White Water Rafting · Lake Bourget, Aix les Bains
How to choose
Both tours are run by Blue Secret and priced at 50 €, so the decision comes down to terrain and duration. Tour 0 combines hiking and packrafting on Lake Bourget, with a flexible 3.5h to 7h format that suits groups who want a full-day alpine lake experience. Tour 1 focuses on the Rhône Sauvage river descent near Aix-les-Bains, locked at 3.5h, with moving current and a more focused whitewater challenge. Both are rated "Occasionally sporty," but the Rhône descent delivers a higher intensity-per-hour ratio. If you want the longest immersion in the Lake Bourget landscape, pick Tour 0. For a punchy half-day on fast-moving water, Tour 1 is the sharper choice.
Compare · 2 offers
Our picks
Hiking and packrafting excursion on Lake Bourget near Chambéry
Up to 7h of hiking and packrafting on Lake Bourget for 50 €, the highest duration-to-price ratio of the two options.
Packraft Descent of the Rhône Sauvage near Aix-les-Bains
3.5h on the moving current of the Rhône Sauvage delivers a denser whitewater experience with no hiking break to dilute the adrenaline.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most intense moment on these tours?
On the Rhône Sauvage descent, it's hitting the current sections of the river where the packraft accelerates and you have to read the water fast. On the Lake Bourget tour, intensity peaks during the hiking approach before you drop onto the water.
Do you need prior rafting or paddling experience?
No prior experience is required. Both tours are rated Occasionally sporty, meaning a basic level of fitness matters more than technical paddling skills. Blue Secret guides brief you on technique before you launch.
What's the difference between packrafting and standard white water rafting?
Packrafts are lightweight, inflatable one-person crafts you can carry on your back during the hiking sections. Unlike a group raft, you're solo on the water, which makes every rapid feel more immediate and direct.
When is the best time to book for the highest water levels?
The season runs from May to September. Early season (May to June) typically brings higher, faster water from snowmelt on the surrounding Alpine terrain, which increases the intensity of the Rhône descent in particular.
Are the tours available in English?
Yes, both tours are guided in French and English. The Rhône Sauvage descent also offers guiding in Spanish.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.3°C | 167.9 mm | Poor |
| February | 5.7°C | 121.1 mm | Possible |
| March | 7.1°C | 149.7 mm | Possible |
| April | 11.2°C | 120.8 mm | Possible |
| May | 14.6°C | 127.9 mm | Possible |
| June | 19°C | 107 mm | Good |
| July | 22.4°C | 94.4 mm | Peak |
| August | 21.7°C | 73.7 mm | Peak |
| September | 18.6°C | 80.9 mm | Good |
| October | 13°C | 138.9 mm | Possible |
| November | 7.5°C | 172.6 mm | Poor |
| December | 2.4°C | 86.9 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear quick-dry clothing and secure water shoes since both tours put you in and around water for up to 7h. Blue Secret provides the packraft and safety gear, but bring a dry bag for your phone and a light layer for the hiking sections.
Getting there
Tour 0 meets at Parking de l'Abbaye Royale d'Hautecombe, Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille, about 20 km north of Aix-les-Bains. Tour 1 starts at Parking Rte de L'Ecoincon, Cressin-Rochefort, on the Rhône river corridor east of Belley. Both are most easily reached by car.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Lake Bourget, Aix les Bains
Updated March 2026