FAQ - Frequently asked Questions

What is the minimal age to practice canyoneering?

Children of a minimum of 7 years old are accepted in the Canyon of the ‘Haut-Jabron’. Note that the current flow of the canyon is also taken into account. Moreover, every participant needs to know how to swim properly. Regulations regarding minimal age do not exist, but here is a table to summarize our personal regulations by canyon.

Haut Jabron	8 years old
Gours du Ray	8 years old
Cramassouri	10 years old
Loup	10 years old
Saint Auban	12 years old
Bollene	12 years old
Riolan	12 years old
Imberguet	12 years old
Maglia	14 years old
Lance	14 years old
Raton	14 years old

Our politic is to refuse children of less than the latter age. They tend to get cold easily and quickly, thus struggling to appreciate the canyon in total security.

Can we practice this activity when not knowing how to swim?

Canyoneering has its roots as a watersport. Therefore it is an obligation for every participant to know how to swim and not to be afraid of water. But do not worry thought, there’s no need to master swimming, as the neoprene suits will support you and help you float. The deepest natural rock pools are relatively short (10 to 15 m for the longest).

Are jumps an obligation?

In beginner level canyons, jumps aren’t mandatory. Certain canyons solely consist of abseils. On the other hand, you should be able to jump 2-meter high jumps to realize any of the canyons. Practicing canyoneering when you are afraid of heights is not a reasonable idea. Lastly, the biggest jumps – not mandatory – reach around 10 meters.

What are the highest jumps?

The highest jumps are approximately 10 meters high. Our guides to not offer jumps over this 01 meters because risks of accidents increase exponentially over this height. Statistically, being a women and being old increase risks of accidents. The goal is to have fun and enjoy the natural environment without taking foolhardy risks.

What is the temperature of the water?

Water temperature is extremely variable, and depends on the weather and the canyon concerned. Generally, the temperature is near 12°C at the start of the season, and increase up to 19°C in the middle of the summer.

In what consists canyoneering?

The activity consists in going down a water stream by foot. The slope includes walking on various soils, swimming in rivers, jumping from rock cliffs, abseiling, rock climbing on handrails and slides on zip lines.

During what period can we practice canyoneering?

Usually, we open our doors, with the smile, from mid April until end of September. Some dry canyons reamin practicable during the winter. You are free to book an activity everyday, including week-ends and holidays.

What canyon should you choose when your group consists of people with different levels?

Ideally, you should base yourself on the capabilities of the less sportive person to choose your activity. Keep in mind that it is very tough, or else impossible, to exit a canyon whenever you want. For instance, a person with an unsuitable physical condition may suffer the last hours of a hard canyon. On the contrary, someone with a confirmed level would be able to enjoy beginner canyons, even if he leaves a bit hungry for more.

How is organized the lunch in the canyon?

In the case of full day canyons (4 hours and over), a 9L capacity container will be provided by the guide, to seal the food. As it is only of 9 liters, mind avoiding feasts or such.

What equipment does the guide supply?

The guide will supply neoprene wetsuits and neoprene socks, a harness and a helmet. He provides eventually a bag with a waterproof jug for the full day canyon.

What equipment should I bring with me?

You should imperatively bring :

A pair of sport shoes in good condition (Do not bring sandals or ‘water shoes’ as they do not protect enough).
A swimsuit
A picnic for day-canyons (canyons lasting more than 4 hours).

What are the individual rates and groups rates?

Refer to the webpage "Prices"

Where does the meeting take place?

The meetings take place on the concerned site. We provide you with an interactive map, that allows you to calculate your itinerary from your starting location.

When does the meeting taking place?

In general, meetings for day-long canyons take place at 10:00AM. Meetings for half-day canyons take place either at 9:00AM or 1:00PM.

Is there a necessary level to practice via ferrata?: No, anyone can access the via ferratas, as no ‘minimal level’ is required. The via ferrata of Digne les bains is the most accessible of all.
Where are the via ferrata located?: We provide you with an interactive map, where all the via ferrata are listed. They are represented by a white drawing pin.
What material is supplied by the guides?: The guides will give you a harness with lead ropes, a helmet and possibly gloves and a pulley.
What should be brought?: You should bring a pair of sport shoes, a bag containing water and equipment to protect yourself from the sun and sunburns.
Can material be rented?: On a case by case basis, material can be rented, although this may be complicated as it will require your presence at Castellane during the evening.
For what reasons should a instructor be brought during a via ferrata?: Indeed via ferrata can be practiced all alone. However, doing it with an instructor will allow you to have a good start off, learning the basics security rules and tips, and facilitating access to the starting point. A guide is also a support, and can intervene, in order to facilitate the passage of the client through some tough parts, in unexpected situations or for rescues.

