Vercors
A magnificent corner of France in spring

Sunday 10 - Sunday 17 June 2012 (8 days)

We return again to a superb mountain area on the edge of the French Alps, the Vercors, when the birds and flowers are at their best!

Between Grenoble and Valence, the Vercors is an area of mountainous limestone. Deep gorges cut by rivers over millions of years are topped by a plateau rising to over 2,300m. The cliff scenery is dramatic. It is an area little-known outside France, and our tours over the past few years have proved that the area can provide a superb week of wildlife in its own right.

Scenic and accessible, this jumble of limestone mountains provides a rich range of flowers, birds, mammals and butterflies, all adding their own magic to a stunningly beautiful part of France. And then, of course, you add in excellent wine and food (but not necessarily in that order!), and you know this is another typically good Travelling Naturalist destination.

The high tops here have a good range of mountain birds, including Alpine Chough, Golden Eagle and Citril Finch. Below the plateau, the forests show a decidedly Central and Eastern European influence, with Hazel Grouse and Tengmalm's Owl amongst the beeches and firs, and even the odd breeding Nutcracker. Other owls include the very local Pygmy Owl, and Eagle Owl on some of the cliffs.

The mammals here are also fascinating, with Chamois and Mouflon quite widespread, while Alpine Ibex are the subject of a reintroduction scheme. We also visit a colony of Alpine Marmot close to where Alpine Choughs nest in a cave.

Mature broad-leaved woodlands give us the possibility of seeing Black Woodpecker and Goshawk, while several roads cross spectacular passes from where we may see Golden Eagles and other raptors.

Accommodation
 Both hotels are 2-stars with all rooms en suite.

Leaders: Mike & Liz Read

Numbers: Max. 12 clients



Price: £ 1,595
Single supp.: £ 195
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 7 nights' accommodation as detailed above, meals in France, return scheduled flight London-Lyon*, minibus transport, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

*For an ex-flight cost (ex-Lyon) please deduct £120 from the tour cost. Clients may opt to travel by train to Lyon (St Exupery) airport.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Vercors map

Outline Itinerary
Days 1-3We take a scheduled flight from London to Lyon from where we drive to Chichilianne for a three-night stay, with Mont Aiguille as a lovely backdrop Three nights Chichilianne
Days 4-7We cross to La Chapelle-en-Vercors for a four-night stay. Here we are close to the pine-woods, and hope to go out on at least one evening to look for owls. Four nights La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Day 8We drive back to Lyon for our return flight to London.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary