THE OVERSEAS 4X4 ADVENTURE SPECIALIST www.ardentoffroad.com
BALKANS
THE ROAD TRIP OF ALL ROAD TRIPS! This is without doubt the trip of all trips, and not one to miss out on. Visit 6 countries, 4 capital cities and experience scenery and off-road tracks like you have never seen before. The culture and history in the cities, towns and villages you will pass through is second to none, as you travel through these countries situated so close to us, on the very edge of Europe, yet so far removed from what we are used to. You will experience small villages which are lost in a forgotten time and filled with history and remnants left over from the war. You will travel through the Tara Canyon which runs through Montenegro, Herzegovina and Bosnia. It is among one of the deepest river canyons in Europe and stretches into the Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. High on the mountain tracks the views are incredible, over vibrant blue reservoirs, lakes and lush green mountain ranges. We will visit huge
waterfalls, gushing down the valleys and you will get the chance to take a dip in the clear rivers. This trek will take you through 6 countries in total, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro. You will have the chance to dine along the banks of the River Danube and explore the stunning countries and their fascinating history. Starting at Ljublijana and finishing in Trieste. 600 miles of trails and 2000 miles in total. 4 x 4 vehicles with a full size spare wheel are suitable for this trek. This is a hotel based trip, including accommodation at interesting and unusual hotels along the route and a 3-course meal on the last night.
MOROCCO CAMPING
Morocco is one of the most colourful, incredibly stunning and friendly places on planet Earth. For those who have not yet visited this vibrant country you will be blown away by the vast landscapes and towering mountain ranges. Beginning in the blue and white city of Chefchaouen where all the buildings in the old town are a stunning blue, you will have the chance to explore the small winding streets, past quaint shops until you reach the main square, filled with places to sample the Moroccan cuisine. From Chefchaouen you will then head into the Rif Mountains and into the Cedar Forests, where you will experience your first real night under the Moroccan stars, wild camping. Next on the agenda is the Plateau de Rekkam. This is where the true adventure begins! The Plateau is the ‘empty quarter’ of Morocco, where you will see your first herds of camels as they make their way through the dried-out river beds and past the Bedouin camps. From here we travel on a night to a night in Rekkam Boudnib.
You will have the chance to experience the real sand dunes in Erg Chebbi, and the Oasis before spending the evening camping next to the dunes, a true Moroccan experience! From the dunes, we head towards Tinerhur at the head of the ‘Gorges du Todra’ where the next day you will drive down the gorge (weather dependant). We take time as we begin to head north to visit the bustling city of Marrakech, with its interesting little shops inside the Medina, selling all sorts of wonderful things. You must take the chance to visit the famous Jemaa El Fnaa in the centre of Marrakech, where the smells, sounds and sights will fascinate you as you explore the large medina. It is a must that you stay until dark and find a cosy spot in one of the rooftop restaurants so you have the perfect view to watch the market transform. Relax and watch the street performers and pop up restaurants fill the market with delicious food and authentic music. Morocco is full of many ways of life, from life in the cities to the quiet, simple lifestyles of those who live in the small towns and villages of the mountains.
MOROCCO VIP
Want to experience Morocco but don’t want to camp? Then this bespoke holiday would be perfect for you! We land in Tanger Med on the ferry from Spain. After, by Moroccan standards, relatively smooth immigration procedures, we head South for the short journey to Moulay Bousselham, for your first night in Morocco. Staying at a stunning Hotel on the coast with views of the ocean and sunset from the rooftop terrace. From there we travel via motorway to Marrakesh. You will get the chance to experience the famous Souk in the heart of the city whilst spending two nights at one of the epicentres of the overlanding world.
We then begin our journey south into real Morocco along one of the best mountain roads in the world. From here you will then journey further south to the town of Tata before starting to head back north through the High Atlas Mountains, down river beds and along incredible canyons. You will experience the small villages and oasis along the way, and will also have the chance to visit Volubilis, the site of the Roman Ruins in Morocco. For two weeks you will be staying the best accommodation, hidden away luxurious Riads, Moroccan themed Bedouin tents and Parador hotels in Spain. The perfect opportunity to relax and experience Morocco while we take care of the rest.
PYRENEES
ARAGON AND NAVARRA The starting point for this journey is Saint Jean Pied de Port and ends in Ainsa in the East of the Aragon region. Its walled centre on a hill provides great views over the valley, the area we will be travelling through. From Ainsa we drive to Abrigos del Tozal de Mallata, with interesting cave drawings. In these mountains live large colonies of eagles, vultures and condors, whose shadows pass regularly over our cars. We descend into the Sierra de Guara, where the rivers and trees provide coolness. The village of Alquezar is the pearl of the Guara, though some might say it’s too polished, its restoration to perfect. Villages we travel through that have kept more of their authentic charm are
Rodellar, Colungo and Nocito, inviting us to stop for a fresh drink in the shade. As we drive on, spectacular rock formations greet us in the Sierra de Loarre. Near Ayerbe the Castle Loarre sits high on a mountain guarding the Pyrenees from invaders from the Plains. It is a spectacular backdrop to our overnight stay. As we continue, the landscape opens up, becomes drier, culminating in the desert of Bardenas. This is a breath-taking area; you feel as if you’re no longer in Europe and to some it is the highlight of the journey. From there we drive up north again into the mountains to St, Jean Pied de Port, where we will see many walkers heading for Santiago de Compostella along the famous Camino.
