Tour des Ecrins - Mélanie Gaudin

• Duration: 16 days / 15 nights
• Accommodation : In tents
• Group size: 6 participants minimum and 8 participants maximum
• Supervision: 1 mountain leader, high mountain guide
• Difficulty: Good physical condition: 6 to 9h daily walk, several days with more than 1200m of ascent

• ITINERARY

This program is given as an indication only. We will have to adapt to the vagaries of the weather, mountain conditions and the level of participants.

DAY 1: WELCOME DAY
Arrival possible from 4pm, directly at the Venosc campsite.
Gear up, pack bags for departure the next morning, meal prepared together, overnight at the campsite.

DAY 2: VENOSC / LAC DE LA MUZELLE
An initial stage with some ascent, but fairly short. Enough to warm up at your own pace, gain altitude and reach the heart of the Ecrins National Park.
ALTITUDE GAIN: 1215M
DENIVELE - : 40M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 3: LAC DE LA MUZELLE / LE DESERT EN VALJOUFFREY
A big stage this day, on winding trails that take us through hamlets from another era.
DENIVELE +: 1270M
DENIVELE - : 2120M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 4: LE DESERT EN VALJOUFFREY / LA MUANDE
Possible visit to Le Désert en Valjouffrey. Before starting the climb to the Col de la Vaurze, at 2500m. Direction Valgaudemar.
DENIVELE + : 1285M
DENIVELE - : 605M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 5: LA MUANDE / LA CHAPELLE EN VALGAUDEMAR
First return to the valley, in Valgaudemar, at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park.
DENIVELE +: 440M
DENIVELE - : 1310M
NIGHT AT CAMPSITE

DAY 6: LA CHAPELLE EN VALGAUDEMAR / LAC DE VALLON PIERRE
Gradual return to the heart of the park, under the watchful eye of Sirac, the most southerly of the great Ecrins peaks.
DENIVELE + : 1230M
DENIVELE - : 40M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 7: LAC DE VALLON PIERRE / PRE DE LA CHAUMETTE
A short passage over the crests (weather permitting) from the Vallon de Gouiran. We join the Haut Champsaur for the night, still under the watchful eye of Sirac.
ALTITUDE +: 640M
DENIVELE - : 1130M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 8: PRE DE LA CHAUMETTE / GRAND CABANE
A wild stage that takes us to an altitude of 2735m. We enter the upper Fournel valley via the Pas de la Cavale.
DENIVELE + : 920M
DENIVELE - : 495M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 9: GRAND CABANE / VALLOUISE
Back to the valley, this time in Vallouise. Descent via the Narreyroux valley.
DENIVELE + : 670M
DENIVELE - : 1640M
OVERNIGHT CAMPING

DAY 10: VALLOUISE / AILEFROIDE
Rest day. On this day, we'll take the time to recover some strength for the rest of our stay. Possible visit to Vallouise and its Maison du Parc before heading for Ailefroide.
ALTITUDE + : 380M
GRADIENT - : 120M
OVERNIGHT CAMPING

DAYS 11 AND 12: ALPI DAYS
The program for these 2 days will be finalized on site, according to weather, terrain conditions and group fitness.
DAY 11: We meet up with mountain guide Robin, who will lead us to higher summits. Preparation and equipment for the 2 days. Ascent to bivouac site. First technical training for the next day's race.
DAY 12: Very early start for this ascent on the edge of Pelvoux and Pic Sans Nom. At an altitude of over 3000m, we discover the high mountains under the first rays of sunshine.
Return to Ailefroide at the end of the day.
OVERNIGHT CAMPING

DAY 13: AILEFROIDE / VALLON DE CHAMBRAN
We're off again for a few days' walking around the beautiful Ecrins massif. We'll start with the vallon de Chambran, also known as the vallon de l'Eychauda from the lake that dominates it. A wild excursion at the gateway to the Park.
DENIVELE + : 1090M
DENIVELE - : 65M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC

DAY 14: VALLON DE CHAMBRAN / COL D'ARSINE
A slightly long stage that takes us to the outskirts of Monêtier-les-bains and its winter sports resort. Without lingering, we head for the Col d'Arsine and its wonders. There, the palette of blues is endless, with lakes each more beautiful than the last.
DENIVELE + : 1000M
DENIVELE - : 1180M
NIGHT IN BIVOUAC
DAY 15: COL D'ARSINE / LA GRAVE
A final stage to round off this beautiful trip to the land of giants. We finish in the company of some of the massif's greatest names: Pic Gaspard, Pavé, and above all, La Meije! All covered in ice..
ALTITUDE +: 170M
DENIVELE - : 1040M
NIGHT AT CAMPSITE

DAY 16: RETURN
Breakfast all together and dispersal of participants.

NB: The days will be long, with early wake-ups (between 6am and 7:30am depending on the day) and late afternoon arrivals at bivouacs (between 4pm and 6pm). Plan on 6 to 9 hours' walking per day, and several stages with over 1,200m of ascent. Of course, there will be regular breaks throughout the day (every 2 hours or so). And the guide will adapt to the level of the group.
It is important to note that this itinerary is given as an indication only, and that the guide reserves the right to modify it, cancel or reschedule one or more days, if he/she considers that conditions or the level of the group do not allow him/her to ensure the complete safety of the participants.