Balcons et Sommets du Queyras
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 1025.00 €
About the Balcons et Sommets du Queyras hike
Discover the Queyras highlands! This massif, dotted with high-altitude lakes and breathtaking mountain pastures, is home to a generous natural environment and an extraordinary variety of landscapes: forests, mountain pastures, villages, rocky high mountains… Come and discover them as few have the chance to do during hikes from ridge to valley.
Every day, the landscape and atmosphere change on this star-shaped hiking itinerary designed by our guides to help you discover the best of Queyras, this secret treasure of the Southern Alps.
You will leave with :
Julian
Trekking Guide
“Every step is an invitation to contemplation, every sunset a reminder of nature’s simple, profound beauty.”
Photo gallery of the Queyras balconies and summits hike
The route of the Balcons et Sommets du Queyras hike
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Daily trips to the trailheads
- Accommodation in a 2-star hotel on a half-board basis in a double room
- Picnic meals on the trail
- Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader who knows his valley inside out
What's not included in the package
- Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Soft drinks in general
- Personal hiking and travel equipment (shoes, poles, first-aid kit)
- Single room supplement at the hotel: +160 €.
- Transport to and from the hotel on the first and last day. Transfer from Guillestre or Ceillac available at extra cost.
- Anything not mentioned in the section “What’s included in the package”.
Day 1: First meetings before departure
Make the most of this first night to get a good night’s rest and start your adventure in top form!
Day 2: Caramantran assault
5 hours’ walk – 20 minutes’ drive – Overnight in hotel – D+ 710 m / D- 710 m
The first day begins with a transfer to the Agnel refuge. From here, you’ll begin the climb to Caramantran and Rocca Bianca, situated at over 3000 m.
All the way up to the ridge, you’ll be able to admire a fantastic panorama of the Queyras peaks. This viewpoint will also enable you to situate the different areas you will discover during the week. You’ll then continue along the high ridges.
Day 3: Lac Saint-Anne and Lac Miroir
5 hours’ walk – 30 minutes’ drive – Overnight in hotel – D+ 730 m / D- 730 m
Ceillac is the starting point for today’s hike! This loop will take you to two of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps.
You’ll start your walk in a beautiful larch forest to reach the majestic Lac Sainte-Anne and its picturesque chapel.
On the way back you’ll pass by the second lake of the day for a refreshing stop: Lac Miroir.
Day 4: A summit, alpine lakes and breathtaking views
Today’s departure point is the village of Brunissard.
As you set off in the direction of the Pic des Esparges fines (2691 m), you’ll be crossing all the variety of the Queyras. A summit, alpine lakes, breathtaking views – that’s the day’s program. What more could you ask for?
Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose to return in a loop, or take an adapted itinerary.
Day 5: Discover a magnificent belvedere
The charming little village of Molines en Queyras awaits you for this day’s hiking in the heights. On a beautiful ridge traverse, you’ll enjoy unique views of Mont Viso (3841 m).
La Gardiole de l’Alp, one of the most beautiful lookouts in the Queyras, is a lovely loop hike.
Day 6: Day trip around Pointe du Rasis
Head for the little hamlet of La Chalp for the start of the hike. You’ll enjoy a magnificent day out around the Pointe de Rasis on a route that’s as confidential as it is ambitious.
The larch forest gradually gives way to high-altitude meadows, then passes and tapering ridges to reveal incomparable views of Saint-Véran and Ceillac.
The return journey takes you through the small valley of Lamaron, where you can visit the village of Saint-Véran, a veritable open-air museum.
Day 7: Final objective: Pic Foréant!
From the Col Agnel, you’ll climb to the 3081 m Foréant peak and its eponymous lake, nestled in this high Queyras valley. Afterwards, you can explore the glacial lake of Asti, or climb to Pain de Sucre for a last look at the spectacular scenery of the Queyras.
Your group will return to their accommodation in the late afternoon to share their final impressions of this magical adventure!
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ATTENTION: air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you book during this period.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
CLIMATE
Temperatures vary according to altitude. It can reach 30°C in summer on the plains, or sub-zero on the summits.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
We strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
IFREMMONT
No specific indications.
Transport and conditions
Transfers to hiking starting points are provided daily from the hotel.
Transfers to and from the hotel on the first and last day are not included in the price. Transfers from Cluses train station or Geneva airport are available at extra cost.
AIR
No specific indications.
LUGGAGE
Your luggage is returned to the hotel each evening.
The stay
MEALS
Picnic lunches are prepared by your guide or by the hotel. In the morning, breakfast is taken at the hotel. Evening meals are taken at the hotel or in the town center. Snacks are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights in a 2-star hotel, in a double room.
If you would like a single room, a supplement will be charged. Please specify this when you register.
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
In general, the sockets are of the European standard.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
For French, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss nationals :
– Your identity card or passport valid for 3 months after your return date.
As these formalities may change, please check with the country’s consular authorities. All travelers are responsible for complying with entry requirements in the countries they visit.
Watse cannot be held responsible for any change in formalities.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic krona (ISK) The indicative rate is : 1 € = 145 ISK in November 2022 The currency in Greenland is the Danish krone (DKK) The indicative rate is : 1 € = 7.40 DKK in November 2022 It is possible to use your credit card in the villages. The stay is all-inclusive from departure to arrival. Only personal expenses (drinks, etc.) are not included in the price. Details of services provided or not provided are given in the “Price includes” and “Price does not include” sections above.
Watse added value
HOME-MADE PICNICS
During your stay, picnics are prepared with fresh local produce by your guide.
THE BEST ACCOMMODATIONS
The refuges and gîtes on this hiking trip in the Queyras have been selected by our teams for their ideal location and the quality of their welcome.
TRANSFERS IN PRIVATE VEHICLES
To be completely free and autonomous, and to avoid any delays, all transfers will be made by private vehicle during the stay.