7 days / 6 nights
Active
Private Group
Kingdoms of Navarra
Each year, Pyrenean shepherds herd thousands of sheep down the slopes of the Navarran Pyrenees to graze in the desert for the winter. The family shepherd’s way is a journey pays homage to this ancient culture of nomadic pastoralism and follows the shepherds seasonal route. Taking you from the lush mountain woods of the Irati Forest to the stark plains of the desert below, we follow the nomads; route on two wheels, venturing deep into the history, culture, and gastronomy of the region along the way.
April, May, June, September, October, November, December
This enchanting territory and our immersive adventure tours are well worth the discovery, but if you really want to find out how to make your vacations unique, special and memorable, you will have to join us on one.
All year round.
We customize to fit with fabulous experiences, the comfort of great accommodation, out-of-this-world gastronomy and a chance to discover this spectacular region.
Our family shepherd’s way electrified begins with a meet and greet welcome, a chance to size up your bikes to fit and take you for a spin in direction the Navarra Pyrenees. Our cycling journey begins with a gastronomic experience of show cooking in a private gastronomy club where we learn how to make, and then enjoy, traditional Navarran dishes.
Food: Aperitif and dinner
Travel: Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 4,3 miles / 7 km
Afternoon Pleasures: Culinary Evening at our private gastro cultural club
Today, we cycle the family shepherd’s way from the hotel and begin winding our way up through the gorgeous Navarran foothills, crossing the Lizoain Valley, travelling eastward to where the Pyrenees begin. The trails in this region connect quaint Navarran villages and hamlets. Riding on ancient Roman roads, we go to where the Spanish section of the Camino de Santiago trail starts at the French border, all the while passing through numerous picturesque towns.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portion of Pamplona to Burguete
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 814 meters
Afternoon Pleasures: Visit of the Roncesvalles Colegiata where the Camino de Santiago commences
We head to the site where many numerous and dramatic historical events occurred over the centuries. From there we leave behind the green hills and pastures cycling into one of the most important beech forests in Europe. There is a magical atmosphere that permeates the dense forests and meadows we are surrounded by pure nature of the Pyrenees. The Romanesque Sanctuary of Muskilda is a stopping place on our great descent to the picture perfect village of Ochagavía. For more than 300 years, on September 8, this sanctuary has witnessed the primitive dances of the Danzantes de Ochagavia, one of the most emblematic and ethnographically important dances in Navarra. Dinner is a culinary classic in an authentic cider house, a meal of outstanding cuisine with chorizo, salt-cod with peppers, char-grilled steaks, and unlimited glasses of wheat-coloured cider.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portion of Roncesvalles to Ochagavia
Sleep: Rural Boutique
How far: 16 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 714 meters
Afternoon Pleasures: Visit of the Muskila and take part in the 300 year dance tradition of the Danzantes de Ochagavia
Upon reaching the intermediate stage of our trip, we pedal from the mountains to the central region of Navarra, offering a subtle transformation of contrasting landscapes and colors. Riding through historic trails, monuments from past eras, as well as notable contemporary sites. We enter the most medieval Navarra region, where kings and queens fought for dominance over the territories of Spain. We see some of the most impressive examples of regional medieval architecture, including a visit to the beautiful Monastery of Leyre cradle of kings formation we will visit the well preserved underground crypts of Navarra royalty.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portions of Ochagavia to Monasterio de Leyre
Sleep: Authentic Monastery Hotel
How far: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 514 meters
Afternoon Pleasures: Enjoy the Gregorian chants mass and take a journey through the history of Navarra, reflected in this monumental complex that holds many of the secrets of the Old Kingdom.
