Aqua Trekking & River Floating in the Verdon Gorges
Also called river floating, aquatic hiking, or nage en rivière — this is one of the most extraordinary things you can do in southern France. No paddle, no boat, no experience needed. Just you, the current, and the walls of the Verdon canyon closing in around you.
My name is Christophe. I have been guiding people through these gorges since 1999. I am an independent guide — just me, no rotation of staff, no group of 40 strangers. Maximum 8 people per trip. When you come with me, you come with me.
What is Aqua Trekking?
Aqua trekking — also known as river floating or aquatic hiking — means swimming and floating down a river, wearing a wetsuit and a buoyancy vest, guided by the current through a canyon you simply cannot reach any other way.
It is not canyoning. There are no ropes, no abseiling, no technical skills required. If you can swim, you can do this.
What you get instead is silence. Turquoise water. Limestone cliffs rising 300 metres above your head. The kind of place that makes you feel very small in the best possible way.
Two Routes — Choose Your Adventure
Couloir Samson — The Classic (from 12 years old)
The Samson Corridor is the heart of the Verdon canyon. A 1.5 km passage where the cliffs narrow, the light changes, and the river carries you through one of the most spectacular natural corridors in Europe.
| Duration | 3h15 total (1h30 in the water) |
| Minimum age | 12 years |
| Level | Moderate — good general fitness |
| Price | 50 € / person |
| Meeting point | Carajuan car park, 15 min from Castellane |
| Season | May to September |
Optional rock jumps for the brave. Strictly optional — no pressure.
Pont de Tusset — Family Route (from 8 years old)
A gentler version of the same magic. Designed for families, this route on the Pont de Tusset section is calm enough for children but spectacular enough for adults who know what they’re looking at.
| Duration | 3h30 total (1h30 in the water) |
| Minimum age | 8 years / 1m25 minimum height |
| Level | Easy — suitable for non-sporty swimmers |
| Price | 50 € / person |
| Meeting point | Carajuan pine grove, near Castellane |
| Season | Mid-June to mid-September |
The height requirement is not about age — it is about the wetsuit fitting properly to keep your child warm. Call me and we will work it out together.
Everything is Provided
You bring : swimwear + closed-toe trainers (no flip flops) + a towel.
I provide : 5mm neoprene wetsuit, neoprene socks, buoyancy vest, helmet, waterproof bag for your lunch (full-day trip).
Why Book with an Independent Guide?
Most operators in the Verdon run back-to-back groups. You might find yourself sharing the river with 60 other people and a guide you have never met before.
With Tonton Rafting, you get one guide — me — who has been on this river for over 20 years. Small group, no rush, no timetable. If something interests you — a rock formation, a bird, a story about the history of the water — we stop and talk about it.
That is the difference.
Practical Information
Where are we? Castellane, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, 04120 — 2 hours from Nice, 2 hours from Marseille, 1h30 from Aix-en-Provence.
When? May to September for the Couloir Samson. Mid-June to mid-September recommended for families with children.
Languages : French and English.
How to book? Call or text Christophe directly : +33 6 18 25 26 18. Or use the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to swim? Yes — swimming ability is mandatory for both routes. You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you must be comfortable in water.
Is aqua trekking the same as canyoning? No. Canyoning involves ropes, abseiling and waterfalls. Aqua trekking is purely swimming and floating downstream — no technical skills needed.
What is the difference between aqua trekking and rafting? In rafting, you sit in an inflatable boat with a paddle. In aqua trekking, you are in the water — swimming, floating, walking between sections. Much more immersive.
Can I do aqua trekking if I have never done it before? Absolutely. Most people who come have never done it. That is the whole point.
Is it cold? The Verdon water is cool even in summer — around 16-18°C. The wetsuit keeps you comfortable throughout the activity.
Other activities in the Verdon
white water rafting in the Verdon gorges
Family rafting in the Verdon