Catalonia Express
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8 Days/8 Nights
August 19-27, 2022 1720 Euros ( minimum 5 people) Reserve with 300 Euro Deposit * Looking to book your own group privately at your desired Date, duration and level? Book a Coffee Talk right here to arrange |
Hut to Hut Style for our first 3 days
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Price Includes:
Price does not Include:
* FITNESS RATING The hiking section - one must have good fitness , but is not highly technical..good clear trails Moderately HARD to Challenging level |
Itinerary
The Pyrennees - Costa Brava - Barcelona Ahhhhh You don't want to miss this! * Backpack necessary to carry all your stuff for 4 nights/4 days, so pack light and simple. Dancing shoes stay in our Private Van Day 1 - Arrive Barcelona in early morning or arrive a couple days earlier and hang in Barcelona. Team ALPENBOXX and your Personal Driver awaits you and will take you to our first DROP OFF....1 hour away to a sweet little town of Sant Julia. What we find here I cannot share..just a wee welcome party with an incredible local woman. Mid afternoon we drive another hour into the mountains near a town called Queralbs a stunning old stone mountain town. We then drive up the mountain to our Bed and Breakfast, MAS LA CASANOVA. *Everything needed for Cadeques can be left in the car. Mini Hike to Queralbs for a wee town tour. This quaint mountain town just rocks! We get to hang out for a Kick off dinner back at house to fuel up for our first long hiking day. First day accomplished. A very good fuel up and rest we need for a long day tomorrow. Lunch, Breakfast included. We are 1 night at MAS LA CASANOVA. DAY 2 - This is a big and long day. Early to rise for our Spanish breakfast at our Catalonian Castle ....We then Grab our backpacks and head on the trail to Val de Nuria along the Pilgrimage way. We arrive at Nuria Valley 4 hours later. Our base camp for 2 days will be Hotel Vall de Nuria in simple Double room accommodation - Booking in triple room also possible for group of friends. Dinner, Breakfast (900hm, 10km, 4hrs.) Day 3 - Special Peak Day! Early to rise and early out! The Challenge...Puig Mal Peak almost 3000m from the hotel and back... We wind up the mountain on various terrain with a really steep section and scree on the last few hundred metres of climbing. Pure satisfaction at the top and a probably some crazy wind. After celebrating at the top we wind our way back down the mountain with tired legs ..just yearning for our feet up at the Hotel. We can enjoy the lake in front of Hotel (although no swimming in lake). Late afternoon Optional Hike on the other side of the valley..for 2 hours. Dinner, breakfast 950m - 1150m, 10km, 5 - 5.5 hours Day 4 - Up early and heading off early on our high mountain crossing to Coma de Vaca - Valley of the Cows.. A long challenging day but well worth it with these views..We will be hiking on part of the GR11 Route (this is an 800 km route stretching from Eastern Pyrenees to Cap to Creus (where we will be Kayaking). This trail leads from Nuria up near a 2800m peak called Pic de la Fossa Del Gegant and the Spanish Civil War site called Nouscreus. The next couple kms we traverse the HIGH TRAIL seeing far and wide and on one side into France. The path takes us across a couple more Peaks (Pic de Noufonts, Pic d' Eina) then over stunning trail into the valley of the Cows...at the end of the valley our Hut, Coma de Vaca awaits us. Xavi or Yolanda will welcome us with open arms and great heart felt cooking to fuel us for our big descent day tomorrow. If you still have energy to spare a pre dinner 2 hour trek is an option for you. This hut has sleeping rooms that can fit up to 15 people. Necessary to have a sleeping bag liner....... Dinner, Breakfast, 1000m ↑ 1127 ↓ 16km 6 - 7 hours Day 5 - Ahhh get up early and sit on the rocks by the stream and just take it in....We have a 3 - 4 hour descent back into Queralbs,..At this point we are soooo pumped to see Cadeques! It is now goodbye to the Pyrenees and hello Costa Brava. We have an approx 2 hour transfer to Cadeques. You will be blown away by this romantic coastal village. We settle into my fav Hostal Vehi..the family run Guesthouse right beside the old church from 1300...I then take you on an evening coastal hike on the Cava Trail....We can take as long or as short as we want.( approx 3 hours) ...Depending on how long we spend on K’s Secret naked swimming cove. We are getting down at Juilio’s tonight for dinner (he has delectable handmade fresh pizza and the best Goat cheese and sundried tomato salad you could dig into) Dinner is in Cadeques and is not included. 