In the heart of the Pyrenees.

In order to modernise part of the fleet, AVANZA has opted for 24 Mercedes‑Benz Intouro hybrids. The versatile touring coach with a length of 12.90 metres, 55 to 59 passenger seats, the 290 hp hybrid engine and autonomous energy management was the perfect choice for the demanding topography of the mountain region and the high passenger volume, reports José Ramón Lasierra Arasanz, Director North at AVANZA. The vehicle masters the steep climbs to the Pyrenees without any problems. The modern climate control and assistance systems of the Intouro hybrid were also a decisive factor in the purchase of the buses, as they have to cope with high temperatures in the summer, while the snowy winters with bitterly cold months put buses and drivers to the test.

The Mercedes‑Benz Intouro hybrid was also an economically motivated decision for AVANZA. The hybrid-powered bus not only consumes less fuel when moving off at the numerous stops in the Pyrenees thanks to the use of the electric motor, but also makes an important contribution to climate neutrality by reducing exhaust gas emissions. The latest buses in the fleet are also an upgrade in terms of safety, reports José Ramón Lasierra Arasanz. They are equipped with safety and assistance systems that make driving safer and more efficient. The Lane Assistant (SPA) helps the driver to stay in lane on narrow mountainous stretches. In addition, Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) as well as Frontguard Assist and Sideguard Assist 2. An electronic parking brake is also part of the equipment of the new buses, which makes moving off on steep hills easier.

Mastering the serpentine curves requires great driving skills - especially when steering a 12-metre-long bus. Santiago Hernández now knows the Pyrenees like his waistcoat pocket. The driver has been driving on the narrow and demanding roads of the mountain range for 14 years, not only as a bus driver, but also as a tour guide for his passengers and as a breakdown assistant for stranded cars.

Our journey through the picturesque Pyrenees starts in the small village of Torla, right at the entrance to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido Nature Park in Huesca, and leads through winding roads deeper into the impressive green mountain slopes of Ordesa. You continue to Biescas via Yesero and Gavín. A beautiful place that, like Torla, has preserved the typical architecture of the region in northeastern Spain. Small black stone houses with wooden balconies are decorated with geraniums - everything radiates the typical Spanish charm that captivates thousands of tourists every year.

Through steep mountain roads, we continue uphill a few kilometres through the Barranco de Gabarda canyon until we reach the spa town of Baños de Panticosa, where our journey takes us to the Ibón de los Baños - a lake fed from the waterfalls of Arguala. Here, at 1,630 metres of elevation, everything radiates meditative calm. So it’s no wonder that there’s a thermal bath here that our bus driver would love to recommend to his travellers. At night, under the stars and with a spectacular view of the peaks of the Pyrenees, the warm water is a balm for the soul," says Santiago with a smile. The perfect place to end our journey through the Pyrenees.