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The Vercors in the Drôme - a family affair

This walking holiday takes you through turquoise rivers and authentic villages
  • Duration 5 days
  • Activity Walking holiday with a donkey
  • Holiday among adults, with family
  • Theme mountain, countryside
475€
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Information : The Vercors in the Drôme - a family affair

  • Comfort
  • Difficulty
  • Note No note
  • Roadbooks French

Presentation

In the sunny foothills of the Vercors mountain range, a breath of fresh air in fabulous scenery all along the way. Welcome to the Vercors Regional Nature Park! Enjoy the charming Valley of the Gervanne river whose turquoise waters flow down through the Gorges of Omblèze. In the hamlet of Léoncel, crossroads between the Plain of Valence and the Plateaux of the Vercors, just 60 residents are watched over by the dreamily elegant 12th century Cistercian Abbey.

You'll love

  • the sheer beauty of the scenery along the Vallée de la Gervanne
  • amazing views from the lofty Cross of the Vellan (Croix du Vellan)
  • walking along ridgeways overflown by Golden Eagles
  • taking a dip in the turquoise waters of the Gervanne

Program : The Vercors in the Drôme - a family affair

  • D1 Arrival at La Ferme Bouvat

    Arrival late afternoon.

    Dinner*, night and breakfast in Chambres d'Hôtes (rural B+B) in a comfortable restored farmhouse.
    * Meals are prepared as far as possible using locally resourced produce.

  • D2 Getting to know donkey and exploring the village of Eygluy

    12.2 kilometre stage (circa 7 ½ miles) with 500 metres altitude change (c. 1,600 feet rise) - about 4 hours 30 mins.
    This outing will help you get to know your travelling companion...
    The walk up to the Col (pass) de Véraut is rewarded by a lovely view over the Vallon d’Eygluy. The hamlet at the pass is given over to goat breeding and lavender growing, and the route back to your lodgings takes you through this lovely countryside.

    Dinner, room and breakfast in the Chambres d'Hôtes at the Ferme Bouvat.

  • D3 From Eygluy to Le Chaffal

    13.7 km stage with around 630m total rise. About 4hrs 30mins.
    Lovely walk in unspoilt countryside in the Valley of the Gervanne river. You go up towards Plan de Baix by a steep path to come to the Croix (cross) du Vellan overlooking the village. Stop a while to enjoy the superb panorama facing you - the Forest of Saou with its celebrated lofty Cretaceous syncline culminating in the distinctive 3 becs ('3 beaks' - a triple mountain top) at 1557 metres ( over 5000 feet!).
    Then you continue towards the north on a broad track mainly bordered by undergrowth, with great views over the Plateau of the Vercors.

    Dinner, night and breakfast in Chambre d'Hôtes.

  • D4 Around Chaffal

    16.8 km stage with 280metres total rise. About 5hours 30 mins.
    Today you enjoy a ramble along the plateau at between 900 and 1000 metres altitude.
    It's a walk without any major difficulty that invites you to step out across the broad pastureland.
    As you go throught the small village of Léoncel, you'll discover the beautiful Cistercian Abbey founded in 1137. It is open to the public all year round, a place of wonderous calm and peace.
    Then a gentle slope along a fine forestry track brings you to the Col de Limouches (1086 metres) overlooking the Plain of Valence.
    The return walk to your accommodation along the woodside is equally very pleasant.

    Dinner, room and breakfast in Chambres d'Hôtes.

  • D5 Walk from Chaffal to Eygluy

    16.4 km stage with 520 metres total rise. Around 5hrs30.
    This last outing takes you back to the Valley of the Gervanne by a narrow forest path along which you approach the superb Gorges d'Omblèze with their vertiginous waterwalls each vying to top the others! On the second part of the stage you reach the highest point of the holiday on the ridges above the Col des Ayes at 1169metres (over 3800 ft). As a bonus, there is a lovely view over the Plateau d'Ambel. Take care during the rather steep descent but remember to lift your head to enjoy the beauty of the Vallée de la Sépie before arriving back at the house with your loyal companion!

    Departure.

Tariffs high season

From July to August, departure everyday

In family room

Adult : 500 €
Junior (12-17) : 500 €
Child (2-11) : 325 €
Baby (0 - 1) : 50 €

In double room

Adult : 560 €
Junior (12 - 17) :  560 €
Child (2 - 11) : 520 €
Baby (0 - 1) : 50 €

In single room

640 €

Solo traveller

670 €

Tariffs low season

From April to June and from september to october, departure everyday

In family room

Adult : 475 €
Junior (12-17) : 475 €
Child (2-11) : 340 €
Baby (0-1) : 50 €

In double room

Adult :  535 €
Junior (12 - 17) : 535 €
Child (2 - 11) : 495 €
Baby (0 - 1) : 50 €

In single room

615 €

Solo traveller

645 €

What's included?

  • full board (including dinner, breakfast and 'pique-nique' - packed lunch)
  • accommodation in 'chambres d'hôtes' (B+B) with 3 épis* listing (*a 'star system' for rural accommodation, 'épi' means 'ear of wheat')
  • detailed roadbook and maps
  • updated SATNAV routes on demand
  • technical and logistic support
  • baggage transfers
     

Optional

  • Donkey rental:  à partir de 165 €

What's not included ?

  • Supplement for travelling with your dog : to pay directly to the accomodation
  • Beverage and extra
  • Return transfer from Home to the first accomodation
  • Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance

Characteristics of circuits

  • Unaccompanied walking holiday with a donkey, suitable for families.
  • For children of 9 years old or over (child sporty : Sloping terrain)
  • Daily Stages between 12.2 km and 16.8 km (roughly 8 to 10 miles) with estimated times between 4hrs and 5hrs30 at your own pace and rhythm.
  • Daily accumulated uphill stretches: between 280 metres and 630 metres.
  • The route is mainly along paths and cart tracks, with some narrow roads with a little traffic

Organisation

  • These walks are more about peaceful exploration than sporting prowess! The invaluable roadbook will show you the way throughout your holiday. We look after all logistic and technical matters.
  • Walking with a donkey: this really is a fantastic way of taking your family on holiday, at the gentle pace of a pack animal. The kids will love the company of this furry friend, and we think you will, too!

The donkey's role is to carry your bags on each day's walk. It can also occasionally, under your sole responsibility, carry a tired child for a while.
However, you are asked to respect certain conditions for the safety of all, including the pack donkey:
- the child must be at least 4 years old and capable of safely sitting and holding itself unassisted on the animal
- this can only be done on reasonably level terrain
- the total weight carried by the donkey must not exceed 40 kilograms (about 6 stones).

Looking after a donkey demands careful attention, which is why we allow only one per family on these holidays.

  • Your accommodation has been chosen for its welcoming atmosphere, and architectural and environmental interest.

N.B: the accommodation mentioned here is given as a guide, and may be modified according to availability at the time of final booking

Access

By car

Highway A7, exit Valence sud or Loriol - 40 km

By air

Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport + TGV to Valence + TER train to Crest SNCF + taxi to the accomodation

By train

TER train to Crest SNCF + taxi to the accomodation

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The Vercors in the Drôme - a family affair
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The General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR, or RGPD in French - is the new regulation that determines how businesses may handle customers’ computerised personal data. In accordance with the provisions of French legislation, namely Act No. 78-17 of 6th January 1978 as amended variously up to, we inform you that the personal data you provide will be computerized and treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only authorized persons may access your data and this for strictly internal purposes. You have the right to access, correct or delete information about yourself by simply contacting us at reservations@safrantours.com *