18km, 1100↓/ 150↑ total for day Cadeques Welcome Hike - 2- 3 hrs Approx 3000 - 3600m of climbing in 3 Days.... its time to rest the legs a bit..celebrate Spanish Style what we have accomplished and switch gears into something new! Costa Brava, Cadeques and Kayak Dreams Day 6 - Optional 6am Very early morning for an optional SOUL AWAKENING run/hike to the hidden cove for a dip and YOGA/ meditation by the sea...of course the Sunset too! For those that want to sleep in...GO FOR IT..it’s another long day. Breakfast at 8am - Take off time 8:45 hike with our backpacks to the Port L House of Dali where we meet PAU and our Kayaks - PAU is the BEST and a master ...is a world of info on this area! Get ready for a sweet party on the water! He will be escorting us through the Cap de Creus... We paddle and we paddle .in the afternoon we have a fish dinner party on a cove - Our Fisherman and his Team will be combing the seas for our surprise dinner. In the evening, the final paddle of our day to Port de le Selva. Oh to arrive here at night. We will be transferred back to Cadeques. Sooooo much to take in on this day....I was in AHHHHH first time here Breakfast, *pack some snacks, lots of water ...... FISHERMAN’s DINNER 5 - 6 hours Sea Kayaking in single or double kayaks. Snorkelling options when we take a break in the cove. Day 7 - Cap de Creus Hike! Before our chilled out breakfast...we have an option for early morning Yoga by the beach. Hike begins at 10:30...we wind our way not so far from the coast to the Big Lighthouse Cap de Creus. After exploring in this unique area and a snack/lunch at the Lighthouse restaurant.. we wind our way back to Cadeques for more time to unwind in the town and a wonderful dinner out. Breakfast 400m/ 16km 4 hours. Day 8 - Take off time to Barcelona is right after breakfast. Optional Lighthouse Run/Hike 6am . 1-2 hours (Only for real Keeners...after our long Kayak Day) We have a Barcelona event planned mid afternoon ...for a rocking final celebration together. *Lunch and Dinner not included Day 9 - Today we head to the Beach for fun filled early morning workout! ........The energy, the beach...the workout stations on the beach, La Ramblas...the Gothic Quarter...such a cool mix of everything....Breakfast together...This late morning we depart and go on to the next part of our journey ac breakfast. This is our official last day... and finish in the late morning.. TRIP DETAILS Meal Details All Breakfast of the 8 Days, 5 Dinners included All drinks not included except for Breakfast Our Kayak day - please bring snacks with you...our main meal will be late afternoon or early evening *Please Bring extra energy snacks for hiking and during the day (energy bars and other snacks) *Allergies - Gluten, Dairy etc. - The Huts and accommodation are great with this and can give Gluten free, (except for Breakfasts in Cadeques...Milk free options for dinner and breakfast - Vegetarian and Vegan also works well for the dinner portion. You will have option to purchase Energy Bars and/or Gluten Free bread (best ever hand made by my friend Gemma) to bring along with you hut breakfasts are not anything to write home about..so if you have specific preferences, perhaps you should bring some extras. Typically people go for drinks between 6 and 9pm...and eat their dinner between 8:30 and 1030pm...that is pretty normal for Spanish people So a lot of places don’t open for dinners until later in Cadeques and in Barcelona Hiking Details Important gear to remember is: Waterproof gear - top and bottom hiking socks (at least a few pairs) Well worn in Hiking boots or hiking shoe or BOTH Down jacket Hat and gloves Thin wicking underlayer (like Merano Wool...stink free!) Flashlight or headlamp (for inside hut during the night) Hiking Poles Sunscreen Electrolyte drink Shammy like Shower towel for Huts Sleeping bag liner for hut beds (for hygiene) EARPLUGS - if you are sensitive to snoring at the huts Small first aid kit..with extras YOU may need Bathing Suit SLEEPING CONDITIONS *In the Mountains in the Guesthouse and Hotel we will be in double room accommodation In the hut, we will be in a room with mattresses lined up next to another...that is the hut way. So know there are others in the room. Sometimes the huts can have few people we luck out and it’s just US! * In Costa Brava and Barcelona..we will be split into double rooms (2 per room) Kayak and Costa Brava Details -Be prepared to be Wowed Bathing suit Waterproof case for phones Comfortable summer like clothes - going out clothes as well Can use a good trail runner or hiking shoe here... Barcelona Our time together finishes in Barcelona...From here you may stay longer or transfer to Airport for next Spanish stop BARCELONA HAS IT ALL! Beach! Workout areas on the Beach! A number of amazing areas to blaze through....Desigual at every corner, Gaudi Gaudi Gaudi...Funky..excellent restaurants to suit every need...and an amazing energy! IMPORTANT POINTERS Remember weather can completely change a days or couple days plans...there will always be a PLAN B.