BEST OF CORSICA ONE WEEK TREK

Transcription

1 BEST OF CORSICA ONE WEEK TREK The Spectacular Northern Section of the GR20 ~ Corsica s highest summit, Monte Cinto ~ The Cirque of Solitude ~ Characterful accommodation & great food ~ Vehicle support Corsica DAYS TREK 4 NIGHTS HOTELS, GITES AND REFUGES, 3 NIGHTS CAMPING, 6 DAYS DEMANDING TREKKING, MAX. ALTITUDE 2706M / 8878FT. ALL MEALS INCLUDED (EXCEPT DINNER DAY 7) Group Size 5-12 See Web LAND ONLY PRICE (join in Calvi) Please refer to website for 2008 dates & prices BEFORE CONFIRMING YOUR OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS PLEASE CHECK YOUR TRIP IS GUARANTEED TO RUN. YOU CAN CHECK YOUR TRIP STATUS AT OR CONTACT THE OFFICE. Contact:

2 Introduction Rising abruptly from the Mediterranean, its pink granite peaks soaring to over 2500 metres (8200 feet), Corsica is known as 'the mountain in the sea'. Famous for its dramatic coastline and pretty, perched mountain villages, this rugged island reveals its most spectacular scenery only to those who are prepared to do some walking. Our introduction to this exceptional week of hiking is the memorable drive from Calvi, which winds its way to Vizzavona, at the very heart of this most mountainous of islands.this small and historic hamlet is the starting point for a solid 6 days of hiking and scrambling. For most of the time, we will be following the famous GR20, which is well-known as one of Europe s finest long distance walks. Our unique itinerary takes in the best of the dramatic scenery of northern Corsica and includes the chance to climb the biggest and also some of the most interesting of Corsica s high summits which are conveniently clustered in the north-west of this singularly mountainous island. For 4 nights we will stay at atmospheric campsites and refuges, as we follow high ridge trails beneath the rocky Monte Rotondo (2622m / 8602ft) and enjoy picnic lunches beside blue mountain lakes. After our ascent of the striking pyramidal peak of Paglia Orba (2525m / 8284ft), we traverse the impressive Cirque of Solitude and drop down to a hotel in the seasonal ski station of Haut Asco. This is our base as we trek to the summit of the island s highest peak, Monte Cinto (2706m / 8878ft). We are able to provide partial vehicle support during this superb short holiday which offers a taste of the real Corsica. Itinerary Group Size and Trip Status For each of our group adventures, there is a minimum number of participants required to enable the trip to go ahead. The pricing panel on the front page of this dossier gives an indication of group size, showing minimum and maximum numbers. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Run'. You can check the trip status by accessing our website at or by calling the office. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. If you are unsure about the trip status, please call our office. Day 1. Fly to Calvi, transfer to Vizzavona We take the early morning charter flight from London Stansted or Manchester to Calvi. Here we are met by the local guide and transfer by private minibus to Vizzavona, a small hamlet situated amongst dense pine forest and located at the half-way point of the GR20 long-distance walk. There are a couple of options for our accommodation here, each offering dormitory style rooms which sleep 4 or more persons. Day 2. Via the Col de la Haute Route to Grotelle This morning, we have a short transfer to the hamlet of Canaglia, where we start walking in the Manganellu Valley. A pretty morning s walk leads beside an emerald green torrent, with tumbling waterfalls and deep pools. The lariccio pine trees give way gradually to fragrant alder bushes as we start to gain altitude. Beyond the refuge of Petra Piana at 1840 metres (6037 feet), we continue up to the Col de la Haute Route (2206m / 7238ft) with all the major mountains around us - Maniccia, Monte d Oro and Renoso, as well as the imposing Lombarduccio. We pass close to the two small lakes of Rinosu and then make a diversion off the GR20, to make our way down through a wild valley known as the Cirque des Cascades, following a trail marked by cairns across bare rock slabs to the shepherds cabins of Grotelle (1370m / 4495ft). Here, there is a cabin restaurant run by a local celebrity, Théo, who is renowned for his hospitality, cheerful Corsican welcome and hearty cooking. We camp adjacent to this shepherd s cabin. 7 hours walking metres (4900 feet) of ascent. 840 metres (2755 feet) of descent. Day 3. Via Lombarduccio or the breche of Capitellu to Vaccaja For the next 3 days we will not have access to our trek bags, which will be transported from Grotelle to the hotel in Haut-Asco. This means that group members will need to carry a minimum of additional gear today, including a sleeping bag. This is a magnificent mountain day, passing glacier lakes, high plunging breches and a verdant plateau, to arrive finally at a charming shepherd s dwelling in the very core of the Corsican mountains. From Grotelle, a well-trodden route leads up to the Lac de Mello, a large apple-shaped glacier lake surrounded by spongy grass. Higher up, we reach the abruptly contrasting lake of Capitellu (1930m / 6332ft) which is the deepest on the island, with sheer sheets of granite plunging into its depths and no trace of surrounding vegetation. Depending on the weather and the group s motivation, we may decide to scramble up to a small gap in the ridge, the Breche de Goria and make the ascension of the craggy peak of Lombarduccio (2261m / 7418ft). This