Pyrenees Traverse

During the famous Tour de France bike race, the riders cross the two biggest mountain ranges in France:  The Alps and the Pyrenees.  This route offers the achievement of fully crossing the Pyrenees to join the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Day 1/  Arrival Toulouse, transfer to Collioure (Mediterranean sea)
• Day 2/  Collioure - Prades, 2 passes         
• Day 3/  Prades - Ax  les Thermes, 4 passes
• Day 4/  Ax les Thermes - Castillon-en-Couserans, 2 passes
• Day 5/  Castillon-en-Couserans - Arreau, 3 passes
• Day 6/  Arreau - Luz Saint Sauveur, 2 passes (with Tourmalet)
• Day 7/  Luz Saint Sauveur - Lescun, 4 passes (with Aubisque)
• Day 8/  Lescun - Saint Jean Pied de Port, 5 passes
• Day 9/  Saint Jean Pied de Port - Saint Jean de Luz - Toulouse, 3 passes
• Day 10/  Transfer Toulouse airport, end of the stay.

During the famous "Tour de France" bike race, the riders cross the two biggest mountain ranges in France:  The Alps and the Pyrenees.  This route offers the achievement of fully crossing the Pyrenees to join the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
We alternate between well know passes (they got their reputation through the Tour de France) and the lesser known passes, all in order to discover, in depth, the Pyrenees massif.
Towards the end, a superb sequence of small passes in the "Basque Country" lead us to the Ocean....
From the Oriental Pyrenees to the Occidental Pyrenees, a large variety of scenery awaits us: the Mediterranean vegetation foothills of the Albères, the dense forests of Ariège, the sharp peaks of the Hauts-Pyrénées, the green mountains of the Basque Country ...

ITINERARY LEVEL 2

Day 1/ Welcome to Toulouse - transfer and night in Collioure
Reception at the Toulouse airport and at the end of the afternoon, minivan transfer with the entire group to Collioure, at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea (approximately 2 H 30).
Depending on our arrival time in Toulouse, visit of the historic district with its maze of narrow alleys.
Settle in and night at a 3 star Hotel.

