The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 1000m approximately per day
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day
Type of trek: this route passes by rocky terrain, a few sections are secured with hand cables.

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

GUIDING

Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.

It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

6 nights in a dormitory of 6 to 15 people depending on the refuge.
All accommodation offers hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully daily prepared by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a 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.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISME

Days 1, 2, 4 and 6 are without baggage transport so, you will need to carry a small toilet bag and a change of clothes for the night (1-2kg maximum). We have made this choice to favour an enchanting secluded route but also to lower the cost and limit the environmental impact. Please let us know your thoughts!

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3530 ET - SAMOENS and Top 25 - 3630 OT - CHAMONIX (1/25 000)
MPA (yellow) Trient valley (1/25 000)

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point Sunday at 9:30am at the Buet train station (free parking), in the Chamonix valley.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 10:30am arrive in Chamonix at 6:04pm.
Take the train from Chamonix through the valley to Le Buet. www.chamonix.com/travel-information,13,en.html                                                        Return: Depart Chamonix at 2:14pm arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 10:03pm. Or the day after.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf

BY CAR
Take the A40 to Chamonix, follow the direction of Argentière, col des Montets and Vallorcine. Le Buet is the first village before arriving in Vallorcine. Large free parking on the right handside of the road and the train station is at the entrance to the village.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact: Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).

CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website :  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)
2h15 by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 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 Saturday around 4pm at the parking of Le Buet.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Hotel du Buet à Vallorcine www.hotelbuet.com
Chamonix Tourist Office 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. www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

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 & baggage

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 40 to 50 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers), an extra set of clothes and a small toilet bag for the nights without your baggage and also keep a little room to carry a picnic and some 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 days 1, 2, 4 and 6, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE

On nights 1, 2, 4 and 6, your luggage won't be dropped off 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.