Why not shake off the winter blues with a trip to the island of Sardinia - the latest top sun rock venue in Europe. With cheap flights, amenable weather and great rock - it's the perfect spot for an excellent week's climbing (see sardinia rock photos).
Of all the Mediterranean islands, Sardinia offers perhaps the widest variety of sport and adventure climbing across the grade range. With well protected bolted climbs even in the lower grades, it's a great place to get to grips with leading on rock or developing your sport climbing and multipitch skills whilst under expert tuition. For lovers of adventure, there are also numerous limestone gorges and great trad climbing venues all over the island.
Course VenueWe base ourselves at the well known climbing town of Cala Gonone, on the East coast of Sardinia. The area is surrounded by a large variety of crags and venues, offering great climbing across the grade range.
Sample Itinerary Subject to weather and conditions we follow the general format below:
Day 0
Sat
AM Fly from UK to Sardinia, pick up hire car and travel to Cala Gonone.
Days 1-6
Sun-Fri
Sardinia Rock. A varied and fun week of winter rock climbing.
We tailor each itinerary to group interest and aspirations, as the area is suited to a wide variety of both guided climbing and instructional/coaching activities. The typical types of climbing and activities available may include:
Single and multipitch sport climbing days.
Naturally protected adventure climbing.
Seaside bouldering.
Intro leading instruction.
Multipitch skills + tuition.
Performance lead coaching.
...and even deepwater soloing (if you're feeling brave!)
Day 7
Sat
Return to airport. Flights back to the UK.
Travel Ryanair run cheap flights from Stansted and Liverpool, Easyjet fly into Sardinia from Luton. Our final choice of flights is decided nearer the time (everyone needs to travel on the same plane though, as the airlines land at different airports!) - either way, all flights to Sardinia are cheap at this time of year. Whilst on the island, your guide will have a hire car to travel around in during the week.
Food and AccommodationThe course price includes cost of guiding & instruction only, with all food and accommodation costs being paid for seperately. For the week, we usually find it most convenient to book an apartment and split the costs between the team. We've found this to be a flexible, cost effective option which gives free choice of where to eat each night. If you'd like to stay in the apartment, then please let us know at the time you book and we will organise it - you are however free to stay wherever you want during the trip (Cala Gonone has a good variety of hotels and other accommodation options - we can supply furthur information if required).
Fitness and Experience In order to join the course you need to be regularly climbing indoors at climbing wall grade 4+ or above, or happily seconding grade Severe or harder outdoors (these are minimum grades - we team you up with someone of similar ability during the week). General outdoor fitness (see fitness level 1-2) is required for the week. The only other important requirement is that you must be able to tie on and belay safely prior to joining the trip. Regular visits to your local climbing wall or crag are recommended for suitable training and preparation.
EquipmentAll communal safety equipment (ropes etc) is provided by us. You are expected to come equiped with personal clothing and climbing equipment. For the more specialist items including harness and helmet, hire is available if needed.
