Full-Day Aqua Trekking: The Samson-Trescaire Canyon Expedition
Experience the pleasure, camaraderie, and pure joy of a full-day immersive adventure deep inside the Grand Canyon du Verdon!
Aqua trekking is that one unexpected outdoor activity you did not think of booking, but from which you return completely amazed. It is no surprise that more and more of our adventurers want to extend the magic into a full-day format and enjoy a wild picnic right inside the giant limestone canyon walls.
We are proud to offer this exclusive full-day itinerary. It provides easier canyon access and a smoother exit compared to the Imbut trail, meaning fear of heights or vertigo is absolutely never an issue here.
The Samson-Trescaire expedition is the ultimate combination of two magnificent canyon sections located at the gateway of the Grand Canyon—a true full-day journey where we take our time to fully savor the experience.
Designed for active individuals looking for a longer day out, this trip combines the most spectacular river sections of the Verdon. After traversing the classic Samson bottleneck, you will venture even deeper into the gorge to discover untouched, wild zones inaccessible by any other means. A relaxing riverside lunch break punctuates this day of total disconnection.
Description Randonnée aquatique : Aqua trekking - Samson Trescaire
Trip Itinerary & Logistics
- Welcome & Packing at Base : Rendezvous at our private base in Castellane. Along with fitting your premium personal gear, we will prepare our collective equipment. We provide specialized waterproof containers (bidons étanches) and heavy-duty canyoning backpacks to securely carry your picnic, snacks, and drinks.
Address: 241 route de la zone artisanale, 04120 Castellane
Open directions to the Buena Vista Base
- The Scenic Drive : A comfortable 25-minute minibus drive to the famous Point Sublime lookout. The road overlooking the gorge is worth the trip alone, and you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
- Canyon Entrance : Our minibus drops us off on the small road leading down to the Couloir Samson lookout, where our day-long adventure begins. A quick 5-minute downhill walk brings us straight to the riverbed. We launch from a small, scenic beach right at the foot of Point Sublime. We double-check that all waterproof lunch containers are tightly sealed, and we dive in!
The adventure kicks off in a setting that is simply... magnificent! We enter the Couloir Samson right after passing the Solitaire rapid section. Looking up: the iconic Point Sublime stands tall. Facing us: a long, monumental hallway enclosed by majestic vertical cliffs. Welcome to the Grand Canyon du Verdon!
To our left, the famous "Grand Duc" climbing wall rises a staggering 300 meters straight up into the sky. The stage is set.
At the entrance of the Couloir Samson, the water flows gently, making it easy for everyone to master the back-floating position (floating). Right away, a first giant boulder invites us to try an optional cliff jump.
After 20 minutes of river floating, we reach the most impressive open cave of the Verdon: the majestic Baume aux Pigeons. Here, the currents begin to pick up speed.
Soon, we enter the first rock labyrinth. The currents become livelier; you will slalom between giant boulders and use eddies (counter-currents) to come to a full stop. Your expert guide is right beside you to map out the lines and lead you through the most impressive river features like natural siphons and giant potholes (Marmites de géants).
The Riverside Picnic : We exit the water just before the Tours de Trescaire. Here, the canyon widens, providing a perfect spot to observe Griffon vultures soaring above the Rancoumas lookouts or surfing the thermals along the giant red walls of the Route des Crêtes. You might also spot rock climbers or base jumpers on the cliffs!
We enjoy our picnic on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach, followed by a relaxing digestion break—time for a quick nap or a gentle swim.
- Into the Wild Territory : We set off again for two solid hours of aquatic exploration. This section takes us into a much wilder and significantly less frequented part of the canyon. It features numerous opportunities for exciting new cliff jumps (all optional) and beautiful active rapids that will delight the most adventurous.
- The Historic Return Hike : We join the famous Blanc-Martel Trail for our 30-minute return walk. This section leads us through two long historic tunnels carved straight into the bedrock in the early 20th century for an old hydroelectric project. Your guide will be equipped with a high-powered flashlight to safely guide your group through these 800 meters of complete pitch-black darkness.
- Return : A 30-minute minibus ride back to Castellane. We arrive around 05:00 / 05:30 PM.
Important Info: EDF Dam Water Releases & Seasonality
This full-day expedition is only possible when the upstream EDF dams are closed. If the dams are open, the river flow is strictly reserved for rafting and canoeing.
- Seasonal Availability : The full-day Samson-Trescaire tour is generally offered starting from May 15th.
- Summer Schedule (July & August) : Dams are consistently closed every day except Tuesdays and Fridays. Aqua trekking is therefore available 5 days a week.
- Spring & Autumn Note : Outside of July and August, dam schedules depend on weather and rainfall. EDF only confirms the next day's water flow around 05:30 PM the evening before. Therefore, it is essential to always keep a backup plan in mind when booking.
- Our Alternative Guarantee : If the dam happens to be open on your booked day, the adventure doesn't stop! You can seamlessly switch to an action-packed day of Rafting, Canoe-Kayak-raft, Packrafting, or Hydrospeed.
Rates & Booking
Early Season (Until July 12th) : 75 euros / person
High Season (July 13th to August 23rd) : 80 euros / person
Loved the Aqua Trekking experience and ready to transition into a highly technical, vertical canyon adventure? Discover our half-day Saint-Auban canyoning tour or go all-in with our full-day Riolan expedition!
What our Adventurers say about this trip:
"A Wonderful Day!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We did the full-day Aqua Trek and had a wonderful day! Big up to Kevin, our guide, who made us discover the splendor of the Verdon with his expert tips and cultural stories, and also made us laugh a lot. If you want to spend a moment rich in emotion and fun in complete safety, we highly recommend!"
Fanny (Google Review)
"See you next year!!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Third year in a row that we book with Buena Vista Rafting. 2023 for full-day rafting, 2024 and 2025 for full-day aqua trekking. We have already booked our spot for 2026!"
Bruno (Google Review)
"Incredible!!!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I have done some really cool outdoor stuff in my life (climbing in Yosemite, surfing the California coast, mountain biking in the Cascades), and the Aqua Trek Trescaire with Buena Vista is one of the most incredible things I have ever done. The guide was knowledgeable. The wetsuits kept us warm. The views were breathtaking. The jumps were fun and exciting. The staff was welcoming and laid back. I have no suggestions for improvement. We even drove from Nice just to spend the day doing this. Worth every penny. If you found this place, do it! You won't regret it."
Matt (Google Review)