Vercors Massif
/ Drome
On the trail of the wolf: a wild immersion in the Vercors
Réf : QCTGXY
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationVercors Massif / Drome
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions56.93 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages🇫🇷French
In a few words
Experience an immersion in the heart of the Vercors and unravel the thread of imagination and mystery on the trail of the wolf.
For four days, explore its territory, learning to read the clues it leaves behind, and immerse yourself in the wild and silent atmosphere of unspoiled nature. Between hikes, observations, and conversations with naturalists, you will discover a more sensitive and profound connection to this environment.
Whatever the season, wonder is guaranteed: in spring, nature awakens, landscapes are illuminated with new colors, and wildlife resumes its activity; in autumn, calm settles in, the light softens, and the hues warm. In both cases, every step immerses you in a living spectacle, where the wolf continues its wanderings and the mountain reveals its secrets.
This retreat is a true interlude of reconnection – to yourself, to the living world, to meaning. Far from the everyday, you will rediscover breath, calm, and authentic presence. Accompanied by wolf specialists, you will learn to identify its tracks and better understand its role in the ecosystem. If the collected evidence is useful, it will be shared to contribute to the scientific monitoring of wolves in the Vercors region.
The highlights
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Exploring protected ecosystems: immersion and hiking
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Meet a wolf expert, conference and screening
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Discover spectacular locations and experience the atmosphere of a night in a cabin.
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 300 m
Management
During this stay, several supervisors will be present to guide and assist you, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the trip.
Band :
1 supervisor for 5 to 8 people
Languages spoken:
🇫🇷
French
Alexis
Alexis
Alexis is passionate about understanding human nature and the relationship between body and mind. Whether through rehabilitation (physiotherapy), teaching yoga, or exploring the wilderness, his intentions remain the same: to offer experiences that help people connect with their true selves. Because, according to him, that's where true well-being resides.
Virginie
Virginie
Born at the foot of the Vercors mountains, the mountains were a place of renewal and exploration for me. First a dietician, then a naturopath, it is finally as a mountain guide that I accompany the most beautiful transformations. Whether it's a bivouac under the stars or an immersive hike, I offer you an adventure where you shed the superfluous to reconnect with what truly matters.
Both are qualified and experienced in leading immersive wilderness trips. Virginie and Alexis are trained in mountain risk management to ensure your safety.
They also have a good understanding of the physiology of the body and mind in a mountain environment.
Communication and group management skills, fostering positive synergy among participants, are also among their distinguishing features. Friendliness, sharing, and authentic relationships are central to their commitment, ensuring a human-centered approach to the mountain experience.
Program
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Home - Hiking - Conference
- Transportation Car - 00h15 - 5km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The meeting point is at 1:30 pm at the Col de la Machine at the Quartier Libre inn. A spectacular crossing awaits you if you take the Combe Laval classified road, a veritable natural balcony suspended between sky and cliff.
Upon arrival at the inn, Karen welcomes you to a warm and panoramic setting. The Vercors region awaits you.
You'll settle into the small dormitories of 4, 6, or 8 people before setting off on your first hike of approximately 3 hours (6km, 200m elevation gain) with your local guide (Alexis or Virginie). The immersion begins gently: observation, silence, listening… Alexis (or Virginie) will share their initial insights into the landscape and its inhabitants.
In the early evening, Romain will share his passion with you through an interactive presentation about wolves: understanding their place, how they are perceived, and the challenges they face. The dinner that follows, carefully prepared by Karen (using local produce), will extend the discussions in a convivial atmosphere.
Day 1 -
Exploration - Panoramic views - Overnight stay in a cabin
- Transportation Car - 00h30 - 25km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a good breakfast, you leave the hostel, taking the vehicles to reach the starting point of the day in about 30 minutes.
A 1 to 1.5 hour field workshop introduces you to setting up camera traps. Understand wildlife habits, learn to blend into the surroundings, choose the angle and location, leave a trace without disturbing them… Shh!… the animals are watching you.
Your guide will lead you through the iconic landscapes of the Vercors, amidst vibrant geology and subtle signs of animal presence (12km, 600m elevation gain - approximately 4 hours of walking). Your imagination will begin to shift. The landscape will transform. Listen closely. Perhaps the roar of a stag will once again make its presence felt.
You will then head to the forest cabin, simple but full of charm. In a small group, you will prepare the meal, manage the water and firewood: it's a powerful moment of communal living in the heart of nature. Far from the usual routines, the group bonds.
A silent stakeout will end the day, in an attempt to spot wildlife at dusk, before dinner by candlelight and the warmth of the stove.
Day 2 -
Hiking in the Footsteps of Life: Immersive Workshop and Documentary Screening
- Transportation Car - 00h40 - 35km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After leaving the cabin, you'll set off this morning on a hike across the Vercors High Plateaus, an iconic wolf territory. (12km, 400m elevation gain - 3 hours of walking)
Along the way, an immersive workshop invites you to step "into the wolf's skin." Learn to sense your surroundings, to identify, organize yourself, and cooperate. Another way to understand the living world… through empathy.
