Photo hike in the Clarée valley amidst the vibrant colors of autumn

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

In your backpack and on your person:

1. 1 backpack of 30 to 40 litres.
2. 1 airtight plastic container for picnic salad (minimum capacity 0.3 liters) + cup + cutlery .
3. 2 telescopic poles.
4. 1 large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
5. 1 long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material.
6. 1 fleece fur jacket.
7. 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
8. 1 rain cape
9. 1 hat or cap for sun protection
10. 1 small, lightweight hat with small fleece gloves to protect against the cold or wind
11. 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
12. One pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support and are waterproof, with Vibram soles. Remember to test new boots and those that haven't been worn for a long time beforehand.
13. Required: 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses.
14. Required: 1 sunscreen and protective lip balm.
15. One swimsuit (optional) and a small towel if you plan to swim in a lake or stream
16. 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
17. 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
18. 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, ID card…
19. 1 small roll of toilet paper, tissues.
20. 1 headlamp or flashlight.
21. 1 survival blanket.
22. Your camera!!!
23. Binoculars (optional).

Personal pharmacy:

1. Your usual medications.
2. Pain medication: paracetamol preferably.
3. Lozenges for sore throats.
4. Required: an elastic adhesive strip, such as Elastoplast, 8cm wide.
5. Sets of adhesive bandages + disinfectant compresses.
6. Double-skinned blister plasters (like Compeed or SOS blisters).
7. Tweezers.

Clothing: for the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:

A long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material.

A warm fleece fur jacket.

A windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket.

When walking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket.

In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is an essential addition. These three layers should always be in your backpack because the weather in the mountains changes very quickly.

Choose clothes that dry quickly, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.