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8-day trip to the Verdon Gorge in France

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8-day trip to the Verdon Gorge in France

Trek the UNESCO-listed Verdon Gorge in France, with UIMLA-certified leader Emma taking you through breathtaking landscapes and medieval villages.

Not specified

Alps

8 Days

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Fit

Beginner


Description

Join me among the spectacular mixture of sparkling rivers, rugged rock formations and stunning hiking trails. The Verdon Gorge is a stunning area packed with medieval history.

Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Europe, the gorge is in its own national park. This UNESCO site is also the largest geological reserve in Europe.

The trek takes us through medieval villages scattered across the valley, where we’ll be resting along the way.

Highlights include a spectacular river, nestled between the two ancient towns of Castellane and Moustiers Sainte-Marie, that has cut a ravine into the limestone rock. Other wonders along the way include hidden tunnels carved into the rock, and beautiful lavender fields stretching into the distance.

And of course, the stunning scenery is accompanied by some of the most fabulous food and wine in the world.

This 8-day trip includes 7 nights in hotels and 6 days of trekking through breathtaking scenery.

Although moderately paced, each day consists of around 7-8 hours of hiking, so be sure you have a good level of fitness to join me in Verdon Gorge.

Reserve your place now at this UNESCO site and tread along the trails past lavender fields, dramatic cliff edges, and medieval villages.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Breakfast

- Dinner

Price details

This is the price to join one of our Group Tours.

Accommodation is on a twin-share basis.


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Saint André les Alpes

Our group meets at the hotel in a village resting on a 12th-century castle. I will brief you about the days to come and answer any questions.

Day 2: Saint André les Alpes to Castellane

We begin with a steady ascent through beautiful woodland, enjoying views of Lac de Castillon. Climbing the limestone plateau (1,412m) we then descend and join the Voie Impériale. This trail was used by Napoleon on his return from Elba in 1815. Then we reach the village of Castellane.

Day 3: Castellane to Point Sublime

We join the famous GR4, which follows the route used by the Romans to reach Lyon. We continue along the Verdon valley, stopping for lunch at the beautiful Chasteuil, where we can buy soaps, balms and oils, all made with locally-grown lavender. A further ascent takes us to the village of Rougon. From here we have a short descent to the village of Point Sublime, and our base for the night.

Day 4: Point Sublime to La Palud

Today is more challenging as we enter the gorge! We drop towards the river, along the steep walls of the gorge, and join the ‘Martel Trail’. Our trail leads us along the gorge, past stunning limestone walls and dramatic cliffs. Highlights today include a 650 metre tunnel through the rock, and an impressive stairway. A final ascent takes us out of the gorge. Further on, we may stop at the Chalet de la Maline bar, and enjoy its breathtaking panoramic view. Then we take a short transfer to our hotel in the village of La Palud.

Day 5: La Palud to Moustiers Sainte-Marie

Hiking through the pine tree forest of Col de Plein Voir gives us spectacular views over the turquoise lake of Sainte-Croix. We continue past huge limestone crags and rock towers, reaching 1,213 metres. A fairly steep descent takes us down to the pretty village of Moustiers Sainte-Marie, a gem steeped in the history of the Knights Templar. It has an authentic Provençal character, with lovely cafes, art workshops and galleries.

Day 6: Moustiers Sainte-Marie to Riez

Leaving Moustiers, heading through low lying meadows, we continue until we reach a higher plateau. From here we have a stunning view of beautiful lavender fields with the Alps in the background. We follow our trail past a truffle farm and on through orchards of apple and oak trees. We then drop down to our hotel in the ancient Roman riverside town of Riez – also known as the ‘Lavender Capital’.

Day 7: Riez to Gréoux-les-Bains

On the last day of trekking, and the longest, we start on quiet lanes, which turn into ancient mule tracks and paths linking rolling fields of wheat, lavender, poppies and coriander. We reach the village of Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, with its thirteenth-century tower built by the Knights Templar. Then we head for our final destination. Gréoux is a Roman hilltop town, with a popular hot mineral spa, narrow streets, and a “Templier” chateau. We should arrive at our hotel with enough time left over to explore or just relax and soak up the atmosphere, before enjoying our final meal together.

Day 8: Departure Day

Our trip ends after breakfast!

 

Details

Accommodation

7 nights in hotels.

Meeting point

Our hotel in Saint André Les Alpes.

About the guide

I'm a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) and I have been leading expeditions for the last 15 years. I have led the Tour du Mont Blanc over 40 times, the Everest Base Camp trek 27 times, Kilimanjaro 10 times, and I have also led trips in Nepal, Peru, Cuba, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, the Alps, the Pyrenees, Russia, Uzbekistan and Madagascar, amongst others.

I'm a passionate skier, in 2009 I made the first ski descent of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world (8156m).

Fluent in French, Russian and Spanish, I also work as an interpreter and love to chat.

Languages

Russian | French | English

Certificates

UIMLA


What people are saying about -Emma Jack

Fausto JIMÉNEZ

4.00

January, 2023

Bruno our guide was very helpful and profesional

Jill Seabrook

5.00

July, 2022

AMAZING! This was a last minute decision and my first multi day trekking tour and it far exceeded my expectations. The communication and preparation was comprehensive and accurate. Our guide (Lindsay) was phenomenal. The route was the perfect mix of challenge and comfort. I will definitely be booking my next hiking trek thru Emma.

Frank Van Nieulande

5.00

January, 2022

Emma is a very humble guide in a good way. Always in a good mood full of laughter who puts safety first and in for a good story about her previous adventures. We enjoyed her company a lot! Thanks Emma we had a wonderful time. Greetings Frank

Piyush Yawalkar

4.00

September, 2019

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Paul Connolly

5.00

March, 2019

Emma was very easy to communicate with (once we we able e in the same time zone, of course!). Our guide Phil was fabulous. Thanks to all.

Jule Mansfield

5.00

January, 2019

We booked 3 full days of private showshoeing in Chamonix. Emma Jack was very responsive to our inquiry during booking and our emails leading up to our trip. We were paired with a local guide, Sebastian, who was very knowledgeable about the Chamonix area and picked the perfect spots for us to snowshoe each day based on the weather and snowfall accumulation. I highly recommend booking your trip with Emma Jack and would use her again if we return.

Heather

5.00

September, 2018

Your service was wonderful - it was easy to use and put me in touch with my hiking guide Suze through Cloud 9 Adventure! I couldn't have asked for a better guide or day of hiking in Chamonix.

Vijay and Rosheen

4.00

March, 2018

Excellent start for us in snow shoeing with Phil our guide who kept things nice and easy - an enjoyable activity to redo.

Siti Aminah Othman

5.00

December, 2017

We had fun on that day!! The sun was shining all the way the there’s a lot of snow ? my kids enjoy the trip. All of the arrangement up to the guide is very professional handled & we enjoy the company..and will definitely booked with explore share again..keep up the good work guys!! ?

Virginie Poulin

5.00

August, 2015

Emma is a very nice and attentive guide. She is super healthy and energetic, always smiling. She has a great enthusiasm in general. Very knowledgeable about nature, she shares and teaches with care. Also, she always pays attention to each and any person, and especially adapts pace so that the hike remains a pleasant adventure and memory for all. Plus, she is very cautious of weather and mountain conditions, and has a lot of resources and ideas to adapt to the situation and hikers. In short, very nice and professional! You feel in good hands.

Mariann

5.00

June, 2015

Emma was a very sweet and knowledgeable guide. She was adaptive to the different personalities and skill level of our group. Easygoing, talkative, friendly and pleasant to be around! Couldn't be happier with our guide!


 

 

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