The trip

LEVEL **

Elevation : between 400m to 600m.
Walking time : in average 5 to 6 hours per day. Forest tracks and trails. 
Fitness : walks are adapted for all, even for hikers who had never been snowshoeing.

This trip is organised in collaboration with our local partners, who are as committed as we are to providing you with an authentic experience.

GUIDING 

Group between 2 and 15 people supervised by a qualified montain leader. 

ACCOMMODATION

Typical south-facing mountain chalets in a small hamlet bordering a magnificent larch forest in the heart of the Queyras Natural Park. Clinging to the sunny slopes of Prats-Hauts, just twenty metres separate the three buildings, which offer comfortable rooms sleeping 1, 2, 3 or 4. 
A cosy lounge with bar, music and board games is the perfect place to relax. In the rustic dining room, a large fireplace brings traditional and hearty meals to life. There are also several lounges and a library, south-facing terraces and free parking nearby.

• Accommodation in shared rooms: these are cosy, non-mixed rooms with en-suite facilities, to be shared by 3 or 4 people.
• Accommodation in ‘standard’ double rooms: these are cosy rooms with en-suite facilities, located in the historic chalet. Supplement for the stay of €70 per person.
• Accommodation in a ‘comfort’ room for two: these are spacious, tastefully decorated rooms with en-suite facilities in the new chalet. Supplement for the stay of €130 per person.
• Single room: a room with a single bed and en-suite facilities. Extra charge of €110 per person.

Wellness area :
On-site, free SPA available 2 days a week, swimming costume compulsory for access to whirlpool, steam room and sauna.

Massage :
Various types of massage available (to be booked and paid for on site): Californian, Swedish, Lomi -Lomi and also foot reflexology sessions.

MEALS

Meal prepared daily by ‘the patrons’, using local produce: Queyras cheese, homemade jams and pastries, homemade bread made with organic flour from the family farm, honey produced on the farm, apple juice made at the chalet with apples from the family orchard, etc.
Full breakfast, bread, Queyras cheese, fresh cheese from the Hautes Alpes, fruit salad, homemade jam and honey, fruit juice made at the chalet, etc. 
Picnic with a different salad each day, mountain charcuterie, Queyras cheese, home-made pastries, fruit, chocolate, cereal bars, etc.
Special diets :
If you have a special diet (gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.) or are vegetarian, our small facilities are unable to offer personalised menus for every diet. We will do our best to adapt our menus within the limits of our capacity (particularly in terms of supplies).
supply). However, you will need to provide your own substitutes adapted to your needs, in particular bread, snacks and special milks, mainly for picnics!

Practical information

ACCESS DEPARTURE POINT 

You will be welcomed from 4.30pm at the chalet in Prats Hauts in the Queyras, and your guide will introduce you to the holiday at around 7.30pm.

If you are arriving by train: a shuttle bus will pick you up at the station at 6.30pm, which must be booked when you register.
If you are arriving by car: You can drive straight up to the hamlet (free parking 100m from the gîte). If you prefer to leave your car in the valley, in Ville Vieille (4km), to avoid the sometimes snowy climb up to the hamlet, a shuttle can pick you up at 5pm following your call.

Night train:
Line from Paris (Gare Austerlitz) to Montdauphin-Guillestre, runs every day of the year (trains are sometimes posted late: often 3 weeks before departure).
From “Gare de Montdauphin-Guillestre” to Ville Vieille connection with regular “Zou ma région sud” shuttles (https://zou.maregionsud.fr), we will come with a private shuttle to Ville Vieille to transfer you to your accommodation.

Daytime train from Paris to Montdauphin:
TGV line from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Valence, then TER line from Valence to Montdauphin-Guillestre.
Transfer at 6:30pm from the SNCF station (included in the price) by shuttle bus to Ville Vieille and then to your accommodation.
For arrivals before 6:30pm: Take the regular Zou shuttle (“Zou ma région sud” (https://zou.maregionsud.fr), from the “Gare de Montdauphin-Guillestre” to the Ville Vieille stop (bus station) we will come with a private shuttle to Ville Vieille to transfer you to
your accommodation.
Please note that there is no shuttle in the evening, so after the last shuttle you'll have to take a cab (approx. 100€ to get from the station to your accommodation).

