A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra
Our A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra field courses are meticulously designed to deepen students’ understanding of physical geography, with a focus on glacial landscapes.
The A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra program emphasizes connections between theory and practice, equipping students with advanced fieldwork skills essential for coursework and assessments.
Curriculum Alignment
- Physical Geography:
- Glacial processes and landforms: In-depth study of erosion, transportation, and deposition. Exploration of corries, moraines, roche moutonnées, and hanging valleys.
- Biodiversity and human impacts: Assess the interactions between natural glacial environments and human activities like skiing and agriculture.
- Climate Change: Investigate glacial retreat and paleo-glaciation evidence.
- Geographical Skills:
- Advanced field sketching, mapping, and ARCGIS for analyzing landforms.
- Data collection techniques: sampling strategies, compass use for striation analysis, and biodiversity assessments.
- Statistical analysis and GIS integration to interpret field data and develop coursework.
Activities for A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra
Each activity directly supports the A-Level curriculum by incorporating fieldwork methods, geographical theories, and data analysis.
Day One
- Introduction to Fieldwork and Glacial Landforms:
- At Port d’Envalira, students engage in map reading and identify key landforms such as corries and U-shaped valleys, laying the foundation for the study of glacial processes.
- Skills: Field sketching and initial observations of glacial processes like plucking and abrasion.
Day Two
- Field Investigation: Glacial Deposits and Biodiversity:
- Study moraine fields at La Portella to determine glacier flow direction using striation and chatter mark measurements.
- Comparative analysis of biodiversity and soil compaction on ski runs versus undisturbed areas.
- Skills: Quantitative data collection, soil sampling, and plotting striation data to visualize glacier movement.
Day Three
- Macro-Scale Landform Evidence:
- Explore the Incles Valley and Cabana Sorda Corrie, analyzing features like lateral moraines, recessional moraines, and roche moutonnées.
- Use ARCGIS to map glacial landscapes, linking theory to digital tools essential for coursework.
- Skills: Mapping and interpretation of glacial landform sequences.
Day Four
- Terminal Moraines and Paleo-Glacial Evidence:
- Study terminal moraines and paleo-lake deposits near Andorra La Vella. Analyze how past glaciation shaped the landscape and its influence on human settlement.
- Opportunity for cultural exploration in Andorra La Vella.
- Skills: Use of GIS and cross-disciplinary connections between physical and human geography.
Key Benefits for Students
- Fieldwork Mastery: Equip students with practical skills in data collection, analysis, and GIS applications critical for A-Level coursework.
- Critical Thinking: Develop hypotheses and conclusions about glacial processes and their impacts.
- Interdisciplinary Learning: Link glacial geography with biodiversity, sustainability, and human impacts.
Our Soldeu field course provides an unparalleled opportunity for A-Level students to engage with glacial environments, ensuring an enriching, curriculum-aligned experience that fosters academic success and a deeper appreciation for physical geography.
A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra
- Duration: 4 days 3 nights
- Board: Full board
- Passengers: 40
- Free Staff Places: 4
Accommodation
Hotel Vall Ski
The Vall Ski is a traditional located about 1.5 km away from both the centre of El Tarter and the base station for the Grandvalira area. It’s facilities include a reception, lift, Wi-Fi, café, restaurant, and TV room. In addition, the hotel offers an entertainment programme and there is also table tennis and billiards.
The Vall Ski is a great location for school group to enjoy both El Tarter and the Grandvalira.
Excursions & Inclusions
Col Blanc and La Portella glacial lakes, Incles Valley and then to Cabana Sorda
Where it’s held
Andorra, Spain
Nestled in the Pyrenees, Andorra offers an ideal setting for geography school trips with its stunning landscapes, including glacial valleys, mountain ecosystems, and rivers. This safe and accessible country provides excellent opportunities to study glaciation, alpine environments, and sustainable tourism. Andorra’s compact size and beautiful natural areas, such as the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, make it the perfect destination for immersive fieldwork and hands-on learning in a spectacular, mountainous environment.
Sample Itinerary for A Level Glacial Landscapes Trips to Andorra
Day 1 Arrival and Introduction to Fieldwork
Morning:
Flight to Girona or Barcelona
Coach transfer to hotel in Soldeu
Late breakfast at hotel
Class session 1: Health and safety briefing, introduction to fieldwork methods, map work, kit check.
Late morning:
Coach transfer to Port d’Envalira
Fieldwork session 1: Walk from Port d’Envalira to Col Blanc (2500m)
Activities: Map reading, identification of glacial landforms, field sketching.
Study: Glacial erosion, transport, and deposition processes.
Afternoon:
Walk back to Port d’Envalira
Coach transfer back to hotel
Evening meal
Class session 2: Review fieldwork, discuss sampling strategies, quantitative fieldwork methods, and preparation for the next day’s fieldwork.
Day 2 Glacial Landforms and Biodiversity Assessment
Morning:
Breakfast and preparation for the day
Coach transfer to Port d’Envalira
Fieldwork session 2: Walk to Col Blanc and onwards to La Portella glacial lakes and moraine fields
Activities: Field sketching, use of keys to identify glacial deposits, compass work to measure glacier flow direction using striations and chatter marks.
Study: Identifying rock types in terminal moraines, analyzing glacier flow direction.
Lunch: Packed lunch in the field
Afternoon:
Fieldwork session 3: Comparative study of biodiversity and soil compaction on and off a ski run.
Walk back to Port d’Envalira
Coach transfer back to hotel in Soldeu
Free time
Evening meal
Class session 3: Review and plot striation data onto maps.
Day 3 Study of Glacial Landforms and Macro-Scale Processes
Morning:
Breakfast and preparation for the day
Class session 4: Introduction to macro-scale evidence of glacial processes.
Fieldwork session 4: Walk from hotel to Incles Valley and then to Cabana Sorda Corrie (2300m)
Activities: Field sketching, mapping glacial landforms like hanging valleys, lateral and recessional moraines, roche moutonnée, and corries.
Afternoon:
Walk back to hotel
Free time
Evening meal
Class session 5: Review fieldwork, use ARCGIS to plot glacial landforms.
Day 4 Terminal Moraines and Paleo-Glacial Evidence
Morning:
Early breakfast
Coach transfer to Andorra La Vella
Fieldwork session 5: Study terminal moraines and paleo-lake deposits
Activities: Identification of features and analyzing their role in past glaciation.
Afternoon:
Optional free time to explore Andorra La Vella
Coach transfer back to hotel in Soldeu
Evening meal
Free evening
Day 5 Departure
Morning:
Breakfast
Coach transfer back to Girona or Barcelona airport
Return flight