In Brief...
The ‘Gorge Getaway’ short break is one of our popular experiences due to its flexibility. It includes the two-day GUIDED river trip with overnight bivouac camp plus 1 – 5 nights additional accommodation at one of our carefully selected locations. You can choose to have camping, hotel, or yurt accommodation with your booking. If you include a night accommodation before your river trip you will be met by a senior member of staff (usually your river guide) who will ensure you are happy with all the arrangements. They will be able to answer any questions and offer advice for during your stay.
Our short breaks are available from April – September. The dates available vary throughout the season to match our guided river trips which run on Mon/Tues and Thurs/Fri each week (we also have a few trips running at the weekend during April). To check availability for the river trip before sending your enquiry, please see Guided River Trip.
Our ‘Gorge Getaway’ is perfect for people with limited time available but who still want to maximise their experience by having a guided river trip and have their accommodation pre-arranged. It is also perfect to include as an add-on if you are on your way or returning from another location.
If you would like to stay longer than 7 days, please see our 8 day River package for more options or contact us with your bespoke requirements.
3 – 7 DAYS
APRIL – SEPTEMBER
SUITABLE FOR:
Single
Couples
Family
Groups
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Camping
Hotel
Yurt
More Information...
What’s included
What’s NOT included
The two-day river trip* covers 32km from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc to St. Martin and is divided over two equal days of 16km each. It includes paddling through the world famous Pont d’Arc (the largest natural arch in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Gorges de l’Ardeche nature reserve with spectacular 1000ft cliffs towering above you on either side. It’s the perfect balance of fun grade 2 rapids (30 in total) and peaceful flat sections.
Our guided river trips enable you to relax, have fun and enjoy the spectacular environment without worrying about equipment, timings or tricky looking rapids! Our highly qualified guides are there to ensure your safety as well as your enjoyment.
The 2 day GUIDED river trip - min age 10yrs
This fully immersive experience is the perfect introduction to white water, allowing you to enjoy all the river has to offer at a relaxed and leisurely pace.
We meet at 10.30am in Vallon Pont d’Arc on day one of the river trip. After a brief introduction, you’re straight into your boat and onto the river. We begin by spending some time on the flat water practicing paddling techniques and generally familiarising ourselves with the boat. Then we make our way along the river towards the Pont d’Arc, playing on a few fun rapids as we go. We generally stop for lunch at around 1pm on a small beach near the Pont d’Arc – it’s the perfect spot to relax, take in the scenery and watch fellow paddlers negotiate the rapids (it’s better than television, we promise you!).
In the afternoon we continue our journey into the Gorge. In the summer months, your guide will get the timings just right so that you’re away from the crowds, allowing you to experience having the Gorge to yourself – it’s quite an amazing feeling. We typically arrive at the bivouac site – in the heart of the nature reserve – by around 6pm. After putting up tents we will gather at the BBQ to wind down, cook some food and enjoy the spectacular night sky (seriously, the sky is BIG in the Ardèche!) and hopefully catch a sight of the wild boar as they do their rounds.
On day two, after breakfast, we continue our journey through the Gorge, navigating the remaining rapids and stopping for some rock jumps or cave explorations whenever you feel the urge! After the river trip, we will be taken by bus back to the starting point, arriving in Vallon by around 6.30pm.
Your guide will be with you for the entire trip and is there to help you whatever your level or previous experience.
Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or whether you’re a seasoned paddler, your safety and enjoyment is our primary concern and we’ll do everything we can to ensure your experience of the Ardeche is one that you’ll remember with a smile for years to come.
The boats
The boats we use are sit-on-top kayaks and are available in singles or doubles. They are well designed to help protect you on the rapids and greatly reduce the chance of entrapment. Their specific design allows the waterproof barrel to be securely attached and the boats are self-emptying should you capsize. Buoyancy aids, helmets (if requested), paddles, 55l barrels (1 per person) and boats are all included in the price.
We can also provide guided trips in traditional open canoes but some prior canoeing experience is required. Please contact us to check availability as we have a limited number of boats.
The overnight bivouac camp
To really enhance your river trip experience, nothing beats sleeping under the stars surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Gorge. Don’t worry though, although quite basic, the bivouac site does have facilities such as toilets, showers, a BBQ site (with charcoal provided) and access to drinking water.
Camping equipment is included with GUIDED river trips and will be given to you on arrival for the river trip. All camping equipment will need to go in the waterproof barrels provided along with anything else you wish to take with you (spare clothes, food etc.).
*Please note that alcohol is not allowed at the bivouac site
**Wild camping is strictly prohibited and enforced with heavy fines
Ardeche river map
*Please note that alcohol is not allowed at the bivouac site
**Wild camping is strictly prohibited and enforced with heavy fines
*Our guided river trip runs on Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday each week. When you place your booking you will be asked your preference for the river trip (Mon/Tues or Thurs/Fri) and we will fulfil that request wherever possible.
We have carefully selected 3 different accommodation options to choose from with our ‘Gorge Getaway’ short breaks to enable you to get the best from your holiday at great value.
