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Full-Day Rafting Trip & Riverside Picnic Verdon | Buena Vista

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Full-Day Rafting Tour: 23 km of Adventure and Riverside Picnic

Live an exceptional day drifting along the turquoise waters of the Verdon! A long-distance white water rafting expedition combined with a relaxing lunch break in the heart of wild nature. Total wilderness immersion in the Gorges du Verdon guaranteed.

A full-day rafting trip is the perfect opportunity to completely unplug. You will navigate down a stunning valley, laugh with your teammates and your guide, and experience the thrill of paddling through continuous rapids!

There is no need to be an elite athlete. The full-day rafting runs we offer on the Verdon are not extreme and are fully accessible to active beginners, provided you are a confident swimmer.

Rafting is all about group synergy, friendliness, and high safety. Your professional guide is inside the boat with you the entire time, steering the raft, managing safety, and setting a fantastic atmosphere! He will just need your arms (and your ears) to follow commands like: "Left ahead!" or "All back!"

Note: If you already have some white water experience and want a more physical, independent challenge, you might prefer our full-day Canoe-Raft or Packraft options.

Vidéo Rafting : Rafting Whole-day-trip

Description Rafting : Rafting Whole-day-trip


Trip Itinerary & Logistics

  1. 9:30 AM – Welcome at our Castellane Base : Meet the crew, pick up your professional gear (wetsuit, jacket, helmet, paddle), and attend the safety briefing.

Address: 241 route de la zone artisanale, 04120 Castellane
Open directions to the Buena Vista Base https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WvFf1ZRV2gz9qGx6

  1. 10:00 AM – Launching the Adventure : We hit the river in small groups (maximum 8 participants per guide). The morning focus is playful and educational: learning river-reading skills, mastering paddle synchronization, and clearing famous rapids like the "Barre Saint-Jean".
  2. 12:30 PM – Riverside Picnic at "Plage du Siphon" : Time for a friendly break on a secluded wild beach to recharge your batteries and enjoy a quick nap by the water! (Optional local catering with fresh salads, local buffet, or complete sandwiches + dessert + drinks for 15 euros/person, or you can bring your own lunch).
  3. 02:00 PM – Into the Wild Action : We get back on the water for the technical and tumultuous section.
  4. 04:30 PM – Spectacular Final at Point Sublime : The arrival at the entrance of the Couloir Samson is absolutely fabulous, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs where Griffon vultures soar above. The final rapid, "Le Solitaire" (a powerful Class 4 rapid), will definitely leave you with unforgettable sensations!
  5. Return to Base : To exit the canyon, we enjoy a sporty 10-minute hike up the famous Martel Trail back to the parking lot (everyone helps carry the raft!). Time for a snack, sharing our best moments, and a minibus drive back to Castellane.
     

Important Info: EDF Dam Water Releases & Seasonality

To navigate a raft on this section, the EDF dam water releases must be open. If the dam is closed, we take advantage of the lower water level to explore the inside of the Grand Canyon on foot—this is our famous Water Trekking (Rando Aqua) experience!

Seasonal Availability : This full-day rafting run is available from April to the first week of July, and then from the last week of August to mid-October. (It is not offered during core summer weeks due to specific dam schedules).

Backup Plan : Outside of the dam openings, an outdoor activity is always guaranteed if the sun is out! We can easily redirect your group to spring runs on the Haut Verdon, the Daluis Gorge, Canyoning, or a Packrafting trip. We always recommend keeping two options in mind when booking.

Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates on water releases, or contact our team to discuss all available options.
 

What our Adventurers say about this trip:

"Super full-day Rafting trip!!!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A memorable activity and a absolute must-do for people visiting the area. We came for a bachelor party (EVG) and rafting was by far the best activity we did during our 4-day stay. The whole team is humanly fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves thrills and friendly, convivial moments. A huge thank you."
Maxence (Google Review)

  

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