What material do you supply?: For rock-climbing, we provide you with a harness, a helmet, ropes, hooks and climbing shoes. Our material respects the EPI standards. If you have your own climbing shoes do not hesitate to bring them.
What types of trips do you offer?: We offer different types of trips, including; beginner cliffs such as the Ayen pass, Mainmorte or Saint Auban. They perfectly fit to beginners that want to initiate themselves to top-roping or lead climbing. Moreover, we are located near the Verdon gorges and will answer to any of your requests regarding tall rock-climbing routes on cliffs.
What is the minimal age required to practice rock-climbing?: The minimal age is of 7 years old.
Can we book if we are only two?: Being two for the tall routes is fine. Yet, we have a very low demand for initiation and it is hard for us to form groups. Therefore we recommend you to make a reservation that we will fully reimburse if we do not manage to build a group big enough.
Why do rates vary that much from a climbing route to another?: Prices aren’t the same because time passed on the path can vary from simple to double. Moreover, some paths are in adventurous lands, which engages even more the instructor’s liability.

What payment methods are available?

Regarding deposits, you can pay via credit card. On the other hand, on the day of the activity we will only accept cash and checks. Instructors are not supplied with Electir Payment Terminals (card reader).

Should the payment be done in advance?

Yes, the deposit needs to be paid in advance. Paying the entire activity in advance is also possible.

What will occur if I forgot to bring the remaining amount by cash the day of my activity ?

The remaining amount is only by cash the day of your activity. Indeed, we do not bring a terminal to pay by credit card there (because we cannot leave it in a car or bring it during the activity.)

Besides, as it is a montainous area, there are just few banks, often far away from the parking lots. That's why, in case you have forgotten your cash, we will offer you the possibility to pay online by credit card via Stripe website but you will pay also the fees: 1,4% of the remaining amount + €0.25.

Please, note that the internet signal around the parking lots, due to the montainous area, is really bad so we cannot assure you that the payment mean by Stripe will entirely work. That's why, it is better to bring cash. We will do our best to catch internet signal as we can but in case it is too complicated, you won't be able to do the activity.

In case you have forgotten all payment means, note that the guide will refuse you to do the activity. Moreover, your deposit is not refundable in any case.

Are reservations required/mandatory?

Yes, reservations are mandatory. Places are limited, thus if you call at the very last moment you might have very little choice, if else no choice at all.

How far in advance should we reserve?

We advise you to reserve whenever you are certain of our date. Places are limited, first to come, first to be served!

Are we obliged to pay a deposit?

Yes, and its value is of 30% of the total amount to be paid. It can be paid on our website, via credit card or PayPal. Check are also accept along with bank transfers, as long as the reservation is done at least 15 days in advance.

What is the purpose of paying a deposit? Trust me I will come.

The deposit is to valuate your engagement towards the instructors. Indeed, you engage yourselves in coming in time at the meeting location. Indeed, it is a guarantee for you and for us, that on the D-day, we do not take another group and that your group will be there. Unfortunately, it happens that groups do not hold their engagement. At last, some competitors make false reservation. For the latter statements, we make deposits an obligation.

Canceling and recovering a deposit?

If the instructor cancels the trip, we recover the entire deposit. Most common reasons for cancels are weather and canyon water flow.

If you decide to cancel, here are the details.

15 days before the start of the activity.	The deposit will be refunded.
From 15 to 7 days before the start of the activity.	50% of the deposit will be retained.
7 days before the start of the activity	100% of the deposit will be retained

Where are located the activities that you offer?: We provide you with an interactive map of all the activities. Refer to"Map of the activities"
How to find the meeting place?: When reserving, we send you a reservation confirmation email. In this email you will find GPS coordinates, a Google Maps map, and indications on how to access the parking from the nearest village.
I am lost and I do not have any network, how to find the parking?: Your only option is to call the guide, thought he may also have network problems. Some activities take in very distant places with very poor coverage. It is advised that you prepare seriously your travel before leaving your place.

Do you organize travels?: No, we only are outdoor sport instructors. We do not have the derogatory to transport places to the activities.
I do not have a vehicule, is there any public transportation that could bring me to the meeting location?: For the majority of the canyons, there are no public transportations. The sole exception is the ‘Loup’ canyon.

How are you insured for the activities?: Canyoning Sud Est consists of independent instructors. Each instructor is in possession of a ‘Resposabilité Civile Professionnelle’ warranty. It guarantees all material, non-material, or physical damages commited by the error of any third party.

FAQ - Frequent Asked Questions

Frequent Asked Questions. Click on a field to see the questions.