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How do I redeem my voucher and for which travel dates is it valid? Are there blackout dates?
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To redeem your voucher, simply reach out to Altai Alpes as instructed in your confirmation email, and be sure to provide your order number. Travel dates are available between June 13 - August 29, 2021. Generally, trips depart a couple of times per month on Sundays during the voucher period. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until you have received confirmation from Altai Alpes.
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Are private departures available?
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Yes, private departures are available and can be customized to suit your needs. Private departures may be subject to additional costs. Please contact our Adventure Teams to explore pricing and availability.
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Are departures guaranteed?
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This trip has a minimum of five guests required to guarantee each departure. Please wait for confirmation from Altai Alpes before making travel arrangements.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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Plan to fly into Geneva Airport in Switzerland, arriving before 2:00 pm local time. You’ll be responsible for booking your own international airfare, which is not included in the trip price. Transfers to and from Geneva Airport are included at specified times. If you'd like a transfer arranged outside of these times, it can be arranged for an additional fee.
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What are the accommodations like?
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Most of your evenings will be spent in 3-star hotels, with one night in a Chapieux Valley bread & breakfast hostel. In most cases, rooms will be shared for two people.
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Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there a single supplement fee?
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This is subject to availability. The supplemental fee for a solo room is an additional 60 euros per night.
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How large is each travel group?
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The maximum group size for this trip is eight travelers.
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What meals are included? What is the food like?
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All meals are included except for the first and the final night spent in Chamonix. The food provided will be traditional French, Italian and Swiss cuisine. Expect plenty of cheese, deli meats, fruits, and of course chocolate. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, please feel free to contact our Travel Services Representative, and we can reach out to Altai Alpes for more information.
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How much extra money should people budget?
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Plan to bring about 200 to 300 euros for additional drinks, souvenirs, and gratuities for your guides and drivers.
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What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
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The following is a suggested packing list:
One hat/cap
Sunglasses
Bonnet or scarf
T-shirt (quick drying material)
Warm over-shirt
Warm coat (polar-type)
Windproof jacket (K-way or Gore-tex)
Thin layer pants
Windproof pants (K-way or Goretex)
Shorts
Socks (wool is ideal - avoid foot warming/synthetic fibers
Trekking shoes (solid, waterproof)
Long gaiters
Warm gloves
Plenty of underwear
Light sandals or sneakers for nights in refuges
Toilet bag (earplugs recommended)
Towel
Small headlamp/flashlightOne pair of collapsible walking poles
1L bottle/thermos
Portable cutlery
Individual plastic tupperware for lunch salads
Sunscreen and chapstick
Toilet paper
Camera and/or binoculars (optional)
Luggage
You should plan to bring two bags:
One travel bag for your replacement clothes, transferred by the assistance vehicle (max 22 lbs, 60x40cm) - only one bag per person!
One 40L backpack with a large chest strap. Your guide’s advice on what to pack in your backpack: warm clothes (polar, pants, hat, and gloves), rain clothes, bottle, camera, sunscreen, and you picnic lunch; also, bring a trash bag to separate your replacement clothes from humidity.
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How challenging is this trip?
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Travelers should be in good physical condition. You should be able to trek six to eight hours per day with an elevation gain of 3,200 (sometimes as much as 4,200 feet) over consecutive days. The walking speed is soft and breaks are frequent. Your guide will always take care to match the walking speed to your abilities.
The trails are excellent broad, clear paths. Early in the season you'll almost certainly cross snowfields and your guide will be there to ensure your safety. Some downhill may be a bit rocky, so the type of shoes you wear is important and Altai Alpes recommends using telescopic poles.
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Are there any additional activities I can purchase?
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You can take a rafting excursion on day 5 in Courmayeur for about 30-70 euros per person. Also in Courmayeur, you can enjoy a nice thermal bath for about 50-60 euros.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? If so, do you have a recommended provider?
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We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2021 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within two years of your original departure date, or
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.
Up to 30 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within two years of your original departure date, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.
Less than 30 days prior to departure*
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip within 30 days prior to departure.
If this is available at the time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.