Wednesday is our day off. Guests are welcomed and settled in as usual. There are no Organised Walks and no 'Office Hour'. Packed lunches are available but there is no evening meal, although we will be happy to recommend and/or book a local restaurant.

Such is the geography of this area, that it is not possible to come here and depart on a succession of walks from the door of your hotel. In this respect the Pyrenees are different from the Dolomites, where walking from the door is more feasible. Having your own transport is therefore highly recommended as it ensures complete flexibility during your stay and on your day of arrival/departure. It also guarantees participation in our Organised Walks and, with a series of short (yet attractive) drives, you will have access to the wonderful walking areas that are near to Luz and Panticosa.

Our limited transfer service is designed so that there should never be too many people in resort without their own transport. This significantly increases the likelihood of us being able to offer transport to anyone without a car to and from Organised Walks by means of our own vehicle(s) or our guest car share system.

If you are still keen to walk independently here without your own transport, we would strongly recommend Luz as the more suitable destination, as there are a limited number of delightful itineraries from the village or by use of public transport, whereas a car is essential for independent walkers based in Panticosa.
*Please call us if you are undecided about transport and we will endeavour to help you make the right decision.

This part of the Pyrenees remains relatively under-developed: tourist infrastructure is less extensive and English is not widely spoken. This has a minimal bearing on what we do and offer. Chairlifts and cable cars are occasionally useful but the season is short and we do not deem them essential. Similarly, mountain huts and suppliers of mountain pursuits (e.g. rafting, paragliding, horse riding etc.) open on a seasonal basis. In general, therefore, apart from in July and August when the villages and mountain trails spring to life, there prevails an off-season atmosphere with a relaxed pace of life. Regardless of seasonality, Collett’s runs a full programme of Organised Walks from late May to the end of September/early October.

The busier periods of late July and early August also coincide with the highest temperatures. This makes June, early/mid July and September ideal months to walk. June and early July enjoy exquisite flora, snow-capped peaks and rivers and waterfalls in full flow. Like June, late August and September are cooler and quieter, which is ideal for walking.
* The Pyrenees receive on average 2000 hours of sunshine per year and temperatures can reach 28°C+. When hot, our Organised Walks will depart as soon as possible after breakfast, generally at around 8.30am but sometimes earlier, so that we can make our ascents in the cooler early/mid morning temperatures.

Our Organised Walks are offered on a goodwill basis to enhance your holiday. Our organisers have great enthusiasm for the area and are experienced hill walkers. They are not qualified mountain guides and you accompany them at your own risk. Similarly, whilst we endeavour to give appropriate advice to those going out independently, we cannot take responsibility for it and you accept it at your own risk. You also use our 'Ideas & Information Files' and 'Route Laminates' at your own risk. On your arrival you will be asked to sign a disclaimer to this effect, a copy of which we will happily make available to you prior to you booking. Naturally, we expect you to select itineraries that correspond with the fitness levels and experience of you and your party. On this note we feel that, unlike the Dolomites, few of our Organised Walks can be categorised as easy or easy/moderate. In the main, they are either moderate, moderate/hard or hard.

Our UK office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 7pm. (Sat 10am to 4pm). Any queries relating to passport or visa requirements should be directed to the relevant Embassy on either 0207 073 1000 (French Embassy) or visit www.ambafrance-uk.org or 020 7235 5555 (Spanish Embassy) or visit www.mae.es . For general, visa, passport and health information refer to www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers
*For further pre-travel information concerning France and Spain, refer to www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or contact the ABTA information line on 0901 201 5050 (Calls - 50p per minute)