Hiking in Provence

8 days - from $1370

• Hike through the Gorges du Verdon, the 'Grand Canyon of France'
• Walk in a region that has inspired painters & gourmets alike
• Explore rugged terrain & sleepy villages

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St André & Castellane
From Nice, we drive to the sleepy, valley town of St-André-les-Alpes. Then begin our six-hour trek through forests to Castellane, a pre-Roman settlement dramatically set beneath a huge limestone outcrop known as 'Le Roc'. There's time to explore, or walk to the summit of Robion for panoramic all-round views.

La Palud & the Gorges du Verdon
We climb through woods and high valleys above the Verdon river, where the spectacular rock pinnacles of 'Cadières de Brandis' tower above us. Then continue to the breezy, high grazing pastures of La Suech and the ruined castle of Rougon. We reach the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon and tackle the Gorges du Verdon: we traverse the most spectacular section before following a path to reach Brèche Imbert and negotiate the craggy walls of the gorge.

Exploring Moustiers
We ascend to a high ridge at the Signal de l'Ourbes (1216m) from where we can look back to the Gorges du Verdon - 'the Grand Canyon of France'. The spectacular setting encourages us to linger and we spend the day hiking old Roman roads. There are great views of Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Valensole Plateau, famous as a lavender growing area. We then descend to the small pottery town of Moustiers-Ste-Marie (1006m).

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Nice; drive St-André-les-Alpes. 2 Walk through forests to Castellane (6-7hrs). 3 In Castellane; walk to summit of Robion, 1660m (6hrs). 4 Hike to La Palud-sur-Verdon via Point Sublime (6-7hrs). 5 Walk through magnificent Gorges du Verdon (7-8hrs). 6 Walk to Moustiers-Ste-Marie (9-10hrs). 7 Optional explorations on foot; optional walk above Moustiers. 8 Drive Nice; tour ends.

Accommodation: 7nts hotel - in standard hotel accommodation; 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 2 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/On foot/Taxis.
Comment: This short, hotel-based walking trip is graded moderate. Trails are usually rocky and there are some challenging ascents and descents (up to about 900m per day) but the rewards are spectacular. Luggage is transported between hotels, so you can walk unencumbered.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus locally organised luggage transfers and driver.
Trip Reference: WP

Dates & Prices
Start	End	Prices in US$	Local Payment	Availability
26 Jul 09	02 Aug 09	$1370	0
13 Sep 09	20 Sep 09	$1370	0
20 Sep 09	27 Sep 09	$1370	0
06 Jun 10	13 Jun 10	$1440	0
25 Jul 10	01 Aug 10	$1440	0

Prices and itineraries shown for tours departing from January 2010 onwards are subject to change and confirmation with the publication of our 2010/11 brochure, due to be published in October 2009.

Hiking in Provence

8 days - from $1370

Itinerary:

Dates & Prices