The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 950m approximately per day. +1250 m on day 3.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours per day.
Type of trek: Stony paths that cross passes at altitudes of between 2800m and 3000m on a daily basis. Some pass crossings are steep, as are several aerial or technical paths, mainly at the start of the season with the crossing of residual snow. The paths are relatively well marked, except on the approach to certain passes.

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: Level of difficulty

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:
- 1 IGC maps (n°102),
- 1 road book with all the necessary information for the hike,
- 1 card holder
- The list of accommodation.
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 route is marked with red and white or red and yellow arrows regularly painted on the ground. The trails are identified with numbers.
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

Two options:
without luggage transfer: you carry all your luggage.
with luggage transfer: your luggage is delivered on day 2 and 4.

ACCOMMODATION

3 nights in refuges, in dormitory.
2 nights in hôtels, in dormitory.
All accommodation offers hot showers. 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, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products. For the day without luggage, picnic is ordered in the refuge.

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.

MAPS

Italian maps: L'ESCURSIONISTA n°21 BERNIA VALMALENCO - SONDRIO

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Start of the hike in St-Moritz.

BY TRAIN
Access: Gare de Lyon (Paris) - Basel - Zurich
Return : depart from St-Moritz the evening or the next day.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch

BY CAR
Highway Geneva, Bern, Zurich, Chur, then follow signs for St. Moritz (you can purchase the Swiss motorway tax online Vignette Shop )
Meet at St-Moritz terminal station.
You can leave your car in the San Gian car park. For more informations, contact the St. Moritz police station (+41 81 833 30 17).

End of the tour Saturday at 4 pm in Zermatt.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

St-Moritz tourist information dorf : +41 81 837 33 33

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: +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
• 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
• 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 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 between accommodation, except on days 1, 3 and 5, 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 YOUR BAGGAGE

On nights 2 and 4, your luggage won't be dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). 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!)