In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationNew Aquitaine / Dordogne
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions18.71 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Less than two hours from Bordeaux by car, discover the adventure and art of bushcraft on a river trip. In authentic Canadian canoes, explore the still-wild meanders of the Vézère River for three days and two nights camping. Unleash your inner trapper! Become a modern-day Davy Crockett for a few days. You'll learn various wilderness survival techniques, guided by passionate professionals.
The highlights
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Canoe trip with a guide
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Your campsite will be on the islands you encounter along your route.
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La Vénère at dawn with the mist, the herons, the ducks, what could be better!
Photos
Sport
Level
Bushcraft
The expert's opinion
You will be supervised by a certified canoe instructor.
In figures
Canoeing / Kayaking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 7 km
Management
Program
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Farm stay
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 8 km
- Activity Bushcraft
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Participants are welcomed at "base camp" at 8 PM. Dinner on Friday evening is not provided. Introductions and equipment preparation, briefing on fundamental survival principles, priority management, dangers, objectives, etc. At midnight: you will go to bed to recharge for the next day.
Day 1 -
Off on an adventure!
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 12km
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 6 km
- Activity Bushcraft
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Wake-up call at 7:30 am. Breakfast with complimentary coffee and warm-up, stress management. Around 9:00 am, departure by public transport for the start of the canoe trip. Equipment familiarization and safety briefing.
At 10:00 AM: You will paddle along the banks of the Vézère River, in a peaceful and natural setting. The flora and fauna will showcase their best features, offering a complete change of scenery. As you discover these things, you will gather the necessary supplies for your survival for the rest of the day. Around 3:00 PM, the trip will end on a deserted, timeless island. You will choose a suitable spot to set up camp, observing the vegetation, identifying edible and poisonous plants and fruits, animal tracks, etc. Then, you will learn the basic principles of assembly, techniques for building a shelter and a fire. Practical exercises will be conducted, tasks will be assigned, and the relevant regulations will be reviewed. At 4:30 PM, you will learn how to make drinking water. Then, at 5:30 PM, you will learn how to make and use weapons and traps, and the applicable regulations will be reviewed.
Departure for plant gathering at 6:30 pm. Learning hunting techniques, collecting edible insects, setting traps… Finally, at 7:30 pm, you share a meal around the fire made entirely from the fruits of the afternoon's fishing, hunting, and gathering. Then, at 9:00 pm, it's time for the evening gathering: stories, impressions, group cohesion, managing emotional intelligence, and a review of the various techniques learned during the day. Introduction to recognizing the main constellations for navigation by the stars, followed by a night walk without a headlamp. Around 11:00 pm, it's time to go to bed after this intense day.Day 2 -
At the heart of the adventure
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 5 km
- Activity Bushcraft
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Wake-up call at 7:30 am, then departure for an expedition to gather cosmetic plants and learn hunting techniques… Around 10:30 am, camp is broken and the site is cleaned up. A session on environmental awareness is held, covering topics such as fire safety, fire storage, and transport. Then, departure from the bivouac and continuation of the descent of the Vézère River in complete autonomy. An introduction to orienteering is also provided.
In the great outdoors with a map and compass: Taking a bearing, reading a map, etc...
Around 3:00 PM, the boat will stop at a riverbank or island. You will choose a suitable spot to set up camp. The fire will be rekindled, and then tasks will be divided. You will learn how to make and use weapons and traps (bow, arrow, etc.). At 5:30 PM, you will set off on a new expedition: gathering edible plants, learning hunting techniques, collecting edible insects, setting traps, and more.
At 6:30 pm, introductory and awareness sessions on first aid techniques. Making stretchers and transporting an injured person.
Finally, at 7:30 pm, you share a meal around the fire, made entirely from the fruits of the afternoon's fishing, hunting, and gathering. At 9:00 pm, it's time for the evening gathering: stories, impressions, group cohesion, emotional intelligence management, and a review of the various techniques learned during the day. You'll be introduced to recognizing the main constellations for navigation by the stars, and you'll enjoy a night walk without a headlamp. The day ends at 11:00 pm, and you'll go to bed before your final day.Day 3 -
End day
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 16km
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 8 km
- Activity Bushcraft
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Wake-up call at 8:30 am. Then, break camp and clean up the site. Environmental awareness session and fire safety instructions. Around 10:00 am, equipment cleaning and transfer to base camp. Return to the lodge, shower, relaxation, debriefing, etc. (buffet and coffee provided). End of the course at 1:30 pm.
Day 4
Note
Since nature is our daily environment and our tool of the trade, we are the first to want to protect and preserve it. During our sessions, we will be vigilant in ensuring that our trainees also safeguard nature. We will regularly review the applicable rules and laws to explain, inform, and educate them on the importance of respecting them.
Accommodation
1 night at the farm in a dormitory and 2 nights in a bivouac.
Access
Go to the starting point
then take a taxi or bus to reach the starting point in Montignac
leisure park parking
Price details
The price includes
- A first night in a dormitory at the farm
- 2 nights camping
- Morning coffee
- Canoe rentals
- 1 "survival specialist" trainer
The price does not include
- Transportation to get there
- Drinks (sodas, alcoholic beverages, etc.)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- 1 canoe for 2 people
- 1 life jacket
- 1 can per person
- 1 paddle
Equipment to bring
- A backpack
- A sleeping bag
- A swimsuit
- A water bottle
- A metal cooking pot, a spoon and a metal cup
- A headlamp
- A pair of sunglasses
- A knife
- A garbage bag
- A tarpaulin
- Some string
- Soap and bath towel
- Cameras and GoPros allowed
- Phones without SIM cards allowed
Clothing to bring
- Hiking outfit (walking boots, trousers, fleece)
- A pair of flip-flops
- A spare pair of socks
- Rain gear
- A pair of gloves, a hat
They traveled with us