The trip

LEVEL ***          

Elevation: +600 to 1250 m average per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: mountain paths with no particular technical difficulty. On Day 3, a 40m ladder can be avoided by another route.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

The roadbook provides sufficient information on the itinerary of your hike. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding is not included in the self-guided package. You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio of the latest generation telephone with satellite connection.

Please note: some névés will be present on the paths until at least beginning-mid july, in particular on the North slopes. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are essential. Be prepared!

WHY NOT START IN CHAMONIX?

This is a legitimate question for a route called "Chamonix Zermatt".

We favored a departure from Le Châble, near the Swiss resort of Verbier, for several reasons:
- The complete route linking these two alpine capitals is too long to be done in just 7 days (except for very trained hikers).
- The first stages starting from Chamonix (Col de Balme, Fenêtre d'Arpette/Bovine) are beautiful hikes but also particularly crowded and every hikers who have previously hiked the Tour of Mont Blanc are already familiar with them.
- Starting directly from Le Châble allows you to avoid a long transfer, usually necessary to cross the Val d'Entremont, but also to be able to do the superb high-altitude hike above the Louvie and Prafleuri passes.

We can offer a full 9 or 10-day tour from the Chamonix valley on request. Please contact us for details.

ROAD BOOK

One month prior to departure, we will send you your travel documents. We offer two roadbook versions:

The "paper" version we send by post:
- 2 maps (1/50 000) with route layout.
- 1 road book with all the necessary information for the hike.
- 1 card holder.
- The list of accommodations.

The "digital" version is an application to download on your smartphone, accessible to each of the participants of the file. The information for downloading and using it is sent by e-mail.

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

The tour is very well indicated by black diamond on a yellow background in the valleys and red and white at higher altitude. 

It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/50000.

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in dormitory in gite or mountain refuge.
2 nights in a small mountain hotel in a 2 to 4-person bedroom.
All accommodation offers hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation in the evening. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (days 3, 4 and 6).

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.

CURRENCY

It is essential to carry Swiss Francs for the bus and cable car transfers as well as for your personal expenses. 

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

Federal Office of Topography: Mont Blanc Grand Combin 5006, Matterhorn Mischabel 5006.

Practical information

DEPART

From end of June to mid September.
Departures every day.

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure from the train station in Le Châble VS (Switzerland).

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 8.18am arriving in Le Châble at 2.15pm.
Return: depart Zermatt at 2.37pm arrive (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9.42pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf and cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Genève, Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Italy and follow signs Verbier. Please note the mandatory sticker on Swiss motorways, to be bought at the border and at petrol stations.
Big and free parking at the cable car, opposite the meeting point in Le Châble.

End of the hike in the afternoon in Zermatt.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

Return to the starting point in Le Châble by train (approx. CHF 80/p) or taxi (from 1 to 7 people, CHF 420).

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Hôtel Le Gietroz, Le Châble : +41 (0)2 77 76 11 84
Office du tourisme de Verbier : +41 (0)2 77 75 38 88 
Office du Tourisme de Zermatt : +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00 

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 down 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

Pack a comfortable rucksack of 50 to 60 litres, large enough to hold your belongings (warm clothing, rain cape, water bottle, picnic box and cutlery, sun protection and identity papers), with room for a picnic and snacks and for days without luggage.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

On request.