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The trip starts in Arenas de Cabrales this afternoon. Those on the group flights will be met at Bilbao Airport and transferred to our hotel, which has views up to the highest peak in the national park. **
A short drive and a short walk bring us to the start of the Rubo Gorge, where our fun day of canyoning begins. Over the course of our 3 hour descent there are 6 abseils (12m max), 6 optional jumps into deep pools, and 2 water slides. We enjoy a picnic lunch in a beautiful natural setting before making our way back to the hotel in the afernoon.
The classic Cares Gorge has been described as the jewel in the crown of Spanish hiking. For 12 km the engineered path has been blasted into the rock face. Originally built in the 1940s as part of a hydroelectric scheme, it is now one of the most popular walks in Spain. In places the surrounding peaks rise over two thousands metres above the path and if we're lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the rare and beautiful wall creeper. The path eventually emerges in the village of Cain, where we have lunch before our return along the same route to Puente Poncebos. Transport will be waiting here to take us to back to our hotel in Arenas de Cabrales.
Distance in Km: 24
Distance in Miles: 15
Activity Hours: 6-7
Altitude Gain: 300
Altitude Loss: 300
We drive 45 minutes to Arriondas for a 4 hours' downstream canoeing trip on the River Sella. The river is one of the most popular destinations for this type of activity and it has been hosting a major canoeing festival since 1930. Every year, on the first Saturday of August, canoeists from all over the world come to Asturias to take part in the Sella River race. It is full of music and colour, and has become one of the most important dates on the international canoeing calendar. Our day won't be as challenging but it will be packed with fun. Using open-decked two-person canoes we cover about 15 kms with some easy class 1 rapids en route.
Choose amongst several other optional activities such as caving and second canyoning, or take a day to relax and sightsee in the beautiful coastal towns of Asturias.
At 2,000 m, the twin summits of Mancondiu are the highest point we reach during the week. Most of the walking, apart from the last 200 m, is on disused mining tracks. The top offers fantastic views of the Central and Eastern Massifs.
Distance in Km: 11
Distance in Miles: 7
Activity Hours: 5
Altitude Gain: 735
Altitude Loss: 735
Today we will discover the pre-historic site of the Altamira Palaeolithic Caves and enjoy a thrilling caving expedition through Cueva Llonín. The adventure includes walking, crawling and squeezing between different chambers of the impressive cave, perhaps spotting bats roosting high in the roof, and using a rope to access a large chamber with two-metre-long stalactites and rare helictites. The caves are home to Palaeolithic paintings of horses, bison and deer, amongst other animals, as well as symbols and handprints. These are closed to the public, but we will learn about the creation of the paintings and the people who may have made them. On returning to the hotel, your final afternoon is free for you to spend as you like. *Please note:* The cave visited on this excursion has been dry for thousands of years and there is no risk of flooding. For those not interested in caving, there is a horse-riding option instead. Please inform us upon booking if you would prefer to go horse-riding instead of caving.
Activity Hours: 2.5
Altitude Gain: 30
Altitude Loss: 30
* 7 nights at the family-run Hotel Torrecerredo
* 5 days of mixed activities and 1 free day
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16 years
* No previous experience necessary but must be able to swim
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included.
The region has several delicious specialities for you to try while you are
staying here. The area is famous for its gold-medal-winning blue cheese,
Queso Cabrales, which is matured in some of the thousands of deep limestone
caves that dot the hills. Lesser known, but equally appealing is the local
lamb Cordero al la Menta and a wholesome bean stew, Fabada Asturiana. Fresh
fish comes from the coast at Llanes and Ribadesella, half an hour's drive
away. The local wine is very drinkable, though a glass of local cider can be
more refreshing.
*Breakfast:* Fruit juice, tea, freshly ground coffee, cereals, bread, cold
meats, cheeses and a selection of local fruit (depending on season) offered
buffet-style. There are also eggs cooked to order, sponge and Anis cake.
*Lunch:* Generally includes a large bread roll, with a choice of fillings
daily, chocolates and fresh fruit.
*Dinner:* Homemade three-course meal usually consists of soup or salad for
the first course, a choice of 3 main courses, with meat, fish, or vegetarian,
followed by a homemade dessert.
*Wine:* To accompany the evening meal, the hotel has a reasonably
comprehensive wine list available.
Over the years, the hotel has developed tasty vegetarian alternatives. Please
let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or have any other special
dietary requirements.
* 7 nights at the family-run Hotel Torrecerredo
* 5 days of mixed activities and 1 free day
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16 years
* No previous experience necessary but must be able to swim
*This trip is a Mixed Activity trip and Activity Level: 3 (Moderate).*
This is an exciting and adventurous holiday designed to put a smile on your
face as well as have your pulse racing. There is the chance to go canoeing
and canyoning, in addition to walking and caving. The cave visited has been
dry for thousands of years and there is no risk of flooding.
