MARITIME ALPS
SPRING IN MERCANTOUR
The idyllic Parc National du Mercantour is just ninety minutes drive north of the already warm and sunny Mediterranean shore. Ascending through lavender-fragrant valleys we’ll be heading into woodlands where Hepaticas, Cowslips and Oxslip bloom amongst yellow and blue Violets and the gorgeous Lilium pomponioum, a many-headed orange-red lily endemic to the Maritime Alps.
We’ll explore the fantastic Gorge della Reina, home to the much-loved, and now rare Primula allioni, its large bright pink flowers decorating the limestone boulders. Pale lilac Primula marginata flowers in the same places and along the way we’ll find Military Orchids, Sword-leaved Helleborines and various colour forms of Elder-flowered Orchid. The valleys below Tende and St Martin du Vesubie are home to Iris graminea, sweetly-scented Daphne cneorum and the tessellated bells of Fritillaria involucrata. There are swarms of Green-winged Orchids and charming Orchis pallens as well as many Bee Orchids. These include widespread Ophrys scolopax, pretty Ophrys araneola and local specialities such as Ophrys saratoi with a shining blue centre to its velvety labellum. In woodlands around Valdeblore we’ll enjoy Anemone Ranunculoides, pink Mezereon and Corydalis intermedia. Higher are subalpine meadows where Queen of Spain Fritillaries flutter past marvellous groups of Fritillaria tubaeformis. Alpine Marmots whistle at us from boulders bedecked with pretty Androsace helvetica whilst Red-billed and Alpine Chough pick at fine alpine turf decorated with Bulbocodium vernum, Snowbells and gorgeous Pasque Flowers. Golden Eagles, Citril Finches and Nutcrackers add interest in the bird line, and we will see many Chamois and maybe Ibex too! It is always a pleasure to see so many flowers freshly out especially with a backdrop as beguilingly beautiful as the Mercantour’s alpine meadows, forests and rocky peaks.
INFORMATION
Focus
Flowers. Also Birds and Mountain Landscapes.
Leaders
Walking
For the most part easy. Walks of up to three or four miles on some days but much less on others, always at a slow pace, well-suited to photographers. The slopes are sometimes quite steep.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, accommodation and meals on the tour. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips and items of a personal nature such as travel insurance, are not included.
Group Size
The minimum is 5 and the maximum is 15. Only one leader will accompany a group of less than 6.
Accommodation
Situated in peaceful hamlet, the Hotel de Valdeblore is a characterful and welcoming family-run establishment. We’ve four nights in the Valdeblore’s comfortable warm rooms, so enough time to enjoy the chef’s very fine food. The last three nights will be at the excellent Chamois d’Or, whose large modern rooms overlook a beautiful alpine valley. All rooms at both hotels have en suite facilities.
Climate
Variable. Often warm and sunny but sometimes rainy and cool.
How To Book
Please fill in the booking form in this brochure (see page XX) or download it from www.greentours.co.uk. A detailed information pack will be dispatched twelve weeks prior to departure. Butterfly and bird checklists are available.
