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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.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Aiguille du Midi - Panoramic views of Alps €39
Mountain biking - Full day's hire €25
Rock climbing - Half day €40
Rafting - 1.5 hours / €40-60 per person (depends on number of people taking part)
Public swimming pool - (3 pools, jacuzzi, death slide) €6
Paragliding - 1000m vertical descent €100 / 2550m vertical descent €220
Cable Cars - From Le Prarion to Les Houches €12, from Chalet de la Flegere to Les Praz €12.
Back to topLocal Staff: Service is included in French restaurants, although it is polite to tip 10% if the service has been very good. Bar staff and café waiters expect a small tip or loose change.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: Euro.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Euros are needed in France. You may like to take some in cash to avoid having to change money at the beginning of the trip.
Where to Exchange: In Chamonix and les Houches. Please note that Geneva airport is in Switzerland, which is not part of the Eurozone – wait until Chamonix to change money.
ATM Availability: There are a large number of ATM cashpoints that accept Visa and Mastercards in Chamonix and Courmayeur
Credit Card Acceptance: In major restaurants and shops.
Travellers Cheques: Not recommended.
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| UK | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | €2.50 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | €2.50 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | €1.45 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | €3.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | €15.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | €25.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | €12.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
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.
Back to topVisas not required by UK, CAN, USA & AUS, NZ citizens or EU nationals. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to topNothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
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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.
Back to topWe 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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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 it will be a little 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 at the highest altitude. 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.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topOne main piece of baggage and a waterproof daysac (30-40 litres recommended).
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topNeed 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.
Back to topThe following are essential: Good quality waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, comfortable walking trousers, shorts, warm hat and gloves, sunhat, sunglasses and high factor sun-cream. Jeans are not ideal for walking. 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. . Aside from the hotel pool, there is also a good public swimming pool in Chamonix – French health regulations require men to wear ‘proper’ swimming trunks, not loose Bermuda / boxer-style trunks. For around-town wear in Chamonix, you should bring some slightly smarter clothes.
Back to topWalking boots with ankle support and good tread. ’Trekking shoes’ are OK as long as you are confident on your feet in the mountains, however, 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. Trainers or trekking sandals are useful for relaxing in the evening.
Back to topYou will need a water bottle (preferably 2 litres) and high factor sun cream. You may like to bring trekking poles. It is a good idea to line your day-sac with a good quality plastic bag. This will go a long way in protecting your gear from any rainstorms we encounter. Tap water is safe to drink as are the fountains found in villages, but water sources along the trail may not always be drinkable. Using tap or purified water rather than bottled water will help avoid creating plastic bottle waste. Energy snacks including chocolate and sweets are recommended whilst on trek.
Back to topPlease 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.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topFor 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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