The trip

LEVEL ***/****

Elevation: from 600m to 1400m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Mountain paths, few screes and few days off-trail in mountain pastures.

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

Number in a group between 6 -12 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 dormitory
All accommodation has hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily 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.

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3435 ET - VALLOIRE

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point Sunday at 8:30am at Valloire.

BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:45pm (or 12:11pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:48pm (6:48pm).
Night bus: departure from Paris Bercy Gare at 11:20pm, arrive at Lyon Perrache at 5:15am, connection at 6:00am, arrival in Chamonix at 9:35am.
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet. 
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return night train: in progress...
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.

BY CAR      
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow the main road towards Argentière and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentière) or exit at Les Houches, Bellevue/Prarion.
There is ample parking at the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet or in the village of Le Tour 1km away.
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).
The easiest option for your return is to leave your car at the end point of the tour at the Prarion gondola in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet.

CAR-SHARING 
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations:   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 at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Prarion gondola in Les Houches.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the way back to the departure point in Montroc-le-Planet is easy via bus.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

By request we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your tour.

Les Houches :Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10 www.hotelsaintantoine.com                                                                                                    Hôtel les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71 www.hotel-campanules.com                                         
Hôtel les Mélèzes: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 09 www.hotellesmelezes.com
Le Tour : Chalet Alpin: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16
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.       www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

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 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.

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 and 3, 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 YOUR NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE

On nights 1 and 3, 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.