The trip

LEVEL ***          

Elevation: +/- 600-1250m average per day.
Walking time: 5 - 7 hours average per da

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. 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. snow and névés will be present on the paths until end of june at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. Be prepared! 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 satellite connection.

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

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 2 topographical maps (1/50 000) with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

The tour is very well indicated.
- a black dot on a yellow diamond in the valleys and red and white stripes at altitude
(in both directions).

It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/50000.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in a hotel in a twin/double bedroom.
All accommodation has 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 not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (Days 3, 4 and 6).

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.

CURRENCY

It is essential to carry Swiss Francs for the bus and cablecar transfers and for other personal expenses.

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

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

Practical information

DEPARTURE

From end of June to mid-September.

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure at the train station in Sion VS (Switzerland).

BY TRAIN
Inbound: Depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 7:56am arriving in Sion at 1:26pm.
Return: Depart Zermatt at 2:37pm arrive (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at
www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Sion. Or from Geneva, take Lausanne direction, then Sion. (*Compulsory Swiss road tax sticker on motorways purchased at the border or in petrol stations).

End point during the afternoon in Zermatt.

RETURNING TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the return from Zermatt to the departure point in Sion is possible by train or taxi (by taxi is the best option for groups).

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Sion - Hôtel Elite +41 (0)2 73 22 03 www.hotelelitesion.ch
Office du tourisme de Sion +41 (0)2 73 27 77 27 www.valais.ch
Office du Tourisme de Zermatt: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00 www.zermatt.ch

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
• Lightweight down 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 50 - 60 litres for your personal belongings (clothes, waterproofs, water, etc.).