Tour the highlights of the rugged Ardeche.
Duration: 7 nights
Level of experience required: Participants should be capable of walking 10-14km/day (7-10 miles) on paths and some uneven terrain.
Min no. people: 4 Max no. people: 16
These trips are accompanied and have local transport provided.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrival and orientation.
We collect you from the airport/train station and whisk you up to our hotel in time for an evening stroll around the village before dinner.
Day 2
Ruoms and the three rivers
A short way from the hotel we turn on to country tracks to hike over the ridge and get our first views of the town of Ruoms on the Ardèche River. We aim to be there for lunch before heading on a circuit of the Ardèche, Chassesac and Baume rivers to one of our favourite swimming spots.
Day 3
Vallon, Pont d’Arc and the entrance to the gorge.
Starting in the main town of Vallon we head over the hills for our first view of the iconic Pont d’Arc – a natural limestone bridge over the river, 40m high! From here we carry on to the entrance to the gorge where the limestone hills rise into huge walls of rock on either side.
Day 4
Les Crottes and the Gorge
Today we visit the French resistance memorial at Hameau des Crottes before taking quiet, shady trails out to the edge of the gorge and panoramic viewpoints. The morning is easy but in the afternoon we descend 300m into the gorge on steeper trails to hike along the banks of the mighty river and out of the canyon at Mas de Serret.
Day 5
Free Day
You may wish to use today to finish that book by the pool and take a long lunch but if you are still in need of adventure then there is canoeing and cycling as well as high-octane climbing and ropes courses!
Day 6
The gorge National Park
In the morning we descend into end of the gorge to hike along the river’s edge with the high limestone cliffs towering above. In the afternoon we head north and climb up on to the plateau with views back over the gorge and of the Rhone valley to the east.
Day 7
Barjac and the caves
In the morning we head to the market to stock up on local foods. In the afternoon, our other groups get a lift to take a tour of the huge caverns at Aven d’Orgnac. We walk there!
Day 8
Departure
Time permitting we use this day as an opportunity to stop in a sites such as the famous Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, taking a short walk up to viewpoints above this incredible piece of history.
Cost:
7 nights hotel (7 x breakfast, 5 x dinner) €515/person (c. £440).
Cost includes:
Accompaniment and all transport required. Collection from Nimes or Avignon airports (other cities on request). Half board accommodation. Dedicated driver.
Cost excludes:
Lunches. International transport. 2 evening meals out. Single room supplement, €180.
Contact us to learn more!
