Family Hiking - Discover Cervières, a wild valley in the French Alps
6 days from 795 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
Comfort 
FRRF601 NFLARL 
Maximum altitude 2400 m
Stamina level : 2 
Direct train from Paris Pros
- Objective: children have fun, parents too
- A valley away from mass tourism, life in the mountain pastures as it was in days gone by!
- Cosy accommodation facing the mountains, with a warm welcome, a large garden and children's play areas
- Close to Serre Chevalier, offering a wide variety of activities
In a nutshell
In a tiny village nestled between the mountains, between the Ecrins and Queyras, lies our cosy, comfortable lodge. It will be the starting point for all our adventures this week. Hiking, white water rafting, accrobranche, via ferrata... We're in for a treat! There's no stress here, it's not a commando course, we'll take the time to wake up, rest and discover the area with cool activities.
Supervised by our guide, in the sunshine of the Hautes-Alpes, you'll enjoy unspoilt countryside, numerous lakes and all the fun and varied activities the area has to offer. It's a great way to make memories with the whole family! Children will be delighted... and so will their parents, as the lodge is ideally situated for enjoying a spritz on the terrace while the little ones are playing in the garden or at the children's playground (always within view from the terrace).
Day to day
Day 1 - Welcome and treasure hunt!
Welcome at Oulx or Briançon station (or directly at the Lodge) and transfer to the Lodge. Settle in quickly and set off on a short hike to explore the surrounding area in complete tranquillity before returning to the Lodge for a welcome aperitif while the children enjoy a treasure hunt! This is a great time to get to know each other. You'll have plenty of time to chat...
Elevation gain: +350/-350 m
Meals included this day: breakfast, picnic, dinner
Accommodation included this day: lodge
D2 - Back to the valley and splash about!
After breakfast, for those who wish, a short hike to the pretty Saint Michel chapel overlooking Cervières. Transfer to the Serre Chevalier valley for an introduction to rafting in the cool waters of the Guisane. It's easy and fun, and the thrills are guaranteed! Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Elevation gain: +100 / -100 m
Duration of rafting activity: approx. 2 hours
Meals included this day: breakfast, picnic, dinner
Accommodation included this day: lodge
D3 - Col D'Izoard - Colorado ?
Short transfer and drop-off at the Col D'Izoard (2360m). We take our time looking at the deserted Cass, this great slope of multicoloured rock!
A short climb up to the lost pass and a magnificent descent through the casse des Oules and the bois des Oules.
Elevation gain: +100/-600 m
Meals included today: breakfast, picnic, dinner
Accommodation included this day: lodge
D4 - Briançon, fortified town and Durance gorges
Morning transfer to Briançon for a fun tour of the old town. You could almost run into a knight! Descend to the Parc de la Schappe through the old orchards, picnic on the lawns on the banks of the Durance and the chance to do a treetop adventure in the cool of the Durance gorges. To round off the day on a high note before heading back up to Cervières, we'll stop off for an ice cream at Mastro Gelataio, an institution in Briançon.
Elevation gain: -80 m
Tour duration: approx. 1h30
Duration of tree-climbing activity: approx. 2 hours
Meals included this day: breakfast, picnic, dinner
Accommodation included this day: lodge
Day 5 - Italia, here we come
A short transfer to the plains of Le Bourget, and off we go for our first short walk! We climb up through the mountain pastures to the Col Bousson, making well-deserved stops at the edge of the small lakes at altitude. We might come across a flock of sheep - this is their kingdom! Once you reach the pass, you're in Italy: bye bye sheep, make way for the cows! A short descent to the Mautino refuge, where we settle in for the night. We end the day with a hearty Italian meal, before heading back to the dormitory for a good night's sleep!
Elevation gain: +300/-50 m
Meals included today: picnic, dinner
Accommodation included today: refuge
Day 6 - Sunrise over the refuge
After breakfast, we set off to head back to Cervières and end our stay on a high note.
Meals included today: breakfast, picnic
Accommodation included this day: none
This is an example of a multi-activity programme in the Cervières valley and the Briançonnais. Weather conditions and the level of participants may lead the guide to modify it or to do certain itineraries in a different order. We ask you to respect his choices. We may also have to change accommodation within the same range for logistical or availability reasons.
Meeting and leaving
Meeting points
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Briançon in front of the Train Station
Meeting time: 9.45am
Leaving time: in the afternoon
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Cervières - in front of our Lodge Le Petit Cerf
Meeting time: 10am
Leaving time: in the afternoon
Get together - practical information
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Please wear your mountaineering 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.
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Access
Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com
Car access: www.mappy.fr
Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr
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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 ?
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Technical and physical level
Open to children aged 6 and over. All activities are at beginner level.
Group size
5 to 14 participants
Guiding
Azimut mountain leader for hikes, walks, riverside outdoor activities, etc. qualified guide or instructor for specific activities (rafting, via ferrata).
Daypack
Small rucksack with personal items (fleece, rain jacket, water bottle, sun cream), picnic, and a sheet + a small change of clothes and toiletries for the night in the refuge.
Pricing
The price includes
- Organisation
- All travel by minibus from one of the meeting points
- Half-board accommodation in a lodge for 4 nights
- Half-board accommodation in a refuge for 1 night
- Picnics and snacks for 6 days
- Snacks for 6 days
- Supervision by a mountain leader for 6 days and all expenses (accommodation, meals, travel)
- Supervision by a qualified guide or instructor for specific activities (rafting, accrobranche, via ferrata).
- Azimut welcome pack
The price does not include
- Transportation to/from the meeting point
- Drinks, including those with meals, personal costs and extras
- Your personal insurance
- Any other costs not mentioned under the section “the price includes”
Payment
30% deposit on registration + insurance if taken out, balance due 30 days before departure. A reminder e-mail will be sent to you 35 days before departure.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you are adequately insured in the event of cancellation. It is compulsory to be insured for search and repatriation costs. When you register, we will offer you the opportunity to 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
Accommodation & 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 at the lodge
We have Wifi at the lodge but the mobile phone and 4G coverage is very unpredictable during hikes.
Equipment - clothing & gear
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 make sure 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
- Hiking T-shirt
- Lightweight fleece jacket
- Windproof and rainproof jacket
- Light gloves (fleece or soft shell)
- Hiking trousers and hiking shorts
- Bring a swimming suit and towel!
Footwear
- Hiking socks ("double-skin" socks are very effective against blisters!)
- Light hiking shoes
Luggage & miscellaneous
- Water bottle or Camelbak: a total liquid volume of 1.5 litres is recommended.
- Sunscreen factor 50 / lip protection / pocket knife / liquid (no dispenser in Cervières)
- 30-litre rucksack for adults, 10-15 litres for children
Toiletries and 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.
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!
See you in the mountains !