(in hiking route or activity) in case of a bad weather bout Pack as light as you can for the Hiking portion using a 30 - 38 litre bag..or sharing bigger backpack There will always be side trips to do..for e.g. on a really bad weather day...OR..if you so choose as a group... when time allows Visit House of Dali Diving in Cap de Creus national parc - 50 euros per person, insurance and license required ....Segrada de Familia (Barcelona..Gaudi), Gaudi Museum The touristy activities we wont be doing specifically together...but on the second day..you will have your own free time for a few hours..in which you can do some of this. For example...listed above. Some fun SPANISH words FOR YOU! AMOR - a loving nickname you say to another person...usually the one you love...also the word for love Achuchar - To hug someone to the point that they can’t breath Guaperas - a gorgeous guy Bocazas - a person with a big mouth Chulo - a person who thinks he’s so macho Descojanarse - to laugh hysterically Guay - a very colloquial Spanish saying to express that we really like something Ir de Tapeo - to go for some TAPAS! Me gustaría más sangría por favor - I would like more Sangria please Duende - Charm or magic Tiene duende - IMPORTANT INFO Karrie's Austria Number +436643882976 |
HIGHLIGHTS! DID YOU KNOW...
Cap de Creus - The amazing ghostly geological formations of the Cap de Creus Natural Park touch a clear transparency of pristine sea waters to build the most
beautiful coves in the Catalan country, while the white fisherman’s towns of Cadaqués and El Port de la Selva stand without discussion at the top of the most charming villages in Catalonia.
The animal and human form rock formations hide throughout this natural park with geological genius and beauty..one can’t help but be fascinated.
CADAQUES Highlights-
1) VILLAGE with CHARM - Although the prosperous town of Cadaqués has changed immensely from the rundown fishing village that Dalí first came to know and love before the First World War, it still retains its charm.
2 ) TAPS! - One of the famous taste sensations are ‘TAPS’ a delicious light pastry in the shape of a Bottle Top, which have been made since the XV11 Century.
3) PIZZERIA CESAR! -
The best Pizza Bar in Cadeques - Julio awaits you with a friendly welcome on the cobblestone street right outside his HAVEN. I fabulous experience, with special service form a former top class Argentinian Soccer Player...Julio keeps you engaged with delicious pizza and salads.., great music, interesting stories and a a dessert schnapps..he doesn't let you leave without!
Cap de Creus - The amazing ghostly geological formations of the Cap de Creus Natural Park touch a clear transparency of pristine sea waters to build the most
beautiful coves in the Catalan country, while the white fisherman’s towns of Cadaqués and El Port de la Selva stand without discussion at the top of the most charming villages in Catalonia.
The animal and human form rock formations hide throughout this natural park with geological genius and beauty..one can’t help but be fascinated.
CADAQUES Highlights-
1) VILLAGE with CHARM - Although the prosperous town of Cadaqués has changed immensely from the rundown fishing village that Dalí first came to know and love before the First World War, it still retains its charm.
2 ) TAPS! - One of the famous taste sensations are ‘TAPS’ a delicious light pastry in the shape of a Bottle Top, which have been made since the XV11 Century.
3) PIZZERIA CESAR! -
The best Pizza Bar in Cadeques - Julio awaits you with a friendly welcome on the cobblestone street right outside his HAVEN. I fabulous experience, with special service form a former top class Argentinian Soccer Player...Julio keeps you engaged with delicious pizza and salads.., great music, interesting stories and a a dessert schnapps..he doesn't let you leave without!
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