Andorra and The Pyrenees
Fantastic roads, spectacular scenery and great food. Our Andorra trip has it all, which is why we keep going back.
Please note: this is not a sightseeing trip. This is a riding trip, where we go in search of challenging roads through amazing scenery.
This trip is aimed at the more experienced rider who wants to discover the many different types of roads that simply aren't available in the UK.
That said, we would be delighted to build a sightseeing trip for you instead, with plenty of time to stop, soak up the atmosphere, and experience more of the local culture.
The Ride
Our circular route through France and Andorra takes us along some of the best biking roads in Europe. As you travel with us, you'll discover what everyone raves about: beautiful, traditional villages that appear untouched by time, combined with miles of smooth tarmac, sweeping bends and the occasional tight corner to keep you focused.
We'll cover around 1,500 miles during the week, so you should be prepared for some 200–250 mile days. However, the roads and scenery will make every mile worthwhile.
Each morning, we depart at 09:00 as we make our way to our next hotel. Although this trip is all about riding fantastic roads, we'll take regular breaks to stretch our legs, enjoy a coffee and refuel both ourselves and the bikes.
We aim to arrive at our hotel each afternoon between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, giving you time to relax and unwind before the evening.
You are welcome to ride with us as part of the group, or, if you prefer to travel at your own pace, we're happy to provide you with the hotel details so you can make your own way.
Evenings
Each evening, we'll eat at a local restaurant, where we can swap stories from the day's ride and plan the route for tomorrow.
Alternatively, you're free to choose your own dining style and explore other restaurants in the town.
What's Included
The price includes:
- Return channel crossing
- Shared cabin on the outbound ferry, (A private cabin on the outbound ferry is available on request at an additional cost).
- 3–4 star individual en-suite hotel rooms
- Breakfast
- Secure parking where available
Although secure parking is provided where available, we strongly recommend taking additional security measures for your motorcycle.
Group Size
To enable us to secure group discounts and keep the price as competitive as possible, the trip is based on six guests travelling with us.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip and refund any deposits paid if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Blois
Itinerary :
Day One: Caen to Blois 246 miles.
An overnight crossing from Portsmouth to Caen, followed by a cross-country ride to our first overnight stop in the beautiful riverside town of Blois.
You’ll be spoilt for choice, with a wide selection of restaurants and cafés to suit every taste.
Day Two: Blois to Clermont Ferrand 181 Miles
Leaving Blois, we head south through France towards Clermont-Ferrand.
The town is surrounded by a chain of, hopefully dormant, volcanoes and sits on the Massif Central mountain range.
And there’s plenty more to come as we make our way through this spectacular region — but more about that later...
Clermont Ferrand
The Millau Viaduct, a work of art by British architect Norman Foster
After all that, the A75 still has more to offer: the stunning British-designed Millau Viaduct.
Standing almost 900 ft above the Tarn Gorge, it was once the tallest and longest suspended road bridge in the world — until, of course, the Chinese went one better!
We’ll stop at the purpose-built service and viewing area, where you can take in the spectacular views. And, if you’re feeling energetic, there’s a short walk up to one of the best viewpoints for those all-important photographs.
From there, it’s a relatively short ride to our lunch stop, where we can refuel and prepare ourselves for some absolutely mind-blowing twisties.
Then it’s on to the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne, our next overnight stop.
Day Three: Clermont Ferrand to Carcassonne 246 miles
Day Three brings us to one of the highlights of the trip: a run down the A75 autoroute to Millau.
How can an autoroute be a highlight? Let me explain...
The A75 runs down the spine of the Massif Central and has the distinction of reaching 3,841 ft above sea level, making it one of the highest motorways in Europe.
But that’s not the whole story.
As it winds its way through the mountains, it takes on some very un-motorway-like characteristics, with sweeping bends, steep climbs and dramatic descents. At one point, the road drops around 2,000 ft in just six miles.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that the route has various restrictions for LGVs and vehicles towing caravans.
For us, however, it makes for a spectacular section of road — and a very memorable ride to The awe-inspiring Millau Bridge.
A75
Not your average Motorway
I
Day Four: Carcassonne to Andorra 100 miles
As we begin our approach to Andorra, we’ll see the Pyrenees rising ahead of us.
Even reaching the Andorran border involves a stream of mind-bending hairpins, giving us an early taste of what’s to come.
We’ll stop in Andorra la Vella for lunch before heading out on a breath-taking run over the Col d’Ordino, before returning to Andorra la Vella for our overnight stop.
This is the kind of route that challenges your riding ability while demanding that you take in the spectacular scenery — all whilst wearing an increasingly silly grin!
Day Five: The Hill Fort at Carcasonne
A typical Andorra Road
It would appear that no one can build a straight road in this part of the world !
The Col d Ordino. How many hairpins do you want ?
