Self-Guided Trekking Terms and Conditions

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General and specific terms and conditions of sale for self-guided trips

Last updated 7th October 2024

Summary

This trip is sold by Ian Huyton, acting under the trading name “White Marmotte”

The price of the trip is as stated on the proposal document.

The trip is a bespoke self-guided package tour, meeting the criteria described in the proposal. The price per person is dependent on the agreed number of people booking

To reserve a place on this trip, a deposit of the amount specified in the proposal document must be paid to White Marmotte. The remainder of the price must be paid no later than two months before the start of the trip. If the balance payment is not received by this date, we reserve the right to cancel the booked services or resell the tripto another customer. In this case your deposit will not be refunded.

If a reservation is made less than two months before the start of the trip, the entire balance must be paid at this time.

Payments may be made by credit or debit card using the payment link provided in the email invoice, or by any other means of payment agreed by both parties.

Trip requirements

The trip requirements vary according to the precise package you are booking. Daily distances and altitude gains are included in the proposal document, and more information on the type of terrain can be found on our website. All trips involve walking on uneven ground at altitudes of up to at least 2600 metres. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are physically fit and able to participate in this activity.

Children under eighteen

Children under the age of eighteen may participate in bespoke trips when accompanied by a responsible adult, subject to our prior agreement and provided that the trip is suitable. The accompanying adult must take full responsibility for the children under their supervision at all times.

Risks

Trekking in the Alps is a potentially dangerous activity with a risk of serious injury or death. Participants in White Marmotte trips must be aware of and accept these risks, and must take responsibility for their own actions during the trip.

White Marmotte

White Marmotte is a trading name of Ian Huyton, registered as an Individual Entreprise in France with SIRET Number 81746607100039. The White Marmotte name and logo are registered marques with INPI France under registration number 4538319.

Ian Huyton is a registered tour operator in France with Atout France under registration number IM038220006 according to Article R. 211-21 of the French Code du Tourisme.

All funds paid to Ian Huyton / White Marmotte are protected by a financial guarantee provided by Groupama Assurance-Credit & Caution under contract number 4000717935/0 conforming to articles R.211-26 and R.211-29 of the French Code du Tourisme.

White Marmotte / Ian Huyton is covered by public liability insurance provided by VHF Assurance France under contract number FR11-RCE22P00010, up to a maximum of €20 000 000 per year and €10 000 000 per claim.

Modifications and cancellations

You may cancel your booking by informing us by email, telephone or in writing as soon as you become aware that you would like to cancel. If you cancel more than two months before the trip, you will forfeit your deposit and any other amounts paid will be refunded to you. If you cancel less than two months before the start of the trip we will not normally be able to offer a refund.

If you wish to transfer the booking to another person, please notify us as soon as possible. Provided that the other person meets the age and fitness requirements we will be happy to transfer the booking without any charge.

If you wish to transfer your booking to a different White Marmotte trip, please contact us to discuss your options and we will try to facilitate this wherever possible.

Your responsibilities

This trip takes place in a potentially dangerous Alpine mountain environment at altitudes up to around 2800 metres above sea level. Parts of the trip may pass through remote areas with no mobile phone signal. To ensure your safety, we ask you to adhere to the following:

  • Read the supplied packing list thoroughly and ensure you bring all the necessary equipment and clothing.
  • Ensure your physical fitness level is sufficient for the trip you have booked.
  • Read and make use of the supplied trip notes and navigation information.
  • Do not behave in any way that poses a danger to yourself or to others.

If you are unable to continue with the trip due to illness or injury, we will assist you to return to your start or finish point (e.g. Geneva airport), or to a nearby town. In this case we shall not be liable for any transport or accommodation costs and you will not be entitled to a refund. Your travel insurance may cover costs in this instance. If mountain rescue is required, your insurance will be expected to cover any costs incurred.

You are responsible for your own possessions during the trip, including but not limited to mobile devices, cameras, documents, bank cards, personal money and any other valuable items.

Although we will provide telephone assistance where possible, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety on a self-guided trip.

Our service

The service provided by White Marmotte is outlined in the proposal document. It typically includes the following:

  • Shared return transfers from Geneva airport.
  • Hotel or mountain refuge accommodation
  • All breakfasts, evening meals as specified
  • Bus and taxi transport required during the trip
  • Baggage transfer if required
  • Detailed route information including step-by-step navigation and alternative routes
  • GPX files

The service does not include insurance, guiding, food or drink other than the meals mentioned, or anything else not mentioned in the proposal.

Data Protection

Personal data transmitted to White Marmotte will be held securely and used for the purposes of providing the trip you have booked. Such information will include your name, email address, telephone number, travel insurance details, emergency contact details and travel/flight details.

All data held by White Marmotte will be kept in accordance with French and European data protection law.

Infectious diseases

Depending on the programme booked, the trip may include nights sleeping in shared dormitories, particularly for nights in mountain refuges. Meals in these accommodations are typically served at large communal tables. Although all our accommodation providers will follow current health regulations in their respective countries, we cannot guarantee that social distancing measures will continue to be kept in place now that the Covid 19 crisis has passed. For these reasons, we do not recommend trips with dormitory accommodation to people who are more vulnerable to infection by Covid and other infectious diseases.

Insurance

As you we will not be physically accompanying you on this self-guided package, our insurance will not cover any search and rescue costs, medical charges, or repatriation costs incurred for any reason during the trip.

For this reason, it is compulsory for clients booking this trip to have individual accident insurance which covers alpine trekking up to 3000 metres. It must cover search and rescue, medical and repatriation costs, including helicopter rescue. If you do not have such a policy already, French residents can purchase a suitable policy at www.sport.lycea.fr. We do not have a policy to recommend for non-French-residents at this time.

As we cannot offer any refunds for trips cancelled within two months of the start date, due to the expenses we will have to incur after that time, we strongly recommend that customers take out a cancellation insurance policy to cover them in the event that they cannot travel for any reason.