Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, you can book a private group tour! If your family or small group is interested in booking a tour, please email us to find out more about our individual tour options. If your group is less than six people, you can join an existing group if there is space available.

  • See our blog post about evaluating your fitness and skills here.

  • Athara Adventures will provide a detailed packing list for your trip when you register, but below are some basic clothing guidelines to follow.

    • No cotton (or cotton blends), even in the summer. Cotton retains moisture, which means it stays wet and cold

    • Wear wool or a wicking material that draws moisture away from the body and dries quickly

    • Make sure you are comfortable with all your gear - make sure it is properly fitted and that you know how to use it. Ideally, you have hiked with your gear previously

    • Layers - base, mid, and heavier layer. It is warmer during the day, but in the evening, temperatures can drop drastically. Mountain weather can be highly variable, so be prepared with the appropriate clothing

    • Proper footwear – broken in well in advance of the tour. Avoid tour-ruining blisters! For e-mountain bike tours, flat shoes are required

  • A packing list specific to your tour will be provided, but below is a list of basic items that are always needed on the mountain.

    • A pack specific to your activity (i.e., day hiking, biking)

    • Bivy sack or emergency blanket

    • Sun hat (for warmer months)

    • Wool hat and gloves or mittens (temperatures can fluctuate widely in the mountains)

    • Rain jacket and rain pants

    • Spare pair of dry socks

    • Warm layer of clothing (jacket or mid-to-heavy fleece)

    • Personal first aid kit (including blister dressings)

    • Neck or pocket knife

    • Headlamp

    • Water and trail snacks

    Check out our blog post about the basics for your hiking pack on the News page.

  • You will receive detailed information with recommended travel and pre-tour accommodation information when you register for an Athara Adventures tour, however Toulouse airport is usually the best. We will provide the details of the rendezvous point after booking. Some participants may choose to fly into a different airport to tour additional areas of Europe prior to their chosen tour start date.

  • Yes, it is highly recommended for a variety of reasons. First, time should be allotted for overcoming jet lag before starting on the trail. Additionally, the tour will be leaving promptly on the start date and time, so delays in travel may cause the participant to miss part of the tour and Athara Adventures cannot guarantee when or where you could join a tour in progress.

  • We recommend arriving at least one day ahead to allow time to recover from jet lag and to do any final gear preparation.

  • Please restrict your baggage to one duffel or small suitcase that is no more than 27 inches long (68 cm) and one hiking/biking backpack (the size will vary, depending on your tour). Vehicles in Europe tend to be smaller, and we need to safely fit luggage and passengers into the vehicles, as needed.

  • No, but we will send you some suggested phrases that allow you to have basic interactions with your hosts. Knowing basic etiquette and key phrases can be invaluable to creating a positive experience for everyone involved during your stay.

  • You are required to have health insurance per the guidelines laid out in our Terms and Conditions.

  • If you need to cancel your tour, you must do so in writing. The following terms apply to tour cancellations:

    • If you cancel your booking within seven days of the booking, you will be entitled to a full refund except as provided below regarding cancellations less than 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date;

    • If you cancel your booking between 173 and 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date, you will be entitled to a full refund less $500;

    • If you cancel your booking less than 120 days (four months) prior to the tour start date, you will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid by you; however, you will be entitled to a credit towards a future tour within the 24-month period after the cancellation date; and

    • Athara Adventures will have no obligation to issue any refunds if you are unable to participate in or continue with your tour for any reason after your tour has commenced.

  • Athara Adventures follows country-specific Covid safety guidelines. For international information, please visit the World Health Organization (WHO) website or the consular website for the country to which you are traveling.

  • We will stay in a combination of charming chambres d’hôtes, gîtes, and hotels, unless specifically noted on the tour page. Here is a helpful description of chambres d’hôtes and gîtes.

Learn more from our News page.

Still have questions? Email us!