Hiking - Discover Cervières, a wild valley in the French Alps

Get together - practical information

• Please wear your hiking clothes on day 1.

On the last day, we try to get back to Oulx by 5 pm, but cannot guarantee this.

We always do our best, but we can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at one of the indicated meeting points, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car during the entire trip.

• Access

Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com

Car access: www.mappy.fr 

Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr

• Parking

Public parking free of charge can be found in Briançon and Oulx (both unattended) or just in front of our accomodation.

How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?

• Skill level **

No particular difficulty. Off-path possible.

 

• Stamina level ***

Have already hiked at altitude for several hours. Practice an endurance sport once a week. 

Please note: If you do not have the required level, the guide will be able to ask you to leave the group for the well-being of the whole group. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts!

 

Group size:

4 to 14 participants

Guiding

Azimut selected mountain guide.

We have a great bunch of mountain guides, and select our guides mainly for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.

Meet our guides and instructors just around the corner

 

Daypack

Bring your personal items (rain jacket, fleece, sun cream, etc.), your picnic and water for the day. A 30-litre rucksack is recommended.

 

Ski lifts

No ski lifts.

 

Pricing

The price includes

• The organisation
• All travel by minibus from one of the meeting points
• Half-board accommodation in a lodge for 2 nights
• Picnics for the 3 days
• Supervision by a mountain leader for 3 days and all expenses (accommodation, meals, travel)
• The AZIMUT welcome pack

 

The price does not include

• Round trip transport to one of the meeting points
• Any personal equipment hire
• Your personal insurance
• All drinks, including at meals, extras in accommodation, personal expenses and anything else not included in the "price includes" section.

 

Payment

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure. 

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you are properly insured in the event of cancellation. It is compulsory to be insured for search and repatriation costs. When you register with us, you can take out insurance through our partner insurer, with several options covering the activities on offer and the risks incurred (please note that this insurance is only valid for European nationals).

Tipping

Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

Getting around

Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !

 

Accommodation and meals
 

Accomodation & meals during the trip

This trip takes place in our Lodge nestled in the village of Cervières, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. You will be looked after by Isabelle and her team, who will offer you an exceptional welcome and a living space designed to help you spend some quality time in peace and quiet. The food is simple, natural and of high quality, with a careful selection of beers and wines. Outside you'll find a Norwegian bath to relax in the heart of nature. Rental equipment is located under the hotel, and our agency and team are just a stone's throw away. The lodge is made up of "lodge" rooms for a maximum of 3 people with shared WC and showers + hotel-style rooms with WC and shower (single or double room option on request).

Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite sex.

Lodge (self-catering) on a half-board basis, shared toilets and showers, bed linen provided, towels provided.
Possibility of sleeping in a hotel room (WC, shower room in room) in the same building as the lodge, subject to availability:

- Hotel single room supplement: €95/person

- Hotel double room supplement: 55€/person

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the lodge, picnics at lunchtime, our picnics are made up of quality produce, cold meats, bread, cheese, a bar of chocolate, fruit or dried fruit, seeds.
Snacks: Details are important, especially during exercise. We've chosen to provide tasty, high-quality cereal bars from Mulebar. Mulebar products are organic, vegan, easily digestible and nutritionally impeccable. All the bars are made from high-quality ingredients with no preservatives, colourings or additives harmful to your health.

⚠ If the Lodge is unavailable, the trip will take place in twin or triple rooms in a comfortable and simple gîte in the Briançonnais. In such a case, you will be informed before departure.

Accommodation before and after the tour
As soon as you register, we'll send you the names and contact details of the lodge so that you can spend a night before or after your trip. If you arrive in Briançon by train, we will provide a hotel shuttle service (€10 payable to the hotel), so it's very easy to come and meet us.

 

Phone & WiFi:

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi available in the Lodge.

4G and mobile coverage is unreliable.

 

Gear & equipment:

Clothing:

The following equipment list contains a series of tips on equipment and is compulsory to take with you, but does not oblige you to have the latest equipment. If you want to re-equip yourself or add to your equipment, take advantage of our advice to ensure you have the right gear that's light, warm and comfortable. Good equipment makes for a successful holiday!

Headwear:

• Cap or hat
• Light hat or Buff for cooler weather (even in summer, the temperature can drop!)
• Protection 3 or 4 sunglasses

Bodywear:

• Long-sleeved and short-sleeved technical underwear (synthetic or merino wool, don't wear cotton in the mountains!) 
• Lightweight fleece jacket
• Jacket with a waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore Tex or soft shell, lightweight and compressible to take up less space in your rucksack. 
• Light gloves (fleece or soft shell) 
• Hiking trousers and hiking shorts
• Waterproof rain trousers

Footwear:

• Hiking socks ("double-skin" socks are very effective against blisters!).
• Hiking shoes: if you only need one pair, take high-top shoes. Trail shoes are acceptable as long as you're used to going into the mountains in them and you also have a pair of high tops for the days when they're recommended.
• Small hiking gaiters can prevent gravel and dry grass from getting into your shoes... practical!

Luggage & other:

• Water bottle or Camelbak: a total liquid volume of 1.5 to 2 litres is recommended. Please note that you won't be able to refill your water bottle on most hikes, and you shouldn't drink water from streams, even if it looks clean!
• Sunscreen factor 50/lip protection/pocket knife/liquid (for the days when we come across a refuge - no dispenser in Cervières).
• 30-litre rucksack  
• Toiletry bag & first-aid kit

Toilet bag with personal kit. 
The guide is equipped with a first-aid kit, so bring your own Compeed bandages in case of a blister, Doliprane and any medication you may be taking.

Our partner brands

We are members of Entreprises du Voyage and APST.

 

And last but not least...

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

We're waiting for you!  Bon voyage with AZIMUT!