GRAND ANGLE

Balcony paths and villages of the

Ecrins Natural Park Self-guided tout 7 days, 6 nights, 7 walking days Nothing to carry

The largest French National Park, Parc des Ecrins, a magical name, with legendary summits: Les Agneaux, the Barre des Ecrins, but also villages with typical mountain architecture, glacier streams and waterfalls… The stages are spectacular on the largest French massifs and it’s common to meet marmots and chamois!

Le village 38112 Méaudre /

Tél. : + 33 (0)4 76 95 23 00 Licence de voyage IMO038110022 Fax : + 33 (0)4 76 95 24 78

[email protected] http://www.grandangle.fr

Balcony paths and villages of the Oisans, self-guided: 2015 GRAND ANGLE

PROGRAMME

Day 1 Arrival in (1 490m) Check-in and if you have time you can go and visit this beautiful mountain village, the capital of mountaineering in the Oisans.

Day 2 Besse (1 550m) - La Grave (1 490m) Short transfer to Besse en Oisans and crossing of the plateau of Emparis and the pass of Souchet (2365m) until the village of Chazelet (1786m), descent to the village of la Grave. A beautiful hike on one of the most beautiful balcony paths in the Oisans. Beautiful view over the Meije, Rateau and the glaciers that descend to the . 6 to 7h walk, + 850m, -950m

Day 3 La Grave (1490m) - Villar d'Arène (1650m) Transfer to the hamlet of Ventelon (1750m) and hike to the lake of Goléon (2438m) and to the refuge of Carraud (2480m) for those who are fit. Descent to the village of Villard d’Arène by the hamlet of Valfroide (Pramailler) and the small pass of Aiguillon (2059m). 6 to 7h walk, +850m, - 950m

Day 4 Villar d'Arène (1650 m) - Le Monêtier les Bains (1490m), By the pas d’Anna Falque, Alpe de Villard d’Arène, Pass of Arsine (2348m) and its marmots. The panorama over the Agneaux glacier is beautiful. Nice descent among larches to the village of Casset. 7h walk, + 750m, -800m

Day 5 Le Monétier les Bains – Pass of Eychauda - Le Monétier les Bains (1490m) A great day to the valley of the Grand Tabuc, you will continue to the pass of Eychauda by the valley of Montagnole and the Pas de l’Ane. Descent to the village of Monestier les Bains. You can try the amazing aquatic centre of Monétier: http://www.lesgrandsbains.fr/en/ 5 to 5h walk, +/-900m to +/ -1200m

Day 6 Le Monétier les Bains (1490 m) – pass of the Lautaret (2057m) By the hamlets of Casset and Lauzet, climb to the pass of the Lautaret. The Jardin Alpin (alpine garden) at the summit ends this beautiful day. Beautiful 4* hotel + diner, swimming-pool and spa. 4h walk, +600m or +1000m, -500m

Day 7 Pass of the Lautaret – La Grave Descent to the pass of the Lautaret in front of the Pic Gaspard, 3881m and the Oriental Meije, 3891m to La Grave. 2h30 to 3 h walk, -600m

Balcony paths and villages of the Oisans, self-guided: 2015 GRAND ANGLE

DETAILS

LEVEL 2 to 3 Average to good walker; 5 to 7 hours walk per day. Average positive ascent per day: 800m

LUGGAGE You only carry you daily belongings and your picnic. You will get you luggage at your hotel in the evening.

ACCOMMODATION / FOOD Accommodation in hotels, 2 person sharing the room basis in half-board Hotels 2* (3), 3* (2) and 4* (1) for the last night at the pass of Lautaret. En-suite bedrooms. Double bedroom in half-board

WELLNESS On some days you will have the opportunity to access to the wellness areas (generally with a supplement):

Hotel Villar in Arène • Jacuzzi for 6 person • Sauna for 6 person o Price: 5 € / person / session, the bathrobe is supplied, the bathing suit is obligatory

In Monêtier les Bains You hotel is located near the wellness centre of Valvital, fun thermal baths: • Irish and Roman area (adults only): interior basin with hot beds a waterfall, 3 interior saunas, 1 exterior sauna, a hammam and 1 exterior Jacuzzi. Without appointment. • “Espace Grands Bains” (accessible to children from 4 years old): an area where you can discover with water pleasures, natural hot water (36C°), Jacuzzis, musical cave, hammam… without appointment. • Personalised care: with appointment Tel: (+33 0) 4 92 40 00 00 For more information: http://www.lesgrandsbains.fr/en/

Col du Lautaret Hotel As a client of the hotel you can access for free to the wellness centre, every afternoon until 09:00pm. Sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, fitness area and swimming-pool The bathrobe is supplied

ORGANISATION Self-guided tour, you will get a travel pack with maps, roadbook and vouchers.

Balcony paths and villages of the Oisans, self-guided: 2015 GRAND ANGLE NUMBER OF PERSON From 2 person

BEGINNING / END Start: on day 1 in the afternoon in La Grave End: on day 7, beginning of the afternoon in La Grave

DATES At your convenience from mid-June to the end of September.

PRICE per person Net prices Grand Angle 615 € per person, if 4 pers & more 660 € per person, if 2 or 3 pers

Single room supplement: +210 € Extra night in HB in a double room: 70 € per person. 105 € per person at the Lautaret

Included : − 6 nights accommodation in a double room in half-board − Luggage transportation − The travel pack − The taxi from La Grave to Besse − Transfer to Ventelon − Tourist tax

Not included: − Drinks − Lunches − Insurance − Visits

USEFUL INFORMATION − Maison du Parc National des Ecrins, Oisans region, BP47, 38520 Bourg d'Oisans, Tel : (+33 0) 4 76 80 00 51 − Tourism Office of Bourg d’Oisans: Tél. (+33 0) 4 76 80 03 25

ACCESS Arrival By train: SNCF train station in Grenoble (tel : 08 36 35 35 35 from France only) or Briançon Bus to La Grave. There are regular buses from Grenoble or Briançon train station to La Grave / Villar d’Arène (0 821 202 203 from France only) or www.vfd.fr By car: you can leave your car in a free parking in La Grave, close to the hotel.

Departure Bus from la Grave to Grenoble or Briançon train station

Balcony paths and villages of the Oisans, self-guided: 2015 GRAND ANGLE

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

- A small comfortable backpack for the day (40 to 50L) - Good hiking shoes with god soles - A pair a sneakers - A good sweat shirt or a fleece shirt - A windbreaker - Comfortable trousers to hike - A short - Sweats - A light shirt with long sleeves - Woollen socks - A hat and sunglasses - A flask - Sunscreen - Toilet bag - A first-aid-kit (aspirin, gauze bandage, disinfectant…) - A bathing suite - Cutlery, a plastic plate and a Tupperware (for the salads). + Another bag: a backpack or a travel bag (not to big)

Balcony paths and villages of the Oisans, self-guided: 2015