Itinerary 

 

Saturday, Arrival: Auberge de Vizos

Sacha and I will greet you at the Lourdes/Tarbes airport or train station and take you to our base camp in Vizos. Settle into your room and meet Nanou, the owner of our picturesque lodge. Share the first of many homemade French meals cooked by Nanou and get to know our group. Relax with a yoga nidra practice and meditation before climbing into bed to rest before our first adventure.

 

Sunday, Day 1: Lacs du Néouvielle

Hike the chain of lakes that runs through the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve and why not jump in?! Take in the breathtaking view of the jagged peaks. Walk the same trails the sheep use and and taste their cheese when we visit the family owned fromagerie at 7,000 ft.

 

Monday, Day 2: Pic du Midi de Bigorre

Climb to the summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 9,439 ft to reach the astronomical observatory, museum, and stellar photography gallery. Sit back with a drink, take in the 360° view of the Pyrenees, and venture out onto the suspended glass walkway. Before the day is done, we will visit the apiculturist and taste local honey, a favorite for the French and a powerful Ayurvedic treatment. 

 

Tuesday, Day 3: Cirque d’Estaubet et le Lac des Gloriettes

Walk the green paths around the aquamarine Lac des Gloriettes and hike to the Cirque d’Estaubet, one of the three monolithic amphitheaters of rock in the Parc National des Pyrénées. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this cirque is famous for its wild flowers. We will connect with a local medicinal plant specialist and savor the farm-to-table dinner she prepares. 

 

Wednesday, Day 4: Cirque de Troumouse

The second amphitheater of our trip, this one will blow you away with it's immensity. Weathered cliffs imposingly come out of the grassy earth and each end curves around a gentle meadow several kilometers wide. We will bring our yoga mats and have these views as the backdrop for our practice and a leisurely picnic. Back at the lodge, we will sink into an extended meditation. 

 

Thursday, Day 5: Cirque de Gavarnie

If the previous two sites haven’t yet knocked you off your feet, this final amphitheater will. Victor Hugo described it as "the Colloseum of nature" and it is the most famous gem of the UNESCO Pyrénées-Monte Perdido site. Hike up and get misted by Europe’s tallest waterfall with its 1355 ft vertical drop, then turn around to watch wild horses graze and play below.

 

Friday, Day 6: Le Pont d’Espagne, le Lac de Gaube, et Cauterets

Listen to the powerful waterfall that flows beneath the famous stone bridge, Le Pont d’Espagne, then hike up to the emerald Lac de Gaube and observe the perfect reflection of the layered mountain on the water’s surface. After days of walking, sink into the gorgeous thermal baths and enjoy hydrotherapy in Cauterets, a historical spa town with adorable shops. 

 

Saturday, Day 7, Departure: Lourdes/Tarbes

Enjoy one last morning with our group at the lodge before Sacha and I drop you off to go your separate directions. Before you leave the area entirely, consider making arrangements to spend a day in Lourdes to visit the grotto and the chateau high on the cliff before catching your train. Or, stroll the city parks and shops in Tarbes before getting on the plane to Paris. 

 

Saying goodbye will be hard, but you can take the memories and the sense of well-being of this trip with you, to always keep in touch with what is most important.