PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

8 days from GBP669 to GBP999 including flights
Tripcode: TSQ

Countries Visited: Spain

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 16 reviews.

debby moss

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written October 2009
A beautiful and little-known part of Spain: stunning scenery and a lovely collection of varied walks.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Every time you turn around, or lift your head from the next few steps, there is a stunning view to be taken in or photographed. And at the top end of the Cares gorge on a hot day, take your boots off and refresh them in the icy water - it'll have you skipping again!
What did you think of your group leader?
Great company, knowledgable and entertaining.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Relax and enjoy it all, there's no pressure.
Mike Linehan

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written May 2009
Two things to start with Its nice to see that Exodus use a local operator who knows the area well & can adapt to the changing weather conditions. The hotel though one star was very good. You were welcome to use the kitchen for tea/coffee 24 hours. All linen was changed daily & the bedrooms were immaculate. Internet was available at reception. Jim is on working wireless access at the moment. The hotel gets nearly 40% of its power from Solar panels. If you are here for the week, they run a tab system for drinks if you want. Water on day hikes is sold at cost €1. The food was nourishing & had a vegetarian option & gave our group a good option for a chat at breakfast & dinner. The views from the hotel are wonderful. Each hike starts each morning at 10 with a briefing followed by the hike which usually lasts 7 to 8 hours. The guides are careful to make sure each person can manage the pace. They have a lovely relaxed attitude. If a hike gets too tough or people are suffering the guide can call up Jim to get a lift for people who are finding it hard. Folks still do the walk & everyone goes away with a feeling of achievement. The scenery simply blows you away & for photographers it is simply paradise. The restaurant recommended for our night off was close by & wonderful with Sheep passing by causing a traffic jam on our second meal there. The staff & guides deserve the praise our group rightly gave them. Nothing was too much trouble. Would I go back, book the ticket & I am on my way. This place would be great at least once or twice a year just for relaxation plus the other things listed above.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The care given when people needed help & how all the group walked together with a smile each day
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Victor & Pilar were guides of the highest order
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are looking for a fancy hotel forget it! But a home from home atmosphere with friendly staff then this is for you. Plus the beds are lovely & comfy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Photographers!
Do not carry to much equipment. A 2 camera limit 1 compact & 1 slr or go into serious training. I used Canon 5d mark 11 & 24-105mm lens with 2 custom settings mixed with a polariser for most of the photos I shot.
Anna Franks

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written April 2009
Wonderful scenery and outstanding hospitality, which got me through a trip which was more challenging than I had expected. I feel this trip should be classed as C because of the steep terrain and the length of walks. The Picos are stunningly beautiful!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me, the last day, when I managed the whole thing almost effortlessly, having struggled till then. The only time I climbed an optional summit and was it worth it! I had never walked through snow that high up, sunbathing at the same time.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two, Victor, the first day, and Pilar. Victor was good, but didn't quite make it clear how much water we should carry, and I and others got dehydrated on the first day. Pilar was wonderful in every way - walked at the back with me, encouraged me, and was full of lively information about the area, Spain, the Civil War, everything. And she lent me her rucksack.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes. As well as good boots, make sure you have a good rucksack with a waist strap and something to hold it away from your back, so that you can carry lots of water without it feeling too heavy. A camel pack for water might help too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was my first trip with Exodus and it was great. It was good being in a group, as people supported each other, and I heard lots of travellers' tales. I hope to go on another walking holiday,although I shall check carefully that it really is B not C!
Michael Budd

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written September 2008
this was our first exodus trip and quite simply we had a wonderful time. we'd never stayed in a hotel quite as laid back and friendly as this one. the scenery is beautiful and the walks were an ideal length for us. we also got lucky with the weather!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
the scramble to the top of Mancandui. for the final ascent you can leave your rucksack and collect it on the way back. (not everyone in our group wanted to climb to the top) we were in cloud but it cleared for 30 seconds or so just to give us decent view.
seeing griffin vultures soaring on the thermals.
the urdon to tresviso path. once you've climbed it you'll have to buy the photo.
cares gorge.
What did you think of your group leader?
victor was excellent. a local lad with good knowledge of the area and also good company on the trails. he was enthusiastic about the walks all week and managed to wind me up a couple of times regarding their difficulty. he certainly added to the enjoyment of the holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
i would say that the trip notes cover everything you need to know. apart from no yoga at the hotel which i was looking forward to.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
i would be surprised if anyone booked this trip and didn't enjoy it. on our free day we all went to the beach, so it's not all walking!
David Male

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written June 2008
Wonderful holiday highlighted by a superb walking guide and hotel owners/staff. Great hotel food which always offered a vegetarian option. Weather mixed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walk up to Tresviso culminating in free cheese and bread at at bar in the village. Buying a poster showing the walk.
What did you think of your group leader?
Victor was exceptional in every way.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring walking poles, waterproofs, gaiters and an umbrella. Or buy them on the first day in the village as they are cheaper there than in the UK. This area is called "Green Spain" because it frequently rains!
Take the Stansted - Santander Ryanair flight. It arrived at a sensible time (18:00), only cost me £50 and the hotel collected/delivered me for free! Otherwise it's a change of planes at Madrid and a 00:30 arrival time at the hotel.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A box for suggested improvements to the trip!
The main negative was an overpriced (37 Euros for 2 courses with wine), uninspired and touristy meal on our rest day which was recommended to us by the leader as a "flash restaurant". The owner was surly too.
No fish course provided at the hotel. Rooms could do with more drawers/shelves/coathangers.
Allowing this review to be published anonymously - or at least just showing the reviewer's initials.
Susan Sherwood

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written June 2008
This was my first trip with Exodus but I shall certainly be going again. The staff in Spain bent over backwards to make our holiday as good as it could be despite the wet weather.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many ! Walking through meadows full of wild flowers that would be considered rare in England. Reaching the top of a 2000 meter peak with snow still lying on the ground. Seeing the beautiful blue of the gentians growing on the slopes.
What did you think of your group leader?
Victor is great, he has a wicked sense of humour and bags of interesting local knowledge. He also showed great maturity when he carried on taking our group out after his friend was killed in a canyoning accident.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't hesitate, just get on and book now. The Hotel is basic but comfortable with plenty of hot water for showers and lots of good filling food.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had a great visit to the Guggenheim in Bilbao on the way home which I thought was fantastic, not everyones cup of tea though but there was time to look round the city before catching our flight.
Allan Grady

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES
Written January 2008
The terrain was far more exciting than I was expecting.The young guide, Victor, was enthisiastic and excellent.It is an area i would want to return to.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Camino de Treviso was really quite something.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader, Victor, was very good indeed. i hope exodus can hang on to him as he has such a lot to offer.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure your boots are waterproof and take gaiters for the mud.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Good walking, good accommodation and good food.