie, a UNESCO World Heritage Site a cathedral of limestone open to the sky. Check in at the Hôtellerie du Cirque. This evening, the cirque at dusk, for those who want to step away from the table.
Accommodation: Hôtellerie du Cirque**** — Gavarnie
Day 7 ·Saturday, July 4
Beneath the 10,000-Foot Walls
Your guide leads you deep into the cirque. Limestone cliffs rise straight up on all sides, and the Grande Cascade drops 1,385 feet — one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe. You walk with your head tilted back. Gavarnie has a way of putting things in perspective.
Accommodation: Hôtellerie du Cirque**** — Gavarnie
Day 8 · Sunday, July 5
Via Ferrata and the Road Back
One last shot of adrenaline before you leave the high country: a challenging via ferrata route just outside Gavarnie, with vertiginous views over the valley and a swinging rope bridge as the grand finale. Iron rungs, steel cables, fresh air — the 12 and 14-year-olds will take to it with that particular enthusiasm of people who haven’t yet learned to be afraid.Then the road winds down toward the foothills, a gastronomic lunch in the Gaves valley, and a late-afternoon arrival in Biarritz — at the legendary Hôtel du Palais, right on the Atlantic.
Accommodation: Hôtel du Palais***** — Biarritz
CHAPTER V — BIARRITZ & THE ATLANTIC
Basque Coast · Free time · Farewell
Day 9 · Monday, July 6
Free on the Coast
A free day in the queen of Basque resort towns. The Rocher de la Vierge and its sweeping views over the ocean and the entire coastline. The old town lanes, the fishing harbor with its 66 colorful little cabins, the covered market where you linger over Basque cheeses, ham and local specialties. Or simply the Grande Plage, feet in the water, eyes on the Atlantic.And in the evening, sunset at the lighthouse. Because some things you have to do one last time.Accommodation: Hôtel du Palais — BiarritzDay 14 · Saturday, July 11Homeward BoundA short transfer to Biarritz airport for your flight back to Los Angeles. In your bags: legs that are pleasantly tired, a phone full of photos, and stories you’ll be telling for years.The entire Pyrénéance team wishes you safe travels — and hopes to see you again in the Pyrenees.
And in the evening, sunset at the lighthouse. Because some things you have to do one last time.
Accommodation: Hôtel du Palais***** — Biarritz
Day 10 · Tuesday, July 7
Homeward Bound
A short transfer to Biarritz airport for your flight back to Los Angeles. In your bags: legs that are pleasantly tired, a phone full of photos, and stories you’ll be telling for years.The entire Pyrénéance team wishes you safe travels — and hopes to see you again in the Pyrenees.
All the proposed itineraries can be adapted by your guides and by Pyrénéance according to weather conditions and your current physical condition.
PLEASE NOTE: Pyrénéance reserves the right to substitute any accommodation listed in this itinerary with an equivalent property, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Organisation : Pyrénéance est une agence réceptive pyrénéenne spécialisée dans les sports de montagne. Notre agence est adhérente à ATOUT FRANCE et inscrite au registre des opérateurs de voyage. Elle a plus de 20 ans d’expérience dans l’organisation de séjours en montagne. Nota : Les guides et l’agence se réservent le droit de modifier l’itinéraire ou le programme en cas de force majeure ou d’impératifs d’ordre pratiques ou sécuritaires.
© GArrieta, AVerney, Pyrénéance
Informations importantes
- Hiking, canyoning and via ferrata with local mountain guides
- Breathtaking landscapes, wild and unspoiled
- Two countries. Four landscapes. One unforgettable family adventure in the Pyrenees.
Les participants
Durée
- 0 heure
À prendre avec soi
- Hiking shoes and outfit
- Backpack (minimum 30L) and travel bag
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5L)
- Bathing suit Towel
- 1 pair of sneakers which will fit in the water for the canyoning
- Backpack (minimum 15L) and
Conditions préalables particulières que le client doit remplir
Tarifs
Compris
- WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- Accommodation (based on double or family rooms): 2 nights in a premium lodge (Bedous) · 1 night in a mountain refuge (Ossau) · 2 nights in a 4-star hotel (Aragón, Spain) · 2 nights in a 4-star hotel (Gavarnie) · 2 nights in a 5-star hotel (Biarritz)
- Meals: All breakfasts · Dinners on days 3, 6, 7 · Picnic lunches on days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 · Gastronomic lunches on days 6 & 8 · Restaurant reservations on request for remaining evenings
- Activities & Guiding: Guided mountain hiking with a certified guide (days 2, 3, 4 & 7) · 2 days private canyoning with a certified whitewater instructor (days 4 & 5) · Visit to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre observatory (day 6) · Guided via ferrata (day 8)
- Logistics: All private transfers throughout the trip · Concierge service available daily from 8am to 6pm · Pyrénéance full organization, coordination and local expertise
Non compris
- WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights Los Angeles - Pau & Biarritz - Los Angeles (we do not handle flight bookings)
- Meals not listed above · Personal expenses
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance
