TOUR OF THE QUEYRAS The Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras (Natural Regional Park of the Queyras) is a "vast cathedral nave hanging from the sky where the inhabitants have been able to "hoist" their villages higher than anywhere else in the Alps. This is thanks to the extraordinary amount of sunshine (more than 300 days sunshine per year and dozens of sundials in each village!). This proud group of mountains, so long cut off from the rest of the world, has known how to conserve its heritage and traditions. Bearing witness to this are the large number of little hamlets and villages with their chalets built of larch-wood, larch being the most common species of tree in the Queyras. The grazing of animals and wood-working by craftspeople are still widely practised here. This massif of the Southern Alps, with its wide valleys and the rich and gracious contours of its mountains, is ideally suited to walking and trekking. On this holiday you will discover a new valley every day and by the end of the week you will have walked into every part of the Park. PROGRAMME FL020 DAY 1 : Ceillac (1640 m) - Lac St Anne (2415 m) or the belvédère de la Mourière (2324 m). You are welcomed at the hotel "Les Veyres" at Ceillac in the morning. This is a circular walk to the lakes called Lac Miroir and Lac St Anne (2415 m) (Walking time: about 4h30 / Ascent and Descent: 775 m) or to the belvedere (viewpoint) de la Mourière (2324 m) (Walking time: about 3h30 / Ascent and Descent: 685 m). Night at the hotel. DAY 2 : Ceillac - Col des Estronques (2651 m) - St Véran (2040 m) You climb up from the valley of the Cristillan, passing through two hamlets used during the summer season: Le Villard and Le Tioure. These have a scenic backcloth in the form of the pyramid of Le Péouvou (3232 m). You keep going uphill through alpine meadows until you reach the Col des Estronques. From here you can, if you wish, climb up to the top of La Tête de Jacquette (2757 m) in order to enjoy the wonderful views over the valleys of the Cristillan and of the Aigue Blanche. You go down by the Vallon de Lamaron, following the mountain stream, passing through the larch-woods until you reach the Pont du Moulin (1849 m) on the Aigue Blanche. From here there is a short uphill walk to St-Véran via the hamlet of Le Raux. Pass the night in the hotel. Walking time: about 6h00 / Ascent: 1000 m - Descent: 800 m. DAY 3 : St Véran - Col de Longet (2701 m) - Molines-en-Queyras (1750 m) This begins with a steady uphill walk through the summer pastures of St-Véran until you reach the Col de Longet. At the head of the Aigue Blanche valley, the jutting mountaintops are more than 3000m high and form a natural frontier with Italy. From the col, there is a fairly continuous downhill section until you come to the bridge called the Pont de Lariane (2024 m) over the Aigue Agnelle. Next comes a very pleasant walk through the woods, following the mountain stream. You pass close to the two hamlets of Fongillarde and Pierre Grosse before finishing the walk at Molines-en-Queyras. Pass the night in the hotel. Walking time: about 5h00 / Ascent: 750 m - Descent: 950 m. LA PELERINE - WALKS IN FRANCE 32 place Limozin - 43170 SAUGUES 04 71 74 47 40 / contact@lapelerine.com / www.walksinfrance.co.uk/
DAY 4 : Transportation by vehicle to the Refuge Agnel (2580 m) - Col Vieux (2806 m) - Abriés (1540 m) Today s walk starts with a short ride to the Refuge Agnel, which occupies a wild and magnificent setting underneath the towering pyramid of the Pain de Sucre (3208 m). From here there is a little walk up to the Col Vieux, the highest point of your holiday, before going down again past the superb high-level lakes of Foréant and then Egorgéou. Next you reach the upper part of the Guil river at the charming little village of L'Echalp. From here you follow the river as far as the village of Abriés. Pass the night in the hotel. Walking time: about 6h00 / Ascent: 220 m - Descent: 1270 m. DAY 5 : Abriès - lac du Grand Laus (2579 m) - Aiguilles (1450 m) From Abriès, you walk up a gentle, regular slope through the fields and then through the forest until you come to the Bergerie des Bettins. At the end of the valley of the Malrif, the mountain called Le Grand Glaiza (3293 m) marks the Italian border. After a steeper uphill section following a zigzag path your efforts will be rewarded when you come in sight of the huge Lac du Grand Laus with its turquoise waters. After this you enter the valley of the Guil and the village of Aiguilles by way of the little valley called the Vallon du