• Queyras tour: An alpine secret

• FULLY BOOKED
• Bookings available for groups of 4 or more

• Please contact us for a quote

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• 9 days: 7 days walking moving between guest houses (only carrying day sack), guided walking - Altitude maximum 3000m, average 2500m. Average: length 6-7 hrs, altitude gain 950m.   

• An unspoilt, rugged region with breathtaking scenery.
• A relatively quiet alpine area where cols and summits at 3000m are easily accessible.
• Varied landscapes with rock deserts, alpine pastures, souring alpine peaks and pretty historic alpine villages.
• A rich alpine fauna and flora in the regional park
• A real alpine experience with a challenging 3 day walking tour taking in several high summits and cols and a night in an authentic mountain refuge.

• Your accommodation is a mixture of small family run hotels, chambres d'hôtes, auberges and a mountain refuge. The comfort varies according to the style. All of the guest house rooms have private rooms for 2. The mountain hut has small dormitory style rooms and is much more basic. However there is a convivial atmosphere and the surroundings are magical. Meals will be taken in your guest house and will be local specialities.

1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon, 8 nights' accommodation, full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure), transport of luggage, 7 guided walks

1. Travel between the UK and Lyon, lunches on the day of arrival and departure, transfers other than those from Lyon, any excursions or entrance fees, drinks to accompany some meals in guest houses

The Walks

The walks on this guided walking holiday are graded at the upper end of the moderate/challenging grade due to the general length and height gain of the walks throughout the week. Average days are about 6 hours long and include height gains of between 800m and 1000m. In addition, most walks will take place between 2000m and 3000m where the effects of altitude can be felt. A good level of fitness is required, and you should be comforatable on mountainous paths.

The paths are mountainous in nature and sometimes exposed, but they do not require any technical abilities.

Walking

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Guillestre and transfer to first guest house. Evening meal in guest house.

Day 2: Aiguilles - Molines-en-Queyras (5 hrs, +700m)

Our week will start with a fairly gentle climb out of the Guil Valley to Molines en Queyras. There is the opportunity to descend to the remarkable geological feature known as "La Demoiselle Coiffée (Girl with a hat). It is a huge pillar of earth topped by a large stone boulder. Our route then goes through the pretty village of Molines en Queyras before reaching the guest house above the village.

Day 3: Molines-en-Queyras - Ceillac (6 hrs, upto +800m)

Today you'll climb gently through forests to reach the Col Fromage (2301m). From here you have the option of continuing on to the summit of the Crete de Chabrette (2582m) for some stunning views of the glaciated peaks of the Fonte Sancte range, or descend directly to the village of Ceillac in its deep valley setting.

Day 4: Ceillac - St Veran (5 hrs, +1050m)

Another great walk with superb views. The climb out of Ceillac is fairly steep, but you are rewarded at the Col des Estronques (2651m) with a stunning panorama. This makes a great place to stop for lunch and take in the beauty of the area. Ridges snake off on both sides with the rocky slopes of the Crete de Rasis to the north providing a stark contrast to the flower-filled meadows below. The hardy may follow the ridge to the south for a short distance to summit the Tete de Jacquette at 2757m. You descend by the Lamaron Valley to St Veran.

Day 5: St Veran - Refuge Agnel (6 hrs, +1050m)

Your walk starts by following the torrent of the Aguille Blanche. The walking is pleasant and easy. The valley then steepens as you pass through a landscape of tumbling streams, meadows and rocky bluffs. The path climbs steadily to the Col de Chamossiere (2884m) - high point of the week. The path descends through barren screes to the refuge Agnel just below the Col Agnel. Refuge

Day 6: Refuge Agnel - Abriès (6hrs, +220m, -1300m)

After a short ascent you reach the col Vieux (2806m) at the foot of the impressive Pain du Sucre. From here its a long but spectacular descent along the Bouchouse Valley. You'll pass a couple of beautiful alpine lakes before joining the Guill Valley which you follow to the valley bottom. Short bus journey to Abriès further down the valley.

Day 7: Abriès - Aiguilles (6hrs, +1000m)

A steady climb out of Abriès along a steep valley leads to the Grand Laus (2579m), a stunning mountain lake where the surrounding peaks are reflected in its clear blue waters. After lunch by the lake, you follow a dramatic and pretty descent to the village of Aiguilles to pick up the minibus and drive to La Chalp Arvieux. An alternative shorter walk is available for this day

Day 8: Tour from La Chalp Arvieux (+900m)

Your last days departs from the Izoard Valley, a dramatic valley enclosed by rocky cliffs, boulders and barren scree slopes that glow beautiful colours in the sunlight. The best walk from here is to ascend by steep valleys underneath towering cliffs to the Col de Neal and an area of mountain lakes and pools. You are now on the western edge of the Queyras and the Ecrins mountain range stretches out before you. After one last small ascent to the Col Lauzon (2576m), you descend through an impressive rocky landscape back to your guest house.

Day 9: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Guillestre station

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