Upper Languedoc: 6 days between mountains, rivers and guided spa treatments

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.

Hiking equipment

• 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt
  
• A large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
  
• 1 pair of sunglasses.
  
• 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
  
• 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
  
• 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
  
• Toiletries (opt for the essentials, small sizes, samples and travel kits).
  
• 1 quick-drying bath towel.
  
• Earplugs or ear pads (optional).
  
• Toilet paper + 1 lighter to burn the paper during "nature" breaks.
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Airtight plastic container for lunch picnic (minimum capacity 0.5 l) + cup + cutlery.
  
• 1 headlamp or flashlight.
  
• 1 survival blanket.
  
• Camera, binoculars (optional).
  

Bathing

Don't forget your swimsuit and towel. Swimming in the cool stream water isn't mandatory, but it's very pleasant!

Hotel

Hotels provide toilet facilities and complete bedding.

Thermal center

Swimsuits are mandatory (shorts or swim trunks are not allowed), as well as swim caps and sandals. (If you don't have any, you can get some from the center).

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

a long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).

a warm fleece fur jacket.

a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket of the gore-tex type.

When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rainy or windy conditions, a waterproof jacket can be added. In cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is a welcome addition.

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.

Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes icy during breaks. Therefore, it's very rare to undertake a climb wearing a fleece jacket.

Avoid anoraks and prohibit overly warm and bulky equipment.

The ideal list

(to be adapted according to the hike and the season)

• 1 sun hat or cap.
  
• 1 scarf.
  
• 1 beanie.
  
• Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferred (1 for 2 to 3 days of walking).
  
• 1 long-sleeved undershirt in breathable material or a shirt.
  
• 1 fleece fur jacket.
  
• 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
  
• 1 rain cape or a bivvy bag if you own the jacket above.
  
• 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
  
• 1 pair of underwear (maybe be used in the evening at the stopover).
  
• Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Opt for wool or hiking-specific socks. Be careful with cotton as it can cause blisters.
  
• 1 pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support and are waterproof with Vibram-type soles. Remember to "test" new shoes and those that haven't been used for a long time beforehand.
  
• Underwear.
  
• 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening.
  
• 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes for the evening.