2 days in the Canyon du Verdon
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION
The trip
We will explore the entire canyon over 2 days, from the Sublime point to the lake of Ste Croix.
Night at the chalet of La Maline
Availability
Weekend in May, June, September
Duration
2 days
9 am - 5 pm (equipment, briefing, rafting, shuttle)
Meeting place
https://goo.gl/maps/hZScFjYEWF8TaYYA7
Price
390€ (Secret River - guide, equipment, transport)
60€ Chalet de la Maline (food and night)
60€ (canyoning guide, day 2)
Group
3 pers min, 6 pers maximum
For this trip, you need to
- Be able to swim
- Be in good shape (hard hike and kayak)
- Be 16 y.o at least
- Have a previous wild water kayaking experience
What to prepare
- A bathing suite
- Closed sports shoes.
- Short, tee shirt for the hike
- Picnic and water
- 1 warm evening wear
(We provide all technical equipment)
The 2 days packrafting trip
DAY 1
Welcome for the packraft expedition
Meeting at 9:00 in the parking lot of the swimming pool of Castellane, explanation of the course of these two days
Approach step
10am - 11h30: We walk to explore the first km of the canyon via the white trail/ Martel. The walk takes about 45 minutes to reach the departure point.
Packraft navigation
11h30 - 15h00: After a briefing on the Packraft, we embark on the Verdon. The section we sail is inaccessible on foot. We enjoy this magical atmosphere for lunch on a pebble beach at the bottom of the canyon.
The navigation resumes, we explore the canyon of the Artuby that flows into the Verdon, a beautiful discovery! In the middle of the afternoon, we arrive in the middle of the canyon, at the footbridge of the Estellier. This bridge marks the end of the first day. We disembark there.
Walk back - Access to the refuge
15h00 - 16h00: After folding and storing the packraft and the material, we start the return journey. We have about 10kg on our back (wet material and water bottle). We walk to the chalet of La Maline that will welcome us for the night, about 400 meters above the river, about 1 hour walk that climbs pretty well! For environmental reasons, bivouac is forbidden in the canyon, which is why we have to go out for the night.
DAY 2
Approach step
We leave early enough on day 2 to start the adventure with the Dead Hand Canyon. This dry canyon will allow us to reach the Verdon. There are several reminders that follow one another. In total, almost 3 hours of walking, reminder to reach the Verdon. The last recall is about 50 meters, thrills guaranteed! This canyon adventure is accompanied by a state-qualified climbing/canyon guide.
Navigation in packraft (depending on the water level and the size of the group, a 2nd guide will accompany us on this part)
After inflating our packrafts, we set out to explore a route that very few people had the opportunity to discover. We sail about 2h30 in packraft before arriving at the lake of Ste Croix. There are many portages to do during this navigation, which makes it very tiring.
We will stop on the course to eat on a deserted beach...
End of shipment
16h00: Arrival at Lake Ste Croix, a shuttle will pick us up to take us back to Castellane.
