The trip

LEVEL ***          

Elevation: +/- 600 to 1250m average per day.
Walking time: 6-7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: mountain route on marked, often stony paths. There are a few well maintained aerial passages secured by cables. On day 3, a 40m ladder can be bypassed by another route.

Fitness level: general good fitness level is required. Please practice a cardio sport 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

WHY NOT STARTING 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 hiker who has previously been on the Tour of Mont Blanc, is 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.

GUIDING

Group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.

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

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in gites or mountain refuges in dormitories of 8 to 10 persons.
1 night in Zermatt in bedroom of 2 to 6 people.
All accommodation offers hot showers.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Nights 1 and 2 are without luggage, you will have to take with you a toilettries set and a change of clothes for the night (maximum 1 or 2 kg). We made that choice to favour an enchanting route but also to lower the cost and limit the environmental impact. Please let us know your thoughts!

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.

Please inform us about any 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

Federal Office of Topography: Grand St Bernard 5027 T, Monté Rosa 5028 T.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting at 1.45pm in front of the train station in Le Châble (Valais, Switzerland).

BY TRAIN
Inbound: departure from Paris - Gare de Lyon to Lausanne or Geneva. Then take the train to Le Châble SBB station.
Return: departure from Zermatt for Lausanne or Geneva, then Paris Gare de Lyon.
Times should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch

BY CAR
Direction Geneva, Chamonix, Martigny, Le Châble towards Verbier.
Large free outdoor car park at the cable car opposite Le Châble CCF station.

End point around 2pm in Zermatt.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

The return journey from Zermatt to Le Châble is organised by your guide at the lowest cost with a taxi (allow €60 to €70 per person and a 2-hour journey, minimum 6 people).
Return by train from Zermatt to Le Châble, approx. €80 per person (3-hour journey).

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Le Châble - Hôtel Le Gietroz: +41 (0)2 77 76 11 84
Tourist Office Verbier: +41 (0)2 77 75 38 88
Tourist Office 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
• 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 documents) 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 1 and 2, 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! 

BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE

For the nights 1 and 2, when you don't have your luggage at your accommodation, here are a few tips on what to add to your backpack (around 2 kg is enough!):
- a small toiletries bag
- your sleeping bag liner
- a change of clothes (just the bare essentials!) and comfortable shoes/clothes for the evening