2 days of sea kayaking on Lake Serre-Ponçon, travelling between turquoise water and Alpine scenery, with one night camping beside the lake.
A two-day kayaking micro-adventure in the Southern Alps
Fed by the Durance and Ubaye rivers, Lake Serre-Ponçon stretches between the mountains of the Hautes-Alpes. Its blue water, wooded slopes and rugged relief create a landscape that can at times feel surprisingly reminiscent of a fjord, right in the heart of the Southern Alps.
Over two days, we travel by kayak through Saint-Michel Bay, Chanteloube, the Ubaye Valley and some of the lake’s more secluded coves. In the evening, we set up camp on a shoreline chosen according to the water level and conditions: tent, hot meal and a night beside the lake before setting off again the following morning.
👉 Small group of 4 to 8 participants, accompanied by a French state-certified sea kayaking instructor.
Trip at a glance
Lake Serre-Ponçon · French Alps
Available on request
We can register your interest to build a group or look at arranging the trip for an existing group.
- Duration
- 2 days / 1 night
- Kayaking days
- 2 days
- Accommodation
- Camping in tents
- Technical level
- Level 1
- Daily paddling
- 4 to 5 hours · approx. 20 km
- Group size
- 4 to 8 participants
- Price
- €200 per person
The route, distances, exact launch point and campsite are indicative. They may be adapted according to the lake level, weather, wind, the group’s pace and safety considerations.
Why this kayaking weekend is unique
- A genuine journey in just two days: we load the essential equipment into the kayaks and travel from one part of the lake to another before reaching our campsite.
- Alpine scenery seen from the water: mountains, cliffs, forests, long bays and turquoise water create a very different atmosphere from our Mediterranean journeys.
- A night outdoors beside the lake: the camping experience extends the adventure without requiring you to own all the necessary camping equipment.
- An accessible trip: rated Level 1, it can suit beginners in good health who are reasonably active.
- Light logistics: kayak, paddling equipment, tent, stove and cooking equipment are provided.
Two days to slow down and travel differently
Serre-Ponçon is particularly well suited to a short kayaking journey. We quickly leave the road-accessible areas behind and discover the lake from the water: Saint-Michel Chapel, sheltered bays, secluded coves, cliffs and the Ubaye arm of the lake shape the journey.
The lake level changes throughout the seasons, regularly transforming the shoreline, beaches and some passages. The route is therefore not fixed to the nearest metre: the launch point, campsite and certain sections of the journey are chosen according to the actual conditions.
Want to know more?
The Road Book provides more detail about the weekend, the equipment supplied and the personal gear you need to bring.
One night camping beside the lake
The overnight camp is an integral part of the trip. At the end of the first day, we choose a suitable shoreline, set up camp and prepare dinner together. The idea is simple: travel light, enjoy an evening beside the water and set off directly by kayak the following morning.
Camping equipment provided
- Tents for the overnight camp.
- Stoves and cooking equipment required to prepare meals.
- Dry bags for carrying personal belongings in the kayaks.
Personal equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag appropriate for the season; the reference Road Book recommends a comfort rating of around +10 °C for typical summer conditions.
- Sleeping mat, preferably self-inflating or foam.
- Warm clothing for camp, plus a sun hat or cap and sunglasses for paddling.
Meals
Meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 2. Lunches are picnics and the hot evening meal is prepared together. We favour simple, varied menus using fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.
Indicative itinerary
The itinerary remains flexible according to the lake level, weather, wind, current conditions and the group’s pace. The instructor may adapt the route whenever safety or the quality of the trip requires it.
- Day 1 — Savines, Saint-Michel Bay, Chanteloube & the Ubaye Valley
Meet at 9:30 am beside the lake; the exact location will be provided before the trip. After the briefing and loading the kayaks, we take to the water. The route passes beneath the bridge at Savines-le-Lac before heading towards Saint-Michel Bay and its chapel, isolated on its small promontory since the creation of the reservoir. After a picnic lunch, we continue towards Chanteloube Bay before entering the Ubaye Valley and reaching our camping area. We set up camp, prepare a hot dinner and spend the evening beside the water. - Day 2 — Ubaye Valley, Bois Vieux & back up the lake
After breakfast and packing camp, we paddle back down the Ubaye arm of the lake. The dam comes into view in the distance before a possible break near Bois Vieux Beach. We then follow the cliffs, stop for a picnic around the Prés d’Émeraude area and continue back up the lake. The trip is expected to finish at around 5:00 pm, subject to the route actually paddled and the conditions.
🧭 Pace & distances: expect around 20 km per day, usually 4 to 5 hours of kayaking including breaks. The exact distance varies according to the lake level, chosen launch point, weather and the group.
What does a typical day on the lake look like?
We begin with a briefing on the weather, route and group organisation, then load the kayaks with the equipment needed for the day and overnight camp. The paddling alternates between longer crossings, shoreline exploration and breaks on land. Lunch is taken beside the water. At the end of Day 1, we set up camp; on Day 2, we continue the journey until the end point of the trip.
