Andorra: Jewel of the Pyrenees

Transfer from Toulouse Airport to Soldeu in Andorra. Settle in at your hotel.   

Northeast of Soldeu, the Incles valley hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna but has also managed to retain its wild character.  One of the largest valleys in Andorra, the Incles is as remote as it is beautiful with landscapes that include forests, lakes, streams and mountain chalets. 

Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in October 2020, the Sorteny Valley Nature Park has a huge diversity of flora, with more than 700 phanerogam species and more than 50 species endemic to the Pyrenees.

The Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004.  Its dramatic landscapes of craggy cliffs and glaciers offset by high open pastures and steep wooded valleys covers 10% of the principality of Andorra.  Engolasters is perhaps the most well-known of Andorra’s lakes and the remains of its original dam turbine can still be seen today.

Enjoy a free day where no walks are offered. You may wish to relax and enjoy the hotel’s spa or take the regular local bus service to the capital, Andorra La Vella. Shoppers can take advantage of the microstate’s advantageous tax rules, enjoy the famous Caldea Spa, or visit the Bicycle Museum. The Sanctuary of Meritxell combines art, religion and nature and can be reached by local bus.

Today we’ll journey southeast of Soldeu to Grau Roig. Both walks will follow the Pessons valley famous for its beautiful lakes. 

We’ll take a short transfer this morning and walk back to the hotel in the afternoon. Our final day walks take place on easier terrain, with tracks that are on compacted ground and offer spectacular views over the valley.  Today provides an opportunity for those who wish to cross the famous Tibetan Bridge (payable locally). Though it’s just a metre wide, it’s one of the longest bridges in the world at 603 metres, and comes in at 158 metres high.

Coach transfer from hotel to Toulouse Airport. 

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

Andorra does not have its own airport and is normally accessed via France, which are part of the Schengen Area.

For UK passport holders, your passport must:

• Have been issued within the last 10 years on the date you enter the Schengen Area

• Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area

When arriving in France your passport will normally be stamped on entry and exit to the Schengen Area. There are usually no routine passport checks at the Andorra border.

Length of Stay

UK passport holders can visit countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.

As travel to Andorra is via France and passport controls are limited, time spent in Andorra may count towards your Schengen 90-day allowance.