Accompanied stay of 6 days (level 3), in the Valley of Wonders. You will enter the forbidden archeological zones and observe protohistoric engravings dating back 5,000 years. Lodging in a lodge and refuge. Available from June to October.
La Vallée des Merveilles 6 days stay - in star - accompanied - level 3 - in gîte d'étape and refuge
The Valley of Wonders in its entirety! The circuit proposes an immersion of 6 days to visit this site classified with the historical inheritance. The guides will allow you to penetrate the forbidden archeological zones and to observe 5,000 year old protohistoric engravings. This stay will allow to approach in a complete way the site of the Wonders.
Detailed program of the stay :
Day 1: Welcome at the Hameau de la Minière. Starting from the Mesches Lake, real gateway to the Merveilles valley, we will take a forest track to reach the hamlet of the Minières which will be the base camp of your stay. A 2 hour hike on the flora and glacier landscapes. Number of hours of walking : 2 / Positive difference in altitude : 75 m. Negative difference in altitude : 0 m. Accommodation : Gîte Neige et Merveilles, Room with bathroom Bar, reading room, Evening with film on the valley of the Wonders
Day 2 : The Val d'enfer and the protohistoric shelters Departure for the Merveilles refuge by going up the Minière valley, and in the afternoon, visit of the first engravings in the archeological zones. Night at the French Alpine Club's Merveilles refuge at 2130m altitude. Number of hours of walking: 5h00 Positive difference in altitude: 650 m obligatory. Negative difference in altitude: 0 m. Accommodation: Refuge des Merveilles
Day 3 : Visit of the Merveilles valley Complete visit of the Merveilles site by the regulated zone of Arpette. Discovery of the most famous engravings (Chief of the tribe, the sorcerer, the man with zigzag arms etc...). In the afternoon, return to the Neige et Merveilles lodge. Number of hours of walking : 6h30 (with a bag for two in the morning). Positive difference in altitude : 400 m obligatory. negative difference in altitude : 650 m. Lodging : Gîte Neige et Merveilles, Room with bathroom
Day 4 : Plan Tendasque, the fauna of the valley From the suspended mountain pastures of the Plan Tendasque, a high place of pastoralism at the doors of the Merveilles valley, we will take an unmarked itinerary in order to get closer to the chamois and the wolf tracks. Nb of walking hours : 4 hours elevation gain : 550 m. Lodging : Gîte Neige et Merveilles, Room with bathroom
Day 5: The sacred way and the tree of life We will go to observe the engravings of the archaeological sites of Fontanalba, 5000 years old. Meal at the refuge and return to the Neige et Merveilles lodge by the shepherds' path. An exceptional day. Number of hours of walking: 6 Positive difference in altitude: 500 m obligatory. Negative difference in altitude: 800 m Lodging: Gîte Neige et Merveilles, Room with bathroom
Day 6 : The village of Tende and the Musée des Merveilles Transfer by car to the village of Tende (30 minutes) for the visit of the Musée des Merveilles in order to review the knowledge learned during the hikes and to observe the tools and weapons of protohistoric men. Nb of hours of visit : 2 hours. End of the stay at 12:00
Detail of the circuit : https://www.orgaya.com/sejours/vallee-des-merveilles/ The strong points of the stay : The comfort of the lodging and the conviviality of the owners The night in a refuge The landscapes of the Mercantour The discovery of the Valley of Wonders The cultural visits
Level 3: Itinerary for average walkers in good physical shape, on alpine routes, with a programmed difference in altitude of 500 m / 750 m on average, in ascent and 5 hours of walking on average.
Period: From June to October
