Two majestic rams stand side by side in a natural landscape. Their large, curved horns add to their imposing appearance, while their brown coats blend harmoniously with the surrounding vegetation.
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Two people are standing on a rocky peak, surrounded by mountain scenery at sunset. One is dressed in a dark outfit with shorts, while the other is wearing a black top and dark trousers. The light
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An ibex moves across mountainous terrain, surrounded by rocks and a few areas of brownish grass. In the background, majestic mountains rise up under a slightly cloudy sky, creating a
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A group of people walk along the edge of a cliff overlooking a spectacular mountain landscape. The rocky redents illuminated by the sunlight at dusk mingle with green slopes. Visit
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A mountain landscape with a vast expanse of meadows and green hills. In the centre, a herd of brown cows graze peacefully. In the background, a rocky hill rises up to the sky.
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A group of three people are in the middle of a forest, looking at a hunting camera mounted on a tree. Two young people, a boy and a girl, are staring intently at the camera's screen, while a young man, a boy and a girl, is looking at the camera's screen.
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A mountainous landscape with steep cliffs and slopes covered in greenery. In the background, the hills stretch as far as the eye can see, blending into a clear sky tinged with shades of green.
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A stone cottage stands in the middle of a vast green meadow, surrounded by trees and hills. The roof is sloping, covered in dark tiles, and a wooden window is on each side.
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A serene mountain landscape with a circular pond surrounded by lush green vegetation. In the background, gentle hills rise up under a brilliant blue sky, while to the right, two
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A group of hikers are walking along a high path overlooking vast green mountains. The people are dressed casually, carrying rucksacks and scarves, and appear to be walking in the shade.
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A path leads up through green meadows to a rounded summit. Three people, carrying rucksacks, make their way along the path, while another figure climbs a little further up the hill.
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A multi-storey building with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by greenery and set close to a wooded hill. To the front, chalet-style shelters with pitched roofs. A tree is visible
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A brown ibex rests on rocky ground, strewn with stones and dry grass. The slope is slightly inclined, with a clear blue sky in the background.
1 / 0
A minimalist bedroom with a light wood bunk bed and black metal structures. A wooden ladder gives access to the upper bed, while a single bed is next to it. The floor is covered with
1 / 0
A group of people are walking along a rocky ridge, overlooking a vast landscape of mountains and valleys. The soft light of a sunset illuminates the rocks and the silhouettes of the hikers,
1 / 0
Two majestic rams stand side by side in a natural landscape. Their large, curved horns add to their imposing appearance, while their brown coats blend harmoniously with the surrounding vegetation.
Two people are standing on a rocky peak, surrounded by mountain scenery at sunset. One is dressed in a dark outfit with shorts, while the other is wearing a black top and dark trousers. The light
An ibex moves across mountainous terrain, surrounded by rocks and a few areas of brownish grass. In the background, majestic mountains rise up under a slightly cloudy sky, creating a
A group of people walk along the edge of a cliff overlooking a spectacular mountain landscape. The rocky redents illuminated by the sunlight at dusk mingle with green slopes. Visit
A mountain landscape with a vast expanse of meadows and green hills. In the centre, a herd of brown cows graze peacefully. In the background, a rocky hill rises up to the sky.
A group of three people are in the middle of a forest, looking at a hunting camera mounted on a tree. Two young people, a boy and a girl, are staring intently at the camera's screen, while a young man, a boy and a girl, is looking at the camera's screen.
A mountainous landscape with steep cliffs and slopes covered in greenery. In the background, the hills stretch as far as the eye can see, blending into a clear sky tinged with shades of green.
A stone cottage stands in the middle of a vast green meadow, surrounded by trees and hills. The roof is sloping, covered in dark tiles, and a wooden window is on each side.
A serene mountain landscape with a circular pond surrounded by lush green vegetation. In the background, gentle hills rise up under a brilliant blue sky, while to the right, two
A group of hikers are walking along a high path overlooking vast green mountains. The people are dressed casually, carrying rucksacks and scarves, and appear to be walking in the shade.
A path leads up through green meadows to a rounded summit. Three people, carrying rucksacks, make their way along the path, while another figure climbs a little further up the hill.
A multi-storey building with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by greenery and set close to a wooded hill. To the front, chalet-style shelters with pitched roofs. A tree is visible
A brown ibex rests on rocky ground, strewn with stones and dry grass. The slope is slightly inclined, with a clear blue sky in the background.
A minimalist bedroom with a light wood bunk bed and black metal structures. A wooden ladder gives access to the upper bed, while a single bed is next to it. The floor is covered with
A group of people are walking along a rocky ridge, overlooking a vast landscape of mountains and valleys. The soft light of a sunset illuminates the rocks and the silhouettes of the hikers,

Wildlife watching

On the trail of the wild ungulates

September to October
3 days| 2 nights
Level 2
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Discover France's six species of wild ungulates, all found in the Vercors, from the majestic stag to the fierce mouflon, with a passionate local naturalist and conservationist as your guide.
Hike through the breathtaking landscapes of the Vercors, from dense forests to steep cliffs, exploring the rich flora and fauna of this nature park in the height of summer.
After savouring the delights of the region, relax in a secluded gîte perched on the Col de la Machine for a magical night in the heart of nature.
Learn tracking and stalking techniques with Romain, a naturalist guide, and enhance your experience of the flora and fauna of the Vercors thanks to his in-depth knowledge.

