New Year's Eve, in the Bardenas Reales, in troglodyte houses...

Meet at 1.30 pm at Pau airport if you request it, or at 2.30 pm at the Pau train station. Welcome by our guide then transfer to Navarre crossing the Pyrenees from north to south.... Great variety of landscapes throughout the transfer. Arrival in Valtierra, at the gates of the Bardenas Reales desert. Reception and installation in troglodyte houses. 

Transfer: private vehicle, about 3:15. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch

Discover the southern part of the Bardenas Blancas, in the Rincon del Bu Nature Reserve. Through a succession of canyons in pink, ochre and grey colours where the incessant flight of vultures adds to the scenery a special atmosphere, ascent of the Balcony of Pilatos, unusual summit that offers a stunning view of the entire desert, true steppe of Arizona. Then descent through the "Valley of the Moon" and discovery of the canyon of Valfondo, superb labyrinth bordered by walls of earth.

Transfer: private vehicle, about 40 minutes. Walking time: 5 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 360 m.
Negative drop: - 360 m. Distance: about 15 km. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

From the southern part of the Bardenas, departure on the transhumance path used since the dawn of time, "la Canada Real de les Roncalles" then, among the ochre rocks of the cliffs, a small path creeps into the walls to reach the ruins of the castle of Estaca, strategic point used in the past to monitor the surroundings. Continuation by the ridge, on a ridge of clay and marl; the points of views and the landscapes are grandiose and beautiful! The cliffs, depending on the inclination of the sun, let admire their marbling in different shades of pink, grey, ochre and blue! As for the viewpoints, they offer the whole of the Bardenas Blancas with its canyons, its tormented geological formations, its maquis zones and its colourful agricultural fields... a true kaleidoscope of colours!

Transfer: private vehicle, about 50 minutes. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 300 m. Negative drop: - 300 m. Distance: 12 km approx. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
 

Departure of our hike from the northern part of the Bardenas Blancas to go to the Nature Reserve of the Vedado de Eguaras. This nature reserve is the only area of the Bardenas that remains wooded with pine with capricious forms and sometimes endemic such as Yeuse pine. The castillo (castle) of Penaflor (12th century) is hidden inside. Sublime discovery at the bend of the path... The remains of the castle are in spectacular balance on a rocky promontory and still dominate majestically the surroundings; legend says that Princess Blanca would have been locked up by her husband because of her numerous infidelities. Then climb the Punta de la Estroza (462 m), immense plateau overflowing by vultures, fabulous lookout on the vast plains and ravines of the Blanca Baja as well as on the tormented reliefs of the Blanca Alta. Descent into the Barranco Grande to discover the earth cliffs and corridors with tormented shapes... Grandiose atmosphere! For dinner, "Tapas Evening" at the friendly restaurant of Arguedas; tasting of typical dishes of Navarre and Spain in general.

Transfer: private vehicle, about 40 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive drop: + 250 m. Negative drop: - 250 m. Distance: 17 km approx. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

In the heart of the Bardenas, departure for the most characteristic canyon of this unusual desert: the valley of the Ralla. This one is emblematic both for these 2 exceptional peaks, the Rallon (500 m) and the Piskerra (468 m), and for its maze of clay dunes that compose a real labyrinth. An exceptional road, an unforgettable day.... with as a bonus the exceptional meal for the transition to the New Year.

Transfer: private vehicle, approximately 1 hour. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive drop: + 300 m. Negative drop: - 300 m. Distance: 17 km approx. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - New Year’s Eve dinner.

Note: Due to the health crisis, the New Year’s Eve dinner will take place in a room privatized to the group; it is your guide who will be in charge of the table service.
 

Transfer back to France via the pretty medieval village of Saint Jean Pied de Port. Free visit of the village and continuation to the Pau train station; arrival expected around 3pm.

Transfer: private vehicle, about 3 hours 45.

Visiting time: about 1 hour 30. 

Meals included: breakfast - lunch.

Meal not included: dinner.