The trip

LEVEL ***          

Elevation: +400 to 1120 m average per day.
Walking time: 4.5 to 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: mountain trails with no particular technical difficulties.
On Day 5, an impressive but perfectly safe footbridge, 210m long and 70m high, provides an easy way to cross a large glacial valley. In the case of extreme fear of heights, it can be bypassed by another route.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport as us 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: Level of difficulty

GUIDING

Number in a group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional 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 dormitory in gite or mountain refuge.
All accommodation offers hot showers except day 1.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are carefully and daily prepared by your guide, 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.

CURRENCY

It is essential to carry Swiss Francs for your personal expenses. 

MAPS

1:25 000 Gran San Bernardo - Ollonmont (no 5)
1:25 000 Val de Bagnes - Verbier (office du tourisme le Châble)
1:50 000 Grand-St-Bernard - Combin - Arolla, 5027 T

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting Sunday at 9.45am at Fionnay (Val de Bagnes, Valais, Switzerland).

BY TRAIN AND BUS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 10.18am, by Lausanne, Martigny, arriving in Le Châble at 4.15pm, then bus departure at 4.21pm, arriving at 4.51pm at Fionnay.
Return: Bus 253 departure from Fionnay arriving at Le Châble, then train departure at Martigny, Lausanne, arriving at (Paris) Gare de Lyon.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at oui.sncf and cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Geneva, Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Italy and follow signs for Verbier, when in Le Châble, continue to "Fionnay - Mauvoisin" direction.
Parking places near the river, close to the Fionnay dormitory, a big building on your left when you arrive in Fionnay.

End of the hike Friday around 4pm in Fionnay.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Tourist Office Verbier: +41 (0)2 77 75 38 88 

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 Europ. 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 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 day 1) 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! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

For the night 1, without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toiletries bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)  and comfortable shoes/clothes for the evening.