SPAIN

Hiking in the Catalan (self-guided tour)

G uaranteed departure dates for 2008: Every day during the period May-October Ref. number: - Last edited by: IN, 26/12/07 (Anytime if the requirement for the minimum group size is fulfilled)

is located at an altitude of 1,270 meters, shade of red and gold. A taxi will be Introduction: at the foot of the highest mountain tops. waiting for you at to take you to The Pyrenees is unbeatable destination (24km; appr. 960m a.s.l.) for hikers. The area boasts over 1000km Walking around Setcases you can enjoy of signposted paths. The mountains that picturesque village of narrow streets where you will spend the night. constitute the dividing mountain range and slate roofs, waterfalls and matchless Please advise in due time between France and , with the environments of woods and meadows approximate time for pick up from highest summits reaching approximately declared places of natural interest, Ripoll (as well as exact place). 3,000 metres. The nature of these together with the river Ter, that runs /no meals included/ mountains and their foothills varies a lot in through the village. different places. On the Spanish side, very - The Sanctuary of Nuria - one of Day 2: Camprodon - Mollo 's holiest sites, high in the This is you first day of trekking during dry and arid areas are found, yet mountains, 1,960 metres above sea which you will reach the small village alternated with many green and fertile level. of Mollo (appr. 1100m a.s.l.) close to regions. Ripollès, where this arrangement the border with France. There are will take you, is a relatively green region. It Itinerary several options for the trek with is a small-scaled area in the foothills of the duration varying form 7hrs (23km) to high mountains with small compact Day 1: Arrival in Camprodon. 3,30hrs (13km) – you will decide by villages which often have an old and Arrival at Barcelona Prats airport (please yourself depending on the weather original town centre and where the air of note that some low-cost carriers conditions and your fitness. Overnight the small narrow streets is permeated by announce Barcelona as airport but land in hotel in Mollo. the smell of cattle and manure. in ; if you land at Girona Airport, Uphill/downhill walk: 600/460m In the outlying districts of most places new which is some 95km to the northeast of /breakfast, dinner/ urbanisations are being constructed, Barcelona, you can use the buses from which sometimes goes at the expense of the airport to Barcelona – there are 2-4 Day 3: Mollo - Setcases the authentic atmosphere of the villages. buses per hour and the drive takes about Today’s trek will take up about 4,30 1,30hrs, the ticket costs appr. 12 hours (13km) and the route passes Special highlights: Euro/one way – timetables at through the Fembra Morte Pass with - Camprodon - the market town of http://www.sagales.com/index.asp?docId a wonderful view over the Pyrenees Camprodon, with its 12th-century bridge, =87&MenuID=87&seccio=2). From and Garrotxa. The highest point of Romanesque monastery, small shops, Barcelona Plaza Catalunya station take this trekking day is 1900m a.s.l. You bustling, ancient centre and interesting Art the train to Ripoll (about 2 hours; trains will spend the night in a nice hotel in Nouveau quarter each 1-2 hours, timetables at Setcases (1265m a.s.l.) - a small - Mollo - Mollo links Camprodon valley http://www.renfe.es/cercanias/barcelona/i village with cows where the air is filled with France through the old pass of Coll ndex.html). This would be the option if with cow manure and hay. d’Ares. From that point there is a you wish to see some more landscapes Uphill/downhill walk: 750/585m wonderful view of the neighbouring from Catalunya. The shorter option if you /breakfast, dinner/ country. The main attraction of Mollo is its land at Girona Airport is to take a bus to beautiful Romanesque church of Santa the city of Girona and then another one Day 4: Setcases - Setcases Cecilia, with four-storey bell-tower. to Ripoll. The Ripollès is one of the most This day will be spent in the areas - Setcases - a small picturesque village, nicely forested valleys of the Pyrenees, around Setcases, spending the night whose origin dates back to the year 965. It beautiful in any season and particularly at the same hotel as last night. It is so in the autumn when it turns every possible to climb Mt. Penguin Travel 1 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected] (2881m, 6 hrs) or enjoy the trekking to normally only be found on the Ulldeter Refuge (2220m) along the Ter Day 8. Departure from Ribes mountain tops. In spring and autumn Valley - 3,5 hrs. Leaving Setcases Train back to Barcelona - 2,30 hrs temperatures are usually very northwards there is a narrow road that (timetables and fares are available at pleasant for hiking while in summer, takes you to Vallter 2000, a skiing area. The www.renfe.es/cercanias/barcelona/index. especially in the valleys, it can be GR11 (which is actually the star amongst html). quite warm. Generally when it rains it paths in the southern Pyrenees) follows this /breakfast/ is not for a long time. In summer it is valley partly uphill, but before arriving to the DETAILED ROAD BOOK AND MAP normal to rain in the evenings, but skiing area it bends westwards to the WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL these thunderstorms pass quickly. Refugi d'Ulldeter, situated at an altitude of The average temperature in May is Accommodation & luggage o o more than 2200 metres. You can also 15-20 C (max. 30 C) and the transportation: continue hiking till the Coll de la Coma de snowline starts at 2000m. In June- During this trip you will stay at several l'Orri, at about 2500 metres. You might find August the temperatures range from hotels, all with comfortable rooms and (too) much snow here till the month of May. 23-26oC reaching a maximum of 35oC private WC/bathroom. Luggage You can order a transfer to the Valter ski sometimes. However lots of shade is transportation between hotels is area from the hotel for additional payment if available in the forests at theta time. included. Halfboard (breakfast and you want to spend more time above 2000m The snow is missing at that time. In dinner) is included for days 2, 3, 4 & 5, and skip the trekking from Setcasses to September-October the average while bed and breakfast stays remain for Valter. temperatures are between 20-23oC the rest 3 nights. /breakfast, dinner/ with max 30oC.

