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Customised tripsAn opportunity for you to help shape your holiday so you get out of it exactly what you want to suit your group |
OVERVIEWWe live in a fantastic and under visited area of the French Pyrenees, and whether you want to explore it by foot or on bikes, we are happy to help you arrange the ideal holiday. We feel that this option will work best with groups of you who want to holiday together, whether you be friends, workmates or part of an organisation such as a hiking or cycling club. That way, we are customising the trip solely for you and your other group members. Your trip will be all about us facilitating your chosen activities and making sure that you see the very best of the area we are in.Our key ethos in arranging a customised trip for you, is flexibility in terms of activity, accommodation etc. The more information you can give us about what you would like to do, and what you have experience of already, then the more likely we are to be able to meet those needs. Length of holiday: we can do week long trips, long weekends, mid week specials, or standard weekends, depending on the needs of your group, and our timetable of availability. Accommodation: will depend on your budget. Can range from hostel style with dormitory style rooms, to Chambre D'hote (B&B) accommodation, to hotels. We will always chose accommodation that is appropriate in location to what you want to be doing with your trip. Walking: Depending on your fitness levels and experience, we can include gentle walking, exploring local flora and fauna, medium level walks (approx 500-800m ascent a day), peak bagging and ridges (up to 1200m ascent a day), scrambling, boulder fields etc. All walks will allow you to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, with views of the rugged peaks, mountain lakes, and green valleys. If you are interested in mushroom hunting (cepes), try a trip in the Autumn, where we have the option of using a local expert to find the best of these edible delicacies. Alternatively, if flowers and butterflies are your thing, then we have a local Lepidopterist and ecologist who can join us to give us more detail on the local species, including many species of Orchid. For further ideas, see our Spring Flowers Itinerary, and our Peak Bagging Itinerary Road cycling: We can offer undulating routes that explore the local valleys, or routes including taking in some of the local cols, which include Col du Chioula and Plateau de Beille (frequently a stage ending in the Tour de France). For ideas, please see our Classic Cols of the Tour de France trip. Mountain Biking: Depending on your confidence and experience, we can start at complete beginner level, or concentrate mainly on single track, or anything in between! There are endless paths and trails to be explored in our local valley of Ax les Thermes. We have the option of using the van to get high if you want to focus on descents rather than a more cross country route. If you are looking for more information on the kind of rides available, please check out our Mountain Biking Itinerary Other Activities Available (Summer):Horse Riding WinterCross-country skiing Sightseeing: We can include some fantastic sightseeing within your holiday, if you want to do a bit of everything. If you are interested in Cathar history, then it is worth visiting Montsegur, where the Cathars were besieged for 9 months. As well as having historical significance, this castle ruin, atop a rocky pog, gives stunning views of the area. Our local caves, the grottes de Niaux, are famous for having some of the earliest cave paintings by prehistoric man and are well worth a visit. The city of Carcassone is only an hour and a half's drive, and medieval cities of Mirepoix and Foix are even closer. The town of Ax itself, has been inhabited since Roman times, due to its thermal springs which still flow freely down the streets. It is now a popular base for summer and winter activity holidays enhancing its charm with lots of interesting shops, restaurants and lively bars DATESSun 13 July - Sun 20 July 2008Sun 5 Oct - Sun 12 Oct 2008 Sun 12 Oct - Sun 19 Oct 2008 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?We will cost your trip for you depending on what you would like to include, the level of accommodation you choose, and what meals are included. Don't forget that for groups of 8 or more, we offer a 15% discount, or give the organiser a free trip (your choice).Flight costs will not be included, therefore early planning is
advised in order to allow you to pick up cheap flights.
Available airports for the transfers are Toulouse (1hr 30) and
Carcassonne (1hr 30). Train transfers are possible from both
airports (contact Cathy and James for more details). GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION Your holiday will be led by James Thompson a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) and Cathy Durbridge, who have made their home in the valley. They are passionate about the region, its wildlife, forests and peaks. If James or Cathy are not qualified to lead an activity, they will bring in an appropriate local professional as appropriate. GROUPDepending on your choice of activity, there may be a maximum number in a group (e.g. for peak bagging/ridge walking trips we only take 8).TRANSPORTThroughout the trip you transferred to and from the walk start points in a private minibus. The unique road network around Ax means that if needed, we can drive high and gain good views with minimum effort.Airport transfers will also be by minibus. Please see our Transport Section for more information. CLIMATEThe proximity of Ax to the Mediterranean gives us a warm stable climate. Perfect activity weather! Rain can not be ruled out and may influence our choice of activity, but there are plenty of wet weather alternatives.WHAT TO BRINGThis depends on your chosen itinery... we will let you know more detail when the trip is finalised. Generally though, you will need your usual gear for going out in the hills. Be prepared for warm and cold wet weather. You should be able to carry 2L of fluids in your rucksack. |