As with all of our mixed activity trips, no experience is required to sign up
for this holiday and those that have experience will still be entertained as
there are a wide range of levels and grades to suit all. To enjoy this trip
to the full, a decent level of fitness and agility is required. Please note
that each activity leader is fully qualified to instruct in their field and
reserves the right to refuse participation of any client on any activities if
they feel this will compromise the safety and enjoyment of the group.
Hotel Torrecerredo
Our base for the week is the lovely Hotel Torrecerredo, a small family-run
hotel in Arenas de Cabrales. It has a pleasant garden terrace attached to the
café bar and the panoramic restaurant gives views right up to the mountains
peaks. All rooms have en-suite facilities along with TV and Wi-Fi. The hotel
is situated in a rural setting, five minutes’ walk from the centre of the
village, which is well serviced with banks, cafes and shops. The hotel's
restaurant serves delicious meals all cooked with locally sourced
ingredients.
Single supplements are available (on request).
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included.
The region has several delicious specialities for you to try while you are
staying here. The area is famous for its gold-medal-winning blue cheese,
Queso Cabrales, which is matured in some of the thousands of deep limestone
caves that dot the hills. Lesser known, but equally appealing is the local
lamb Cordero al la Menta and a wholesome bean stew, Fabada Asturiana. Fresh
fish comes from the coast at Llanes and Ribadesella, half an hour's drive
away. The local wine is very drinkable, though a glass of local cider can be
more refreshing.
*Breakfast:* Fruit juice, tea, freshly ground coffee, cereals, bread, cold
meats, cheeses and a selection of local fruit (depending on season) offered
buffet-style. There are also eggs cooked to order, sponge and Anis cake.
*Lunch:* Generally includes a large bread roll, with a choice of fillings
daily, chocolates and fresh fruit.
*Dinner:* Homemade three-course meal usually consists of soup or salad for
the first course, a choice of 3 main courses, with meat, fish, or vegetarian,
followed by a homemade dessert.
*Wine:* To accompany the evening meal, the hotel has a reasonably
comprehensive wine list available.
Over the years, the hotel has developed tasty vegetarian alternatives. Please
let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or have any other special
dietary requirements.
Transport, including airport transfers, is usually by private air-conditioned
minibus.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 Days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of EasyJet (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
**
*Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Arenas de Cabrales*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Arenas de Cabrales in the
afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point
are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two
weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able
to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2
weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
You can pre-book private arrival and departure transfers through Exodus if
you wish (payable in advance). Please ensure that you provide us with all
relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure.
It is possible to reach the start hotel using the public bus network. From
Bilbao or Santander you can take the bus to Unquera, the nearest main bus
stop to Arenas de Cabrales. The journey is about 3 hours from Bilbao (€12)
and 1hr 30min from Santander (€6). You will need to take a taxi from Llanes
to the hotel, which will cost approximately €30. Please note that the cost
of a taxi from Bilbao Airport is likely to be about €200, should you
decide to make your way independently.
There can be snowfalls in the Picos as late as May, and the area is subject
to rain at all times of the year (although this typically falls in the
evening and rarely affects the walking). From early June to early October the
weather should be very pleasant for all the actvities, though it is rather
unpredictable and mists can come in from the coast. Average maximum
temperatures during these months range from 20 to 25ºC and minimum
temperatures range from 10 to 15ºC. Certain activities in the programme such
as canyoning are dependent on weather conditions. Suitable alternatives will
be offered if they cannot take place.
* Waterproofs
* Warm fleece or jumper
* Sturdy trainers or walking boots
* Sun-hat & sun cream
* Sunglasses
* Swimming costume
* Small daypack
* Refillable water bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
All the other equipement needed for the activies will be provided locally.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend
packing only one piece of checked baggage.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
For the lunch and dinner on the free day you should allow about EUR 15‐ EUR
30 for both, however, this varies on which restaurant you choose.
You will also need some local currency for extra snacks, drinks and souvenirs
bought during the week (about EUR 100 should be sufficient for this).
*Optional Excursions*
During the free day (numbers/transport permitting) you should have the
opportunity to go caving (EUR 30), climbing (EUR 35), or to the beach
(approximately EUR 15).
Although optional, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is greatly
appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution of between EUR 15 to
EUR 20 per client. It is also customary to leave a tip for the driver and the
local staff at the hotel. This can be handed in to your leader at the end of
the trip. For the local staff we recommend to budget approx. EUR 10 to EUR 15
per person.
* Travel insurance
* Visas & vaccinations
* Single supplement
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.