Camping
This option includes your pitch only at a 4-star campsite which is right next to the river and only a 10 min walk into town. You can bring your own tents/caravan/camper etc. or you can include camping equipment with your booking.
All pitches are shaded and separated by hedges. They also have access to water points and electricity (extension cord may be necessary). The campsite has a restaurant/bar; heated swimming pool; small shop and a large games area. Whilst it’s not possible to have BBQs on the campsite pitches, there is a large BBQ area available for guests, together with tables and seating.
This is a relaxed, family friendly, locally owned and independently run campsite, providing excellent facilities and the perfect riverside location.
Please note that, in France, no beach shorts are allowed in a public pool and males must wear lycra ‘speedo’ style swimming trunks/shorts.
see here for Full Campsite Details
Hotel
The hotel we use is situated next to the river just 6km along the Gorge Road from Vallon Pont d’Arc. Located only 300m from the Pont d’Arc, but away from the hustle and bustle of the busy tourist areas, ‘le Belvedere’ is nestled on the edge of the Nature Reserve, offering the perfect retreat after a busy day exploring.
There is a large open terrace where you can have food and drink throughout the day and a recently refurbished swimming pool should you fancy a dip.
All rooms are en-suite with telephone, TV, air conditioning and free wi-fi which is available throughout the hotel.
You can request to include breakfast or book your room only with the hotel option.
Double, twin and group/family rooms are available.
see here for Full Hotel Details
Yurt (New)
The yurt site is situated half-way down the river and on the edge of the Ardeche gorge. A great ‘back to nature’ experience which has a private track that leads you directly down to the waters edge.
This is a relaxed, family friendly, locally owned and independently run campsite, providing unusual accommodation in a great location. We recommend you have transport with this option.
There are a few romantic 2 person yurts, a few family yurts (2-4 people), a couple of tents on stilts (2-4 people), and some safari lodges (2-6 people).
Option to include breakfast
see here for Full Yurt Site Details
The start and end points for the river trip and the accommodation options available are shown on the map below. You can zoom in and select the appropriate option for you and then click the icon in the tab that will appear from the left. This will take you directly to google maps where you can enter your location and get a detailed directions for your journey along with travel times.
This option varies in price depending on the option selected. The cost is the same as for the two-day guided river trip with overnight camp – £175 per person (July/August) or £160 per person (all other times) – plus your accommodation for as many nights as required.
Gorge Getaway: CAMPING
April / May / June / September | July / August | |
1 person | £45 pppn | £55 pppn |
2 persons | £25 pppn | £30 pppn |
3-4 persons | £20 pppn | £25 pppn |
5-6 persons | £15 pppn | £20 pppn |
Camping equipment is included for the overnight bivouac (as part of the river trip). To include this for your additional nights at the campsite will cost £15 per person per day.
Gorge Getaway: HOTEL
Hotel rooms charged per room per night (GBP) | |||
room type | April / May / June / September | July / August | |
Doubles | Sun-Thurs | Fri-Sat | Sun-Sat |
Standard double | £130 | £140 | £170 |
Superior double | £140 | £160 | £190 |
Double spa | £180 | £200 | £230 |
Prestige | £200 | £220 | £260 |
Twin | |||
Superior twin | £150 | £170 | £210 |
Family (max 4) | |||
Family room (with spa) | £240 | £280 | £340 |
Breakfast | £15.50 per person per day |
Gorge Getaway: YURT (New)
There are 4 accommodation options at the yurt site.
Low season prices (April, May, June & September)
Number of people | Romantic Yurt 15 sqm |
Family Yurt 18 sqm |
Tent on Stilts 32 sqm |
Safari lodge 50-60 sqm |
2 | £40 pppn | £50 pppn | £55 pppn | £60 pppn |
3 | – | £40 pppn | £40 pppn | £45 pppn |
4 | – | £30 pppn | £35 pppn | £40 pppn |
5 or 6 | – | – | – | £35 pppn |
Breakfast is optional and charged at £10 per person per day
High season prices (July & August)
Number of people | Romantic Yurt 15 sqm |
Family Yurt 18 sqm |
Tent on Stilts 32 sqm |
Safari lodge 50-60 sqm |
2 | £55 pppn | £65 pppn | £70 pppn | £80 pppn |
3 | – | £45 pppn | £50 pppn | £55 pppn |
4 | – | £35 pppn | £40 pppn | £45 pppn |
5 or 6 | – | – | – | £40 pppn |
Breakfast is optional and charged at £10 per person per day
Select Your Gorge Getaway...
Complete the form with your required details and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm availability and provide you with a final quote for your Ardeche holiday
Other holiday options
RIVER TRIP ONLY
Book the 2 day Ardeche river trip on its own. We have both Guided and Unguided options available.
RIVER PACKAGE
Our River Package includes 7 nights accommodation plus the 2 day guided river trip with overnight camp.
COURSES & TRAINING
We have a 5 day Ardeche canoe expedition and a 3 day canoe development course currently available.