Cancellation by you
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel cancellation insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances. Should you need to cancel your trek, Mont Blanc Treks Ltd must be informed in writing.
The following cancellation charges will apply:
• More than 16 weeks before trek start date, loss of deposit or greater to cover any none refundable costs incurred to date.
• 12 – 16 weeks before trek start date loss of 50% of trek fee.
• Less than 12 weeks before trek start date loss of 100% of trek fee.
Please note that, due to costs already incurred, bookings are not transferable to the following year.
Once your booking has been cancelled, we will provide all necessary documentation to support your insurance claim.
Health and Travel Disruption
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all travellers obtain comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to cover trip cancellation, travel interruption, medical expenses, and other unforeseen circumstances that may affect travel.
It is the responsibility of each traveller to ensure their insurance provides adequate coverage for their travel plans.
Medical & Mountain Evacuation Insurance
You will need full travel & holiday insurance suitable for a trekking holiday, this will need to be organised by you before the trek starts. It is essential that you have the correct insurance that covers you if you need to cancel your trip beforehand & also in case of a medical emergency on the mountain, as rescue can be costly. Rescue in France & Italy is usually not charged, depending on the circumstances. In Switzerland, however you will always be asked to pay, and this could be several thousand Swiss francs, especially if helicopters are involved. The cost of hospitalisation and subsequent care is normally the most expensive part of any accident, if you do not have the correct cover and are hospitalized without insurance, the cost could easily run to tens of thousands of pounds. It is your responsibility to take out the correct level of insurance and we accept no responsibility for any costs that occur because of inadequate insurance. Please ask for further information if you are not sure.
Please see our insurance section on the FAQ page for further information and suggestions.
Trekking Experience and Fitness Requirements
All clients need to have previous mountain walking experience and, if possible, experience with multi-day hiking. Alternatively, if you engage in other sports and work out regularly, you must gain mountain walking experience before you arrive. This requirement also applies to your partner or travel companion(s). If booking on a guided trek you will be required to complete our Trekking Experience Questionnaire at the time of booking.
Fitness for Participation
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise and accept the potential risks and hazards that can be over and above those associated with normal ‘package’ holidays. All clients are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking and departure that they are mentally and physically capable of participating in the demands of the full itinerary and activities as described on the website. Each trek is given a trek grading. Please refer to this information to establish whether you are capable of undertaking the trek. Any illness, injury, medical condition or disability which may affect your ability to participate must be declared to us before the start date via our booking form or Health Questionnaire if booking on one of our guided treks.
Clients are expected to be capable of completing the advertised itinerary without requiring individual support, route modifications, alternative itineraries, transport arrangements or supervision beyond that normally provided by the trekking leader to the group as a whole.
Mont Blanc Treks Ltd reserves the right, acting reasonably, to discuss a client's suitability for a trek at any stage prior to departure if information comes to light that raises concerns regarding fitness, experience, health or ability to participate in the advertised itinerary.
Mont Blanc Treks Limited and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of, or services connected with the tour. You are responsible for your own wellbeing and by agreeing to our Terms and Conditions you agree not to take any legal proceedings against Mont Blanc Treks Limited or its employees.
Guided trekking documentation & the UIMLA Trekking Leaders' Decisions
As we're sure you appreciate, the safety and well-being of our group and each person on the trek is our primary concern. Guided treks are operated for the benefit of the group as a whole. Clients acknowledge that the guide's primary responsibility is to the safety, welfare and enjoyment of the entire group and not to any individual participant. Decisions may therefore be made which prioritise the needs of the group over the preferences or requirements of an individual client.
Unless specifically advertised, guided group treks do not include customised itineraries, individual route planning, daily transport arrangements, one-to-one guiding, alternative programmes or additional support for participants who are unable or unwilling to follow the advertised itinerary.
If in the opinion of your guide and/or the management of Mont Blanc Treks Ltd, a client's fitness, health, pace, behaviour or other circumstances are having a disproportionate impact on the safety, welfare, enjoyment or planned operation of the group, the client may be required to modify their participation in the trek, make alternative transport arrangements at their own expense, miss sections of the itinerary or leave the trek entirely. In such circumstances no refund will be payable.
Cause for Concern & Cessation Procedure on our Guided Treks
The decision whether a client continues trekking with the group is at the sole discretion of the guide. Mont Blanc Treks Ltd fully supports the professional decisions of its guides.
