We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Picnic Lunches during the trek can be bought in local shops for around 5-6 Euros a day
Local Costs
| |
UK |
France |
Italy |
Switzerland |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
€2.50 |
€3.00 |
£2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
€2.50 |
€2.40 |
£1.40 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
€1.45 |
€2.40 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
€3.50 |
€4.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
€15.00 |
€18.00 |
£19.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
€25.00 |
€35.00 |
£25.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
€12.00 |
€18.00 |
£10.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Visas are not required by U.K., CAN, US, AUS and NZ citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Altitude: On Trek
Gradient Chart
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Climate
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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The Alps are an ideal place to visit in the summer with generally warm to hot sunny days (reaching 25-30°C) and cool nights (7-15°C), although in early June and September it will be cooler. On the walking days we trek to higher altitudes where the temperature will be lower and even a small breeze will feel cold. As with all mountain environments it can and does rain and it is not unusual to find snow on the passes. At higher altitudes it can become very cold if rain storms come in and you should be prepared for this. Please pay special attention to the clothing list we recommend.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage and a waterproof rucksack (40-50 litres minimum). There will be one ‘baggage drop’ at Courmayeur mid-way through the trek when you are reunited with your main luggage. For the rest of the trek it is light back-packing and you will need to carry all your own stuff. This will be for 4 days / 3 nights for the first half of the trek and then 3 days / 2 nights for the second half. You will need to carry spare underwear, T shirt, toiletries, small towel etc in addition to your normal trekking gear which will include full waterproofs, warm clothing, hats and gloves. There are showers at every night stop.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack for ‘Mountain Treks’ as listed in our ‘General Information Booklet’. Although you should expect to live in T-shirts and shorts for the holiday, please be aware that temperatures can change dramatically at altitude and at night.
The following are essential:
• Good quality waterproof jacket and trousers (eg. Goretex / e-Vent), a pac-a-mac is not good enough
• Fleece jacket
• Comfortable walking trousers
• Shorts
• Lots of walking socks
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunhat, sunglasses and high factor sun cream
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Footwear
Walking boots with ankle support and good tread. ’Trekking shoes’ are not good enough for this trek as they do not give ankle support. In addition, you should avoid cheap boots found in high-street shops that are merely trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. We recommend that you wear/carry your walking boots as hand luggage on the international flight: should your luggage be delayed, your well broken-in boots will be irreplaceable.
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Equipment
• 40-50 litre rucksack (line with a good quality plastic bag to keep your belongings dry)
• Water bottle (preferably 2 litres)
• Torch
• High factor sun cream
• Trekking poles
• Penknife
• Light weight or Easidri towel (not provided when staying in dorms)
• Sheet sleeping bag for the dorms
• Basic toiletries
• Flip-flops or Crocs for the evenings
• Swimming costume
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Please bring along your own personal blister kit if you think you may need it. Alternatively you would be able to buy this in a local pharmacy. We recommend using zinc oxide tape to cover 'hot spots' on your feet to stop potential blisters in their tracks.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the UK and European website
