Trekking under the stars in the Mercantour National Park

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Activity Snapshot

Fitness level: Everybody welcome
Duration: 3 hrs
Spoken languages: English, French
Minimum age: From 8 years-old and up
Cancellation policy: super flexible More info
Opening seasons:
  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D

Activity description

Rando Terre d'Azur takes you to see the stars in the Mercantour National Park, during a celestial night hike .

One person out of two cannot see the Milky Way in the world because of light and air pollution! In France, in the places most preserved from this pollution, one can distinguish from 3000 to 5000 stars. It's in one of these places that Marc de Rando Terre d'Azur proposes you to follow him to see the sky as you have never seen it before...

In addition to being a huge playground and discovery area, with multiple climatic and historical influences, which has a unique diversity of fauna and flora in France, the Mercantour National Park is committed to the preservation of the night sky, currently working to obtain the label "Réserve Internationale de Ciel Étoilé" (International Starry Sky Reserve).

The outings proposed by Marc are part of this approach. They aim to discover the wonders of the sky and its secrets far from any light pollution.

During your 3 hours hike in the nightfall, discover the main celestial objects that are very difficult to observe in an urban environment, thanks to your guide Marc,

So come and live a privileged moment where Marc will share with you all his knowledge on the mythology and history of astronomy, great distances, celestial objects etc.

Course of events

- Meeting in front of the Tourist Office of Allos Village.
You will have to plan a trip of about 30 minutes by vehicle to reach the parking lot of Le Laus, gateway to the Mercantour National Park.

- A walk of approach will be necessary to reach the site: the opportunity to discover the natural environment in a completely different way, in the protected area of the Mercantour National Park.

- Equipped with headlamps, you will first reach the shores of Lake Allos, a natural wonder located in the heart of the Park, to watch a magnificent sunset.
You will continue this night hike towards the Méouilles plateau, an exceptional observation site at the foot of Mount Pelat (3050m).

- You will then go down through a larch wood which will take mysterious paces, before reaching the parking lot.

Activity requirements

Don't forget to cover yourself well, it can be up to 5°C on the Méouilles plateau located at 2230 meters of altitude, even in the middle of summer.

Special terms

Your guide will confirm the outing during the day, after a final weather report.

The appointment times vary according to the season for an optimal observation of the night sky (between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.).

Included
  • Guide
  • headlamp
Excluded
  • Transportation until Laus parking
Do not forget to bring
  • pants and warm clothes
  • bonnet and gloves
  • adapted shoes
  • water
  • snack
  • headlamp (if you have one)
100% secure payments
by credit card or Paypal
Meeting point
L'Office du Tourisme du village d'Allos, Place de la Coopérative, 04260 Allos Get directions

Cancellation policy

Cancellation 24 hours or more prior to the agreed activity date
You will be automatically refunded for the full amount for the activity
24 hrs
Cancellation 24 hours or later prior to the agreed activity date
No refund will be possible
Weather Guarantee
Regardless of the date, if the activity is cancelled due to bad weather conditions, you will be offered a refund or the chance to reschedule

Reviews

Average rating
5 / 5
  • (2)
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  • 5 / 5

The activity starts with a trail that leads to a beautiful lake. The scenery here is truly breathtaking. It alone is worth the trip, but the true "star" of the night is definitely the stargazing. Marc is very well prepared, and explains everything in a way that is understandable for everyone. He brought a lazer pen, which due to the humidity served as a very accurate pointing tool. I can only recommend.

  • 5 / 5

Un excellent moment en famille accompagné d un guide gentil et passionné