Grand Combin Traverse

What's Included

• Meals

  6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties.

• Accommodation

  6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges and monasteries in dormitory style accommodation.

• Luggage Transfer

  Luggage transfer by mule – 1 piece maximum 7kg limit (no luggage transfer on day 6 to the Pannossière Hut - you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack).

• Experienced Mountain Guide

  An experienced mountain guide will accompany you throughout the trek.

• Travel to and from the Trail Head

  Travel to and from the trail head is included.

• Transfers

  Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage.

• Storage of Luggage

  Storage of luggage is provided.

• Optional Transfer

  Optional transfer from St Gervais to Mauvoisin on day 1 - limited availability, must be requested.

What's Not Included

• Drinks

  Drinks are not included in the package.
  
  

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.
  
  

• Items of a Personal Nature

  Items of a personal nature are not included.
  
  

Accommodation

Accommodation is on a full board basis starting from lunch on day 1 and finishing at lunch on day 7. The mountain huts that you stay in are dormitory style mixed sex rooms with shared bathrooms and usually without showers. The hospice and hotels will also be dormitory with shared facilities but with showers. There is a possibility to upgrade to a double room on some nights, subject to availability and payment of a fee of between 15 and 25€ per person directly to your host.

Grading

This trip is graded moderate to challenging and includes daily walks of up to 7 hours and ascents of up to 1356m in a day. 9-15km per day is walked except on day 2 which is 22km. There are some stages with steep uphill, descents, and at times sections of the trail will require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and make the trip more challenging. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds.
If for any reason during the trip the guide considers, in his or her sole discretion, that your fitness or mental or physical health is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, he or she may direct you not to continue and you must follow the guide’s instructions. In this case you will not be entitled to any refund.
As with all our moderate to challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.

What You Carry

As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc. Except for day 6 where there is no luggage transfer to the hut. You will need to carry your overnight requirements.

Mode of Transport

Travel to and from the trail head is included, with transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage. Luggage transfer by mule is provided, with a 7kg limit per piece, except on day 6 where you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your daypack.