In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions68.76 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
The Queyras is a true paradise for lovers of unspoiled nature and authenticity. This enchanting region captivates with its picturesque villages , nestled amidst landscapes where wildlife and colorful flowers coexist harmoniously. The high-altitude lakes , like mirrors reflecting the surrounding peaks, offer spectacular panoramas that invite contemplation. A week is ideal for exploring the invaluable treasures of the Queyras Regional Natural Park , while enjoying the comfort of our family-run hotel , located in a lively and welcoming village . In Aiguilles , let yourself be charmed by its mountain shops , traditional artisans , and delicious local products: pies , cheeses , honey , and jams . Stroll through its narrow streets, soak up the summer atmosphere , and discover the hospitality of the locals, deeply attached to their authentic valley.
The highlights
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Departures every week from May to November
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The most beautiful spots in Queyras in 5 days
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Lakes and peaks at 3000m easily accessible
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
This trip is accessible to everyone: you'll hike on mountain trails with a daily elevation gain and/or loss of 300 to 600 meters, for approximately 3 to 5 hours of walking. You'll carry a light pack containing your essentials for the day (picnic, warm clothing, water bottle, etc.).
The routes are chosen along well-marked trails for the majority of the circuit. Don't worry, your guide is there to lead and reassure you, whatever your fitness level.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 530 m
- Average daily descent: 530 m
Management
We will entrust you to the capable hands of a qualified guide, a specialist in the Queyras region, who will share their love of nature and the mountains with you. Their knowledge of the area, their ability to read the terrain, and their attention to every detail will put you at ease.
Program
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Welcome to the Queyras!
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
If you arrive by car (or train), the entrance to the Queyras will hold a surprise for you with the passage through the magnificent Guil gorges which will certainly make your eyes widen.
You will be met by your tour leader at 7 pm on Sunday evening at your accommodation (if you arrive by train, they will take you by minibus to the Aiguilles Valley). After the trip overview, take some time to relax and settle in so you're ready for the next day!
The first few moments are a good time to get to know the rest of the group and soak up the atmosphere.
Day 1 -
Vallée des Aigues - Col des Prés Fromage and summit Bûcher (2,254m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this first day, remember to bring your hat and apply sunscreen. You can expect a magnificent start with an unobstructed view to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Our path will lead us through enchanting larches and verdant meadows, and time will pass imperceptibly. At the summit of Sommet Bûcher, treat yourself to a breathtaking 360° panorama of the Écrins mountains, the lower Guil valley, and the Aigue Blanche valley. You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the perfect spot for a break: nestled in the hollow of a larch tree or seated on a carpet of vibrant buttercups... On the way back, step back in time by discovering the Clot l'Henri cabin, an old sheepfold nestled in this little corner of paradise.
Day 2 -
Aigues Valley (Molines and Saint-Véran) - Cretes de Lamaron (2,350 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This walk will awaken your senses for your greatest pleasure! Listen carefully in the forest to recognize the song of the alpine tit, and enjoy your guide's anecdotes about a bird species with a surprising name. Once you reach the ridge, prepare to be amazed! Be sure to watch your step, as you'll be walking on a veritable carpet of alpine grasses, offering a most pleasant visual and olfactory experience. Have fun identifying or discovering these beautiful flowers, such as gentians, asters, geraniums, and many more. Don't forget to look up and admire the breathtaking view of the village of Saint-Véran. For those with energy to spare, we offer a short bonus climb to the summit of Pic Cascavelier.
Upon your return, let your imagination wander as you listen to your guide tell you about the traditional life of the highest village in Europe, with its sundials and wooden fountains...
Day 3 -
A day under the sign of the tour guide: An unusual surprise
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this day, prepare for a delightful surprise from your guide . He or she will take you to discover their secret garden, a place they cherish and wish to share with you. In a spirit of camaraderie, they will guide you, following their inspiration and adding their personal touch to this hike. Let yourself be carried away without expectations, in complete trust, to satisfy that delicious curiosity that stirs within you...
Day 4 -
Agnel Pass Valley - Eychassier Lakes and Foréant Peak (3,080m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we'll touch the sky, at over 3,000 meters altitude! To reach these peaks, your guide will lead you to the foot of the Col Agnel, which marks the Italian border. Is it the scent of la dolce vita or the pure air that leaves you speechless?... There are even more surprises in store! We'll climb the rocky slopes of this mountain, and the mineral landscape will gradually transform into a lunar landscape. You might even spot some snow patches, remnants of the melting snow. It's not uncommon to encounter ibex, which move gracefully on these high-altitude slopes. Your guide will ensure that you safely cross the ridge to reach... a breathtaking viewpoint. You can't miss the highlight: at the summit of this peak, Mont Viso, which rises to
3,841 meters seems within reach! Your eyes sparkle, and the promise of this mountain hike is fulfilled.
At the end of the day, lovers of honey and other hive delicacies can enjoy themselves by stopping at the Maison du Miel in Molines.Day 5 -
Arvieux Valley (Izoard pass) - Clapeyto alpine pastures and Favière lakes (2,509 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The Chalets de Clapeyto are an essential stop for any hiker exploring the Queyras. Today, you'll discover that their reputation is well-deserved! Let's dive headfirst into a setting worthy of a fairytale. The chalets seem delicately placed on a carpet of rainbow-colored flowers, in the heart of a verdant meadow. Let's walk as if we're in a waking dream, dazzled by the alpine pastures and the vibrant pink rhododendrons that illuminate this living tableau. Let yourself be enveloped by this feeling of serenity before joyfully escaping this imaginary land.