LES TO ANDORRA Visit attractive villages such as Tirvia, Burg and Vilemos as you travel across the famous Smuggler’s Route into the Pyrenean mountains. We cross the Col de Meners, Pic d’Orrie, Col de l’exoil, Col de Varrados. The tracks lead through a vast variety of landscapes: from picturesque meadows to forests and rough mountains. The shadow of griffon vultures will pass over our cars.
1 or 2 Week Trek
1 or 2 Week Trek
On the journey you will be travelling over high altitude passes, where there may be snow blocking our way. This will be dependent on the weather and the time of year we are travelling. The Pyrenees is one of the most fascinating mountain ranges in Europe, where you will discover stunning scenery, rough landscapes, abandoned villages and areas of vast emptiness.
PYRENEES
COAST 2 COAST CAMPING Those of you who have already been to the Pyrenees will agree that it is one of the most fascinating mountain ranges in Europe. At a glance the map of Europe shows the barrier the Pyrenees mountains create between France and Spain; the range is 250 miles long and along the way you encounter glaciers, lakes, rivers, woods and deep canyons. Along with the impressive nature, there are many stunning villages and interesting towns. As so often in the remote parts of Southern Europe, some of the villages we pass through have been abandoned, leaving skeletons of houses, often overgrown by trees and plants and pots and pans remain as reminders of their former inhabitants. Our route includes a wide variety of terrain, as we follow the ancient pilgrim route along this stunning mountain range. Starting in the picturesque town of St Jean Pied de
Port, situated at the start of the Santiago De Compostela we head towards Pamploma and to the edge of the Bardenas Reales, which must be seen to be believed! We head along the edge of the Bardenas, then onto tracks which take us up into the mountains past Castle Loarre, roman viaducts and Abrigos del Tozal de Mallata, where we can view the prehistoric cave drawings. From here we join the famous Smugglers Route which we will follow into Andorra through narrow valleys and mountain passes. Finally dropping back into Spain, we then pick up the trail to take us down towards the Mediterranean and through the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone National Park. From here we then make our way via Pau where the views of the mountains are exceptional, to eventually finish our journey in Santander where we will board the ferry back to the UK.
GALICIA
NORTH WEST SPAIN Galicia is a Spanish province set just above Portugal, where the Atlantic meets the Bay of Biscay. It is particularly wild and rural. You’ll drive through small villages and towns and wonder where all the people are and you will see stunning Galician Pazos - some abandoned or rebuilt as rural hotels. The area is stunning, with everything on offer. Mountain treks, forests, rivers, rock crawling and quite a lot of foliage, so you may need to consider protecting your paint work with a wrap (you can contact us via sales@ ardent-adventures.com for more details on wraps). We will travel through the Sierra de San Mamede – even in winter the colours of the flora are still there, pinks, purples, and lots of bronze and golds. The canyons offer beautiful gorges carved out by the Rio Minho, planted terraced vineyards, dotted with small hermitages virtually inaccessible. The forests are often eucalyptus and chestnut or cork and the tracks are immersed in ferns and it’s not uncommon
to come across Galician ponies living freely in the mountains. The coast has a different vista – the ocean edges planted with pines and the tracks are easier to travel, but no less stunning. We mix Spanish owned hotels that are different in style each night, offering their own speciality whether it’s the decor or the food, or the bars and restaurants around them. They can even be old monasteries used by the Pilgrims on route to the Santiago De Compostela. This is a testing route, in fact in winter we may have to re-route several times, due to weather conditions.
THE ALPS You will get the chance to drive some of the most amazing roads in Europe, as well as the off-road tracks. These roads include; the Col De Galibier, famous for its part in the Tour De France; the Col De La Bonette which is the highest tarmac road in Europe; and the Col de Turini a Monte Carlo Rally stage and voted by Top Gear as one of the top 10 roads in the world! What a tour it is, with 4 days of off road tracks which ascend the peaks. through tunnels, along high mountain tracks and past Napoleonic Forts as we travel the Fort Central Route and negotiate the Salt Road along the Italian border. You will also get the chance to drive some of the most amazing roads in Europe. Including the Col Du Galibier; famous for its part in the Tour Du France, the Col De La Bonette; the highest tarmac road in Europe and of course the
Col De Turini, Monte Carlo Rallye stage and voted by Top Gear as one of the top 10 roads in the world! What more could you ask for? As always in Europe, there will be no more than five participating cars. Alongside the natural beauty there are many historic towns, bridges and churches, particularly when we follow the ancient routes. We’re always sure to stop and take time to admire all we see – to get out of the car and enjoy the scenery.
Manor House|Chapel Lane|South Duffield|YO8 6SY Telephone: 01757 638479|email: sales@ardent-adventures.com