WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

8 days from GBP999 to GBP1,049 including flights
Tripcode: TEP

Countries Visited: France

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 22 reviews.

David Evans

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written October 2011
I decided to head for the Pyrenees after seeing the Tour de France 2011 on TV, and what better way to appreciate the scenery than by walking in the landscape. The walking was a little stiffer than I'd envisaged from the brochure, but our walking guide Chris was excellent, and so patient and accomodating with those of us not necessarily at the front of the pack that we did not feel pressurised. The hotel and the food were fine. And the 16 of us on the trip - of varying ages and capabilities - all got on well together and we had a great time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Well probably not the puncture nor the long wait for a school coach back to the hotel on our day off, after the railway staff had gone on strike due to a stabbing incident hundreds of miles away! The scenery was great all through the holiday and I also enjoyed the meal we had in Ax-les-Thermes and the walking around Foix.
What did you think of your group leader?
Full marks, excellent: knowlegeable, patient and friendly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read the detailed information in the brochure carefully. Whilst it is 'all there', I feel that both my Exodus moderate grade holidays were quite challenging for a sixty-something regular weekend walker. The Chilterns and the Cotswolds are not the Pyrenees!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Give it a try
Janet Sykes

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written September 2011
This was my first trip alone with Exodus since becoming a widow . My late husband and I loved walking so I decided on the Pyrenees for my first adventure and wow it surpassed my expectations . I never felt lonely because we walked ,ate and drank together ...infact I would say it has changed my out look on life. Merv our guide was outstanding ,James and Jane also were ( transport and packed lunches different every day)I will be going on another one .
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The guide ( Merv) the group ( different nationalities ) the walking and views.
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding !!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Wish I was on a trip now.
Charles McCarthy

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
Great location with a knowledgeable and hospitable guide who went out of his way to accommodate the needs of the group. This was a C level week in the Pyrennes which invovlved some high level walks over mountain paths. Challenging and not only for the older members of the group.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking through the mountains in a thunder and lightening storm was interesting and showed the Pyrennes in something other than mid summer glory.
Lunch on the final day by lake on the Tarbasou (?) walk gave the swimmers the opportunity to get their kit off and cool down in the lake.
The flora and fauna of the pyrennes was wonderful - having a number of biologists and a particulerly good twitcher added to our enjoymnet of the birdlife enormously.
What did you think of your group leader?
Spot on all rond great guy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do your research on the grading of the week - don't sign up for too high a level week - it's your holiday for God's sake!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Want to return to the Pyrennes - this week has really rekindled my enthusiasm and ambitions to do more walking in mountains outside the UK. I'm going to try Via Ferratta in the Dolomites!
Nancy McClean

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
Blessed with fantastic weather (including one walk that began in hot sun and went on to feature thunder, lightening, atmospheric mist chasing us up the valley and rain turning to hail...all adding positively to the week's experience!), excellent guiding and all round mine of information from Merv, great company of walkers and of course the stunning scenery.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The one day of all weathers rolled into one walk....really made you feel alive.
The awe inspiring variety of views.
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely faultless...kind, sensitive to all the varied needs of the group, very well informed, professional and really good company.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you come with waterproofs that really do work! Take a swimming costume for the walk that has lakes at lunchtime. Walking poles are an advantage and of course decent boots. Don't worry about the "basic" nature of the accomodation...it has lovely hot showers, filling food, plenty of muscle relaxing wine and anyway it is a walking holiday! Do visit the thermal baths and the cable car trip up with a walk down is a good short walk on the day off. Market day in Ax on Thursday morning was fun too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Feel like I've only scratched the surface of all this region has to offer. Great packed lunches!
Rosalind Poole

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
It does exactly as it says! I had a fabulous time walking with a great guide to lead our group. Organization superb, made to feel very welcome and scenery second to none - couldn't have asked for more...
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking each day took us to differing places and varied terraine - it is hard to narrow it down to the one moment - but I think the walks on the third day and last day were the best. Having said that the fourth day of walking included rain and low cloud which was also really enjoyable ( bizzarly enough!! )
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was superb - he made conversation easy and enjoyable. I had complete confidence that we were in good hands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walking poles really helped - I am now a convert!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for a great time and adding a personal touch to a group holiday
Ruth Thomson

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written June 2011
I had a really lovely time. Ax les Thermes where we were based was a lovely little French village, the Pyrenees were stunning and the hotel quirky but fun. I accidentally booked a harder grade week than I thought and I coped really well so I felt a huge sense of achievement at the end of the week.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think this was the day we climbed the highest mountain on the the third day. The climb was challenging but incredibly rewarding when you got to the peak. I felt really quite proud of myself.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader, Merv was fantastic. He really looked after our safety at all times. There was actually a wide range of ability in our group and he did a really good job of looking after everyone but also making sure we all had a great time and he was endlessly patient. I can't praise him highly enough.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you are fit enough to do this holidy for two reasons. You will enjoy it better your self and you won't hold others back.
You don't get a lot of "chill out" time because at the end of the day it is an activity holiday!! So what I would advise is that you probably need to do your shopping on the day off as there isn't a lot of time on any other day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Some people didn't like the hotel and if I am honest it was a little "tired", the bedrooms especially. However for me the upside is the food is terrific, the rooms look out on the river Ariege, Alain the owner is a real character and the dining room and terrace area are lovely. I would definitely go back to this hotel!
Sallyanne Hutchison

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written June 2011
A fantastic expedition which delivered picture perfect vistas and scenery to take your breath away (although not through over strenuous exertion!) for compact but well planned out routes. A definite must for anyone who enjoys a day in the hills. I have made several friends as well as a camera of memories to take home with me.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Whilst coming off one of the trails on our longest day having already witnessed snow, rugged jagged mountain peaks, lakes and giddy drops of stunning beauty I spotted a family of marmot in the valley who had not heard our group approaching. I got a fantastic few precious seconds of footage into this wonderous beast I had not believed our guide did actually exist! I thought it was just a brand of outdoor clothing!
The following day was an equal when we were priviliged to witness a variety of birds of prey in their natural habitat.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader had a perfect balance of humour, sincerity and understanding of the differing needs of the group to make the whole experience a pleasue. He was professional in his approach and nothing was too much trouble. He made the right decisions based on sound weather watching and obvious careful pre-planning of all the routes we achieved. He had lots of local knowledge on wildlife and botany to throw in some education onto the treks!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I think a reasonable level of fitness and well worn in boots is a must. The days are not arduous or lengthy but they do involve heights to over 3000m and some experience out on the larger mountainous ranges in the UK in the preceding months would not go amiss. I had not been on anything similar in the past and was initially a little nervous joining a large group but the solo-trip option made the whole experience a fabulous shared adventure with similar minded travellers and similar outlooks. Everyone pitched in and had something to add to the ambience, and made the trip a memorable experience for all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There are 5 days walking on this 8 day trip and the free day was made much more exciting by a well thought out handout issued on the first night of the trip. It out-lined all the local activities available. With some careful planning and discussions with your fellow travellers, the best use of this day can be planned ahead and travel shared between a few of you if some of the more adventurous activities appeal such as canyoning or caving. On the other hand, a leisurely stroll into the beautiful village of Ax Le Thermes is a must, even if just to savour the local patisserie produce or soothe your feet in the natural hotspring foot-bath in the square. On the last night we were fortunate also to experience the local festival; couldn't have been better timing!