An adventure following the trail of wolves in the Alps

After a good coffee and breakfast at the refuge, we will pack our bags and set off for the second day of hunting the famous Alpine wolf.

The exact destination will depend on information about the presence of wolves at that time, but the walk will surely be off the beaten track, in a wild and varied environment.

We will pay close attention to the signs left by all the animals in the region: chamois, wild boar, mouflon, and roe deer, which coexist with wolves. You will learn to identify and interpret their tracks—whether fresh or old, from running, walking, or slow movement. We will observe their feeding habits, their favorite spots, their watering holes, their dens… all useful information for spotting and understanding wolves.

If we find fresh tracks, we will follow their trail and analyze their behavior along the way… Do they separate to hunt? Do they run or slowly patrol their territory? Do they play or rest? Do they look for food or go elsewhere? Have they recently hunted or are they searching for prey?

At the end of the day, you will have a true understanding of the behavior of wolves and mountain wildlife, including feeding, sleeping, reproduction and adaptation to their predators.

After this day of adventure, we'll return to the refuge to prepare for the evening. Another night in the heart of nature, under the light of the moon and stars. The animals are there; we'll hear them in the darkness… and it's quite possible the wolves were already watching us… We'll set up the camera again, perhaps in a different spot, to discover what happens around the refuge during the night!

After a good coffee and breakfast, we will pack our bags and set off for this third day of adventure in search of the wolf.

At this stage, you will begin to know the local wildlife well. You will know where to look to observe chamois and mouflon grazing, spot the places where roe deer have slept, where wild boars have passed in search of food, and be able to distinguish dog tracks from wolf tracks.

We could move to a different area to explore another wolf pack territory, or stay in the current area depending on what we discover so far. Two pack territories have been established around this refuge, but these are quite dynamic and can change.

Who knows what we'll discover today? One thing is certain: it will be an unforgettable wildlife adventure! We'll remain vigilant, searching for wolves and signs of activity, and will try howling to establish communication with them. It might seem strange to howl like that in the wild, but wolves do respond. It's one of the official ways to determine if a pack has had pups. You'll be able to tell if the response is from a youngster or an adult!

One last evening at the refuge – perhaps an opportunity for an outdoor barbecue if the weather permits!

This morning, we will clean and tidy the shelter, packing up our belongings, equipment, and any leftover food. We have privileged access to this shelter, so it's important to leave it in as good a condition, or even better, than when we found it!

Depending on how much time we have left, we'll head out for one last hunt, either from the refuge or in another area along the way to the airport, still following the wolves' tracks. This will be our last chance to try and spot where they're hiding, so we'll take the time to scan the mountains with our binoculars! We'll also spend some time howling to try and establish communication with the wolves.

At the end of this adventure, you will be able to distinguish between dog and wolf tracks, as well as those of chamois, deer, and wild boar, and recognize whether they are fresh or old, whether the animal was running or walking, and in which direction. You will have discovered animal hiding places and dens, and observed, heard, and perhaps even been lucky enough to see wolves in action or hear them howl! We will then return to civilization.

We will take you to the Aix-en-Provence TGV station for 5:35 pm or to Marseille airport for 6 pm, so that you can take an evening train or flight home.