summit provides splendid views of the imposing summits all around us Monte Rotondo and Maniccia especially. From the top of Lombarduccio, a rough descent heads to secret Lac de Goria and on to the Campotile Plateau. Alternatively, we can follow an indistinct trail up onto a ridge and then make a rocky traverse around an impressive glacial cirque to the high breche of Capitellu. From here, a steep, rocky descent leads to the refuge of Manganu and the Campotile Plateau. Both route options offer plenty of opportunity for scrambling, a high airy mountain ambiance with some fantastic mountain scenery. An hour's walk then takes us across the plateau to the shepherd s cabin of Vaccaja (1621m / 5318ft), a fantastic spot, which is a working goat farm and cheeserie. We camp at Vaccaja and dinner is served either inside the bergerie or out. Approximately 6 to 7 hours walking depending on the route taken. Approximately 1000 metres (3280 feet) of ascent. 700 metres (2300 feet) of descent. No access to main baggage. Day 4. Trek to the Ciottulu di i Mori Refuge A long day today. The GR20 continues behind Vaccaja and is well marked, leading uphill through beech woods, then across pozzines (grassy meadow) areas to arrive at Lac de Nino. At 1743 metres (5718 feet), this glacier lake is in a lovely, sheltered location, surrounded by a spongy peat, with runnels of water and bubbling springs, making it an ideal summer grazing ground for ponies and for other animals including the very inquisitive Corsican wild boar and wild goats. The air is fresh, tinged with the scents and perfumes of the high mountains. From the lake, the path heads uphill with fine views of Paglia Orba and Monte Cinto, before we reach the col of Bocca a Reta. Here, we are effectively walking over the watershed of Corsica. Everything to the east flows to the east coast, and rivers to the west flow to the west coast. From the col, descend and gain a ridge, which the trail follows, toppling over to the north side and then descending to Col St. Pierre (1452m / 4764ft) where there is a small statue. We lose altitude gradually and join a flatish horseshoeshaped trail to Castel di Vergio, the island s small ski station and a good place to stop for lunch. After lunch, we traverse a harsh environment of granite rock formations to Radule, a huddle of stone cabins well camouflaged against the mountainside. We then follows the torrential Golu stream (actually Corsica's longest river) upwards towards it s source. Midway up the valley, our route crosses the stream, a welcome opportunity to take a break on the smooth sun-baked rocks and to cool our feet in the chilly water. The trail now leaves the floor of the valley and heads up to the ridge-line. From here, there are clear views of a number of coastal villages to the west and of the many inlets and promontories of the coastline. Our objective today is the refuge known as Ciottulu di i Mori (1990m / 6529ft), situated between two daunting mountains, Tafanatu and Paglia Orba. These twin massifs provide a high, alpine environment which is home to the wild mountain goat known as a mouflon. There are beds for 40 people in the refuge and you can buy snack food and drinks here. The refuge also has one of the best and definitely the highest terraces in Corsica, a great place to sip a beer. Food is served in the dining area of the refuge. 8 hours walking metres (3280 feet) of ascent. 600 metres (1969 feet) of descent. No access to main baggage. Day 5. Ascend Paglia Orba and trek to Vallone The optional ascent to the rocky summit of Paglia Orba (2525m / 8284ft) involves a 3 to 4-hour excursion from the refuge and does include some

3 scrambling. An early start means that we can reach this memorable summit before the morning haze begins to obscure the fantastic views. The upper part of this ascent is across scree and through rocky gulleys with a number of different route options marked by cairns. Once back at the refuge, we pick up our gear and head for the Col de Foggiale. From the pass, the GR20 plunges steeply down, a stunning descent through a chaos of granite rock and giant old pine trees. Eventually, we reach the Viru stream and make our approach to the Bergerie de Vallone, where Kati, Dom Pierre and their three lovely daughters provide a warm welcome. The bergerie sits in a valley surrounded on all sides by the high granite cliffs of the Grande Barriere, the ridge that contains most of the high summits of Corsica. We set up our camp nearby and dine in the cabin restaurant. It is possible to bathe in the pools of a nearby torrent. 7 to 8 hours walking (to include Paglia Orba ascent). 580 metres (1900 feet) of ascent metres (3700 feet) of descent. No access to main baggage. Day 6. Traverse the Cirque de Solitude Today s walk is unquestionably the most exciting of the entire GR20. We make sure that we carry only a small daysack. From Vallone, we head uphill past the refuge of Tighjettu and then continue steeply, across slabs of rock and some scree. We reach the entrance point into the 'Cirque of Solitude' at Bocca Minuta (2218m / 7277ft). From here, we should be able to look across the cirque to our exit point at the Col Perdu. We should be able to see walkers entering and leaving the cirque at the same level as our viewpoint. The chasm below is unique, the path drops straight down out of site into a deep void. Wherever they are needed, there are chains and ladders, as we descend some 200 metres (660 feet) into the depths, before climbing back up the other side. This is an impressive place, the closeness of the rocks and the often billowing mist make this one of the most dramatic section of Corsica s GR20. Passing the Col Perdu, we find ourselves in the sun again and head down for 800 metres (2600 feet) to Haut Asco. We stay at the Hotel Le Chalet in this old, disused ski station, which has twin and double rooms with en suite showers. There is a large bar at the hotel, and a separate restaurant. 