Summer Pyrenees Family Holiday with Teenagers

Benvingut! Welcome to Andorra. Situated on the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, Andorra sits between France and Spain. Although small, this country is blessed with some of the finest scenery in the Pyrenees and is a great base for an active week in the mountains. A complimentary transfer from Toulouse airport is included to the hotel in Soldeu, a gorgeous ski resort town which will be your base for the trip. There will be a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight followed by dinner, then the night is yours to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures. (D)

This morning you will join your fellow travellers for welcome meeting before heading off on the first of many activities. Be sure to check with the hotel check-in staff to check the exact time of this meeting.

Drive to the stunning Cortals Valley (approximately 30 minutes). Here you and the family will enjoy a full day of activities. Enjoy some easy riding on the only flat off-road track in Andorra, which leads to Engolasters Lake, glimpsing some beautiful scenery along the way.

At the other end of the lake is the zip wiring and tree top centre. After a short briefing, you and your family will climb up into the trees and enjoy the thrill of crossing the area by zip lines and rope obstacles.

After some time to rest by the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch, you'll enjoy stunning views head to a look out point over the capital city Andorra La Vella from a scenic look out. Then it's an easy off-road bike ride back to the vehicles to return to Soldeu. The older and more confident bikers can enjoy an additional 5 km downhill on the road with switch backs and views. (B/D)

Venture out for your first excursion into Andorra's mountains today. It's a short (10 minute) drive to Entorn at the base of the stunning Ransol Valley Ridge. Starting at 2000 metres above sea level, climb 250 metres to Salamandres Lake. Here lives the small yellow dotted amphibian, the Salamander which gives the lake it’s name. For the more energetic you can challenge yourself to continue the hike up to the Ransol Ridge at 2,500m. At this height, spectacular views can be enjoyed across the Andorran peaks. The rest of the day is a gradual descent back down going past the Roca del Home Dret, the rock of the straight man. This is a great way to ease yourself into trekking and to acclimatise to the altitude. Keep your eyes open for native flora and fauna, such as the griffon vulture, which can often be seen soaring overhead. Arrive in the beautiful Incles Valley where you'll cross the Incles river and take a gentle path back to the hotel. You'll arrive back at the hotel between 3 and 4 pm, giving you a chance to relax in the sun, explore the village or visit a neighbouring hotel’s spa centre. (B)

Crossing the border into Spain, take the high mountain pass over the Port de Canto through very some Mediterranean scenery, still at 1,000 metres high. You can stop at the Port de Canto lookout point to take in the lovely foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Continue down to the village of Sort (Catalan for 'luck') where at the rafting centre you and the family will be kitted out with wetsuits, helmets, life jackets and a paddle. From the top of the Noguera River, enjoy 14 kilometres of exhilirating white water rafting. Noguera River is renowned as one of the top five rivers for rafting in Europe, thanks to nice stretches of continuous but not too rough water, and many exit points. After a fun ride over a weir and through the Olympic kayaking course, arrive back at the rafting centre to take a shower. The centre has a beautiful garden with a swimming pool and a bar, so you can spend some time here before heading back to Soldeu.

Notes: There is a support vehicle that follows the rafting. Those who don't want to, or are too young to raft, can follow along in the vehicle or relax and unwind at the centre. Children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and 8–12 year-olds will be able to raft grades I & II only. (B)

Today has been left free for you to choose from the many activities that are on offer in Andorra. You may decide to go horse riding, or perhaps visit the thermal baths of La Caldea. If you have a head for heights and a good level of fitness, you can try your hand at ferrata climbing. This is a style of climbing that uses handy equipment such as rungs and a steel cable to traverse tricky and rugged terrain. Further cycling or mountain biking are also options for today, as is canyoning. Otherwise, simply relax and enjoy the sunshine, or do a spot of duty-free shopping. (B)

Head out today on a mountain biking adventure the whole family will enjoy. You will be provided with a helmet and fitted to your bike before taking a short drive (20 minutes) to Port d’Envalira at 2408m the highest road pass in the Pyrenees, a climb that has featured several times in the Tour de France.

A road descent then an off road track to the Abelletes lake which is the official border between Andorra and France, a chance to have a foot in both countries. A quick transfer back to 2400m then descending to Grau Roig valley to enjoy your pack lunch surrounded by mountains, pine trees and source of the Valira river. After lunch it is off road all the way back to Soldeu following the Valira river on 4x4 tracks.

You finish up the ride below Soldeu at the local Caves Manacor market, where you can purchase souvenirs or taste a variety of local products such as hams, cheeses and spirits. Then a quick transfer back to the hotel. (B/D)

Walk from the hotel to the nearby Incles Valley for today's walk. Set off along forested mountain slopes and along a single track through the woods where there are beautiful flowers, rhododendrons (in June), wild fruit (midsummer) and wild mushrooms (in September). The gently climbing path zig-zags up to the stunning Cabana Sorda Lake, which sits below an impressive semi-circular amphitheatre of rock – an ideal stop for lunch.

If the weather allows, you can take a refreshing dip in the cold mountain water. At the beginning of the Summer it is likely there will be snow around the lake, and later in the Summer it is possible to walk around the lake or perhaps watch the fishermen catching mountain trout. After lunch, descend through beautiful meadows and woodland to the valley floor, where you head back to the hotel. (B/D)

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you'd like to take the complimentary group transfer to Toulouse Airport, please advise at the time of booking. It will be an early morning transfer, arriving at approximately 9 am. (B)