Day 6 -
End of stay after breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This is where we part ways! If you arrived by train, you can reach Montdauphin-Guillestre station via a local bus (departing from Aiguilles around 8:15 am). But this is just a goodbye for now; the Queyras region awaits you for future explorations!
Day 7
Note
At the beginning of the season, due to snow, and especially in autumn, the program will be adjusted according to the conditions. When the larches are ablaze with orange hues, we will favor hikes offering spectacular viewpoints to fully appreciate the autumn landscapes. The level of difficulty will remain the same, so trust us and your guide.
Accommodation
We entrust you to Patricia, who will welcome you to her small, family-run hotel with warmth and simplicity. Her incredible generosity and dedication to your satisfaction will make you feel right at home!
Access
Welcome
Arrival by car: Meet at 7:00 PM at your accommodation on day 1 for arrival
Arrival by train: Meet at 6:30 pm at the train station for the transfer with your guide: This option is included in the price, upon reservation.
The group dispersed after breakfast on the last day.
Go to the starting point
Travel by train to Montdauphin-Guillestre Station
Arrive easily from Paris by day or night train. Check the timetables on SNCF Connect. For travelers coming from the south, take the Marseille-Briançon line. Enjoy the simplicity of rail travel to discover this superb destination.
From the train station to the meeting point
Your tour leader or a Zou shuttle will pick you up at the train station on Sunday evening at 6:30 pm for the transfer to the meeting point. This minibus service is included in the price of your stay. Please ensure you book this transfer at least one week before your arrival date.
If you arrive outside of these hours, your transfer to Queyras will be at your own expense. You can choose between the regular shuttle buses (during the season) or a taxi. To book the shuttles, contact Zou at 0809.400.013 or visit zou.maregionsud.fr.
Access to the hotel if arriving by regular shuttle:
If you arrive by shuttle bus, get off at the "Salle Polyvalente" stop. Then, walk through the village along the main street. Pass the caterer, take the uphill path on your right, and follow the road to the hotel. The walk takes about 10 minutes, so remember to bring a rolling suitcase for easier transport.
From the north , take the Lautaret pass via Briançon (RN 94) or Grenoble (RN 94/D902). Alternatively, from Grenoble, take the A51 motorway towards Gap, then the RN94 towards Guillestre (D902).
From the south , go via Valence or Sisteron, continue towards Gap, then Embrun, and finally Guillestre. Once in Guillestre, follow the signs for "Queyras" via the D902 and D947.
Mountain landscapes await you on this road trip to Queyras!
To avoid:
• Italy via the Fréjus tunnel, suggested by some GPS: more than €60 one way and traffic jams on the French side;
• the Col de l'Izoard from Briançon, especially at the end of the day: go via Guillestre.
Roads and works: inforoute05.fr
Price details
The price includes
- Full board in a double or twin room (twin beds); from Sunday evening to Saturday morning
- The hikes are led by a state-certified mountain professional.
- The minibus and shuttle transfers described in the program
- Transfers from the train station to the hotel and back with our tour guide
The price does not include
- Drinks and wine during meals
- The single room supplement
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- Anything not listed under "the price includes"
Options
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Single room : CHF86.91 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Double or twin room : CHF146.37 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay - Single room : CHF86.91 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after your stay - Double or twin room : CHF146.37 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the formalities required for entry and stay in the destination country.
You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website (https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/).
If your flight involves layovers with different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all regulations, 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 take into account any customs restrictions and other possible obligations of the country of destination or transit.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also bring your health insurance card.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 30/35 litre backpack with waist belt
- 2 telescopic poles (recommended) for better stability
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and a Vibram-type sole
- Thermos, water bottle or hydration pack with a drinking tube and a capacity of at least 1.5 liters per person
- Cup, knife and fork for picnics
- Race supplies to replenish energy along the way
- Small waterproof pouch for your valuables such as: money, ID card, bank card, health insurance card, assistance contract
- Emergency survival blanket
- Toilet paper in a resealable bag to wrap it up and throw it in the nearest available bin
Clothing to bring
- a short-sleeved t-shirt made of breathable material such as merino wool or thermal clothing,
- a warm jacket made of fleece, Polartec, or stretch polyester
- a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket (gore-tex type).
- 1 sun hat or cap,
- 1 multifunctional hat or neck warmer (BUFF© type) and 1 pair of lightweight gloves to protect against the wind,
- 2 short-sleeved t-shirts suitable for physical activity (synthetic or natural microfiber type),
- 1 insulating garment such as: fleece or down jacket,
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket with a hood if possible (Gore-Tex type or equivalent),
- 1 rain poncho or a protective cover for the backpack in bad weather (often integrated into the bags),
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers,
- 1 pair of shorts or bermudas suitable for walking,
- 1 pair of waterproof and breathable overtrousers (gore-tex type or equivalent)
- 2 to 3 pairs of hiking socks.
They traveled with us