Program Suitability

Suitable for Families

Suitable for Explorers

Suitable for Intrepid Explorers

Available Activities

Trekking, Climbing, Snorkelling, Sailing, Windsurfing, Kite surfing

Dates

This experience is available every Thursday to Monday from April to July.

Setting

Panasha is moored in the National Park of Hyères in the South of France near Toulon, just a short walk from the airport or a short ride from the TGV train station. This protected coastline provides a perfect setting for this adventure, nearby are the beautiful islands of Porquerolles, Levant and Port Croix which are only accessible by boat. These islands provide idylic moorings from where you can explore by sea kayak or wind surf or you can snorkel amongst the rich marine life. A 5km beach provides the perfect location for learning to kitesurf or windsurf. Nearby are the famous Calanques, the Camargue, St Tropez and much more.

Panasha Catamaran

You will sleep on Panasha. Panasha has 4 double rooms that can be used as doubles or twins, 2 single beds, the indoor and outdoor cabin tables can be converted into double beds, plus the trampoline deck is designed for sleeping on (good weather only). There are 4 toilets with decent hot showers. The central cabin can seat 10 people and has full catering facilities, the exterior cabin seats 12 people and there is seating at the front of the boat and on top of the cabin.

A full range of activities are proposed from the boat, some of these are included and some of these are available for a supplementary cost.

Windsurfing

Panasha is equipped with 4 windsurfing boards and a variety of sails and booms to suit a range of ages and abilities. With good tution you can be comfortable on a windsurf within 3 to 4 hours, mastering both upwind and down wind turns. From this point on you can have great fun with this addictive and fun sport. It is also the perfect exercise for strengthening and stretching your back, the perfect antidote to spending hours hunched over a computer. The use of the windsurfs and tuition is included in the price of your trip

Sea Kayaking

Panasha is equipped with 4 double sit-on top sea kayaks, these kayaks are stable and easy to manoeuvre and perfect for all beginners and more advanced kayakers. The sea kayaks are the perfect way to explore the coastline and allow you to get in places other boats cannot go. They can be loaded up with food and equipment for a mini-expedition. Surfing the waves is also great fun. The use of the sea kayaks and tuition is included in the price of your trip

Mountain Biking

The Isle of Porquerolles is perfect for exploring on Mountain Bikes. In the north, three superb beaches offer fine sand and the coast here slopes gently down to sea which is exceptionally clear. In the south, vertical cliffs rise out of the sea, from this steep relief, you can see a series of calanques, rocky points, gorges, headlands and hills. You can admire this wild and majestic landscape from the lighthouse where there is a 360° view of the island and the sea... it's breathtaking! In the interior, there is a mosaic of vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees of all variety... lemons, oranges and mandarins. The paths are bordered by pines, eucalyptus and numerous plantations, courtesy of the Conservatoire Botanique. Most of the paths are shaded, sheltering visitors from the "coups de chaud". In spring the flowering scrub, with its myrtles and heather, transforms the island into a huge fragrant bouquet of flowers. In autumn, the pine forest's different shades of green mix with the white flowers and red fruit of the strawberry trees. In summer the cicadas sing to their hearts content... reminding you that you are in Provence and not in a tropical island at the other end of the earth. Porquerolles is a site where the land is protected, cultivated, replanted and studied, thanks to the Conservatoire Botanique and to the Parc national de Port Cros. Their plantations are difficult to miss. The hire of Mountain bikes is included in the price of your trip

Climbing

Panasha is equipped with climbing equipment. There is some amazing climbing around the Calanques, this is an impressive area to climb. With your ExplorAider guide you will be given the option of climbing some easy routes by the beach and / or some impressive sea cliffs that are not technically difficult. Climbing is an increasingly popular sport open to anyone young or old. It is incredibly addictive and rewarding as it is equally balanced between the physical, mental and technical aspects of the sport. Climbing with a guide and good equipment makes the sport safer than working in a bank! Climbing is available at a supplementary cost and needs to be organised in advance, please contact us for more details.

Adventure Trails

Adventure Trails combine hiking, scrambling, via ferrata and abseiling around the sea cliffs around the Calanques. They can also include caving experiences as well. All adventure trails are guided by a qualified ExplorAider guide. Adventure trails are available at a supplementary cost and need to be organised in advance, please contact us for more details.

Trekking

The Calanques where the sea, the rocks, the wind and the sun come together to create a natural paradise for ExplorAider. 20km of marked trails along stunning limestone cliffs that overlook the Mediteranean link Marseille to Cassis, a charming coastal village.

In order to protect this natural treasure from the risk of fire and pollution, vehicular access is forbidden for the busiest parts of the year. This magical and bewitching 4000 hectares has been preserved as an area where climbers and hikers can visit to escape civilization. Guided treks around the stunning Calanques are included in the price of your trip.

Snorkelling / Diving

The islands around Hyeres offer superb snorkelling and diving. Snorkelling equipment is always on the boat for you to use whenever you wish. Scuba diving is a supplementary activity and to avoid disappointment it is best to arrange in advance.

Kite Surfing

Kite Surfing requires 3 to 4 lessons of about 3 hours to master. You will start on the beach learning the theory and how to handle the kite and the safety features. Therefore if you want to try this option it may restrict your ability to explore further afield on the boat. We propose fast-track tuition to individual members of the group as a supplementary activity and cost. We can arrange this for example to fit in with a family program whilst other members of the group are taught to windsurf or go on a sea kayaking or snorkelling trip.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that these are only suggested methods of travel and ExplorAider cannot be responsible for any changes to timetables or prices.

Rail Travel

Traveling by train to the Mediterranean is really not as difficult as you think. Avoid the airport queus, check in formalities and unfriendly waiting rooms. How does this sound?

• Walk out of work and step on to the Eurostar at London Waterloo at 15:11 on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evening.
• Arrive in at 18:15 Paris and take a taxi to a pre booked (by ExplorAider) top Parisian resteraunt for a gourmet meal.
• At 21:17 board the TGV to the French Rivieria! The beds are comfortable and clean and you can have a night cap in the comfortable bar.
• At 06:00 the next morning step off the train and onto Panasha for breakfast in the sun!!

On your return journey the sleeper train leaves Toulon at 22:55 and arrives in Paris Austerlitz at 07:45 in time for an early morning breakfast watching Paris awake. Catch the Eurostar at 09:10 to get you into London for 10:58

We advise ringing Raileurope with your credit card number as the most efficient way of organising rail travel.

• www.raileurope.co.uk 08708371371
• www.eurostar.com 08705186186

Note London to Paris is a 2 and 3/4 hr journey trains go approximately every 40 minutes.

• Prices in May Start at £498 for two people from London Waterloo to Toulon return.
• Schedules remain more or less fixed through out the year.
• There is a yearly timetable change in mid December.
• Prior booking is essential.

4 Day Adventure

Prices shown below start at £150 per person per day for 4 days based on 8 guests.

5 Day Adventure

Prices start at £150 per person per day for 5 days based on 8 guests.