Our activities
Hiking
A relatively accessible activity, hiking offers the opportunity to explore a country or a region up close, on foot, and to meet and mingle with the locals. On a traverse or loop, whatever your skill level, embark on one of our through-hikes to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the great outdoors. Our treks travel the world, offering you so many adventurous places to choose from!
Our hiking levels explained:
Level 2: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on a well-marked hilly path or trail.
Level 3: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on well-marked trails and/or 600 to 800 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 15 kilometers.
Level 4: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day on well-marked trails or off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of 15 to 18 kilometers.
Level 5: An average of more than 6 hours of hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, with more than 1000 meters of vertical gain (and/or distances up to 20 kilometers). Possibly sections at high altitude.
Level 6: An average of more than 7 to 8 hours of strenuous hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, with more than 1000 meters of vertical gain and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Possibly sections at high altitude.
Snowshoeing
On snowshoes, explore snow-covered terrain usually inaccessible without the right gear. From easy strolls to multi-day tours or even glacier traverses, our snowshoe adventures offer the chance to fully enjoy the pristine wonderland winter has to offer.
Our snowshoeing levels explained:
Level 1: Snowshoe up to 4 hours per day. For anyone who likes to hike and is in good shape.
Level 2: An average of 4 to 5 hours of snowshoeing per day on hilly terrain.
Level 3: An average of 5 hours of snowshoeing per day on well-marked trails or off trail, and/or 600 to 800 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of up to 15 kilometers.
Level 4: An average of 6 hours of snowshoeing per day on well-marked trails or off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of 15 to 18 kilometers. Possibly sections at high altitude.
Level 5: An average of more than 6 hours of snowshoeing off trail or on rugged terrain, with more than 1000 meters of vertical gain (and/or distances up to 20 kilometers). Possibly sections at high altitude or across a glacier. Requires some experience in the high mountains and a basic understanding of mountaineering techniques: level F (“facile”/easy).
Ski Touring
Alpine ski touring (or backcountry ski touring) combines the fun of downhill skiing with the rewarding effort of hiking. Whether on your first tour, skiing high-altitude peak, or skinning across a glacier, the excursions we organize provide everyone the chance to discover this strenuous yet exhilarating winter sport.
Alpine touring and downhill skiing differ in many ways:
- The skis are lighter and shorter to make ascending easier,
- our heel remains unattached during the ascent to allow you to ski uphill; risers on the binding heel piece make it easier as the terrain steepens,
- Seal skins (now synthetic) are placed on the bases of your skis for the ascent to provide grip and prevent you from sliding backwards. Remove them for the descent.
With no need for chairlifts, backcountry skiers can climb and ski the mountains whenever and wherever they choose, and spend the winter enjoying certain routes primarily scaled on foot in the summer.
Ski touring goes hand-in-hand with off-piste skiing. You need to be comfortable skiing ungroomed terrain and in all types of snow, whether deep powder, spring corn, or breakable crust.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering provides access to some of our planet’s greatest peaks. We offer you the chance to set foot on several amazing summits, from Mont Blanc to the Ecrins ranges, by way of the Bernese Oberland. Choose from introduction courses to learn basic mountaineering techniques, climbs up serious committing routes, or adventures to summit prestigious peaks or lesser-known mountains. Our mountaineering trips will lead you on the right path to the top!
Our mountaineering levels explained:
Level 4: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day on and off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of 15 to 18 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Learn basic mountaineering techniques.
Level 5: An average of 6 to 7 hours of hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Requires knowledge and experience with basic mountaineering techniques for F (“facile” or easy) level routes.
Level 6: An average of 7 to 8 hours of serious hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Requires knowledge and experience with mountaineering techniques for PD and AD (somewhat difficult or relatively difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
Level 7: An average of 8 hours of serious hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Requires considerable knowledge and experience with mountaineering techniques for AD and D (relatively difficult or difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
Level 8: An average of 8 hours of serious hiking per day at higher elevations off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain. Sections at higher elevations. Requires mastery and considerable experience using mountaineering techniques for AD and D (relatively difficult or difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
All our mountaineering trips >>
Cycling
Touring on a bicycle
Bike tours offer another way to enjoy the trails and back roads. For beginners and experts, a bike allows you to explore a wide variety of places and landscapes in one trip and at your own pace. Our selection of self-guided bike tours also offers the possibility of using an electric bike to make them easier and more accessible to as many people as possible.
Self-guided bike tours
Embark on an adventure as a family or with friends during the dates you choose without having to take care of the logistics. Our self-guided bike tours allow you to safely travel at your own pace on itineraries created by our guides. We update all trip documents on a regular basis (roadbook and maps, or sections of maps) to make your bike tour ride as smoothly as possible from start to finish.
Our biking levels explained:
Level 1: 2 to 4 hours of riding per day (20 to 40 kilometers) on mostly flat roads or paths; a maximum of 200 meters of vertical gain. Feasible for anyone in good physical condition.
Level 2: 4 to 6 hours of riding per day (30 to 50 kilometers) on hilly roads or paths; a maximum of 500 meters of vertical gain. Accessible to anyone who exercises on a regular basis.
Level 3: 4 to 6 hours of riding per day (40 to 70 kilometers) on hilly roads or paths; a maximum of 800 meters of vertical gain. Hills up to 1 kilometer long and/or long distances on flat terrain (up to 70 kilometers). Accessible to anyone who regularly rides a bike on hilly terrain.
Level 4: 5 to 7 hours of riding per day (40 to 70 kilometers) on hilly or even mountainous terrain; more than 1000 meters of vertical gain. Hills or mountain passes several kilometers long. Accessible to anyone fairly athletic who rides hills with considerable vertical gain on a regular basis.
Multi-activity
Multi-activity trips provide the chance to explore the great outdoors in a variety of ways. Depending on the region, the activities offered correspond to the local environment, fauna (observing wildlife), flora (picking), population (meeting locals), and culture.
Our multi-activity levels explained:
Level 1: Accessible to anyone in good physical condition.
Level 2: For anyone who has already had a first experience in the activity.
Level 3: For anyone with considerable experience in the activity.
Level 4: For anyone with considerable experience and who participates in the activity on a regular basis.
Via Ferrata
For some of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Alps, our vertigo-inducing hikes, along narrow ledges or rock faces, offer a mind-blowing… and dizzyingly vertical experience. To ensure your safety, some trips may require climbing technique, roping up, handrails, and rappels from time to time.
Our vertigo-inducing hiking levels explained:
Level 2: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on hilly paths or trails. Sections of steep, vertical terrain.
Level 3: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on trails, and/or 600 to 800 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 15 kilometers. Sections of steep, vertical terrain.
Level 4: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day on and off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 15 kilometers. Sections of steep, vertical terrain.
Level 5: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain with more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections of steep, vertical terrain.
Glacier hiking
Glacier hiking provides the extraordinary opportunity to traverse and explore these massive rivers of ice. The varying levels of difficulty allow everyone to enjoy the experience of setting foot on a glacier. Each excursion alternates between well-marked trails through alpine meadows and pastures, time spent on glaciers, as well as a climbing move or two on more rugged terrain. All of our hikes at altitude offer you the chance to fully immerse yourself in high mountains.
Our glacier hiking levels explained:
Level 4: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day on and off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of 15 to 18 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Learn basic mountaineering techniques.
Level 5: An average of 6 to 7 hours of hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Requires knowledge and experience with mountaineering techniques for F (“facile” or easy) level routes.