BY CAR

Please note that special equipment is compulsory throughout the département between 01/11 and 31/03: snow chains or snow tires.

From the north :
1st possibility: Take the Col du Lautaret via Bourg d'Oisans and La Grave. Reach Briançon and follow signs for Gap (RN 94) to Montdauphin, then Guillestre, gateway to the Queyras Regional Park.
2nd possibility: from Grenoble via La Mure and Gap. Then follow signs for Embrun on the RN 94, then Guillestre, gateway to the Queyras Regional Park. Take the D902 then follow the signs for “Stations du Queyras”.
3rd possibility: From Grenoble, stay on the A51 freeway towards Sisteron. Cross the Col de Lus-la-Croix-Haute, then Veyne, Gap. Then follow signs for Embrun on the RN94, then Guillestre, gateway to the Queyras Regional Park. Take the D902, then follow the signs for “Stations du Queyras”.
4th possibility: Via Chambéry - Autoroute de la Maurienne -Tunnel du Fréjus (at the toll booth, take a return ticket valid for 7 days). At the Italian exit of the tunnel, continue on the freeway towards Turin. Exit at Oulx and follow signs for Cesana - Sestriere - Col de Montgenèvre/Francia. From the Col de Montgenèvre (border) you reach Briançon and then Guillestre (1 hr 30 min drive from the tunnel).

From the south :
Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Embrun - Guillestre.
From Guillestre, follow signs for “Queyras” (D 902), then the D 947.

"Road conditions” answering machine contact (french only)
To access the Hautes-Alpes department, call 04 92 24 44 44 (special equipment required to cross certain passes: snow tires or chains)

End of stay in Prats-Hauts, after breakfast.

ACCOMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR STAY

The Chalet in Prat Hauts (same accommodation as during the stay).

CONTACT US

If you are late please let us know as soon as possible : +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Material for snowshoeing (snowshoes and poles) is provided. However, if you have your own and would like to use them you are free to do so. Avalanche safety equipment including (transceiver, shovel and probe) is also provided.

Clothing : 

• Warm woollen socks. Avoid tennis socks (cotton), which take a long time to dry and carry a high risk of blisters; prefer Coolmax or wool socks.
• Gaiters ;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Shoes for relaxing in the evening (tennis shoes) and after skiing;
• Waterproof mountain or ski trousers or overalls;
• Carline-type thermal tights;
• Warm, breathable T-shirt or underwear. Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry, prefer synthetic materials such as nylon (polypropene);
• Warm jumper or fleece;
• Gore-tex jacket;
• Warm hat and balaclava in silk or fleece;
• Pair of silk or fleece mittens and gloves (to be used under the mittens);
• Spare pair of mittens or gloves:
• Indoor clothing;
• Swimming costume.

Other Equipment:

• Effective sun protection (filtering sunglasses and protective cream) must be carried in the rucksack;
• Earplugs to protect against snoring; 
• Light toiletries;
• Toilet paper (for hikes) and tissues;
• Bath towel (one towel provided, bring extra if needed) ;
• A large plastic bag to protect the inside of your bag in case of rain;
• Insulated water bottle (minimum 1.5 litres);
• Torch;
• Opinel-type folding knife, a 300ml waterproof plastic can such as Tuperware, spoon;
• Camera;
• Personal first-aid kit: A personal first-aid kit to treat muscular fatigue, digestive problems caused by cold and altitude, blisters, your usual medicines, elastic adhesive tape (elasthoplast: 5 cm x 2.5 m), sets of adhesive dressings, compresses, etc.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

You must pack all of your belongings in 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 travel bag.
1 - The backpack:
Hiking backpack of about 35 liters, it will be useful for transporting your personal belongings during the day (warm clothes, water bottle, picnic, sun protection, identity papers, camera, binoculars , etc.)
2 - The large flexible travel bag:
It should contain the rest of your stuff.