The changes in the landscape that we see along the family shepherd’s way electrified become more dramatic as we glide from lush green woods and hills to the warm golden plains of southern Navarra. Continuing on, we enter an even more arid terrain which is rich in medieval history. We visit the 10th century Castillo de Javier, where Navarra’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier, was born and lived in the 16th century. From there, we enter the Bardenas Reales, one of Europe’s only deserts and its truly spectacular, almost surreal landscape. Your hotel is winner of six architecture and interior design awards.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: The best portions of Leyre to the Bardenas Reales UNESCO park
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
How far: 13 miles / 22 km, elevation gain: 284 meters
Afternoon Pleasures: A trillion stars desert walk
The Bardenas desert boasts unique formations and abruptly changing landscapes, forming canyons and plateaus molded by a famous dry wind called the cierzo. The many layers of reds, golds, oranges and white reveal the erosion of clay, chalk and sandstone over many geological eras. We finish our journey in Tudela. Take time to explore the hotel or the beautiful old town, which was once the medieval crossroads of Christianity, Islam and Judaism in Spain. The theme of the afternoon is all things southern, and our meal is no exception—we’ll dine on Navarra’s prize produce of the south: vegetables grown in the hotel’s organic garden and from nearby Tudela. Growing outstanding fresh produce is the pride of this region and its gastronomy.
Food: Breakfast, on-the-road lunch, dinner
Travel: Cross the Bardenas Reales UNESCO park to Tudela
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
How far: 21 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 284 meters
Afternoon Pleasures: Visit this historic city that has been inhabited from the paleolithic to the times of Muslims, Jewish, Mozuarabe and Cristians.
After a fine breakfast, you will be transferred to Pamplona city center. We’ll assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or train station for your onward travels.
Food: Breakfast
Travel:Tudela to Pamplona
* NST itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
At the gates of the Irati forest, the second largest beech tree forest in Europe, this quaint pre Pyrenee hotel is in the heart of the commencement of the Camino de Santiago. It is a charming oasis from the cities and town and an excellent base from which to visit numerous attractions in the Orreaga – Roncesvalles valley.
AC Hotel Ciudad de Tudela is in part an 18th century historic building once called Casa de Beneficencia. This hotel is in the historic quarter of charming Tudela. We are in walking distance to the Muñoz Sola Modern Art Museum and a visit to the Marqués de San Adrián Palace. After a great ride, the sauna and Turkish bath hits the stop.
This exquisite and very unique hotel is within the National Park Bardenas Reales which is Navarra’s wonderland desert. This is an oasis from the desert terrain with a chance to lean back, relax and watch a zillion stars, a brighter moon and the spectacular Architecture of this outstanding hotel.
This charming hotel is within an authentic Benedictine monastery and forms part of a complex that is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and art. The Monasterio de Leyre is one of the most important monuments in Navarra. It is an outstanding out-of-the-box destination and one of the treasures of our adventure into the Kingdoms of the North.
Located in the center of the capital of the province of Navarra, Heart of Pamplona Apartments are ideal for visitors to Pamplona, Navarra or the Basque Country. HOP apartments are located right by all the necessary services for a pleasant stay. They are silent corners in the middle of lively streets, in the most popular areas of restaurants and bars.
Stephanie, the dynamo of our organization, is a Canadian who has fallen in love with this region of Spain. She is enterprising, innovative and has an endless amount of energy to design unique outstanding travel plans, making her passion her profession. She has the firm conviction that until the product standards are exceptional, they should not be offered.
“Our goals are two: one is to dazzle our visitors and another is to share with them what we find so extremely enchanting about this region of Spain”.
Oliver is our greatest ambassador of Pamplona. Oliver has it all: charm, conversation and deep knowledge of his Basque culture. You will feel like you’ve made a new friend during one of his energetic tours. Oliver is always on the beat searching for the perfect pintxo and exciting, outside-the-box experiences. He is dedicated to designing the most exclusive events for our guests, such as the Hemingway to the Basque Coast tour, or a walking tour of the Running of the Bulls course with an international bull runner. He knows the all the best destinations and activities on the off-the-beaten cultural track.
“This is our essential hallmark that sets us apart from any other events agency”.
