Level: Advanced. Total distance: 470k/294m. Shortest day: 25k/16m. Longest day: 91k/57m. Accommodations: Value (3-4 stars, mid-scale or casual properties).
Dates: July 4-12, 2009.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Morning meeting at the airport in Barcelona. Van transfer to Escalona. Lunch midway. Warm-up ride in the valley around Escalona. Dinner at the Hotel. Lodging - Hotel in Escalona.
Day 2: Escalona - Tramacastilla de Tena (74,5km). We start riding in Escalona, just outside the most important Spanish National Park - Ordesa. This park was created in 1918 and classified as a World Heritage site in 1997. This is the highest limestone mountain in Europe. We will be cycling through the park on a beautiful one way road. This road follows a narrow, spectacular canyon. The first mountain pass of the Tour will be an easy one, with 1423 meters, the Puerto de Cotefablo. Dinner at the Hotel. Lodging - Hotel El Privilegio de Tena ****.
Day 3: Tramacastilla de Tena-Argelés Gazost (91km). The day starts with a major climb, conquering Pourtalet (1794 mt), the actual border between Spain and France. Save some energy because after a long downhill we will climb for 17km to reach another famous Tour de France peak, the Col d´Aubisque (1709 mt). After conquering the Aubisque we will enjoy a short downhill and then enter the panoramic Cirque do Litor. The last climb of the day is the Col du Solour (1474mt). Dinner at the Hotel. Lodging - Hotel Le Miramont ***.
Day 4: Argelés Gazost-Saint Lary (90km). The day of the big challenge - the famous Tourmalet (2114 mt)! At the top of this gruelling 18km climb we will reach the highest altitude of the trip. But if you thought that would be enough for the day, test yourself with another classic, the 24km climb to the Col d´Aspin (1489 mt). Then "dive" in to the Louron valley and relax at our charming inn! Dinner at the Inn. Lodging - Le Relais de Empereur.
Day 5: Saint-Lary (25km). After some serious days of climbing you deserve a rest making use of the SPA, Sauna, Haman in Saint-Lary. But if you are feeling stronger than ever, we have a nice climb just "around the corner", the end of the 2005´s Tour stage - the Plat d´Adet. A easier ride is also planned. Dinner at the Inn. Lodging - Le Relais de Empereur.
Day 6: Saint Lary - Viella (78km). Back on the road we will head towards Spain following the exact route that was used in the 2006 Tour de France. Two major peaks will make our day quite interesting - the 18km Peyresourde (1569mt) and the 11km Portillon (1298 mt) climbs. Free night for dinner. Lodging - Hotel in Viella.
Day 7: Vielha- Llavorsi (63/81km). Today we keep following the 2006 Tour route, climbing the Puerto de la Bonaiga (2072 mt), a major hill that will be your last one, if you decide not to do the optional ride to the Tour stage finish in Baquera Beret. By the end of day we will reach the historic village of Llavorsi, the rafting capital of the Pyrenees. Dinner at the Hotel. Lodging - Hotel Riberies ****.
Day 8: Barcelona. Morning transfer to Barcelona. Free afternoon to visit this unique city. You can't miss the Gaudi´s buildings and park. Farewell dinner in downtown Barcelona. Lodging - Hotel in Barcelona.
Day 9: Morning transfer to airport in Barcelona.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Includes: All accommodations, 7 dinners with wine, 1 picnic, van support, 2 bilingual guides, transfers, A2Z Adventures t-shirt and A2Z Adventures water bottle.
Single supplement: 400€.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
France
Bicycle Touring
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