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 3
Night
Gîte
Distance
4km
D+
100m

We'll meet up at around 2pm at the Hostel Quartier Libre gîte, where we'll meet our guide, Romain. He'll give us a briefing on the programme for the trip and show us a slide show on the Great Fauna of the Vercors. We'll then head off to the Ambel plateau, a site of vast lawns, forests and clearings, rich in history linked to the resistance in the Vercors. Today, it is a vast grazing area classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, owned by the Drôme département.

This excursion will allow us to observe our first animals, familiarise ourselves with the area and look for signs of the presence of ungulates and other local species.

Return to the gîte at the end of the afternoon for a delicious local meal.

DAY 2 / 3
Night
Refuge
Distance
10km
D+
200m

We start the day preparing for a two-day hike. We'll be tracking and observing the wildlife of the Vercors. We'll be exploring the Font d'Urle area. An emblematic site in the Drôme Vercors, the panorama is breathtaking, with uninterrupted views over the surrounding valleys and distant ridges. It's also an ideal vantage point for spotting rock fauna such as chamois, mouflons and birds of prey!

We'll stop off at a small refuge where we'll spend the night. The advantage of staying in a refuge in the middle of nowhere is that you get up close and personal with the wild animals.

DAY 3 / 3
Night
Refuge
Distance
10km
D+
200m

After carefully packing our bags, we embark on our second day of hiking. We will have the opportunity to meet a field professional, who will share with us his experiences in the field and his invaluable knowledge of the fauna and flora of the Vercors.

We'll continue our journey along the southern ridges of the plateau, a spectacular landscape where altitude and winds have sculpted beautiful reliefs. Here, vast alpine meadows stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with dolines and lapiaz, evidence of the erosion that has shaped this land. The ridges offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys below.

At around 6 p.m., we return to our gîte, where our stay will come to an end.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Romain - Romain

Romain

Romain

FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

A native of the Vercors, I have a real affection for this massif, which has given me a passion for the animal world. The excursions on offer allow you to discover the rich, wild nature of the Vercors. At the same time, naturalist studies are helping to improve our knowledge of the wild fauna, which is then needed to raise awareness among the general public.

Find out more about Romain

What's included in the price

Included

Your guide Romain: for the duration of this expedition, you will be accompanied by Romain, a naturalist guide who is active in local wildlife conservation.
Accommodation: You'll spend one night in a family-run inn perched high in the Vercors massif and one night in a refuge in the middle of nowhere.
Catering: All meals included from day 1 evening to day 3 lunchtime

Not included

Personal consumption
Transport to the meeting point
Anything not included in "what the price includes".

What level should you expect

Level 2
  • You'll be able to walk between 5 and 10 km with a positive difference in altitude of up to 200 m.
  • You want to learn more about the wildlife of the Vercors and are prepared to be patient in observing it.
  • You'd like to experience a night in an unguarded mountain refuge, to immerse yourself fully in nature.

Getting there

Start: Machine collar (14h)
End: Machine collar (18h)

Transport

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Departure station > Valence station

From there we can organise shuttles.

Plan your journey (carpooling, train, etc.) in the most economical and environmentally-friendly way with Tictactrip.

Allow 6 hours' travel time from Paris
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If you don't have a car, you should know that we're encouraging car-pooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 7 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before you even start your expedition!

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 474 97 09 38 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior to departures of less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

What are ungulates?

An ungulate is a mammal with a hoof wrapped around the last phalanx of its fingers, resulting from the evolution of the nail or horn into a hoof.

Is it possible to see ungulates up close?

To respect the tranquillity of the animals, we prefer to observe them from a distance, which often results in high-quality observations.

How comfortable are the rooms?

You will be staying at the Quartier libre hostel in a shared room with all the necessary comforts.

⛈ What happens if the metreo is wrong?

If the weather is bad but does not represent a danger to participants during the expedition, the activity will continue. If the weather becomes dangerous, the activity will be cancelled and replaced by an alternative offered by our professional guides.

What is included in the price of a DiscoveRent shipment?

At Wildhartt, we attach particular importance to price transparency for our shipments. Our approach is based on a clear breakdown of costs, aimed at providing a better understanding of the elements included in the total amount. Here's how we allocate the percentages:

  • 30% for our guides: We believe that our experienced guides play a crucial role in the success of each activity. That's why we make sure we allocate a significant proportion to pay for their expertise and supervision.
  • 35% for accommodation and food: We consider comfortable accommodation and quality food to be essential elements of an enriching experience.
  • 10% for equipment and transport: The safety and comfort of our participants is paramount. With this part of the total amount, we can guarantee that the equipment required is in excellent condition and adequate for each activity. Transport costs also come into play when they are essential during an expedition.
  • 25% for expedition participation and running costs: These costs cover the logistical, administrative and organisational aspects of the expedition, as well as the overall management of the experience, from start to finish.

Our aim is to provide you with a trustworthy, high-quality experience, while being transparent about how the final cost of your shipment is shared. If you have any further questions about our prices, please contact us here.


Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed on the dates of your choice. To make a privatisation request, go to the expedition of your choice and privatise it using the button under the "see departures" button.

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Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available

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