Tour type: IT Day 5: Setcases - Tregura Group size: Min. 2 persons

From Setcases to Tregura - 4 hrs (10 km). Difficulty grade: B (days 2, 3, 5 & 6) / C A nice walk passing through several small The price includes: accommodation (days 4 & 7) farm villages, an old Roman church, and boarding as per program; a map walking across huge meadows and and complete description of the Best period: from May until October grasslands with magnificent view. routes (road book) in English; transfer

Uphill/downhill walk: 300/100m from Ripoll to Camprodon (day 1); Equipment and clothing: /breakfast, dinner/ luggage transfers Good waterproof boots with suitable

ankle support, bottle for water and rain Day 6: Tregura - Ribes de Frenser The price does not include: optional jacket. For the full list with recommended Tregura (1050 m a.s.l.) - transfers on day 4, entrance fees and items see “General”. (1050 m a.s.l.) over Collada Verda Pass - transport tickets, tips, alcohol drinks,

7 hrs (20km). The route takes you through cigarettes and other personal General remarks: an exceptionally beautiful valleys, with expenses. - Marking is comparatively good. abundant green and nice views along the - You will walk mainly below the rivers Riera d’Abella and El Segadel tree line on dirt roads and nice forest Uphill/downhill walk: 750/750m paths and meadows. On days 4 and 7 /breakfast/ you will have the chance to enjoy the

