Who Are We ?
In 1984 a small walking holiday company was created, based in the beautiful Val d’Azun in the heart of the French Pyrenees. This company, named « La Balaguère » after the warm breeze that blows upwards from the Sahara to the Pyrenees, offered guided walking trips led by a small group of friends with a huge passion for the mountains.
Little by little La Balaguère expanded and more than 35 years later we help over 13,000 people every year enjoy walking and cycling holidays in the Pyrenees and further afield, to the most unspoilt areas of the world.
In 2018 we launched a new and exciting project. Purely Pyrenees is the English language branch of our business, offering self-guided and guided trips, walking and cycling from Spring to Autumn and snowshoeing in the Winter. Using our decades of experience we created a new range of holidays designed for English speakers who come, maybe for the first time, to experience the best the Pyrenees has to offer. Our focus is always to provide highlights, iconic places to visit, wonderful itineraries, authentic hotels and, of course, tremendous cuisine.
Purely Pyrenees and La Balaguère are now owned by the UCPA (Union des Centres Sportifs de Plein Air) which is a non-profit organisation in France that specialises in making outdoor sports holidays available for all. We are still based where we have always been, in the Pyrenean village of Arrens-Marsous.
We are very proud of our Pyrenean chain and of the knowledge that we have of it, amassed over years of providing guided and self-guided holidays. You can be sure that if you travel with us we will do everything we can to make sure you have a wonderful trip.
Dear customers,
Following the latest governement announcements in relation to the measures of control to be implemented in the fight against the global pandemic, all of our departures are cancelled until the 26th March 2021.
We are available to answer your questions with a reduced telephone service available on Monday and Thursday mornings on +44 207 859 4906 or +33 562 977 201 or by email at contact@purelypyrenees.com
Please see the latest UK Government Travel Advice here https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021
SPECIAL COVID-19 INSURANCE
Working with our partners Assurinco we are now able to offer our customers a multi risk insurance policy which includes cancellation, repatriation and risks associated with Covid included.
This insurance includes the reimbursement of sums incurred, not including booking fees and the cost of the insurance. A full document detailing the terms and conditions of this insurance are being
prepared, in the meantime do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A CREDIT NOTE VALID FOR 18 MONTHS FOLLOWING A CANCELLATION, HOW TO USE IT?
You can indicate that you wish to use your credit note in the "additional observations" box of the online booking process. Please don't hesitate to call us if you need help or information.
Purely Pyrenees is part of the UCPA associative group. Together, we are committed to respecting the charter of good practices in the fight against Covid-19.
Because of the added health precautions relating to COVID, you must be equipped from the start of your trip with :
* a sufficient quantity of masks (at a rate of 2 per day minimum). Wearing a mask will be compulsory during any transport, in certain accommodation, crowded places etc.
* zipped pockets for masks and other items such as used tissues
* hydro-alcoholic gel
* a thermometre to take your temperature in case of symptoms appearing during your stay
* a pen (sometimes necessary to sign an agreement in certain accommodation).
The hosts who will welcome you (hoteliers, refuge guards, restaurateurs, transporters, local teams ...) are the people who will help to guarantee the smooth running of your stay and will ask you to conform with certain health related protocols. Out of respect for them and other people who frequent the same places, we ask you to commit to respecting the instructions given to you.
Be reassured and optimistic, because as you know, hiking is an activity that will allow you long and enjoyable periods of time during which the wearing of a mask is not mandatory!
⇒ Do you fear the possible proximity to others during bus transfers ( for guided trips ) ? For some of the trips if you wish, you can bring your personal vehicle and use it throughout the week.
⇒ Regarding conditions of cleanliness, our service providers, guides, hoteliers, transporters are working hard and have put in place the measures imposed by local health authorities.
⇒ For our guided group tours, the number of participants will be limited to comply with security measures.
You will be asked to keep a reasonable distance between yourself and the other participants, which allows for conviviality, but not contagion. When it is not possible to wear a mask tours and other activities will be organised in such a way as to minimize risk.
Wearing a mask will be compulsory when traveling by public transport or minibus. Our vehicles are regularly disinfected on a daily basis.
Your guide (for guided trips only) is responsible for the safety of the group and also for enforcing the rules of hygiene during the hike. You will have to follow their recommendations and the guide will be free to remove from the group any person who refuses to comply with the rules of distancing to protect fellow walkers.
For guided trips if you do not want to share your room (and its sanitary facilities), you will, in most cases, be able to choose the single option (at an additional cost). Book early!
The mountain refuges can only open if they have implemented measures corresponding to strict prefectural standards. A personal sleeping bag will generally be required, and a mask may be required in confined spaces.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Government see the following website : https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021
We are available to answer your questions with a reduced telephone service available on Monday ( all day ) and Thursday mornings
+44 207 859 4906 or +33 562 977 201 or by email at contact@purelypyrenees.com