Pyrenees Mountains Small Group Day Tour from Barcelona
Highlights:
- Full-day small group tour by minivan to the Pyrenees
- Visiting the historic town of Vic and its cathedral and market square
- Personalized small group and commentary
- Riding the rack railway from Queralbs to a stunning mountain valley
- Hiking, horse riding, boating and other activities
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Transport by comfortable air-conditioned minivan
The only day tour from Barcelona that takes groups into the Pyrenees mountains.
This is a wonderful chance to step foot in the spectacular Pyrenees mountains and take the mountain train up to nearly 2,000 metres (6,000 feet).
First port of call is the beautifully maintained mediaeval town famous of Vic. It's well know for it's bustling market, old quarter, and traditional way of life.
Before lunch, we head up into the Pyrenees, first stopping at the stone-built village of Queralbs, from where we catch the rack railway high into the mountains.
Full tour description:
This is a perfect tour for anybody wanting to truly escape the city and immerse themselves in nature. Not to mention that you'll also be visiting one of the world's most famous mountain ranges.
We leave Barcelona at 8:30am from our city centre office opposite the famous Palau de la Musica moument. Very quickly, we leave the city behind us as we head north.
Our final destination may be the mountains, but on all of our day tours we try to include as much variety as possible. Just an hour from Barcelona, and half way to the Pyrenees, we stop for a short break in the ancient town of Vic.
In keeping with our philosophy of giving you as much time as possible to explore on your own, we head first for the Market Square where we will give you an introduction to the town and suggestions of what to see.
You'll have plenty of time to stroll around the town centre taking in the cathedral (a mixture of styles ranging from Romanesque to neo-classical), and some magnificent renaissance and baroque buildings; or to simply relax while having breakfast in the heart of the town: a beautiful arched square (one of the biggest in the country) where the market and other major events are held.
Our visits to Vic coincides with traditional market days, something which has been taking place every week for over a thousand years!
From Vic, we continue up to the Pyrenees. Before we board the train, we will briefly visit Queralbs, which, at an altitude of 1,236 metres, is the last vehicle-accessible village on the way up to our mountain valley destination.
This tiny mountain village has a population of only 200 permanent residents living in a rambling collection of traditionally built stone houses. Perched on the side of the mountain, this impossibly quaint, picture postcard beautiful hamlet is one of the most memorable parts of the day.
Here, you will also be able to see the Church of Sant Sadurní de Fustanyá, built from stones so perfectly-hewn that legend says it was built by the fairies and witches said to inhabit the surrounding caves.
From Queralbs, we take the last 6km of the impressive rack railway up to an altitude of 1,964 metres and into the stunning mountain valley of Vall de Núria. Thanks to the mountain railway, you’ll be able to get high into the mountains with no effort at all.
If you love hiking, then ask the guide to show you some routes, there's something for everyone - from the hard and strenuous to light and easy. You'll have plenty of time to hike well away from the valley and truly experience the solitude of the mountains.
In the valley you’ll also find the sanctuary, originally built to house pilgrims to the valley, and which takes its name from the Virgin de Núria. Her image, buried in the earth, was reputedly unearthed by a very persistent ox!
In the valley, you can enjoy the unspoiled scenery, sharing it with unusual birds and animals ranging from Gryphon vultures to chamois, and golden eagles to marmots, and take one of the many different walks, of varying levels of difficulty, or you can try horse riding, open air bowling, archery lessons, crazy golf, or boating on the lake. If that seems too energetic, another option is to enjoy some of the traditional Catalan dishes available in the valley’s restaurants.
From Queralbs, the return to Barcelona begins, arriving there at 7:30pm.
**Please note: Annual track maintenance on the rack railway from Queralbs means that the line is closed between Mondays and Fridays from November 1 to November 30. On these days, the tour will run to an alternative itinerary that involves accessing the mountain valleys by road or hiking at a lower height. These changes will in no way take away from your Pyrenees experience.
Terms and Conditions
GO2 Barcelona Travel Media Services SL ("the Company") accepts your ("the Customer") booking under the following terms and conditions. Payment Reservations will only be confirmed on receipt of full payment. Cancellations and Refunds The Company reserves the right to cancel any tour where the minimum number of passengers required is not reached. In such cases the limit of the Company's liability to the Customer is the return of any monies paid. Where the Customer cancels the tour reservation then the effective date of cancellation will be the date the Company receives written notification. In the event of cancellation a charge,as detailed below, shall be payable by the Customer. Charges For 1 Day Sightseeing Tours a) Cancellations 24 hours before the travel date are free of charge. b) Cancellations less than 24 hours before the travel date will be charged 100%. Alternatives/Cancellations While the Company shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and details as planned, the Company reserves the right to alter itineraries or transport for whatever reason. The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any person whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offence or upset to other passengers. In such cases full cancellation charges apply and the Company shall have no further liability to that passenger. Other operators/carriers The Company will not accept or have any liability for any acts or omissions whether negligent or otherwise of any supplier or person providing services in connection with any tour unless such a person is employed by or under the direct control of the Company. Tickets for travel on other carriers are subject to the normal conditions of carriage of the individual carrier. Luggage Unless otherwise notified passengers are restricted to one medium sized suitcase/bag and one carry-on bag per person. Luggage is carried free of charge but at the passenger's own risk. Insurance The Company strongly recommends that passengers arrange suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance. Smoking Smoking is not permitted on coaches but there are frequent stops en route for passengers who wish to smoke. Financial Protection In accordance with the EU Directive on Package Travel all customers monies are held in trust until such time as the tour has been completed. Force Majeure The Company does not accept any liability for any loss, inconvenience or damage caused by war, threat of war, riot or civil commotion, terrorist or criminal activity, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fires, sickness, weather conditions, road or traffic conditions, temporary technical, mechanical or electrical breakdown within booked accommodation, explosion of, or radioactive contamination from, any nuclear facility or other events beyond the control of the Company.