Info
The Verdon Gorge
Operated from the Southern French Alps and Provence
On its path from the mountains of Haute Provence to the sea, the Verdon cuts through a number of limestone gorges. The most spectacular and beautiful of these is the Gorge du Verdon. This is the famous ‘Grand Canyon’ of Europe. The descent of this class 2-4+(5) canyon is like a mini expedition. Because of its length (34 kilometres), difficulty and nature (portages and scouting) It is a paddling experience on a scale that is found nowhere else in Europe.
Some paddlers on their first descent have taken over 8 hours or more to finish it, others have even had to leave their boats and come back the next day. However, Canoe Control guides with intimate knowledge of the gorge can make the journey an adventure and not an ordeal, increasing your safety and decreasing the time needed to complete it. The gorge has been very well documented in many guidebooks; please refer to White Water South Alps by Peter Knowles for a detailed description.
This trip can be taken as a complete package as part of the structure of our Alpine courses in the summer, or when we are in Provence in April and early May. It also can be taken as a completely separate trip. Although this is a guided trip each paddler will need a sound skill level (solid class 3+ 4 with a good roll). A good fitness level and a degree of mettle are necessary. The trip will consist of one guide and safety boater per four clients.
Releases from the dam at Castellan are usually every Tuesday and Thursday during the spring and summer. Timetabled Verdon Gorge trips will normally be offered on the Thursday, with a preparation paddle the day before. However group bookings for Tuesday are possible. We do not offer this trip as a one-day package. The prep-day is of great importance for training and skill review. Clients already on a Canoe Control week can join this trip, however there will be a supplementary fee.
For a full description including itinerary see the info sheet.
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Dates & Prices
Verdon Gorge (Provence) Kayak Preparation and trip
In April/May the prep day will be on a suitable river in Provence
Dates 2010
April 22nd - April 23rd
April 29th - April 30th
Price based in Provence
£225.00 per person
£600.00 Group rate (3-4 persons)
Verdon Gorge (South French Alps) Kayak Preparation and trip
In June, July, August. The preparation day will be in the French Alps, river Durance catchment
June 10th - June 11th
June 17th - June 18th
July 15th - July 16th
July 22rd - July 23rd
August 5th - August 6th
August 12th - August 13th
Price based in South French Alps
£250.00. per person
£650.00 Group rate (3-4 persons)
Trip details
Guide, safety boater, shuttle set up
Preparation day and Gorge day
Includes camp fees for one night and local travel, but not meals (unless on a fully catered Canoe Control course)
Extras
Boat hire
£20 boat per day
£30 boat and equipment per day
Airport transfer from Turin (trip run from Alps) available
£90.00 per person (single person supplement group reductions available)
Flight transfer from Nice £50 per person (trip run from Provence) free on our week long package
Insurance
We offer a great insurance package just click on the insurance icon for details
Dates
Based on the EDF (France Electric) dam release above Castellane.
Book online Now
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The terms and conditions of booking with Canoe Control are included in the booking form.