Day 2/ Collioure - Prades
Passes of the day
- Xatard pass (2,467 feet)
- Col Palomere (3,399 feet)
Highlights
- Fishing port and the Collioure castle
- the small winding roads of the Albères foothills
- Small passes for warming up our legs, surrounded by the smells of the Southern Mediterranean vegetation.
Altitude gain: approximately 3,937 feet
Total distance: approximately 62 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 3/ Prades - Ax les Thermes
Passes of the day
- Jau pass (4,941 feet)
- Garavel pass (4,121 feet)
- Moulis pass (3,606 feet)
- Paiheres Harbor (6,565 feet)
Highlights
- Visit of Mosset, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France.
- The forests of Jau Pass....they can almost make us "forget" the Mediterranean....
- Ascent of the Pailhères pass, one of the most beautiful in our entire trip....
Altitude gain: approximately 8,858 feet
Total distance: approximately 56 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 4/ Ax les Thermes - Castillon-en-Couserans
Passes of the day
- Agnes pass (5,151 feet)
- La Core pass ( 5,233 feet)
Highlights
- Breathtaking landscape of the Agnes Pass, including the enchanting scenery of Lers pond.
- In the early "laces" of the La Core pass descent, beautiful vistas of the valley.
Altitude gain: approximately 6,562 feet
Total distance: approximately 62 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 5/ Castillon-en-Couserans - Arreau
Passes of the day
- Porte d'Aspet pass (3,507 feet)
- Mente pass (4,426 feet)
- Peyressourde pass (5,148 feet)
Highlights
- Three myth-like passes of the Tour de France are on the agenda ...
- The country side of Mente pass
- The beautiful village of Saint Béat.
- At the foot of the Porte d'Aspet pass, racer Fabio Casartelli's monument in homage.
Altitude gain : approximately 7,874 feet
Total distance : approximately 53 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 6/ Arreau - Luz Saint Sauveur
Passes of the day
- Aspin pass (4,885 feet)
- Tourmalet pass (6,939 feet)
Highlights
-The Tourmalet: culmination point of our traverse. Beautiful view of the sharp surrounding peaks....
- Few kilometers, but BIG altitude gain!
Altitude gain: approximately 7,218 feet
Total distance: approximately 37 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 7/ Luz Saint Sauveur - Lescun
Passes of the day
- Borderes pass (3,793 feet)
- Soulor pass (4,803 feet)
- Aubisque pass (5,607 feet)
- Marie-Blanque (3,396 feet)
Highlights
- from the Aubisque pass, breathtaking panorama onto the Gourette bowl
- night in the idyllic mountain area of Lescun
Altitude gain: approximately 8,858 feet
Total distance: approximately 71 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 8/ Lescun - Saint Jean Pied de Port
Passes of the day
- Bouezou pass (3,310 feet)
- Labbays pass (4,432 feet)
- Soudet pass (5,052 feet)
- Bagargui pass (4,327 feet)
- Burdincurutcheta pass (3,724 feet)
Highlights
- To start the day, a beautiful sequence of small passes ,close to each other, through the "Basque Country", Bouezou, Labbays, Soudet and Suscousse before tackling the famous Baguargui pass.
- The lake and the Iraty chalets: ideal for a short break!
- The ramparts and citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied Port, the ancient capital of Basse-Navarre.
Altitude gain: approximately 7,218 feet
Total distance: approximately 62 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 9/ Saint Jean Pied de Port - Saint Jean de Luz - Toulouse
Passes of the day
- Ispeguy pass (2,205 feet)
- Puerto de Otxondo (1,870 feet)
- Saint Ignace (554 feet)
Highlights
- an almost unheard of traverse in the Pays Basque, especially "created" by a local insider (thanks, Herve, for your insight on this nearly unknown pass!) and, of course, the arrival of the sea!
Altitude gain: approximately 3,281 feet
Total distance: approximately 50 miles
Lunch on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, then transfer to Toulouse in the afternoon (about 3 hours). Overnight hotel in Toulouse. Possibility of visiting the beautiful historic district of Toulouse in the evening.
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 10/ Transfer to the airport
According to your flight schedule, transfer to Toulouse airport for your light back home.


ITINERARY LEVEL 3

Day 1/ Welcome to Toulouse – transfer and night in Collioure
Reception at the Toulouse airport and at the end of the afternoon, minivan transfer with the entire group to Collioure, at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea (approximately 2 H 30).
Depending on our arrival time in Toulouse, visit of the historic district with its maze of narrow alleys.
Settle in and night at a 3 star Hotel.