Lombard. Pass the night in the hotel. Walking time: about 5h30 / Ascent: 1050 m - Descent: 1000 m. DAY 6 : Aiguilles - Meyries (1700 m) - Souliers (1816 m) - Arvieux (1685 m) The walk begins with a traverse across the hillside overlooking the river Guil until you come to the hamlet of Les Meyries. After this you climb up through the Vallon de Péas, under the impressive bulk of the Pic de Rochebrune, the second highest summit of the Queyras (3320 m). Once you have passed the Lac de Roue, a haven of coolness and tranquillity, the GR (long-distance footpath) leads gently downhill until it reaches La Chalp d'arvieux, a small village which is famous for making furniture out of the wood of the Arolla pine. Pass the night in the hotel. Walking time: about 6h30 / Ascent: 800 m - Descent: 570 m. DAY 7 : Transportation to Montbardon (1500 m) - Col Fromage (2301 m) - Ceillac (1640 m) The day starts off with a short ride to the hamlet of Montbardon, perched high above the gorges of the Guil. You then walk up the Vallon de Riou Vert, following the torrent, and passing through woodland, until you come to the Col de Fromage. From here you continue going uphill until you reach the old signalling station, from which the view over Ceillac and the valley of the Cristillan is wonderful. After this you go down to Ceillac by way of the Col de Bramousse. This is the end of your walking holiday. Walking time: about 5h30 / Ascent: 1050 m - Descent: 910 m The walking times are given as a general guide only. They are based on an average walking speed and do not include times for rest-breaks or picnics. Guides may alter these walks in the interests of group safety, either to take account of the walking abilities of the group or the weather conditions. Ascent and Descent refer to changes in altitude above sea level, not the distance walked. 305 metres = 1000 feet. The daily stages involve 5 to 6 hours walking. You will always be on paths which are well marked and signposted. DATES From 15 June to 15 September, you can choose your own dates subject to the availability of accommodation.
Please indicate on the booking form any alternative dates which might suit you (for example if you would be able to book the holiday for a period of time shortly before or after your preferred date). This may be useful if one or more hotels are already booked on the preferred date. For similar reasons we ask you to make your reservation as soon as possible. We do not keep places reserved in the hotels and some of them can fill up with bookings several months in advance. THE PRICE INCLUDES The information pack giving all the documentation maps, descriptive material etc needed for carrying out your walking holiday Transportation of luggage Half-board accommodation starting from the evening meal on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Midday meals Drinks and personal expenses Insurance Booking fees The cost of sending information overseas WARNING This route will be followed without a guide, and it is your responsibility to make sure that you complete it enjoyably and safely. We will give you all the information and logistical support needed for your walking holiday to be a success. However, we take no responsibility for problems resulting from errors of navigation or time management on your part (e.g. setting off too late in the morning or spending too long over your lunchtime picnic ). DOCUMENTS WE SEND YOU After we have received payment for the holiday we will send you: 1 book of route cards containing a detailed description of each day s itinerary (day by day) and useful information. Maps (or extracts of maps) from the series IGN Top 25 (scale 1:25000 or approximately 2½ inches to 1 mile) clearly showing the route you will take. The official names and numbers of these maps, which are produced by IGN, the French national mapping agency equivalent to the OS in Britain are as follows: Guillestre n 3537ET / Mont Viso n 3637OT / Briançon n 3536OT. Vouchers indicating the services provided at each of your places of accommodation. 1 luggage label with your name on it, which must be attached to the bag which you will have transported for you from one place of accommodation to the next. GROUP NUMBER Any, from 1 person upwards ACCOMMODATION All accommodation is in hotels. This will give you an opportunity to taste some celebrated local foods (feuilleté Queyrassin, Agneau, tartiflette, raclette ) (flaky pastry of Queyras, Lamb, a potato-based dish with cheese, garlic etc, melted chees + charcuterie) if you pay a supplement of 40 per person for the week.
