Luchonnais : the high mountain route

In brief :
 10 days / 9 nights
 grade : strenous
 7 days point-to-point high mountain walking
 location : Central Pyrenees - Luchon and Maladeta ranges
 accomodation : mountain huts and hotels
 visit of Toulouse
 price : 860 €/guest (approx. £765)
 guaranteed departure : minimum 4 guests

A great holiday hiking in some of the most stunning scenery in the Pyrenees. The Luchon range comprises 14 of the Pyrenees 127 three-thousanders and is well worth a visit. We’ll be starting off down near the villages gaining height through the mountain meadows before reaching the stony high altitude areas. We’ll also visit the Maladeta range where towers the highest peak in the Pyrenees, the Aneto (3404m).

Trip details :

Day 1 : arrival at Toulouse airport and transfer by minibus to the hotel in Luchon. Time to visit Luchon and settle in. Meal and night at the hotel.

Day 2 : arrival of guests by night train to Luchon. Breakfast. Start walking : from Luchon to Astau.

Day 3 : first great climb up into the mountains - we’ll practically reach 3000m.

Day 4 : climbing between the three-thousanders, today we’ll cross a ancient glaciar cirque before reaching our hut for the night.

Day 5 : winding our way through the many high altitude lakes, this long leg with take us to the smallest mountain hut in the Pyrenees.

Day 6 : a high pass with a breathtaking view will take us to Spain and down to the bottom of the Maladeta range.

Day 7 : round trip in the Maladeta range, afternoon resting.

Day 8 : hike back into France, transfer back to Luchon and night at the hotel.

Day 9 : Lazy morning. Transfer to Toulouse and afternoon visiting the "la ville rose". Evening free (meal not included). Night in a hotel in Toulouse.

Day 10 : Transfer to airport or train station. End of the trip.

Accomodation and porterage :

6 nights in mountain huts. Mountain huts are basic, guests sleep together in dormitories, good hot meals are provided but with no choice (except for vegetarians or pseical needs), and most times toilets and washing facilities are very basic (no showers, washbasin with cold water). However you’ll generally find a great atmosphere in these places and friendly people to meet.

2 nights full board in a small familly hotel in Luchon (twin rooms).

1 night in a hotel in Toulouse (bed and breakfast).

Porterage : you’re going to be carrying all your kit for 7 days walking with the days picnic but no sleeping bag (mountain hut provide blankets) so your bag must be able to contain at least 45 litres and will weigh between 6 - 10 kg.

Prices : Our price includes guiding, transfers by minibus, accomodation and meals (from the evening meal on day1 untill breakfast on day 10, and excepting the evening meal on day 9). The price does not include flights or any other means of travel to and from the meeting point at the start and end of the holiday.