Day 2/ Collioure – Prades
Passes of the day
- la Brousse pass (2,822 feet)
- Xatard pass (2,467 feet)
- Col Palomere (3,399 feet)
Highlights
- Fishing port and the Collioure castle
- the small winding roads of the Albères foothills
- Small passes for warming up our legs, surrounded by the smells of the Southern Mediterranean vegetation.
Altitude gain: approximately 6,234 feet
Total distance: approximately 80 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 3/ Prades - Ax les Thermes
Passes of the day
- Jau pass (4,941 feet)
- Garavel pass (4,121 feet)
- Moulis pass (3,606 feet)
- Paiheres Harbor (6,565 feet)
- Chioula pass (4,695 feet)
Highlights
- Visit of Mosset, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France.
- The forests of Jau Pass....they can almost make us “forget” the Mediterranean....
- Ascent of the Pailhères pass, one of the most beautiful in our entire trip....
– Panoramic views on Ariege from the Chioula pass (version 3)
Altitude gain: approximately 10,170 feet
Total distance: approximately 68 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 4/ Ax les Thermes – Castillon-en-Couserans
Passes of the day
- Agnes pass (5,151 feet)
– Atrape pass (3,645 feet)
- La Core pass ( 5,233 feet)
Highlights
- Breathtaking landscape of the Agnes Pass, including the enchanting scenery of Lers pond.
- In the early “laces” of the La Core pass descent, beautiful vistas of the valley.
Altitude gain: approximately 7,710 feet
Total distance: approximately 87 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 5/ Castillon-en-Couserans – Arreau
Passes of the day
- Porte d’Aspet pass (3,507 feet)
- Mente pass (4,426 feet)
– Portillon pass (4,242 feet)
- Peyressourde pass (5,148 feet)
Highlights
– Four myth-like passes are on the agenda
- The country side of Mente pass
- The beautiful village of Saint Béat.
- At the foot of the Porte d’Aspet pass the monument in homage of the racer Fabio Casartelli.
Altitude gain: approximately 9,843 feet
Total distance: approximately 68 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 6/ Arreau - Luz Saint Sauveur
Passes of the day
- Aspin pass (4,885 feet)
- Tourmalet pass (6,939 feet)
– Boucharo Harbor (7,448 feet)
Highlights
-The Tourmalet: culmination point of our traverse. Beautiful view of the sharp surrounding peaks....
- Few kilometers, but BIG altitude gain!
- Gavarnie and its famous bowl
- Boucharo Harbor’s "high mountain" ambiance.
Altitude gain: approximately 12,139 feet
Total distance: approximately 81 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 7/ Luz Saint Sauveur - Lescun
Passes of the day
- Borderes pass (3,793 feet)
- Soulor pass (4,803 feet)
- Aubisque pass (5,607 feet)
- Marie-Blanque (3,396 feet)
Highlights
- from the Aubisque pass, breathtaking panorama onto the Gourette bowl
- night in the idyllic mountain area of Lescun
Altitude gain: approximately 8,858 feet
Total distance: approximately 71 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 8/ Lescun - Saint Jean Pied de Port
Passes of the day
- Bouezou pass (3,310 feet)
- Labbays pass (4,432 feet)
- Soudet pass (5,052 feet)
- Pierre Saint Martin pass (5,774 feet)
- Larrau Harbor (5,161 feet)
- Bagargui pass (4,327 feet)
- Burdincurutcheta pass (3,724 feet)
Highlights
- To start the day, a beautiful sequence of small passes ,close to each other, Before leaving for a superb excursion in the Spanish Pyrenees (la Pierre Saint Martin pass and Larrau Harbor)
- The lake and the Iraty chalets: ideal for a short break!
- The ramparts and citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied Port, the ancient capital of Basse-Navarre.
Altitude gain: approximately 10,171 feet
Total distance: approximately 81 miles
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 9/ Saint Jean Pied de Port - Saint Jean de Luz - Toulouse
Passes of the day
- Ispeguy pass (2,205 feet)
- Puerto de Otxondo (1,870 feet)
- Saint Ignace (554 feet)
Highlights
- an almost unheard of traverse in the Pays Basque, especially “created” by a local insider (thanks, Herve, for your insight on this nearly unknown pass!) and, of course, the arrival of the sea!
Altitude gain: approximately 3,281 feet
Total distance: approximately 50 miles
Lunch on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, then transfer to Toulouse in the afternoon (about 3 hours). Overnight hotel in Toulouse. Possibility of visiting the beautiful historic district of Toulouse in the evening.
Night in a 3 star Hotel.

Day 10/ Transfer to the airport
According to your flight schedule, transfer to Toulouse airport for your light back home.

The "Road Book"
The detailed "Road Book" itinerary will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.
It contains:
- Colored map copies with the route highlighted,
- Description and details of each crossroad along the route
- General information on the places crossed: tourist sites, possible visits along the way, bars, shops bicycle shops ...
While the group of cyclists sleep in the same hotel, everyone is free to ride alone or with others, since each rider has their own travel diary. Each participant organizes their day in their own way (departure time, stops throughout the day, rhythm, etc.).