Throughout the journey, you gather clues, traces, sounds, and feelings, which you methodically record. Imagination becomes investigation, and dreams are linked to the rigor of the field.
In the evening, at the cottage, you watch a documentary about wolves together; a great way to foster discussion and raise awareness about coexistence.
Day 3 -
Camera trap survey & analysis
- Transportation Car - 00h15 - 5km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 0h30
- Distance 1 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning you will be checking the camera traps that were set up two days earlier.
You meet Romain at the gîte to review the collected images in more detail. Together, you explore what they reveal about animal behavior and the natural dynamics of the territory: a powerful moment, blending emotion and scientific contribution. If usable, this data will be shared with Verc'Obs to contribute to a better understanding of wolves.
What role do we play at the heart of biodiversity?
And most importantly, how can we take concrete action in our daily lives?
A time for exchange that opens up perspectives and strengthens the desire for commitment.
The stay concludes with a final shared meal and a debriefing.
2pm, it's time for goodbyes… but perhaps also for beginnings.
Day 4
Note
The program is provided as a guide only and is subject to change due to weather conditions, mountain conditions, and the needs of the travelers. Ultimately, the guide has sole discretion over the program and may modify it for safety reasons. Similarly, the estimated times for each stage are approximate.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
🏠 Inn - Day 1 and 3
A cooperative inn and restaurant, inviting you to escape into a bubble perched between cliffs and forests, in the heart of the Vercors.
Karen welcomes you to a warm and panoramic location: the Vercors opens its arms to you.
- Day 2
Night in a forest cabin. After a silent wait to try and spot wildlife at dusk, you prepare dinner by candlelight and the warmth of the stove.
Warmed by the fire and the convivial atmosphere, you'll sleep on wooden beds where you'll have already set up your inflatable mattress. You'll then slip into your sleeping bag (and who knows… maybe you'll dream of the wolf!).
Access
Departure
10880 Route de Lente Col de la Machine, 26190 Saint-Jean-en-Royans
Day 1
: 13h30
End of stay
10880 Route de Lente Col de la Machine, 26190 Saint-Jean-en-Royans
Day 4
- 14h00
Go to the starting point
Take the train toSaint-Hilaire-Saint-Nazaire
The Saint-Hilaire-Saint Nazaire train station is located approximately 35 minutes by car from the Auberge Quartier Libre.
Frequent connections:
TER Grenoble → Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier (~ 40 min)
TER Valence → Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier (~ 35 min)
TER Lyon → Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier (~ 1h20)
From the train station, you will need to arrange a transfer to the hostel: carpooling or taxi (see below)
For carpooling
A shared document will be made available for setting up carpooling and a WhatsApp group will be opened the week before the stay to finalize the organization of the journeys.
For taxis, remember to book in advance.
Taxi Potier / Sud Grésivaudan: 06 27 05 59 22
Taxis Des Coteaux: 06 75 26 48 24
Travel to the place of stay
with parking
available
Via the Col de la Machine, using the D76, approximately 30 minutes from Saint-Jean-en-Royans
From Montélimar: ~1 hour 30 minutes
From Valencia: ~1 hour 10 minutes
From Lyon: ~2h15
From Romans-sur-Isère: ~50 min
The cottage is well listed, you will easily find it on your GPS.
The full address will be sent to you by email one month before your arrival.
You can leave your car in the car park for the entire duration of your stay (except for possible use for travel to certain starting points of hikes).
Carpooling
A shared document will be made available for setting up carpooling and a WhatsApp group will be opened the week before the stay to finalize the organization of the journeys.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in the hostel and in a cabin
- The food throughout the stay
- Supervision by a qualified and certified guide
- Facilitating the collective intelligence workshop on the role of biodiversity
- The lecture by a wolf specialist
- The screening of the documentary
- 1% of the benefits donated to the Verc'Obs association
The price does not include
- Travel insurance: cancellation and assistance
- Transportation to the meeting point and during the stay
- The first day's picnic lunch
- Drinks & your personal purchases
- Binoculars and cameras
- Generally speaking, anything not listed under "the price includes".
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Equipment
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Alexis team
5/5
(150 reviews)
• 46 stays
Situé dans la Biovallée de la Drôme, notre partenaire local propose des séjours d'immersion pour se ressourcer en pleine nature. À travers la randonnée, le trek, la méditation et le yoga, il aborde l'environnement par le prisme de l'émerveillement et de l'harmonie.
Tous ses séjours sont organisés en France selon une démarche éco-responsable. Son équipe polyglotte invite les voyageurs à réapprendre l'évasion de proximité pour une expérience de bien-être durable.
Tous ses séjours sont organisés en France selon une démarche éco-responsable. Son équipe polyglotte invite les voyageurs à réapprendre l'évasion de proximité pour une expérience de bien-être durable.
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Subscriber benefit
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by joining
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Best price guaranteed:
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Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
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