1000metres (3280 feet) of ascent and descent. 7 hours walking. Access to main baggage. Day 7. Summit walk, Monte Cinto Again heading out with only a light rucksacks, we make the final walk of our trip, an early morning ascent of Monte Cinto. At 2706 metres, this is the highest summit on Corsica and provides us with a fitting finale. Our path takes us across the River Tighiettu, up through a series of slabs and across scree to the summit ridge, passing the Pointe de Eboulis (2607m / 8878ft) en route. At the island s high point, we take a little time to admire the view, which includes all of our previous summits. From the summit, we retrace our steps back to the hotel in Haut Asco, where we have earned a drink or two! A late afternoon transfer will take us down the Asco Valley to the bustling coastal town of Calvi. Overnight in a hotel. We will go out into town and find a pleasant restaurant for a celebratory final meal. 9 hours walking metres (4265 feet) of ascent and descent. Day 8. Depart Calvi, arrive UK Services end after breakfast. Clients can take a taxi to the airport for the return group flights to the UK which arrive at Stansted/Manchester in the early afternoon. Important: This day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. Although we update our itineraries on a regular basis, to take into account such things as changes to trekking routes and changes in the routing or availability of local transport, it is not possible to guarantee that any of our trips will run exactly according to the proposed itinerary. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions and difficulties with transportation, can lead to enforced changes. The trip leader will make any changes that are necessary. Trip Summary and Grading Duration: 8 days: (2 nights hotels, 1 gite and 1 refuge, 3 nights camping, 6 days DEMANDING trekking) Max. altitude 2706 metres. This is only a short trip, but we pack a lot in. For a period of 6 days, we will be walking and scrambling for an average of around 7 hours a day. This is a trip for fit and competent hill-walkers and scramblers. We have devised a tough mountain itinerary which is played out on rugged terrain. Some of the paths that we follow are way-marked routes, such as the GR20. Other parts of the route are on little-used tracks and trails, with a lot of ascent and descent and a considerable amount of scrambling. Because this route cannot be fully vehicle-supported, group members will carry their sleeping bags and essential overnight items on approximately half of the walking days. Trip Details Joining arrangements and transfers The Land Only package price of this trip includes a single group transfer from Calvi Airport to Vizzavona. This transfer is timed to meet the arrival of the designated group flight. Clients not travelling on the designated group flight should aim to meet up with the group at the airport in Calvi on Day 1 of the itinerary and must check the timing of this transfer with our office within 14 days prior to departure. The local guide or a representative will assist with the transfer. Alternatively, for clients who do not wish to take advantage of this group transfer, there are normally 2 trains per day between Calvi and Vizzavona from the early morning until mid afternoon and the journey time is approximately 3 hours. You can also arrive in Calvi by high speed ferry (NGV) from Nice (2½ hours) or Toulon (3 hours). All clients MUST inform us of their travel details. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your final confirmation letter. Services included An experienced leader, a single Calvi Airport to Vizzavona group transfer on Day 1, all road transfers detailed in the itinerary, all hotel, gite and refuge accommodation, together with all meals. During the trek, a full service, including food and all camping equipment (excluding personal equipment) is included in the trek price. Vehicle support and baggage transfer is also included where practical. Services not included Travel insurance, Calvi Airport transfers (other than the single group transfer to Vizzavona on Day 1) personal expenses, drinks, souvenirs etc.. Spending money Approximately 150 euros should be sufficient to cover all of your personal expenses. You will pay directly for soft drinks, beer and wine which are available at many of the refuges on the route. