Snowshoeing and wellness in the heart of Andorra's snowy valleys
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationPyrenees / Andorra
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AgeFrom 15 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions112.03 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Nestled east of the Pyrenees , Andorra offers a magnificent setting where snow-covered mountain landscapes beckon you to escape. This small, unspoiled territory is an ideal playground for snowshoeing , with its silent forests, open valleys, and spectacular high-altitude panoramas.
Along the routes, nature reveals all its richness and authenticity. The local identity, shaped by ancestral traditions and a strong Catalan heritage , is felt at every stage, in a warm and exotic atmosphere, at the crossroads of French and Spanish cultures.
After the exertion, it's time for well-being . The stay offers a special moment of relaxation thanks to an exceptional spa and one of the largest thermal leisure centers in Europe , perfect for releasing tension and fully enjoying the moment.
This trip harmoniously combines gentle adventure and moments of relaxation , with accommodation in a very comfortable hotel , ideally located in the heart of a superb Andorran valley , for a complete experience between nature and serenity.
The highlights
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Discovering a stunning mountainous region and its preserved nature reserves
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A suitable and progressive route
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Comfortable accommodation in a 4-star hotel offering spa and quality dining
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 486 m
Management
French
The stay will be supervised by a qualified French mountain guide who knows the country, the mountain range and the routes well.
An enthusiastic professional, he will be able to share his knowledge and passion for the natural environment with you, all while ensuring your safety. His dedication to his work compels him to adapt to weather conditions, terrain constraints, and other unforeseen circumstances, managing the pace and physical condition of each participant, all while remaining readily available.
Program
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First steps in Andorra
- Transportation Minibus - 00h45 - 43km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet at 10am at Ax-les-Thermes train station before heading towards Andorra. Be ready to go, dressed in your hiking gear.
A beautiful trail will take us into the Pessons cirque , where we'll travel among numerous lakes. A superb spectacle for this first day of snowshoeing.
Day 1 -
Immersion in the Sorteny Natural Park
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 480 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Discovery of a new mountain range in the Sorteny Natural Park.
Your guide, an expert on the area, will lead you along beautiful frozen streams, in an enchanting setting where snow and silence reign.
Day 2 -
Crossing the Vall d'Inclès
- Transportation Minibus - 00h40 - 30km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 520 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this third day, we will pass through small hamlets in the beautiful Vall d'Inclès valley.
Finally, we will reach the Siscaro refuge, perched on a high plateau surrounded by peaks, and we will be rewarded with a lovely view.
Day 3 -
The beautiful and wild Rialb Valley
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 480 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A superb day in the heart of the Rialb Valley , where pretty little streams wind their way through a large pine forest.
These wild places will be our playground for a few hours.
Day 4 -
On the heights of Ordino
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 20km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the Ordino pass , we will set off towards the summit of Bony de les Neres.
To mark this final hike, we can cross the ridge and enjoy a magnificent view over the entire valley.
Day 5 -
End of stay
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 65km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, return journey to Ax-les-Thermes train station and departure around 11:00.
Day 6
Note
Your guide reserves the right to adjust the proposed itineraries based on weather conditions, the participants' skill level or fitness, or any other unforeseen circumstances. These modifications are always intended to guarantee your safety and comfort while maintaining the quality of the experience. The hiking and transfer times mentioned are estimates only. They may vary depending on the group's pace, weather conditions, and the state of the trails or roads. Your guide will ensure the program is adapted so that everyone can fully enjoy the trip.
Accommodation
Superb 4* hotel, very comfortable, located in the Ordino valley, offering twin rooms with separate beds, shower, toilet and TV in the room.
The fitness option includes:
- 2 x 1.5 hour visits (day 1 and day 5) to the hotel spa + 2 x 30 minute massages
- 1 entry of 2 hours (day 3) to the Caldea Thermal Spa Centre
Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we may need to change our hotel partners, even those with whom we have collaborated for many years. Therefore, the location of your new accommodation may be changed, but this will not affect the quality of service you will receive. Thank you for your understanding.
Access
Sunday at Ax-les-Thermes train station at 10:00 AM
Go to the starting point
By train:
Check train schedules with SNCF, www.sncf-connect.com
By car:
- From Toulouse: follow the direction of Foix, via the RN 20 then Tarascon sur Ariège and Ax les Thermes.
(Between November 1st and March 31st, it is mandatory to equip your vehicle with winter tires or to possess
snow chains or snow socks)
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Equipment rental: TSL snowshoes, poles, safety kit
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in a shared twin room
- Full board from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
- Return transfers from Ax-les-Thermes train station with our 8-person minibus
- Daily transfers
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Spa/Fitness Option : CHF178.39 / person
- Single room : CHF182.96 / person
- Additional night with half-board the night before the stay (twin/double) : CHF59.46 / person
- Additional night with half-board the night before the stay (single room) : CHF86.91 / person
- Additional night with half-board at the end of the stay (twin/double) : CHF59.46 / person
- Additional night with half-board (single room) : CHF86.91 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- A pair of TSL rackets
- A pair of poles
- A safety kit (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe)
Equipment to bring
For the hotel
- A travel bag or suitcase for your belongings for the 6 days (no overly bulky luggage)
- Your spare clothes
- A toiletry bag
- A pair of light, slipper-type shoes for the evening
- A swimsuit (optional)
- For prescription glasses, remember to bring a spare pair.
For hiking
- A 30/40 litre backpack with a waist belt (you will need to carry the safety kit, shovel and probe in your backpack…)
- A protective cover for the backpack (often integrated into it)
- A pair of waterproof shoes with good ankle support (No boots or après-ski boots)
- A pair of gaiters (if not integrated into the trousers)
- A waterproof pouch for your documents, phone, etc…
- A plastic pocket to protect your belongings inside the backpack
- Sunscreen (cream and lip balm)
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
- Ski mask
- A container with an airtight lid (like Tupperware) for the picnic
- Cutlery, knife and cup
- A water bottle
- Small floor mat (for sitting during your lunch break)
- Toilet paper
- Lighter
Clothing to bring
The 3-layer technique helps to keep you warm and dry.
1. Breathable layer
2. Insulating layer
3. Protective layer
To apply this method, you will need:
- Thermal and breathable long-sleeved T-shirts (not cotton)
- Lightweight warm jacket (down jacket or micro-puff type)
- Polartec-type fleece sweatshirt
- Waterproof, breathable, and windproof jacket with a hood. (Gore-Tex remains the standard material)
- Softshell hiking trousers, warm, breathable and water-repellent, with integrated snow gaiters if possible (ski trousers not recommended)
- Waterproof, lightweight and compressible over-trousers (Gore-Tex type)
- Pairs of warm, knee-high socks (Merino wool)
- Cap
- Warm, waterproof gloves, silk liner gloves (2 pairs if possible)
