June 14-19 SPANISH PYRENEES 2013
Details
Hola http://img2.meetupstatic.com/981263258369601089/img/smileys/smile.gif.
The Pyrenees Mountains in Spain are the largest stretch of mountains in Northern Spain. They act as a natural buffer between Spain and France. The Pyrenees Mountains in Spain stretch from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea in the east.
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Having been to
June 24 - 29 SPANISH PYRENEES 2011, you may see the photos here:
https://www.meetup.com/AAA-London-Group/events/15467472/
and
May 30 - June 4 SPANISH PYRENEES 2010, you may see the pictures here
https://www.meetup.com/AAA-London-Group/events/11955568/
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/1/c/8/event_15517320.jpeg
I fell in love with this place and as I promised want to go there again and again.
Our meeting point will be in Barcelona airport at Terminal 2B Ars cafeteria & snack bar located at the far end of the terminal by the arrivals waiting area. , near Barcelona city on Friday June 14 at 2-30 pm, where we will rent our cars from. I will be meeting you at arrival.
We will be staying in Planillo, about 4,5 hour drive from Barcelona into the heart of Pyrenees, a small village nestled in the Spanish Pyrenees at 894 metres high. This will be an excellent base to walk and explore one of the oldest natural reserves in Spain : National Park of Ordesa (http://www.ordesa.net/).
The National Park is part of the Pyrenees and Monte Perdido National Park which was declared a World Heritage site in 1997 by the UNESCO. Since 1977, a part of the park has also been inside the Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve.
Situated in a glacial valley of the River Ara, Torla (http://hitchhikershandbook.com/2012/08/03/torla-spain/), typical of many Aragonese villages, retains its sleepy atmosphere despite the influx of tourists who swell its ranks every summer. Numbering just under a 1000 inhabitants, the name Torla derives from the Spanish for tower (torre) and was founded in the 11th century.
http://hitchhikershandbook.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/torla-5.jpg?w=640&h=427
Torla is on a way to Ordesa Valley and we plan to visit this stunning village with typical architecture of the region and local cosy restaurants a few times.
We also plan to see the town of Ainsa, which was the capital of the old Kingdom of Sobrarbe, and was later incorporated into the Kingdom of Aragon in the 11th century, constitutes a magnificent example of medieval urban development.
http://www.spain.info/en/ven/otros-destinos/ainsa.html
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The walls that surrounded the town centuries ago remain almost intact today, the town itself being filled with monuments that bring us back to the Middle Ages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK95kKiOPwQ
Standing at 3355m right in the centre of the park is the limestone summit of Monte Perdido -the third highest peak in the Pyrenees.
http://www.hikepyrenees.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ordesa-national-park-10-500x347.jpg
The highlight of the park are it’s four deep canyons carved into the limestone. The Ordesa and Pineta valleys are glacial while Añisclo and the Garganta de Escuain were formed by rivers.
The Ordesa Valley is the most famous with cliffs rising over eight hundred metres on each side and Monte Perdido perched majestically at the valleys end.
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The Ordesa canyon is a spectacular glacial valley, which is most famous for its awesome limestone cliffs, which tower over 1000 m above the lush beech and pine forests which carpet the narrow valley floor. These cliffs are also home to the uniquely dramatic rock cornices known as 'fajas', high altitude balconies of stone formed over millions of years. Along them sensational walking routes of varying exposures cling, providing walkers at every turn with adrenalin fuelled views of the canyon and its many magnificent fairytale waterfalls.
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This is a region of dramatic landscape, overseen by the peak of Monte Perdido at 3355 meters, found within the Pyrenean mountain range that forms the border between Spain and France. We can enjoy the teeming wild life of birds, deer and wild boar and spectacular views of the mountains.
We will also have time to relax and visit the historical villages nearby or to cool off in the clear waters of the River Ara,http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrn9DT7fz79BzX43NUgKTw3oQI9Ei5krnNoimKykdseaG3iXmvNwhttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7UtAYdTGguK-srXMVBpsuOHhLfuqgSNTprc-rs4UT9fPk27clGg
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or maybe to enjoy the thrills of the water sports offered in the area!
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We have rented a 2 floor house - Casa Escuela Planillo, for 5 days.
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The house has: 2 rooms with a double bed, 3 rooms with 2 singles, 2 rooms with a double and a single bed, 3 bathrooms. Couples welcome http://img2.meetupstatic.com/981263258369601089/img/smileys/smile.gif.
Dining room, living room with mountain view, a garden with table and chairs, and everything else we need like fully equipped kitchen and washing machine.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVKOfCpYMT4h2AC4CNgSnTYZ867WMunaNFalD0yG0icHnXlud6 http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXuwmk3ltsD-WzTkKpj0bXfxpeZtR4YTpzs5shFjq3e4FZQENWlA
At the end of this stay in the mountains we will take you back to the airport. -
We will drop you off back at Barcelona Airport on Wednesday June 19 at 1-30 pm.
Price of £379 includes:
5 nights accommodation
All meals cooked by our chef http://img2.meetupstatic.com/7721728740974823239/img/smileys/tongue.gif , except 3 dinners (we will eat out, trying local food),
all transport
and guided hikes by Mountain Leader trained at Plas Y Brenin ( The National Mountain Centre http://www.pyb.co.uk/... (http://www.pyb.co.uk/)) ) guides, and certified First Aiders.
The price does NOT include:
the flight tickets
3 dinners
optional activities
After you RSVP yes, to secure your place you will need to pay £190 deposit within a week time. The deposit is non refundable but transferable.
The balance of £189 should be paid by 15th of April 2013.
Conditions:
You will need to have travel insurance and provide details before travel. It is strongly recommended to have this in place at the time of paying the deposit or the flight.
It is also essential that you take out travel insurance that covers hiking activities up to 3400 meters.
The BMC: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Landing.aspx offer excellent policies for all outdoor enthusiasts at competitive rates.
Visa: Please check with the Spanish Embassy if you need a visa to travel there. Spain is within the Schengen zone. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary travel documents, including visa.
Flights: You will need to buy your flights and make sure you at the meeting point on time, you will have 2 hours before your departure time after we drop you off at the airport after the trip!
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Sponsors
June 14-19 SPANISH PYRENEES 2013