July 12th

Welcome

After a warm welcome upon your arrival at Pamplona Airport, our private transport will take you to our first destination, Mallos de Riglos.

Once there, we’ll settle into our 4-star hotel with a full-service spa and spectacular mountain views. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a scenic welcome dinner and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

July 13th

Medieval times

We begin our adventure by visiting Castle Loarre, one of the most spectacular castles in the region. Built on limestone in the 11th century and remarkably well preserved, it remains a leading example of Romanesque architecture within Spain.

We’ll end our morning in the storied city of Huesca, where we’ll enjoy local gastronomy in one of the most beloved restaurants in the region. Known for its traditional Aragonese cuisine, this family business has been open since 1967.

In the afternoon we’ll explore the city’s streets that have been home to Romans, Arabs and Spaniards throughout history. You’ll witness a wonderful architectural and multi-cultural mix reflective of their rich heritage.

July 14th

Jaca, city of pilgrims

We bid farewell to our hotel in Mallos and head to Jaca, a charming ski town and pilgrimage destination along the Camino de Santiago . We’ll settle into a cozy hotel in the city center, allowing us to move on foot comfortably.

Lunch will be enjoyed in one of our family’s favorite restaurants where design and tradition come together to offer an exquisite gastronomic experience. We’ll then be led on a tour of the city, learning its exciting medieval history from a trusted local guide.

Finally, we’ll tour the military fort located within one of the best-preserved citadels in all of Europe. Built in the sixteenth century, its pentagonal structure remains as impressive as it was then, with every one of its most defensive elements still accessible: moat, bastions, escarpments, barracks, powder magazines, tunnels, and its entrance accessed by a functioning drawbridge! A special art and history exhibit cap off this exciting tour through time.

July 15th

Villanúa: Town of Witches

Whether or not you believe in magic or ancient myths, the cave of the Guixas within the small town of Villanua is the perfect place to get lost in mystery and history. Home to witches between the 15th and 18th centuries, this wonderful architectural marvel of nature began to take shape during the last glaciations of the Quaternary. During our tour of this beautiful cave, you’ll learn its fascinating history and the origin of its formations, and, if we’re lucky, witness the native bat colonies that call it home throughout the year.

After our adventure beneath the mountain, we’ll explore the small town of Villanua before returning to Jaca for a truly authentic Aragonese dinner. You’re in for a treat.

July 16th

San Juan de la Peña

We will travel to the monastery San Juan de la Pena, located on top of a mountain and built under the protection of the rock at the beginning of the 10th century, thus combining history, culture and nature. We will also have the opportunity to visit the new monastery and admire the views, from one of my favorite places (view point), where we can appreciate the Pyrenees in all its splendor.

We’ll finish our visit in Santa Cruz de la Seros, home to true Romanesque jewels such as the church of Santa Maria and the hermitage of San Caprasio. Lunch will be enjoyed in a traditional family-run restaurant, famous for its grilled meats.

July 17th

Discovering Aínsa

Today we visit the medieval hilltop village of Ainsa, home of the majestic Lammergeier (bearded vulture). Nestled in between the Cinca and Ara rivers, and boasting extraordinary panoramic views of the Peña Montañesa Mountains, this beautiful village dates back to 724 AD and remains one of Aragon’s greatest gems.

Once we arrive we’ll explore the town’s charming cobbled streets with a trusted guide while learning its exceptional place in history. We’ll then visit the Ecomuseum within one of Ainsa’s castle towers, where we we’ll learn about the predominant Pyrenean flora and fauna as well as the museum’s efforts to rehabilitate and release different species of birds of prey back into the wild. We’ll even meet a few of the rescued birds!

Our eventful morning ends with a delicious meal in one of the most respected restaurants in town, located in the bustling, beautifully preserved main square (Plaza Mayor).

July 18th

Valle de Tena

After breakfast we’ll make our way to Formigal, a charming village just minutes from the French border, known above all for its expansive ski resort. On the way we’ll visit the Lacuniacha Wildlife Park, an animal sanctuary located on the peak of a mountain and home to the most characteristic fauna of the Pyrenees. You’ll have the opportunity to see various animals – bears, wolves, bison, mountain goats, reindeers, rare Eurasian lynxes, and Mongolian horses (the only wild horse subspecies that exist) – in their natural habitat as they live in semi-wild conditions.

Once in Formigal we’ll check into the best hotel in the area coveted for its panoramic mountain views as well as its full-service spa, which offers a wide variety of body treatments, facials, massages and thermal circuits.

In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner at the top restaurant in town, where its variety and quality of local products make it a favorite destination of travelers and locals alike.

July 19th

Adventure and culture

In the morning we will transfer to Panticosa, also known for its ski resort. Once there, we will cross 800m of footbridges over the Caldares River. A route of approximately 1 hour and 160 meters of altitude, surrounded by nature that will take you to a spectacular viewpoint.

At lunchtime, our transport will take us to the Panticosa Spa area, located on top of the mountain next to a lake with crystal clear waters where we will not only have the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant meal in one of the restaurants best known in the area, but we can also explore the surroundings thanks to the pleasant walk that runs along the lake.

July 20th

Crossing the border

Welcome to France. Thanks to our hotel’s close proximity to the French Pyrenees, we’ll have the opportunity to cross the border and spend the morning taking in spectacular panoramic vistas of the lush Ossau Valley and famous Pic Du Midi d’Ossau massif, the most emblematic of all Pyrenean peaks.

We’ll take a gondola from Lake Fabreges to the open-air Petit train d’Artouste, the highest narrow-gauge railway in Europe. The train will take us on a breathtaking ride along the edge of the mountain to Lake d’Artouste, where after a short hike we’ll enjoy a scenic picnic under the watchful eyes of marmots.

At sunset, we will discover the town of Sallent de Gallego, a few minutes from our hotel, where we will share a pleasant dinner and we will be able to attend the well-known music festival Pyrenees South. This event, held every year in July, brings artists, traders and travellers from all over Europe to the city. In addition, this festival offers an spectacular scenery located on the swamp of Lanuza.

July 21st

Next stop: Pamplona

After a week discovering the peaks of the Pyrenees, our driver will take us back to Pamplona, a city known for its famous San Fermin festival, where we will stay our final night. During this day we will enjoy a pleasant meal in one of the famous restaurants located in the route of the Encierro (Bull Run) in Estafeta Street, where we’ll have the opportunity to taste authentic Navarran food.

In the afternoon, we’ll walk through the streets of the city with a private guide who will explain the history of Pamplona and San Fermin, taking us along the route of the Encierro, and visiting the most emblematic places of the city such as its medieval walls and fortifications, impressively beautiful Cathedral, and architecturally unique City Hall.

To say goodbye, we’ll take you to the bars with the best pintxos in the entire old town, so we can wrap up this amazing tour together and enjoy this city full of life.

July 22nd

See you soon!

You will have time to prepare your luggage and our transports will take care of transferring you to the airport or train station at the time you need.

Unfortunately, our tour of the Pyrenees ends here, but we hope that it is not a goodbye but a until soon, and you have been able to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.

In addition, remember that in Alevia we are always working to offer an excellent service and continue to expand the variety of our tours.

Thank you so much and see you soon!