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). Group leader and support staff The group will be led by an experienced leader and there will also be appropriate local staff to assist with logistics and provision of meals. Vehicle Support We aim to give group members access to their kitbags on every night where this is practicable. Group members will have access to their trek bags at Vizzavona, Grotelle, Asco and Calvi. From Grotelle to Asco, there will be no access to trek Bags. Effectively, this means that for most days you will be carrying your sleeping bag and minimal overnight essentials. See itinerary. Equipment For this trip you will need the following: Walking boots, lightweight fleece jacket or similar, lightweight windproof & waterproof jacket & trousers, sunhat, warm hat, sunglasses, lightweight thermal gloves, a daypack of around 50 litres, head-torch and spare batteries, 2 x 1 litre water bottles, sun cream, 3 season sleeping bag, (please note that foam sleeping mats are provided). Special note: For this trip you will also need to take with you a plastic Tupperware lunch box with a sealable lid (about 0.6 litre capacity), together with a fork and spoon plus a penknife and a supply of toilet paper. Baggage allowance on trek During the trek your kitbag will often be supported by vehicle and on most of the trekking days you will be carrying your personal equipment including your sleeping bag that you need for an overnight halt.. There is no baggage limit other than that imposed by the international carrier (normally 20kg) but we do ask you to restrict your baggage to one kitbag and one 50 litre rucksack. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend one night in a hotel in Haut Asco and one night in a hotel in Calvi. The accommodation at these places is in twin-sharing rooms. There is also one night at a gite in Vizzavona, which has dormitory style rooms with 4 beds in each. At Grotelle, Vaccaja and Vallone, we will be camping adjacent to the bergeries or shepherd's cabins. Group members will put up their own tents which are held in storage at each of these places. At the GR20 refuge at Ciottulu di i Mori we will stay in dormitory style accommodation (if available). Where we are camping or staying in a refuge, we will eat with our hosts in a dining area or basic restaurant and can expect good hospitality and home cooking. Food All food, is included in the package. Breakfasts usually consist of a hot drink and bread and jam. Dinner is a 3 course affair, with normally soup or cold meats as a starter, a wholesome carbohydrate-rich main course and usually cheeses and fruit for desert. Lunch is usually a pre cooked pasta/rice/lentil salad, with extra bread, cheese, meat and fruit. For this you will need a plastic Tupperware box (about 0.6 litre), and a fork or spoon. A penknife is a very useful piece of kit for lunches as well. In some places your lunch box will be filled for you overnight and in others you will get a sandwich type lunch. Trail Food Most walkers bring their favourite high energy bars that follow on in the main luggage bags.

4 Flights With improved online booking technology, more frequent domestic connections and the proliferation of low-cost airlines, it is fairly easy to choose and book your flights. Our holiday price is a land only and does not include the cost of flights. It is based on joining the group in Corsica. You will find flight and ferry details that will help you make your travel plans. Please don t hesitate to contact us if you need advise with your travel plans. Preferred flights For this trip the easiest way to come is with the charter flights which are operated between Stansted and Manchester Airport and Calvi. Outbound flights depart in the early morning and arrive in Calvi mid morning. Inbound flights depart from Calvi in the early afternoon and reach Stansted and Manchester mid afternoon. If you would like to extend your holiday by a few days, please contact the office to discuss your options. Land Only Package The land only price includes everything except the cost of flights. You should make travel arrangements which enable you to meet with the group either at Calvi airport for the group transfer (recommended) or at the group s accommodation in Bavella on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. At the end of the trip the group will depart from Calvi in the morning of the final day. Important note: If you are making your own flight arrangements, you must check that your chosen holiday has reached the minimum numbers and is guaranteed to run - BEFORE paying for your airtickets. Check with the office or check the trip status on our website. General Information Climate The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, ranging from 15 C / 59 F to 30 C / 86 F. It can be cool in the evenings at our highest overnight stopping places. The weather is usually stable at this time of year, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out. Visa requirements You will need a valid passport. Nationals of the EU, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia do not require visas to visit Corsica as tourists for up to three months. The trekking day After breakfast at our overnight accommodation, we try to get a reasonably early start. For lunch, we will find a suitable place for a picnic. Packed lunches are provided. We will generally walk for around four hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon. We attempt to reach our overnight stop by mid-afternoon at the latest, giving us time to rest or do some independent exploration in the late afternoon. The pace of the trekking will allow us time to stop to admire the views and to take photographs. Altitude The altitudes involved on this trip are relatively modest and you should not encounter any difficulties. It is very important to maintain adequate fluid levels and you should drink regularly during the day s walk and during the evening meal. Our professional guides are widely experienced in these matters and will be able to give you good advice. Reference Books and Maps It is a good idea to do some reading about the country you will be visiting, its customs and people. The following books are recommended. Books GR 20 Corsica. Paddy Dillon (Cicerone Press). Corsica Walking Guide. Bergverlag Rother GMBH. Corsica. Insight Guide. Corsica. Lonely Planet. The Rough Guide to Corsica. Maps The French IGN (Institut Geographique National) 1:25,000 Series has a full and excellent coverage of Corsica. Several Sheets. Michelin. Corse (Corsica). Sheet No. 90. Available from: Cordee. (tel ). Or from Stanfords. (tel ). You can order your copiesvia the KE website -click on the Stanfords logo on the links page. Vaccinations You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. No special vaccinations are required for this trip. First Aid A medical kit will accompany the trek. All of our local leaders have appropriate first-aid training and are experienced in dealing with a range of medical problems associated with adventure travel. We recommend that you bring your own personal first aid kit consisting of the following: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Immodium) painkillers, plasters, blister treatment and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are a good idea.

5 WHY CORSICA WITH TOUR AVENTURE and KE ADVENTURE TRAVEL? EXPERIENCE KE has 23 years experience of guiding some of the best and most challenging adventure travel trips worldwide. They have been responsible for opening up many of the more adventurous trekking routes throughout the Himalayan lands and in South America. African and North American destinations have also featured within the pages of their brochure for more than a decade. In 2002, they introduced a number of trekking and climbing adventures in the European Alps and since then they have greatly expanded the range of our European trips to include Mediterranean destinations, like Turkey, Greece and Crete. Tour-Aventure have been working with them in Corsica for a number of years now and it has proved a good partnership. Tour Aventure are based in Ajaccio and have built up a team dedicated to Corsica. Headed by Sarah and Etienne we have an intimate knowledge of the island and a long standing relationship with the mountain community along the GR20. It was a priority for us to run this trip in conjunction with the people living and working in the mountains. All of these trips are accompanied by an experienced leader, most of whom have worked in Corsica for many years. Our guides are professional and hold the necessary mountain qualifications. They have appropriate training, experience and technical skills to ensure your safety. They have an unrivalled knowledge of Corsica and are well integrated in the area, they will provide and interesting insight to the area and their rapport with the local mountain community always ensures a warm welcome. Tour Aventure and KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a support crew or drivers and cooks. The fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best holiday experience. We can guarantee the maximum support possible during this trek, your luggage is made available on 7 nights of the trek, so you can have a change over of gear regularly and you won t be too weighed down. We ensure a good standard of food, using local produce and cooked by a variety of people along the way, such as, refuge guardians, families, shepherds and mule men. The GR20 can be a wonderful experience, without a monster pack to carry and with the security of having your bed reserved for you every night. HOW TO BOOK Having read this dossier, if you require further information, please don't hesitate to contact our office, either by e mail or telephone. The next step is to check the availability of places on your trip either by checking the trip status on the website, or by ing or phoning us. We can usually hold you a place for 7 days while you make a final decision. Trip Status For each of our group holidays, there is a minimum number of participants required to enable the trip to go ahead, the minimum group size for this trip to run is 5 and the maximum 12 clients. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Run' you can check the trip status either on our website or by calling the office. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your flight booking and other travel arrangements. If you are unsure about the trip status, please call our office. To Book your Trip You can make your booking online through the website, or over the telephone. By calling us, by sending an e mail, or by fax. Whichever of these methods you choose, you must complete a booking form and forward this to us with a 30% deposit. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Any unreasonable delay in submitting your booking form may jeopardise your place on your chosen holiday. Booking forms can be downloaded directly from the Tour-Aventure website or telephone the office and we will post one to you. Adventure Travel Insurance... It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. We recognise the complexity and variety of choice in the insurance market and know that many of you either have your own preferred insurer or have annual multi trip cover in place already. If this is the case, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. YOUR COMPLETE FINANCIAL PROTECTION Tour Aventure is a fully licensed Travel Agency. You can book your holiday with us in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. We hope that this dossier has answered most of your questions, however, please feel free to call and speak to one of us Office Address 1 rue du Général Fiorella, Ajaccio, Corse, France. Website: info@tour-aventure.com