Kayaks, equipment & guiding
- Single or tandem kayaks, selected according to the participants and conditions.
- Paddling equipment: paddle, PFD, spraydeck and dry bags, together with the safety equipment required for the group.
- Camping equipment: tent, stove and cooking equipment provided.
- Professional guiding: the trip is accompanied by a French state-certified sea kayaking instructor.
The personal equipment required is deliberately limited, but each participant must bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. A detailed packing list is provided in the Road Book before the trip.
Is this trip right for you?
- You want to experience a kayaking journey on a short two-day format.
- You like the idea of a simple overnight camp beside the water without having to own a tent, stove and cooking equipment.
- You can be physically active for several hours and are comfortable with around 4 to 5 hours of paddling per day.
- You are new to kayaking or already have some experience: no advanced kayaking skills are required for Level 1.
- You understand that a journey in a natural environment must remain adaptable to the weather and lake level.
Participation is assessed from the information provided in your pre-registration form and our paddling-level questionnaire.
Dates, price & organisation
Available on request
How can a departure be arranged? The trip is designed for a group of 4 to 8 participants. If you are travelling alone or as a small party, we can register your interest and look for other participants for a compatible period. For an existing group, we can directly discuss a date that suits your plans.
The price includes: guiding during the 2 days by a French state-certified sea kayaking instructor; kayak and technical paddling equipment; dry bags; camping equipment including tent, stove and cooking equipment; all meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 2.
To be brought by each participant: sleeping bag, sleeping mat and personal clothing appropriate for the time of year.
Not included: transport to the meeting point and onward travel after the trip, cancellation / assistance / repatriation insurance, personal expenses and anything not explicitly listed as included.
In winter: preparing for cold-environment expeditions
This activity is separate from the two-day journey described above. In winter, Lake Serre-Ponçon also becomes a training ground for working on cold-weather paddling and preparing for more committing projects, including Arctic expeditions.
The Alpine setting makes it possible to work practically on thermal protection, equipment organisation, safety techniques, navigation and decision-making when temperatures drop. The content and duration are defined on request according to the participants’ level and the expedition or journey being prepared.
Preparing for an independent journey or a cold-environment expedition?
Contact us to discuss a tailored training or preparation programme.
France 3 TV report — winter kayaking on Lake Serre-Ponçon
Useful information
Getting there & meeting point
Meet at 9:30 am beside the lake on Day 1. The exact location is provided before the trip so that the chosen route can take account of the lake level and current conditions.
End of the trip
The trip is expected to finish at around 5:00 pm on Day 2. This timing is indicative and may vary according to the route actually paddled and conditions on the lake.
Level
The trip is rated Level 1. It is accessible to beginners: no specific kayaking technique is required, but participants need to be in good health, reasonably active and able to stay physically active for several hours on two consecutive days.
Weather & lake level
Wind, temperatures and changes in the level of Lake Serre-Ponçon can alter the shoreline and camping options. The guide therefore adapts the launch point, route and campsite in order to maintain a coherent and safe journey.
FAQ — Essential information
How long is the trip?
The trip lasts 2 days / 1 night, with two days of kayaking and one night camping beside Lake Serre-Ponçon.
What level is required?
The trip is rated Level 1. It is accessible to beginners and no specific kayaking technique is required. However, participants need to be in good health, reasonably active and able to paddle for several hours.
How long and how far do we paddle each day?
Expect around 20 km and 4 to 5 hours of kayaking per day including breaks. The exact distance varies according to the lake level, launch point, weather and the group’s pace.
Where does the trip start and finish?
We meet at 9:30 am beside the lake on Day 1. The exact location is provided before the trip according to the chosen route. The trip is expected to finish at around 5:00 pm on Day 2, subject to conditions.
Where do we sleep?
We spend the night camping on a shoreline selected according to the lake level, route and conditions. Tents and collective camping equipment are provided.
What equipment is provided?
Voyage Kayak provides the kayak, paddle, PFD, spraydeck, dry bags and group safety equipment, as well as the tent, stove and cooking equipment for the overnight camp.
What personal equipment do I need to bring?
Each participant needs to bring a sleeping bag, sleeping mat and clothing appropriate for the time of year. The Road Book sent before the trip includes a detailed personal equipment list.
How are meals organised?
Meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 2. Lunches are picnics and the hot evening meal is prepared together at camp, using fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The route, launch point, distances and campsite may be adapted according to the lake level, weather, wind, the group’s pace and safety considerations. The instructor makes the necessary decisions during the trip.
What is the price and how can I request a departure?
The price is €200 per person for a group of 4 to 8 participants. The trip is available on request: tell us your preferred period and number of participants. If you are travelling alone or as a small party, we can register your interest and look for other participants for a compatible period.
Ready to plan your Lake Serre-Ponçon weekend?
Request the full Road Book or suggest the period that would suit you.