Beginners Via Ferrata

It is in between climbing and walking. You will need to use your hands and feet to progress through cliffs but there will be a wire to secure to in case you slip and staples, footholds and ladders to walk on. Your guides will train you and look after your safety as much as they are able but you will be responsible for your own clipping in and out. You will need a head for heights and fitness. Here's a video to explain it more (after booking) All specialist equipment is provided. You are welcome to bring your own if you are more familiar with it.

This is a beginner trip. The Via Ferratas take a couple of hours to complete and have short sections that require good levels of strength fitness. It is more important that you have an adventurous outlook and a head for heights. This is not a trip for people with vertigo, heart or weight issues, sorry! Your guides may extend your days with walks in the beautiful mountains. You will certainly feel that you have earnt your ice cream, coffee, cheese or chocolate! Do read the reviews before deciding to book.

The journey is part of the experience. From Geneva Airport there is a direct train (direction Brig/ Milan). You can buy tickets online, via the Swissrail app, from machines at the station, or from the ticket conductor. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes. You'll travel along the lake and then up to the base of the mountains. There are regular trains everyday, and prices start at £20 when booked in advance. You can book tickets on the Trainline website if you like . Enjoy the journey into the mountains.

Start: Your guide will meet you at Martigny Train Station (on Swiss national rail), at 6 pm, on day 1 of your itinerary.  End: You'll be dropped back off at Aigle Train Station, at 3.30 pm on day 3 of your itinerary. Martigny is 1h 50 minutes from Geneva Airport, Aigle is an easy 1h 30 minutes train ride from Geneva Airport.

We will stay in a Swiss Auberge or Dortoir. The sleeping is likely to be dormitory-style with a communal socialising area. There is also a bar! The restaurant serves excellent food. There is a pool and minigolf too (always competitive in the evenings). There is wifi and 4G, and there are showers and bathrooms but these are shared. If you wish to upgrade to your own room you may do so but it has a cost of around 100chf a night for a twin.

Documents • Passport • Boarding pass for flights • Money (CHF) • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping • Pyjamas • Ear Plugs Footwear • Mountaineering boots/shoes: 3-season lightweight • Shoe's for the evening Clothing Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for the day. • 1 x pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (long johns or similar) • 2 x t-shirts • 1 x comfortable shirt for the evening • 2 x hiking socks • 3 pairs of underwear • 1 x fleece • Light down or Primaloft jacket • Waterproof jacket and trousers • Hiking trousers: we recommend a pair that zip off into trousers. • Comfortable clothes for the evening • Sun Hat. • Swimming shorts/costume Other • Towel • Water bottle: • Sun protection: Sunglasses, suncream and sun hat • Personal medication • Toiletries • Electronics - headtorch, travel adapter, phone and charger • Hand sanitiser. Specialist Equipment Included Harness, Via Ferrata Lanyards, Helmet. Your Guides will carry other technical equipment.

You'll experience traditional Swiss food along with some high energy foods to ensure you get the most out of your days in the mountains. Here is a breakdown of the meals that are included: Day 1: Dinner (to include some wine for those who want). Day 2: Breakfast, Hut Dinner. (You will be able to purchase lunch) Day 3: Breakfast (You will be able to purchase lunch) You'll drop by local Restaurants, Auberges and local shops - so there's plenty of opportunities to buy extra food or snacks.

Break up your journey by getting off the train in Montreaux, walk downhill 100m and you are on the lakeside. Enjoy a stroll, icecream and meet Freddy Mercury. Alternatively, get off the train at Geneva City (first stop) and look around this finance city. Highlights include the UN, Botanical Gardens and the fountain.

We will sleep around 400m and may go up to 2000m depending on the Via Ferrata chosen by your guides.

To reach the Via Ferratas you'll often need to hike some distance (1 or 2 kms) and then hike back to the shuttle. We will likely extend the walks to visit cafes or other points of interest and even find wild swimming spots. We will likely leave each day around 9:30 am and return around 4 pm to leave plenty of time for relaxing, swimming and dinner

Definitely! Your guides know all the best shots and angles for taking photos. They carry cameras and will share photos on social media. Due to the nature of the activity it is not normally a good idea to carry large camera equipment but phones/ compact cameras/ GoPros are a good idea.

Yes, your guides will teach you everything you need to know. After this trip you may be able to go Via Ferratering on your own but it is always wise to employ a guide for the judgement that comes with experience.

The maximum ratio on a full trip is 4 customers to 1 guide.

Living and working in the mountains is something we are used to. We have years of experience here and can usually find something to do. It may make it a little more challenging and it is certainly why it is essential you bring waterproof clothing. However, we can dry out back at our accommodation and have great tales to tell.

You shouldn't need much extra money on this trip, it depends how much extra you want to eat and drink. You will be able to buy drinks at the accommodation and lunch on the trail. We recommend binging 150-200Chfs in cash. This is available at the airport cash machines. If you haven't pre-booked your train, you'll need to bring money for that too. Most places will accept card payments.

We will be staying in the same accommodation each night and you can leave anything there during the day. On the last day you may need to leave things in the transport.

Yes - It is not mandatory but often expected. In the Alps, there is no fixed amount and it really depends on what you would like to give to show your satisfaction. You can also support them by reviewing them on your Skyhook dashboard here.

We have very limited group dates for this trip for individuals to join. If you are a small group of 4 or 8 people we can organise specific dates for you, depending on availability, for this, or a similar programme. Message us on this trip page (at the bottom) to arrange. The guide-to-customer ratio is 1:4. We can do other group sizes at specific prices.

Children from 13 to 18 years of age may be accompanied by an adult. The need to be adventurous with a head for heights and exposure.

No it is possible to do the journey all the way on the train. The pick up point is on the Paris - Milan train route.