alpine landscapes of The Pyrenees Day 7. Ribes de Freser – Nuria – Ribes climbing up to 2800m. You will walk on de Freser alpine meadows and rocky paths. You can decide to spend the day in Ribes - Be sure to take enough water de Freser but we highly recommend you during the treks. In high areas you might to take a dramatic train ride with the small find cattle grazing, which means you mountain train (funicular) through the must be careful with drinking water from valley “Sanctuary of Nuria” high up in the rivers and brooks. mountains (1960m) (timetables and fares - Ticks are also possible – check at regularly your trousers or legs. http://www.valldenuria.com/undersite/eng/i - People suffering from fear of ndex.html). Nuria is a perfect starting point heights are not expected to have any for climbing the neighbouring mountain problems on this arrangement, but then tops (reaching 2800m a.s.l.). Your trek again you might have to walk over a through the alpine meadows and rocky steep slope now and then, but never with plateaus will be accompanied by the a huge depth right under you. marmot whistles, running chamois or with - Leave all cattle doors you find on vultures soaring high above your head. the routes in the same state you found The landscapes today differ greatly them. compared to the ones from the past days and this walk is no doubt more than Weather: merited end of the hiking tour. From here it There are large variations in climate is possible once again to enjoy the magnificent view before the last trekking depending on height. The hiking trips of this arrangement fluctuate between 900 takes you back to Ribes de Freser (7- and 2,200 metres. When leaving in April 20km, 3-7 hrs). you might find snow in the high areas. /breakfast/ From the beginning of May, snow can Penguin Travel 2 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected] GENERAL rucksack should weigh no more than 10-15 Brief about Spain: ======kilograms. Territory – 504 782 sq km TOUR TYPES & GRADES Recommended items: waterproof rucksack Borders: North – Atlantic ocean, North We provide different varieties of tours as (60 l) & daypack (35 l); walking waterproof East: France (623), Andorra (63.7 km), regards to their types and difficulty grades! boots with suitable ankle support; light East & South – Mediterranean sea, Whether you will choose individual and casual shoes for walking and/or for Gibraltar (1.2 km), West: Portugal group tours with a guide or combined tours travelling; gaiters; loose, casual trousers (1,214 km with a guide for some part of the trip for trekking; waterproof trousers; fleece Coastline: 4,964 km depends on you. We emphasize on using windstopper jacket; windproof, waterproof Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau local experienced guides with knowledge of outer shell garment (breathable if surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in the local language, culture, history, art, etc. possible!); hat for sun protection; north The tours are conducted in the English sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen Elevation extremes: lowest point: language. Guides in other languages are lotion and lip balm; torch (headlamp), water Atlantic Ocean 0 m, highest point: Pico available upon request. bottle, trekking sticks. de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands Tour types ======3,718 m, longest river: Tagus (part) – Our tours are divided in different tour types, Vaccination 1 010 km regardless of being guided or not or if Immunisation against Hepatitis A is Population – 40,448,191 (July 2007 someone travels alone or in a group. We recommended two weeks prior departure. est.) have prepared your vacation so that you can Check latest requirements with your travel Capital city - Madrid (5 603 292) concentrate on new impressions and clinic or doctor prior to departure. Largest metropolitan areas – Madrid (5 experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here ======603 292), Barcelona (5 328 395), is a description of the various tours: Money and personal expenses: Valencia (1 465 081), Sevilla (1 294 IT: Individual tours You will need some extra money to cover 081), Malaga (1 019 292) etc. There is no guide on this tour. You travel meals, drinks and extra trips not included in Ethnic composition – Spanish – 72,3 %, individually and we are responsible for the the tour price. The Euro is Spain’s official Catalan – 16,3 %, Galician 8,1 %, hotel overnights and /some/ transfers. currency. Money can be changed in any Basque – 2,3 %, others – 1 % Sometimes you will travel together with other bank, and at most travel agencies, major Religion - Roman Catholic 94%, other people. If you wish a guide can be arranged, hotels and airports. American Express, 6% if ordered. We take it for granted that you Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are Major resources – fruit and vegetable can read maps, provided by us upon arrival. widely accepted. ATMs are widely crops, coal, iron ore, mercury, uranium, ------available. International traveller's cheques fisheries, tourism Difficulty grades are widely accepted. To avoid additional Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) To prepare yourself for the best of your exchange rate charges, travellers are 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, vacation we recommend that you start advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros Basque 2%, are official regionally planning it in an advance. Good physical or Pounds Sterling. Traveller's cheques Protected areas: 13 National Parks, condition is required. In order to achieve it should be changed at banks or exchange and hundreds of Natural parks, we advise you to start walking, jogging or bureaux. reserves and other protected areas cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of Below are some examples of costs in ======times a week is also highly recommended. Spain (NB: prices in mid-range Weather: You do not need much to get yourself in restaurants!): The weather varies considerably across shape. And don't forget that the most - Coffee – 1.5 € the Pyreneen chain. The general rule is important tip for an unforgettable active - Tea – 1.5 € that the West is wet, and the East is holiday is to choose a trip which - Beer - 1 € much dryer. Furthermore, the Spanish corresponds to your physical condition! - Soft drink – 1€ side of the Pyreneen chain is B: Moderate - Bottle of water - 0.6 € considerably warmer than the French Most of you, who are used to walking during - Bottle of good quality local red wine (0,75 (as it can be thought of as one large a long weekend, will be in condition to cope l) – 8-10 € south facing slope). The climate year- with a tour of this level. You should be in - Three-course lunch – 10-15 € round is that of temperate mountain good health condition and not too bad - Lunch pack – 5 € regions, in particular short bursts of physical condition. We have successive ======heavy rainfall can be expected in April days of longer and more difficult walking and Cell phone coverage: and May, and stable periods of high days of lighter walking. Some parts of the Roaming agreements exist with most pressure between September through day routes are done at a higher altitude. The international mobile phone companies. to November give clear blue skies. paths are in good condition. We walk for 5- Coverage is good throughout most of the During the height of summer (especially 7h a day. You are free to skip some walks country. August), short violent thunderstorms and have a rest. ======are a regular occurance mid-afternoon. C: Difficult Electricity Occassionally, the onset of winter is These tours include trekking which is a little The standard current in Spain is 220 volts heralded by a cold-snap at the start of harder, normally on a challenging terrain. but it is common in older places to find the November, however any snow usually We take it for granted that you are in good old 115 volt supply. Both systems use melts away below about 1000m condition and fit. You should be physically plugs with two round pins. Travel adaptors altitude. Winter conditions are to be prepared at home to get the maximum of the can be purchased to convert plugs from expected between January and March. tour. Most of the trekking is done at a other countries. Many appliances in Spain greater height (max 3000 m). As on other are not earthed and it is common to find tours you are free to skip some treks and electric sockets in bathrooms, near water have a rest. supplies so extreme care should be ======excercised. In rural areas supply is often Equipment and clothing: interrupted during storms. You can bring You should always remember that you must your electrical goods to Spain from the UK try to keep the weight of your clothing but not 110V appliances from the USA. equipment down to a minimum. Your packed ======Penguin Travel 3 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected]