HOLIDAY OFFERS - Walking Holidays - Alpine Wilderness2

• Alpine Wilderness PRICE
• Alpine Wilderness Itinerary

Alpine Wilderness

Guided Walking Holiday

Dates: Any time from May until end of October

Price: From 899€ perperson (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 Marseille and Aix-en-Provence if you fly or train it there). A taxi from Gap is about 70€. However, it is also quite usual for people to hitch and generally lifts are easy to come by. Obviously you do this at your own risk.

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.

Alpine Wilderness PRICE

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.

We can accept both pounds sterling and euro payments.

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. 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.

Alpine Wilderness Example Itinerary

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!!