Packraft the Verdon Gorge in France

Your host will welcome the group at Nice Airport where you'll hop in the van for a scenic drive through Provence to the start point of the adventure at Lake Castillon, a beautiful body of water in the Verdon Natural Park. The action starts straight from here, with a mix of hiking and paddling on the lake, perfect for warming up ahead of the adventures to come. You'll hike some lakeside trails and your host will run you through the need-to-knows of packrafting, with a gear check and some tuition on the lake to help you get to grips with the basics. Lake Castillon, like many other spots on the trip is a beautiful place for a wild swim as well. In the evening you'll head to the charming village of Saint Julien du Verdon, located on the shores of the lake.

Roll out of the tent and tuck into coffee and breakfast before packing up and setting off on foot with your packraft packed in the backpack provided by your host. The day begins with a beautiful hike that takes you along ridges above the lake, after about two hours of hiking you'll reach an old abandoned village offering breathtaking views of the area. This is the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you'll continue the hike, descending towards the next lake of the adventure, Lake Chaudanne. Once at the water's edge, you'll whip the packraft out of the pack, inflate your vessel and hit the water. Paddling out into this stunning setting, there'll be chances to swim, and for the more daring you can try a few jumps into the lake from the rocks! Around 90 minutes of paddling will see you to the other side of the lake, where your host's support crew will be waiting to drive you on to the charming village of Castellane, located 3km from the lake. Setup camp here and head out to find sundowners and dinner in this lovely spot, the last of civilisation for a couple of days as you'll heading deep into the gorge tomorrow.

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day today with some downtime this morning to explore the charming village of Castellane at your own pace. You can stroll through its picturesque streets, enjoy a coffee on a terrace, and perhaps take on the climb to the Roc Chapel, perched 200 meters above the village and offering the most breathtaking panoramic view of the valley—a must-see! In the afternoon, you’ll set off to explore the Verdon Gorge from the water. Depending on the date of your trip, if the Castillon dam is open you’ll launch your packraft directly from Castellane and paddle down to the entrance of the canyon. If the dam is closed, you’ll embark on a floating adventure, swimming into the first section of the canyon to explore it up close and personal. Both are a magical and unique way to experience the gorge from within, right on the water. You'll spend around 3 hours paddling, navigating the first 20km of the gorge and it's precipitous cliffs flanking the dreamy emerald waters. After the day’s adventure, you’ll head to the Chalet de la Maline, a mountain lodge nestled in the heart of the canyon. This will be your base for the next two nights. Grab a beer and settle in on the chalet’s terrace, the most welcoming spot in the Verdon with a magical view of the gorge below and a peaceful and friendly atmosphere.

Take in the views and a delicious breakfast on the chalet terrace this morning before setting off fairly early with a big day ahead. Your first goal is to reach the entrance of the canyon, located a few kilometers on foot from the refuge. Next up a mini expedition into the first section of the canyon, a remote area inaccessible by any other means. Follow the banks of the Verdon River on foot, passing through three tunnels, and after about 45 minutes of hiking, you'll take a small trail down to the river. You're now right in the heart of the canyon, time to inflate your packraft. Your guide will offer some extra safety advice ahead of the challenge today, as you'll encounter some white water on this part of the gorge. Launch onto the river and dive straight into the rapids, tackling fun and fast grade 2 waters beneath the cliffs. This part of the adventure is a 12km long descent, alternating between thrilling rapids and calmer stretches, perfect for taking in the spectacular scenery all around. The cliffs in this part of the gorge are mind-blowing, some up to 700 meters high and more than earning the nickname of 'Europe's Grand Canyon'. Take a break for lunch on a deserted beach, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of this unique spot - you've earned it! - before completing the last of the rapids. Pack up your packraft and begin the hike back, a steep one-hour mission with around 400 meters of elevation to brings you back to the gîte. Grab a shower and settle in for another cozy evening in the heart of the canyon.

One last breakfast overlooking the gorge from the terrace, bid farewell to the gîte with a short drive to reach a small hiking trail that will take you back into the canyon, a few kilometers downstream. After about an hour of hiking, arrive at the river at the bottom of the canyon, inflate the packrafts and you're off again on the last push of the the adventure. Begin by navigating a few small rapids before reaching the end of the canyon, with the final kilometers offering a calm stretch of water in an incredibly scenic section, offering breathtaking views before the canyon opens into the stunning Lake Sainte-Croix. Your final mission is to paddle across part of the lake where the support team will be waiting. After the crossing, head toward the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for a celebratory drink, a perfect way to wrap up the adventure. You'll return to Nice Airport in the late afternoon, where the trip concludes. What a ride!