Alpine Wilderness
Guided Walking Holiday
Dates: 10 - 17 September 2011 - ideal for individuals or looking to join a group.
Other Dates: From May to October - ideal for groups of 4 or more booking together
Price: From 899€ per person (click here for price breakdown)
All inclusive 8 day trek into the high mountains of the Ecrins National Park with donkeys to carry some of your kit. This trip will take you off the beaten track to some spectacular alpine scenes and give you a true wilderness experience. A unique adventure for walkers who want something a little bit different.
This trip can be easily adapted for different walking levels or for children.
All Prices Include:
• 6 days guided walking with qualified accompagnateur en montagne (equivalent to UK mountain leader qualification) and donkey handler.
• A donkey for every four people to carry kit. A donkey can carry up to 40 kilos.
• 4 night's accommodation in mountain refuges / gites in classic dormitory style accommodation.
• 3 nights camping including all equipment, except for sleeping bags and camping mats as people tend to prefer their own (if you don't have either of these we can easily find you some so just let us know).
• All food - breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. You are welcome to bring favourite snacks and chocolate as well if you wish!
On this trek your guide and donkey handler, Eric will take you up into the high mountains of the Ecrin National Park with donkeys to carry the bulk of your kit.
Eric knows this area like his back garden and you won't necessarily be following the regular paths. He will take you off the beaten track to ensure you really experience the alpine wilderness at its best. You'll spend three nights camping and four nights in a traditional mountain refuge or gite.
Have a look at the
example itinerary.
In the spring and summer, the southern alps sunshine brings out butterflies in their thousands and you can walk amongst them in meadows blooming with wild alpine flowers. In autumn the deciduous woods glow with a full range of Autumn colours which contrasted with the deep blue sky are a photographer's dream.
In the high mountains you can see marmots, ibex, chamois and lots of birds including golden eagles, and in the woods you can pick wild strawberries and raspberries, mushrooms, blackberries... depending on when you come!
Each leg of the trek is about 5 - 7 hours of walking but with plenty of stops, photo sessions, minor off route excursions and time for the donkeys (and you!) to graze.
When you reach the camps Eric will help you set up your tents and prepare your dinner al fresco. On the nights you are in the refuge or gite you will be able to shower. They offer traditional dormitory sleeping arrangements.
In line with our
responsible travel policy we only use local guides and it was impossible to find a good mountain leader and donkey handler who spoke good English. Eric is a great communicator and excellent leader but his English is limited. If your french is a bit dodgy and you are concerned about communication we can arrange for a translator to accompany you.
Getting Here
Once you are here all your transport needs are catered for. We don't include flights or train journeys to get here or transfers from a local airport or train station in the price as there are so many ways to get here it seemed fairer and simpler to arrange this individually.
The closest you can get via public transport is Gap train station (which has good rail links from Paris, Marseille and Grenoble if you fly or train it there) where we can arrange to collect you.
For more detailed information on how to get here, please have a look at our
How to Get Here page.
We can organise a hire car for you from any airport or train station.
We can also help with information and advice about
airport parking or
airport hotels
When you arrive at your accommodation we will meet you to welcome you to the area and go through the trip. You will also meet Eric and the donkeys!
If you like the idea of the trip but would like to adapt it for a different walking level or duration, please
contact us with your ideas and we'll tailor make a trip for you.
All prices are based on the
Alpine Wilderness holiday.
Please note that all prices are in euros. If you would like to find out how much the euro price is in your currency, please use this
currency converter for up to date rates. Please note that bank rates may differ.
We can accept both pounds sterling and euro payments.
All prices are based on 2 people sharing a tent except in the mountain refuges where you will be staying in a traditional alpine dormitory style accommodation.
Individuals on Group Trip
Dates: 10 - 17 September
Price: 899€ per person
This price is for individuals or small groups booking on to the group trip on the 10 - 17 September and is a price per person. This price is based on a minimum group size of 8.
If for any reason the minimum group size is not reached, you will be offered the choice of paying a supplement to cover the guide costs, an alternative itinerary or a full refund.
Self Contained Group
If you are a self contained group, the prices are cheaper the larger your group. The minimum group size for this trip is 4 people.
|
No of People
|
Price per person
|
| 4 - 5 |
€1199 |
| 6 - 7 |
€972 |
| 8 or more |
€899 |
If you like the idea of the trip but would like to adapt it for a different walking level or duration, please
contact us with your ideas and we'll tailor make a trip for you.
This eight day trek follows a general itinerary and route, but in reality it will be adapted to suit you and the conditions as you walk.
So if you fancy making chamois spotting your theme for the day, want the best photo spots, or want to find some wild fruit to pick, Eric will do his best to accommodate you!!
