The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 600m to 1200m approximately per day.
Walking time: 4 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain itinerary on marked, often stony paths.

You need to be in a good overall physical condition. Regularly practise an endurance sport such as walking, running, swimming or cycling, 3 to 4 hours a week. Your fitness training will make your walk easier and make it all the more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: 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 or the latest generation telephone with a satellite connection.

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 IGN TOP 75 maps and a roadmap with the marked route,
- 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.

TRAIL MARKERS

In France, Grande Randonnée trails are marked in red and white (in both directions). Be able to read a 1/25000 or 1/50000 IGN map.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Two options
Without luggage transfer: you carry all your luggage.
With luggage transfer: your luggage is transported to your accommodation, except on D4 and D5.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC:
5 nights in refuge, in a dormitory. 1 night in hotel, in a 2 or 3-person bedroom.
COMFORT:
Up to 5 nights in a room for 2 (or 3) people, supplement of €140 per person.
All accommodation has hot showers. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers in the refuge is not guaranteed.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be ordered in advance in each accommodation. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking. We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring a few extra items for your own picnics.

CURRENCY

Please bring cash for drinks and personal expenses, as not all accommodations accept credit cards.

MAPS

IGN Top75 - 04 - Beaufortain Massif du Mont Blanc ;
IGN Top75 - 03 - Massif de la Vanoise.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Prarion cable car in Les Houches to park your car and leave your luggage if you have chosen this option.
Then off to the Bellevue gondola.

BY TRAIN
Depart from Gare de Lyon (Paris) to St-Gervais-le Fayet by TGV, then to Les Houches on the Mont Blanc Express.
Return: Modane - Chamonix via Chambery. 
Please consult 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

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

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA) - Lyon (LYS) - Paris (PAR)

End point around 5pm at Modane train station. Do not hesitate to visit the city's museums while waiting for the train.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24  www.chamonix.com
If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley.

TO 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.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your belongings inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be delivered to your accommodation (except on days 4 and 5), by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

For the nights without luggage transfer, here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)