Description
Highlights.
Malta offers over 300 days of sunshine each year. Deep blue warm Mediterranean water. English speaking locals to discover the history and legends of this jewel of the Mediterranean. Malta has been the destination of many films shot here because of the stunning sunlight, buildings and rugged landscape.
Day 1 – Arrival in Malta!
Arrival at Malta International Airport being met by our taxi to take you to your accommodation near St. Julian’s. You will be greeted at the accommodation by our house manager to show you your rooms and facilities. If time allows, discover Malta’s nightlife in the nearby shopping, dining and music area of Paceville.
Accommodation:
Start your adventure in Malta from the right base. Stay in our spacious, fully detached 3 storey villa just outside St. Julian’s and enjoy a private fresh water swimming pool, surrounding garden and BBQ terrace with free Wifi. You will be staying with like minded people, all out to explore the adventurous side of the Maltese islands. This is why we call it Basecamp.
Day 2 – Rock climbing in Zurrieq
Your guide(s) will meet you at your accommodation at 09:00 to take you climbing at the spectacular location of Zurrieq near the famous Blue Grotto. This is a delightful valley, one of the premier climbing spots. Probably the greatest variety of routes, both in terms of grade and type on the main island. There are easy and hard slabs, vicious bulges and power routes, even a Yosemite type roof crack. There are routes both sides of the valley, making it an ideal place to choose whether to climb in the shade or the sun – just cross the valley to chase or avoid the sun. There is time for a snack lunch and you will arrive back at your accommodation after about 6 hours climbing.
Day 3 – Rock climbing by the Victoria Lines
Your guide(s) will meet you at your accommodation at 09:00 to take you climbing in the centre of Malta in this urban valley on the outskirts of Mosta, consisting of 13 separate crags, mostly on the east side of the valley. A continuation of the Victoria Lines fortifications crosses the valley. Mosta Fort, with its subterranean tunnels, is embedded into the West side. There are excellent climbs to the right of the chapel beneath the fort. The valley’s name means Valley of Honey because it was a centre for honey production in the past. It is reputed to have been one of the most beautiful valleys on the Island and many local legends and folk songs are connected with it. Access to the crags is quick and there is a lot of good solid climbing to be found with long single pitch routes. Careful selection of the crag will have you in the shade during the summer and the sun during the winter months, whether climbing in the morning or the afternoon. There is time for a snack lunch and you will arrive back at your accommodation after about 6 hours climbing.
Day 4 – Rock climbing in Gozo
Starting early your guide(s) will meet you at your accommodation at 08:00 to take the ferry to Malta’s sister island called Gozo. Here you will you climbing in the most delightful valley Gozo has to offer. This valley offers the best selection of single pitch, middle and hard grade climbs on the islands. Both sides of this dry, twisting valley sport many brilliant routes on good to excellent rock. The valley is interestingly gorge-like. The climbing involves some of the hardest routes. Midstream is an old set of buildings, a tower, a chimney and an aqueduct that bisects the valley. Strangely this does not detract from the area’s beauty. These structures, like those at El Chorro in Spain, seem to attract a strange bemusement – is it a folly or does it have a purpose? In practice they are a disused water pumping station built during the Second World War. The aqueduct provides an exciting and useful way across the valley. The climbing involves beautiful grey/white slabs and walls. Eventually the sea is met at an exquisite cove Mgarr ix-Xini Bay. This cove is quiet (except when invaded by scuba divers) and is bounded by rock walls which entice you to traverse them. There is even a rudimentary café that has become a leading fish restaurant on the pebble beach. During this longer day there is time for a snack lunch and you will arrive back at your accommodation in the evening after about 6 hours climbing but with 2 hours travel time either direction.
Day 5 – Rock climbing by the sea
Your guide(s) will meet you at your accommodation at 09:00 to climb at one of Malta’s most picturesque locations. A sweeping arc of solid cliffs set 400m above a small fishing enclave and bathing area. The cliffs face south and catch most of the day’s sun. You can avoid this by sticking to the sheltered walls of the caves. In case of rain, dry climbing in the caves is possible. This is where most of the harder routes are. The rock can be very rough, which gives great traction in the wet. There is time for a snack lunch and you will arrive back at your accommodation after about 6 hours climbing. You can come down from the rocks a little early if you want time to swim the late afternoon sun.