A cause for concern may be raised where a client's fitness, health, pace, behaviour or any other circumstance is, in the opinion of the guide, affecting the safety, welfare, enjoyment or planned operation of the group, or the client's ability to safely undertake the advertised itinerary.
This procedure is intended solely to address unforeseen circumstances that arise during a trek. It must not be regarded as an alternative itinerary, a means of shortening the advertised trek, or an option for clients who know, or ought reasonably to know before departure, that they may be unable to complete the advertised itinerary.
The guide will monitor the progress of the group throughout the trek. If there is cause for concern, the client will be informed and the guide will discuss the options available.
These may include:
a. The client arranging transport to a suitable location at their own expense. This may be permitted, at the sole discretion of the guide and/or Mont Blanc Treks Ltd, as a temporary measure for one day only. If further transport days are required, or are anticipated, the client will be required to leave the trek.
b. The client voluntarily leaving the trek.
c. The guide and/or Mont Blanc Treks Ltd requesting that the client leaves the trek.
Any transport arrangements remain the responsibility of the client and are permitted solely as an exceptional, temporary measure. They do not form part of the holiday, do not constitute an alternative itinerary and must not be regarded as an entitlement. Repeated use of transport to avoid sections of the advertised itinerary is not compatible with participation in a guided trek and will not be permitted.
If concerns continue, or if the guide believes that the client is unable to participate safely, maintain the reasonable progress of the group, or is having a disproportionate impact on the safety, enjoyment or overall experience of the group, the guide and/or Mont Blanc Treks Ltd may require the client to leave the trek. In such circumstances, no refund will be payable.
If a client refuses to follow the guide's reasonable instructions or decisions, or otherwise acts in a manner that compromises the safety, welfare or enjoyment of the group, the guide and/or Mont Blanc Treks Ltd may require the client to leave the trek with immediate effect.
Self Guided Trekking documentation
Self-guided documentation will be sent out to the lead client once your balance payment has been received. You will receive one pack per group including guidebook, route cards, maps and any additional information; additional packs can be sent at an additional cost, please request this at the time of booking. The information supplied by us is for your guidance only. When undertaking a self-guided trek, you are expected to have a good level of navigational and map reading skills and can risk assess and make your own judgment to ensure your own and your group's safety. All information is supplied to the best of our knowledge. Times and distances quoted are approximate & based on an average walking pace, they do not make allowances for different walking speeds and stop/rest time. The information provided is intended as a guide and not as a substitute for mountain experience and navigational skills. Mont Blanc Treks Limited and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of the trek, or services / documentation connected with the trek.
Single Supplement & Sharing
All accommodation quoted is on a room sharing basis, normally in double, twin or triple rooms. Private en-suite facilities are available but are not guaranteed. When staying in the mountain refuges, dormitory sleeping quarters are normality with shared facilities. Please advise us as soon as possible of your requirements regarding rooms. Depending on accommodation single occupancy is a possibility, single supplements will apply. Please advise of any single room requirements as soon as possible.
Self-guided Solo trekkers
It is not possible to provide self-guided treks for solo trekkers due to safety reasons.
Bag Transfer
Guided treks include bag transfer for most nights during the trek. Bag transfers cannot be made to refuges or mountain huts. The standard self guided price does not include bag transfer. If you are a self guided client, bag transfer may be available at an additional cost. If you make use of the bag transfer service please make sure you have your luggage ready to be collected by 8am and it is not heavier than 15kgs. Do not leave any valuable items in your luggage transfer bag. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any luggage and property. Luggage that is transported each day or left at accommodation during the trek is done so at the owner’s risk.
Itinerary Alterations
The itineraries given for each tour should be taken as an indication of what each group hopes to achieve and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mont Blanc Treks Limited. It is a necessary condition of your joining any of our advertised holidays that you accept this flexibility. We cannot be held responsible for delays or alterations in the programme, or for expenses incurred owing to flight cancellations, war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, strikes, local regulations, sickness, terrorist activity, political closures and disputes, natural disasters, weather conditions, fire, technical transport problems or other circumstances amounting to force majeure and/or acts of God.
In these extreme circumstances you will be responsible for expenses incurred, such as extra hotel accommodation or flights. These must be paid for directly at the time.
If you are not able to continue with the trek due to health, fitness or inappropriate kit, the client will be required to pay any additional costs for transport, repatriation and alternative accommodation. Travel & trekking insurance is a pre-requisite of the trek. Depending on the circumstances, these costs may be recoverable on insurance. Where facilities are altered, or withdrawn for reasons beyond our control we cannot accept any liability. All information is compiled as accurately as possible to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and advertising.
