Small nomads in Diois (Vercors)

Description

A smooth circuit through the Diois, in the heart of the Vercors Massif, which will delight the whole family. From valleys with limpid water to panoramic ridges covered with greenery, landscapes and places for rest are constantly changing. In the company of several donkeys, the rhythm recalls the memory of itinerant shepherds ... You will make short stages with the possibility of doing more once settled in the camps.

A real mountain atmosphere, punctuated with farm visits, swimming, unforgettable bivouacs and animal sightings. An enchantment for nature lovers.

Program

D1: Combeau - The Nonnières (850m)
Reception at 10am at Die station. Transfer to the bucolic valley of Combeau where our donkeys have their summer home. Picnic near the pond then departure for the great adventure. We cross the rock of Combeau by the Côte Chèvre pass, then we descend to the hamlet of Nonnières through old fields of lavender and the remains of a distillery. We set up our camp near the waterfall Sapet for a first bivouac night.
3h walk, positive elevation: 150m, negative elevation: 600m, night in camp.

D2: The Nonnières - La Plainie (1200m)
We go up the valley of Sareymond towards Mont Barral to reach the Desert farm where the Huguenots met for their secret assemblies. We will surely meet the sheep and their guardians, the "patou" dogs. Then, a balcony path in a beautiful beech forest, leads us to the Col de la Plainie. We then descend to our bivouac located under the foothills of the Bellemotte mountain.
4h walk, E+: 500m, E-: 200m, night in camp.

D3: La Plainie - Refuge of the Tower (1340m)
A short stage takes us to the Refuge de la Tour. We then leave our donkeys for a rest to explore around the refuge with - among others - the Lollipops of Borne, magnificent and unavoidable geological curiosity or the mountain of Bellemotte and its many chamois. Overnight at the Refuge de la Tour, ideally located in the pastures, facing the Jocou mountain.
3 to 4 hours of walking, E+: 400 m, E-: 350 m, night in the hut.

D4: refuge of the Tower - Combeau (1400m)
By a path in the heart of the forest we reach the ridge and the superb mountain pastures of Jiboui. Then, from the Col de Menée, we follow the Great Leyrie ridge which brings us gently into the valley of Combeau by the Lauzette pass.
5 to 6 hours of walking, E+: 450m, E-: 400m, night in a lodge.

D5: Combeau - Natural Reserve of the high plateaux of Vercors (about 1600m)
We go to discover the Natural Reserve of the highlands of Vercors. After a look at the marmots in the meadow of Essaure, we will reach the peaks for a magnificent view on the neighboring peaks of Dévoluy and Oisans and on Mont Aiguille, emblematic mountain of the Vercors Massif. We will choose an ideal bivouac location in the wilderness before sleeping in the silence of the mountain.
3 to 4 hours of walking, E+ and E-: 300 to 500 m, night in camp.

D6: Natural Reserve of the Vercors highlands
We stroll in the heart of the reserve while having fun to discover the flowers and the traces of animals. We can look to observe ibex and chamois before descending to the hostel Combeau. A last hug to our donkeys and we're back to Die station at 5pm.
3 to 4 hours walk, E+ and E-: from 300 to 500m.

The price includes

• Rate :
  Adult: 615€ / Children from 7 to 12 years: 530€
• Full board accommodation (3 nights in camp and 2 nights in hut)
• Loan of tents
• Supervision by the hiking guide
• Donkeys for carrying luggage
• Round trip transfers from Die station to Combeau Valley

The price does not include

• Drinks and personal expenses
• Additional visits
• Cancellation and repatriation insurance

Accommodation

• 3 nights in camp under 2 or 3 places tents. Tents and mattresses are provided. A "dining room" tent is provided in case of bad weather.
• 2 nights in huts in dormitories:
  • The hostel Combeau offers a terrace, a restaurant with fireplace and upstairs dormitories for 6 people with 2 showers and 2 toilets.
  • The Refuge de la Tour is an associative place managed by a group of 500 people who want to preserve a place for hikers in beautiful unspoiled nature. The rustic dormitory room has a stove. There is hot shower and toilet on site.

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