From the emerald green valleys near the Atlantic to the high, rocky mountains of the Pyrenees down to the Arizona-like desert of Las Bardenas and on to the abundantly fertile Ribera in the far south, Navarra offers a world of marvellous contrasts and all in an area just half the size of Wales!

Historically a region of immense strategic importance, wedged between Christian and Muslim Spain , Old Castille and Aragon and, of course, between Madrid and the French border, to this day Navarra enjoys special status and wears its noble history with pride. At its heart the regional capital Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls each year in July, is a delight to visit at any time with 16thcentury fortifications, a magnificent cathedral and, of course, host of  lively bars and restaurants.

Come and try the delicious market-garden delicacies from the south and wonderful meat from the northern mountains brought to table with a strong Basque influence and accompanied by superb regional wines you’ll never find at home. Foodies are certainly in for a real treat but so birdwatchers, hikers, cyclists, stargazers, canoers and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors!

  • Tour Highlights:
  • Baztan valley & Basque coast
  • Irati forest & Gorges of Lumbier & Arbayun
  • Las Bardenas Reales & Medieval Olite
  • Wonderful Navarran wines
  • Superb birdwatching, migratory & resident colonies
  • Historic Pamplona with its famous bull-run
  • Delicious local peppers, artichokes and asparagus
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£750 p/p

* Indicative mid-season price for 7 nights (including car hire – flights not included). Ferry-drive based on 2 people from £900 p.p. for 7 nights in our suggested hotels.

Full details (PDF)

Day 1 to 3 – North West Navarra

  • Valleys of Baztan & Bidasoa – lost in time
  • Picture-postcard villages of the French Pais-Basque
  • Hondarribia, San Sebastian, Biarritz & St Jean de Luz
  • Ride the train to the peak of La Rhune, stunning views
  • Head south for vineyards, castles & don’t miss Pamplona
Accommodation options

Day 4 & 5 – North East Navarra

  • Irati forest – immense native woodlands
  • Lumbier & Arbayun, stunning gorges with vast resident vulture colonies
  • Ochagavia & Isaba; Ori, your first 2000m mountain
  • Wonderful cheeses from Roncal & Ossau-Iraty
  • Roncesvalles, start for the Camino de Santiago
Accommodation options

Day 6 & 7 – Olite & Las Bardenas

  • Medieval Olite with its spectacular fairy-tale castle
  • Spaghetti-western desert landscape of Las Bardenas
  • Fortress villages of Ujué & Artajona
  • Boutique wineries with wines for all tastes
  • Senda Viva – a great family day out
  • Birdwatching, mountain biking, trekking…
Accommodation options

& why not...

  • Add a night or two in historic Pamplona, famous for its 'San Fermin' bull run in July but lively at any time of year
  • Add a stop in Bilbao, San Sebastian or La Rioja
  • Extend eastwards into Aragón with our Western Pyrenees Circular Tour PC5
  • Or westwards with our Wine & Mountains Tour PC4
  • Treat yourself with superior rooms, a larger car or better cabins on the ferry
  • Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!

The itinerary includes the following:

  • Accommodation in our listed hotels – 2 sharing 1 std. double ensuite, B&B
  • Economy 4dr car hire
  • Regional guide book
  • Restaurant guide covering regions en-route
  • Instructions to find all accommodation

 

Not included:

  • Flights – but we are able to advise
  • One-way car hire charges, where applicable (see your quote email)
  • The following car hire extras – these can be added at pick-up point
    • extra driver
    • child seats
    • GPS
  • Garage parking where applicable (mostly city stops) – please ask us about parking charges

Getting there

A circular itinerary  best accessed by flying in to the Basque Country (Biarritz or Bilbao)  or Zaragoza. Alternatively take the ferry travel to Bilbao (or Santander).

Flight connections from – to:

  • From Stansted:  Biarritz with Ryanair / Zaragoza with Ryanair
  • From Gatwick: Bilbao with Vueling or Easyjet
  • From Manchester: Bilbao with Easyjet
  • From Dublin: Bilbao with Aer Lingus / Biarritz with Ryanair

Please note that hire cars must be returned to their country of origin. It is therefore usually convenient to fly into and back from airports within the same country.

NB: Flights are not included

  • Ferry: if you wish to bring your own car, classic car or motorbike we can include the ferry crossings as part of the package

 

Getting around

For passengers travelling by air we will include a hire car as part of the package. Normally we include a 4 door economy class car but please let us know if you would like something different.

We will provide full instructions to arrive at each hotel, complete with GPS co-ords, as well as a touring map of the area

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