Type Difficulty rating
ROAD BIKING    2
Distance: 50 to 71 miles per day, depending on the elevation gain.
Elevation gain: up to 8,850 feet accumulated throughout the day
You are: someone who engages in road biking year round, at least once a week on average.

This trip also exists in a Level 3 version. The accommodations are the same but the itinerary from one accommodation to another is different. Each morning, depending on your physical ability, you can either choose the Level 2 or the Level 3 itinerary.

ROAD BIKING    3
Distance: 71 to 87 miles per day, depending on the elevation gain.
Elevation gain: up to 12,139 feet accumulated throughout the day cumulated during a day
You are: someone who trains and is in good physical condition, being accustomed to riding more than 60 miles at a time.

- The riding distance schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice.

Backpacking
« Daily belongings » should be reduced to a minimum. Anything you do not need during the day is routed by our assisting vehicle.
Luggage
All luggage must be divided into 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 travel bag:
1 / backpack
This is the bag that you use every day while pedaling, if you choose to take along a picnic (see "food" paragraph). The bag should not be too large (maximum 30 liters).
It will contain: your picnic lunch, your snack food, your camera, waterproof clothes and spare ones, your sun glasses ...
2 / travel bag
This is the bag to be transported from one accommodation to another by vehicle. It will contain belongings that you will not use during the day.  You will recollect it at each evening's stop.

A driver (English speaking).

In the morning, the driver of the assisting vehicle directly carries the luggage from one accommodation to another and then he goes back, in general, to the foot of the last difficult portion of the day.  He is then available to help the group or just a participant in the event of a natural or mechanical problem.
This driver is equipped with a mobile phone and can be reached at any time of the day and is entirely available for the group.
He is also available for spending time with you: brakfast, dinner, visits, etc.

Every night in a *** charming hotel, typical of the Pyrenees, based on double occupancy.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

"L'art de la table"
This trip is also an opportunity to discover the famous French gastronomy, especially the specialties of south west France.  
Breakfasts are varied and hearty (usually in the form of a buffet), and dinners combine traditional French dishes with "carbs" to assist in all of your efforts.
For lunch, we offer 3 options based on your preferences:
* A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (salad prepared with a starch/carb to aid in your efforts, and vegetables), along with sides of salami, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag.
* "Racing food" for those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit.
*  No lunch organized by Mountain World Travel in order for you to be free to stop where you want to eat (restaurant, snack, food is purchased en route (bakeries, grocery stores ...) which allows for yourself to manage the content of your lunch.
We pay particular attention to the quality and variety of your diet by keeping in mind that it must be suited to all of your physical activity.

The morning: breakfast enjoyed at the hotel, collect your picnic lunch or snacks and you can mount your ride!
The day: with your "Road Book" in your pocket, you ride all the way up to your evening accommodation where your baggage awaits you. Full details of accommodation are listed in the logbook. The driver of the assisting vehicle is available throughout the whole day.
Evening: Dinner with all participants.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions – Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Toulouse
• Possibility of renting a bike
• All services mentioned in extensions / options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water) 
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for driver/guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included".

Rent a bike
It is possible to rent a bike for the sum of $330.
Be sure to include your height on your booking form.

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the website Mountain World Travel or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Toulouse, France:
- Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Toulouse, through Amsterdam or Paris.
- StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Toulouse, through Frankfurt or Munich
- Oneworld (American, British) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Toulouse, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to France for up to 90 days.
US citizens, please check with    US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the French and Swiss embassies in your country.