A trip is considered operational if travel within the destination countries is permitted and the itinerary can be delivered using open trails, accommodation and local services.
A traveller’s inability to travel due to personal circumstances, airline disruption, or travel advisories issued by their home country does not mean the trip is unable to operate and does not automatically constitute grounds for cancellation, refund, or credit if the trek can operate as planned in the destination.
Participation in the trek is voluntary and a traveller’s decision not to travel due to personal risk assessment or perceived safety concerns does not constitute cancellation by Mont Blanc Treks Limited.
External Providers and Excursions
We may (at your request) offer available options regarding external bookings for excursions, services, restaurants. Please note that these are not recommendations. As such Mont Blanc Treks cannot be held liable for any issues with arrangements and / or services offered by external providers.
Medical Conditions
Please make your doctor and Mont Blanc Treks aware of any medical condition, which you think may be in any way relevant when joining one of the treks. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about what the trek involves.
Trek Grading
We grade our treks from 1 to 4 (1 being relatively easy & 4 being tough). Grades are decided depending on the difficulty of terrain, height loss and gain and numbers of days of sustained trekking. See our trek grading page for further details: Trek Grading
Age Restrictions
We welcome all ages here in the Alps, there is something for everyone particularly if it is tailor made specifically for your needs.
On our scheduled trek dates we do not accept booking from anyone above the age of 75. This doesn't mean that we cannot provide you with a trekking holiday, please get in touch and let us know the kind of adventure you are looking for, we can tailor make a privately guided trek to suit you.
The multi day itineraries would not be suitable for babies or small children who can’t walk very far and need to be carried. If you have young children then it might be a good idea to try a centre-based holiday with day hiking, this way you can tailor make each hike to suit your exact needs.
Please ask for advise on suitable guided and self-guided itineraries for families, it is very important to tailor make the itinerary, so it is achievable and safe. These mountains can be very inhospitable even in the height of summer.
Nutrition & hydration
Clients are responsible for ensuring that they carry sufficient food, snacks and water each day to meet the demands of the trek. Maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration is essential for both safety and performance in the mountains. Mont Blanc Treks Ltd cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from a client's failure to eat, drink or manage their nutritional and hydration needs appropriately during the trek.
Medicals, Vaccinations, Passports & Visas
Medical examinations, vaccinations, obtaining passports, visas and other preliminary arrangements are entirely your responsibility and we accept no responsibility if these are not completed in time for departure.
Local or International Laws & Agreements
The use of transport or any other services provided in the holiday must be subject to the applicable local or international law agreements and to the terms and conditions of their owners or operators, which may exclude or limit liability. All clients are expected to obey the laws and regulations of the countries visited, failure to do so will relieve Mont Blanc Treks Limited of all obligations that they may have under this contract.
Complaints & Refunds
Should you or your group have any complaint about the trek you must make it officially known in writing to Mont Blanc Treks Limited within 28 days of the end of the holiday. No refund or compensation will be made or given for any unused hotel accommodation or any other unused service on the tour. If a significant proportion of the contracted services is not or cannot be provided you may be asked to accept an alternative itinerary or be refunded for the missing service on your return. The Company’s representatives other than the directors are not entitled to promise refunds for any reason and Mont Blanc Treks Limited will not be bound by any such promise.
Dealing with complaints
If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close.
Details of this scheme are available from The Travel Industry Arbitration Service, administered by Dispute Settlement Services Ltd
9 Savill Road
Lindfield
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 2NY
or from
ABTOT
117 Houndsditch
London EC3A 7BT.
This scheme cannot however decide in cases where the sums claimed exceed £1,500 per person or £7,500 per booking form, or for claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequence thereof.
Promotional Images
The company may use any likeness or image of our clients that is taken on the trek without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the Internet.
Disclaimer
All the information is provided to the best of our knowledge, we reserve the right to change the trek itinerary, as we feel necessary depending on the group and weather conditions. If you are not able to continue with the trek due to level of fitness or in-appropriate kit you will be required to pay any additional costs for alternative accommodation. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any luggage and personal property; they are always carried at their owner’s risk, even when left at each accommodation, carried by transfer companies or left in storage during your trek. Travel & trekking insurance is a pre-requisite of the trek. Mont Blanc Treks Ltd are not responsible for any loss or injury.