Day Five. Andorra to Agen 180 miles
Leaving Andorra, we head north through France towards the picturesque riverside town of Agen, where we’ll stop overnight.
With the day’s riding behind us, there will be plenty of time to relax, swap stories and discuss the day’s adventures over dinner.
La Rochelle
Great food and not a bad view either ?
Day Seven. La Rochelle to Caen 248 miles
Leaving La Rochelle, we head north through France towards Caen for our late-afternoon crossing back to Portsmouth, arriving at around 21:30.
On the ferry, we can look back on the highlights of the trip, share our favourite moments and, perhaps, start planning the next one!
Important Information:
The itineraries shown should be considered a guide only. We reserve the right to alter the route due to weather, travel or time constraints. Routes may also be changed by majority vote of the participants.
So how much will this amazing trip cost ?
Single traveller with en-suite hotel room £1350 per person
Pillion sharing a hotel room with their rider £850 per person
A Non-refundable 50% deposit (per person) is payable at time of booking and the balance is due a minimum of 10 weeks before start of the tour.
The tour price includes
- Return Ferry / Eurotunnel crossing (including shared cabin on overnight ferry crossings)
- 3 / 4 star en-suite hotel rooms including buffet breakfast
- Sat Nav co-ordinates for each hotel
- Route plans if you require them
- Hotel Parking (where available)
The tour price excludes
- Petrol
- Toll charges (vignette)
- Admission charges
- Meals other than those specified
- Any fines (if you are being silly)
- Travel / Medical Insurance
- Breakdown / Recovery Insurance
The Small Print:
Although we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary detailed above; we reserve the right to make changes where necessary.
ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any traffic, road or weather conditions on each day of travel. ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any delays in your channel crossing to or from the UK, whether caused by bad weather or any other circumstances. In the event of delay you will be responsible for providing your own meals and accommodation.
ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any additional costs incurred, should you decide to change your hotel or ferry bookings from those booked by us. ECM Tours reserve the right to request you leave the tour if your behaviour both on the road or at the destinations is considered to be dangerous to others or disrespectful to the other members of the tour or to the residents of the places we visit. In this situation all further hotels reservations will be cancelled and NO Refund will be issued
Your Vehicle:
You are responsible for your own motorcycle, the manner in which you decide to ride and for your pillion passenger.
You are required to ride within the law in any country visited.
ECM Tours will not accept any responsibility for violation of the law.
As we will be traveling through France, it is recommended that you purchase a 'Crit Air certificate' this the French equivalent of the ULEZ charge in the UK and it covers many cities throughout France. We will be happy to provide information on how to do this.
Valid motorcycle insurance is your own responsibility and must be valid for the duration of the tour. Although most comprehensive policies provide European cover, you are required to let your insurer know when you will be travelling abroad.
You are required to take out your own European motorcycle breakdown / recovery policy.
ECM Tours accept no responsibility for transporting you, your bike or your pillion to any alternative destination in case of breakdown or accident. Furthermore, in case of your motorcycle breaking down, the cost of any repair or service will be solely the responsibility of the rider.
You must carry your driving license, insurance certificate, current MOT and vehicle registration document (V5) at all times.
Travel / Medical Insurance:
Travel & Medical insurance is your own responsibility and must be valid for the duration of the tour and must cover holiday cancellation, accident, illness and death. Please check that you are covered to ride motorcycles abroad as many travel insurance policies only cover up to 125cc. Motorcycling is usually listed in the Dangerous sports section of the policy small print.
Passport:
All travellers should carry a valid passport at all times.
There must more than 6 months left after your return to UK. Please Note: Most foreign countries ignore the expiry date and count ten years from the issue date.
Non-UK passport holders must ensure that they meet all visa requirements for the countries included in the chosen tour.
Refunds:
The trip is based on a minimum of six guests travelling with us, if the trip is not filled it may be cancelled and in this case ONLY; all monies paid will be refunded.
If you decide to leave the tour or change your travel arrangements / channel crossing for any reason; ECM Tours cannot accept responsibility of refunding any money.
We also reserve the right, in any circumstances, to cancel your booking, giving you eight weeks’ notification and a full refund of all monies paid, unless the circumstances are beyond our control.
Refunds will not be made in the following situations: war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire, technical problems to transport, closure or congestion of ports, cancellations or changes to schedules by carriers ceasing to operate due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons and similar events beyond our control or where we cancel because you fail to pay the balance of your holiday cost.
Day Six. Agen to La Rochelle 180 miles
Today we continue across France to the stunning seaside town of La Rochelle, known throughout France as one of the best places to sample fresh fish and seafood.
However, fear not — there are plenty of other options available for the carnivores among us!
With the riding done for the day, we can enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful harbour town and make the most of our final evening in France.
Agen