UNTAMED ADVENTURE WEEKEND | 10 TO 12 SEPTEMBER 2027
Dropped in the Ardennes
The story of
this expedition
On Friday evening you leave the car at the edge of the forest in the French Ardennes. With your rucksack on, you walk through the dark to the spot where we sleep the first night: no hotel and no tent, just a tarp between the trees and a fire.
On Saturday and Sunday we move under our own steam. You find your way through the forest with map and compass, you take to the river in a packraft, and in camp you light your own fire, filter your drinking water and rig your tarp. In the evening a private outdoor chef cooks over an open fire for the whole group. On Sunday you paddle back to civilisation and are back at the cars in the early afternoon.
This weekend is your introduction to how Element X works: the same expedition leaders and the same way of making decisions together in the field, only shorter and closer to home. After three days you know what an expedition asks of you and whether a longer one suits you. Companies also book the weekend as a private edition for their team.
On foot
with map and compassYou don't get the route all at once. With map and compass you find the first point, and there you pick up the next leg, much like geocaching. Who reads the map, who sets the pace and who keeps the group together is for you to agree between you. The ground is uneven and you walk with a full rucksack. You carry your own kit, and what the group needs, you carry together.
On the water
by packraft down the riverAt the river you inflate the packrafts: small, light inflatable boats for one person. You follow the river and meet obstacles along the way that you have to get over or under together. That only works if the group works as one. On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid, and the expedition leaders judge every stretch for whether it is safe. On Sunday this is how you paddle back to civilisation.
In camp
bushcraft and the chef at the fireYou rig your tarp between the trees and sleep two nights outside in the forest. You light the fire with a fire steel and filter your drinking water from the river. In the evening a private outdoor chef cooks for the group over an open fire, with the finest ingredients and a menu you would not expect in the middle of a forest. Afterwards you stay round the fire with the group.
What makes this
expedition unique?
Map and compass
You find your own way through the forest, leg by leg, much like geocaching.
By packraft down the river
Over and under obstacles, the whole group in small inflatable boats.
Two nights under a tarp
No tent and no hut: you sleep outside in the forest, close to the fire.
A chef at the campfire
A private outdoor chef cooks a full menu for the group over an open fire.
This weekend shows you how we work, on a small scale. You read the map yourself, rig your own tarp and help decide when we go on the water. Those are the same things you do every day on a long expedition, only closer to home. After two nights outside you know better what an expedition asks of you, and whether that is what you want.Koen De LeeuwFounder and expedition leader, known from De Expeditie on PlayParacommando · Wilderness First Responder Meet Koen
De Expeditie
De Tijd
Humo
Play MediaHow we
work
Self-sufficient,
never alone
You sleep two nights outside in the forest, under a tarp. You filter your drinking water from the river, light fires with a fire steel and carry your own rucksack. We bring the packrafts, buoyancy aids and survival kit.
What you need to know, you learn on the spot from the expedition leaders who also lead our longer expeditions: navigating with map and compass, rigging a tarp, filtering water and making decisions together in the field.
Safety and
guidance
Safety is our highest priority. Experienced Element X expedition leaders stay with the group all weekend and work with fixed safety procedures and a detailed emergency plan.
On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid, and we judge every stretch of river for whether conditions are safe.
Beforehand you receive an online briefing and a packing list, and you pass on your medical details and dietary requirements.
Before
you go
Beforehand you receive an online briefing and a packing list, and you pass on your medical details and dietary requirements. On site we start with introductions and a safety briefing.
Everything
at a glance
All prices are per person. You drive to the starting point yourself; on site everything is taken care of.
- Departure
- 10/09 to 12/09/2027
- Duration
- 3 days
- Level
- Explore2/5
- Group
- Small, selected group
- Price
- €650 ppIncluding private outdoor chef
Included
- Navigation with map and compass, packrafting and bushcraft
- Two nights outside under a tarp
- Packrafts, paddles, buoyancy aids and survival kit
- Private outdoor chef at the fire
- All meals during the weekend
- Local transport on site
- Guidance by experienced Element X expedition leaders
- Online briefing and packing list
Not included
- Travel to the starting point
- Personal clothing (top, bottom, shoes)
- Insurance (cancellation + search and rescue)
- Alcoholic drinks
Frequently asked questions
See all questionsWhere in the French Ardennes is the weekend, and how do I get there?
The weekend takes place in the forests and along a river in the French Ardennes. You drive to the starting point yourself; the exact address and time are in the online briefing. From there we continue on foot, and local transport on site is included.
Do I need to be fit for this survival weekend?
A basic level of fitness is enough. The level is Explore (2/5). You walk with a rucksack over uneven ground, paddle a packraft and sleep two nights outside, but the pace stays manageable. The weekend is designed to show you where you stand.
Where do we sleep?
Outside in the forest, without a tent. You sleep two nights under a tarp between the trees, close to the fire. The packing list tells you which sleeping kit to bring yourself.
Do I need experience with packrafting or bushcraft?
No. Our expedition leaders teach you on the spot how to navigate with map and compass, paddle a packraft, light a fire and filter water. On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid.
What is the weather like in the French Ardennes in September?
In September the days are usually mild and the nights fresh, but not yet cold. Rain is always possible. The packing list prepares you for both.
Can we do this weekend with our team or company?
Yes. Alongside the scheduled departure, we also run the Untamed Adventure Weekend as a private edition for teams and companies, on a date you choose. Get in touch for a proposal.
How safe is the weekend?
Safety is our highest priority. Experienced Element X expedition leaders stay with the group all weekend, with fixed safety procedures and a detailed emergency plan. On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid.
What is included and what is not?
Included: all activities (navigation, packrafting, bushcraft), two nights outside, packrafts and survival kit, the private outdoor chef, all meals, local transport on site, guidance by Element X expedition leaders and the online briefing. Not included: travel to the starting point, personal clothing, insurance and alcoholic drinks.
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