Pyrenean travel agency specializing in your hikes and treks in the Pyrenees, the GR10 and more
BASQUE COUNTRY: Maison IPUTXAINIA, 64220 ASCARAT
ARIEGE: 20 chemin de la montagne, 09000 FOIX
+33 (0)5 34 14 51 50 - +33 (0)6 10 97 16 54
The Charm and Comfort of the Basque Country
French Bask country
Guided walking
Guided Walking
7 Days
6 Nights
5 Activity Days
From 865,00 €
This easy hiking itinerary will take you to the first foothills of the Pyrenees to explore the Basque Country ! Discover the numerous peculiar villages nestling in the bottom of green valleys, and the iconic Rhune mountain.
This trip offers the opportunity to go and discover an outstanding cultural identity, walking along the coastal cliffs between Hendaye and Spain, but also from villages to ridges and forests.
Your guide, specialized in the Basque Country, will share his knowledge with you and make you discover this strong culture through the various villages that you will cross.
You will hike on the famous GR10, a path that crosses the whole Pyrenees mountain range from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, then you will follow the footsteps of St James, starting from St Jean Pied de Port like many other pilgrims.
Your guide will also give you a taste for the Basque culture and traditions, and of course gastronomy will not be left behind : Itxassou black cherry, Espelette peppers, Bayonne ham, sheep cheese... delightful rewards after the hike !
Dates and Prices
Price per person :
From 865€ to 940€
Extras :
- Single room extra : 195€/ pers
- Single room extra (JULY-AUGUST) : 225€/ pers
- Extra night in a double room (night and breakfast) : 52€/pers
- Extra night in a single room (night and breakfast): 80€/pers
- Full board accomodation from the dinner on Day 1 to the breakfast on Day 7
- Transfers
- Guiding by a mountain guide specialised in the Basque Country
- Travel insurance
- Meals that are not specified as included in the price
- Additional transfers
- Additional visits
- Drinks
Day 1 : Beginning of the holiday in Bayonne
Meeting
at 18:00 in Itxassou (or at 17:15 at Bayonne train station).
Check-in at your accomodation, a 3-star hotel with swimming pool
where you are staying for the whole week.
Welcome drink and briefing on the tour.
Day 2 : The typical villages of the Basque Country
Walking
through the villages of Ainhoa (ranked among «
the Most Beautiful Villages of France ») and
Espelette, worldwide famous for its peppers
that decorate the houses fronts : there is no better way to start
discovering the « Basque World », its culture, its
gastronomy and its green landscapes.
Distance : 12km, duration : 5h, ascent :
+490m, descent : -530m, one-way transfer :
20min
Day 3 : Incursion in Spain through the superb coastal path
Today,
you will head to Spain. Facing the Txingudi bay that separates
Hendaye and the Spanish harbour of Hondarribia, you will get to
Cabo Higuer, the western end of the Pyrenees !
From there, this itinerary that goes from cliff tops to green
valleys offers you the Basque country in a nutshell : ocean and
montains merging ! « Beach Stop » at Hondarribia
at the end of the hike !
Distance : 12km, duration : 5h, ascent :
+390m, descent : -580m, one-way transfer :
1h
Day 4 : Climb to « Larrun », the iconic summit of the Basque Country
La
Rhune (or Larrun in Basque), a 900m-high summit, overlooks
the Basque coastline and the Basque mountains on both the French
and Spanish sides. An outstanding viewpoint...
worth the climb. It is also a mountain that the Basque people have
managed to protect and where breeding is still an important
activity. NB : possibility to take the mini-train for
those who do not want to climb.
Distance : 11km, duration : 5h30, ascent
: +680m, descent : -820m, one-way transfer :
30min
Day 5 : The border-ridge and GR10 through the Mondarrain Peak
One
cannot separate the Basque Country from the GR10,
that starts on Hendaye beach. Near Itxassou, the
path goes along the ridge that symbolizes the border between France
and Spain. Today, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a
lunch in a farm, at Marie-Pierre's. A typical Basque shepherds'
lunch that will provide you with comfort and energy for the way
down !
Distance : 14km, duration : 5h30, ascent : +650m, descent :
-650m
Day 6 : On the footsteps of the Way of St James pilgrims
Today
you are going to step into the « pilgrims world », firstly with a
visit of Saint Jean Pied de Port, the
capital of the inland Basque Country but also an
important pilgrimage destination. The hike will then take you to
Spain, and you will be walking on the footsteps of a great number
of pilmgrims, that have been walking this route for hundreds of
years !
Distance : 11km, duration : 3h30, ascent : +300m, descent : -300m,
one-way transfer : 1h
Day 7 : End of your holiday.
Your holiday ends after the breakfast. For people who came by train : transfer to Bayonne train station, arrival at 9:30.
This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified. Onsite, our guides are the ones who know best and they may have to adjust the itinerary depending on the weather or should the safety of the group require it.
Welcome
On Day 1 at 18:00 at your accomodation in Itxassou (64 – Pyrénées-Atlantiques) : Hôtel*** Txistulari.
For people coming by train : meeting at 17:15 in front of Bayonne train station. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU CONTACT RESPYRENEES one week beforehand, texting: + 33 6 10 97 16 54, to book the shuttle between the train station and the hotel.
Dispersion
On Day 7 around 9:30, after breakfast.
Transfer to Bayonne train station (arrival at 9:30 at the station) for people who came by train.
Level
Nature of the terrain
Easy hikes, on good paths, the terrain is varied but often rocky.
Level 2
These trips are designed for people who are looking for active holidays. A reasonable level of physical condition is required. 4 to 5 hours of hike per day. Climbing pace* +300 m per hour.
*Be advised : these are average times that only take into account the effective walking time and do not include the stops during the hike.
Accommodation
6 nights in a 3-star hotel with swimming pool, in a double room.
www.txistulari.fr
Single room available upon request, with extra and depending on availabilities. Private car park available for people coming with their own car.
Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meals are often based on Basque specialites and include a starter, a main course and a dessert.
- Picnics are included
- Drinks are not included
Luggage porterage
Carrying
You will need to carry a day pack only (personnal equipment needed during the day and your picnic).
Group
From 4 to 15 people
Supervision
Supervision by an AMM BE special site of the region