Vaccines
No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.
Health hazards
- Heat: protect your eyes and your skin against the sun, as it is more intense with altitude.
- Cold: plan on packing protective clothing against the cold (jackets, fleece, gloves, hat), especially in relevance to the activity.
- Dehydration: drink and nourish yourself sufficiently and correctly throughout the effort.
- Small wounds: blisters, tendonitis...bring along band aids, an antiseptic and another cream for muscle aches. They will take up a bit of room, but well worth the space.
- Altitude sickness: can be felt at around 8,000 feet and above and can come on quickly (after just one night spent in altitude). Hard to predict and varies completely from one person to another. Good hydration is necessary, progressive altitude acclimatization and Aspirin can all help in preventing the unpleasant side effects of altitude sickness.

List of equipment to be placed in your travel bag on the day of departure

For your head
- A cap or other head protection against the sun,
- A hat or sweat band
- A bike helmet

For your upper body
- 2 types of long underwear
- Warm shirt or sweat shirt
- A fleece
- A wind stopper (raincoat)

For your legs
- One (or two) good quality biking shorts with chamois leather (avoid triathlon pants).
- Long-legged biking pants
- Sweat pants
- A swimsuit

For your feet
- A pair of biking shoes
- A pair of shoes suitable for the evenings
- Sandals (not mandatory, but rather nice to put on during breaks.....)
- Sport socks

For your bike
- Developments tailored to the mountains: ask your vendor cycle, as the right choice depends on your hardware and your level of fitness.
- 2 tubes or alternative hoses
- A box of patches + glue patches
- Alternative skid brakes (unless you go with new runners)
- 1 rear derailleur cable + 1 rear brake cable
- Lubricant for chain and derailleur
- 1 pump
- A small repair kit for conventional mechanical problems.

Other
- Apair of special bike gloves
- A lock
- A dop-kit
- Shorts
- 2 bike bottles 1 liter (or camel back)
- A few plastic bags to protect your belongings
- A small individual pharmacy, sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; aspirin; Ear plugs, plus your personal medications.

Couple or group of friends with different levels
Two or more can sign up for the same circuit, even riders of different levels. Everyone reconvenes each night because accommodations are the same for all participants, no matter what their level.

Accompanying persons
This tour is open to accompanying non-cyclists who can be transferred from one accommodation to another. We offer them many visits and interesting walks during the days.

"SELF GUIDED TRIPS" USER GUIDE
This trip is a non-guided journey, also referred to as a "freedom trip". Below are the rules of the game pertaining to this type of trip:

Mountain World Travel handles the following:
- Booking accommodations that correspond to your circuit with your requested Services + and extensions.
- Carrying the luggage, via an assisting vehicle, which also serves as assistance in the event of a problem encountered by a participant.
- Providing a ROAD BOOK, including all guidance for the implementation of your program:
* The detailed itinerary, with each stage’s profile, the running mileage and the description and details of the cross roads;
* Useful contact numbers on the spot;
* A list of minimal advisable equipment, depending on the circuit;
- Providing map copies of the specific area

What you are responsible for?
The trip takes place without escort. Accordingly, in order to achieve the planned program, you must:
- Guide yourself with the road book and the copies of road maps at your disposal;
- Choose a scheduled start adapted to the length of the stages and to your own pedaling pace, leaving lots of room for error
- Inquire daily and take into account the weather conditions;
- Show up at the scheduled inns and hotels listed in the program on the mentioned dates;
- Bring along the equipment necessary to carry out the program. The equipment recommended by Mountain World Travel constitutes only the minimum necessities;
- Respect safety tips distributed by local authorities;
- Carry insurance and assistance policies with you;
- Know the basics of first aid;
- In the event of an obstacle throughout the whole program, contact Mountain World Travel’s local company representative (contact information contained in the road book). Possession of a cell phone that will operate in France is strongly recommended.

Mountain World Travel can not be held liable for any route error, misconduct, recklessness or inadequate personal schedule scheduling. Any change in the program is carried out under your initiative and is conducted under your responsibility and your expense. The circuit takes place without escort and at your own risk.

Thanks to our advice and your preparation, you can ensure autonomy on the ground, so enjoy your trip!