WHAT YOU CARRY You are expected to carry only what you will need during your day s walk. All your other luggage will be carried by our minibus from one place of accommodation to the next. GETTING TO THE STARTING POINT Train then bus: The nearest railway station (Gare SNCF): Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre (05 = Department of Hautes-Alpes). There is a direct night train from Paris. During the day, there are regular services from Marseille, Grenoble or Valence. Then there are regular bus services to Ceillac or Abriès. Railway information (French railways = SNCF) 36 35 (0,34 /mn) or www.voyages-sncf.com Car: Grenoble / Col du Lautaret / Briançon following the RN 91. Then you go towards Embrun following the RN94. Just after Mont-Dauphin, at the roundabout, turn left along the D902 to go through Guillestre and on up the valley of the Guil Or Grenoble / La Mure / col Bayard / Gap following the RN 85. Then take the RN 94 signposted to Briançon. 3.5 km after St Clément-sur-Durance, at the big roundabout, turn right along the D902 to go through Guillestre and on up the valley of the Guil Then: For Ceillac turn right after la Maison du Roy. For Abriès, at Ville-Vieille take the road signposted to Aiguilles. Abriès is 5 km past Aiguilles. For further information, contact these tourist offices: Ceillac 04 92 45 05 74 Abriès 04 92 46 72 26 Starting and finishing points for the holiday: Hôtel les Veyres at Ceillac (05), Mr Favier - 04 92 45 01 91 If you arrive the day before, or if you wish to stay longer: ½ board: from 41 to 59 approx. bedroom from 40 to 60 approx. PAYMENT You have to pay a deposit of 30% of the total cost of the holiday when you book, and the remainder must be paid 30 days before the departure date. For all bookings made less than one month before the departure date, the cost of the whole holiday must be paid for at the time of booking. TERMS AND CONDITIONS The general and particular terms and conditions are defined in our general brochure. WE ADVISE YOU TO BRING WITH YOU For your comfort and safety, make sure you are well equipped.
Head-wear Hat or cap Sun-glasses with sun-protection level 3 or 4 reduce the risk of discomfort or damage from sunshine or glaring snow. Upper body 2 light tee-shirts made of breathable fabric to allay the effects of perspiration. A thicker garment made of stretchable fabric, which can keep you warm while at the same time allowing perspiration to evaporate. An anorak or similar outer garment which should be both wind-proof and water-proof. Hands 1 pair of light gloves Legs 2 pairs of trousers: - 1 thicker pair for good protection. The fabric should be both breathable and water-repellent. These trousers should be suitable for the time of year and afford good protection in bad weather. 1 lighter pair for ease of movement and comfort while you are walking. Swimming costume or trunks A thick pair of tights for night-wear Changes of underwear Footwear Walking shoes or boots which give good support and protection to the ankle. Ideally they should have a breathable lining of Goretex or similar fabric to ensure waterproofing while allowing perspiration to escape. The grip and quality of the sole should be good enough for them to be used for walking on any kind of footpath. Footwear for relaxation (sandals or trainers) in the evenings Socks (3 pairs) of the type used for trekking and long-distance walking Bring with you Water-bottle 1 litre minimum 1 or 2 telescopic walking poles Plastic bags for protecting anything which might get soaked in heavy rain, or an overall waterproof covering for your rucksack. Kitchen tissue/toilet roll Pocket or head torch Example: the lightweight Petzl Tikka Bowl with waterproof lid (tupperware type) with spoon and pocket knife Drinking tumbler in plastic or metal A small medical kit for yourself: Elastoplast or new skin for possible blisters; pain-killers Aspirin, paracetamol (aspirine/doliprane in France)...; medicine for sore throats: strepsil... anti-inflammatories: ibuprofene; earplugs... and any other medication that you usually take Sun-cream for your skin and lip-salve 1 survival bag In a waterproof wallet: passport or identity card, your insurance contract, your EHIC card if you are British, money for your personal expenses. Sheet sleeping bag (blankets are provided) for gîtes and refuges (mountain huts/hostels). In the hotels, both sheets and blankets are supplied. Your toiletry bag Camera and binoculars if you want to bring them
