The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: + 950m -1100m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain route on trails with some well equipped aerial sections.

You need to be in good physical condition. Regularly practice an endurance sport such as walking, running or cycling, for 3 to 4 hours a week. Your physical preparation will make your trek easier and more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: hiking level.

Please note: some névés may be be present on the paths until the end of June, particularly on the North slopes. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are essential. Be prepared!

GUIDING

Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a guide. The mountain leader may adapt the programme to suit the level of the group and/or the natural conditions. As a last resort, he is the sole decision-maker.
As a thank-you, it's common practice to tip your guide at the end of your tour, depending on your satisfaction. This is not obligatory, but it is greatly appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC: 5 nights in refuges, gîtes, 1 night in a hotel.
All accommodation offers hot showers except Refuge du Grand Bec (night 5). However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your guide and include a variety of healthy salads and local products.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

CURRENCIES

Bring cash for your personal consumption and expenses, some accommodation don't accept credit card.

MAPS

IGN Top25 3531 ET St-Gervais ; 
IGN Top25 3532 OT Beaufortain ;
IGN Top25 3532 ET Les Arcs ;
IGN Top25 3633 ET Tignes ;
IGN Top25 3534 OT Trois Vallées.

Practical information

DEPARTURE

From mid-June to mid-September.

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point at 9:30am at the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches. Regular buses across the village.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) - St-Gervais-le Fayet by TGV, then to Les Houches on the Mont Blanc Express.
Return: Modane - Chamonix via Chambery.
www.oui.sncf

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway direction Chamonix, exit 21 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.
Free parking near the train station. Then train to Les Houches on the Mont Blanc Express.
Return: Modane - Saint-Gervais-le-Fayet via Chambery on train www.oui.sncf

In option: return transfer from Modane to Les Houches. Book on registration: 50€ per person.

CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations www.blablacar.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2.15 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4.15 hour journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)

End point around 4:00pm at Modane train station. Do not hesitate to visit the museums in Modane whilst waiting for the train.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Saint-Gervais 
Chamonix 
Modane

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.

If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Lightweight jacket
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches (0.40L to 0.50L)
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily, except day 5, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE 

On night 5, your luggage won't be delivered at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). Here are the things to bring with you (about 2 kilos are enough!):

• small toiletries bag
• sleeping bag liner sheet
• change of clothes for the day after (bare necessities!) and comfortable for the evening.