All the things you bring with you should be packed in two bags, as follows: Your rucksack This is to carry things which you will need for each day s walk. It should have a capacity of 30 to 40l. Choose a lightweight rucksack, with a rigid frame for your back. It should also have proper straps and a wide comfortable waist-strap. Consider using a rain-cape which converts into a rucksack. The bag that will carry your other luggage from one place of accommodation to the next We allow only one such bag per person, and that bag must not weigh more than 15kg. It should contain everything you have brought with you which is not needed during the day s walk. This bag should preferably be a travel bag or a rucksack. Avoid bringing a rigid suitcase. INSURANCE Our insurances, Contrat Assistance Plus (Assistance étendue) and Contrat Sérénité (Premium) are individual and optional. If you sign up for them it must be AT THE LATEST, 14 WORKING DAYS after booking the holiday, and the insurance cannot take effect until after you have paid the full cost of the holiday. Anybody can take out one of our insurances, whatever their country of residence. The total cost of the Contrat Assistance Plus (insurance for Assistance/Rapatriation) is set at 1.70% of the cost of the holiday. It takes into account only the cost of the holiday. The total cost of the Contrat Sérénité (insurance for Assistance/Repatriation, cancellation and interruption of the holiday) is set at 3.6 % of the price of the holiday. It takes into account the cost of the holiday and the extra charges (for individual bedrooms, for a single holidaymaker, extra nights and possible extra transportation etc). If you cancel the holiday yourself, if you haven t taken out our insurance for cancellation, the cancellation fees will be retained by us. The size of the cancellation fee depends on the date of cancellation: 1) more than 30 days before the planned departure: 50 of administration fees per person. 2) between 30 days and 22 days before departure: 25% of the total cost of the holiday. 3) between 21 days and 15 days before departure: 50% of the total cost of the holiday. 4) between 14 days and 8 days before departure: 75% of the total cost of the holiday. 5) between 7 days and 2 days before departure: 90% of the total cost of the holiday. 6) less than two days before the departure date: 100% of the total cost of the holiday. In all cases of cancellation, even if it is more than 30 days before the planned starting date of the holiday, a fee of 50 per person will be retained by us to cover administration costs. If the person with whom you planned to share a bedroom cancels their holiday, you will be billed for the individual supplement for that bedroom. If you have to cancel your holiday before you set off, contact La Pèlerine on +33 (0)4 71 74 47 40, and we will do whatever is necessary. During your holiday, your first action in such a situation should be either to contact ASSISTANCE MUTUAIDE on +33 (0)1 45 16 43 47 (if you have taken out the insurance contrat assistance plus) or SERVICE SINISTRE ASSURANCE on +33 (0)5 32 09 21 81 (if you have taken out the insurance contrat sérénité). If you have any questions about your insurance contract, please contact the Hot Line on 05 32 09 21 81. Not turning up at the beginning of the holiday, or abandoning the holiday after you have begun it with no explanation, will disqualify you from reimbursement.
An example of an insurance contract, detailing the guarantees it gives you and the procedures you have to follow to make a claim, will be sent to you either at the time you make your booking or at any other time if you ask for it. CHANGING YOUR BOOKING: ATTENTION! Administration fees (50 ) will be kept by us for any change you make in a booking already made (e.g. for type of bedroom, departure dates, number of people etc). If you want to book extra nights at the beginning or the end of your holiday this must be done at the time of booking and be specified on the booking confirmation sheet. Once bookings have been confirmed, if you want to arrange extra nights this must be done directly with the establishments concerned, and paid for at the time.