Follow us
x
Contact us
Hiking training course Level 2 : Safety and autonomy in bivouac
Duration:
3 days
Price from: 470€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 250m or distance up to 5km.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 500m or distance up to 10km.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 1000m or distance up to 20km or multi-day routes without carrying personal belongings.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 1400m or distance up to 25km or multi-day routes with carrying personal belongings.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1400m or distance exceeding 25km.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For walkers, capable of navigating wide mountain trails suitable for vehicles.
Technical Level 2: For occasional hikers, capable of navigating non-technical mountain trails.
Technical Level 3: For regular hikers, capable of navigating slightly uneven mountain trails with roots or rocks.
Technical Level 4: For experienced hikers, capable of navigating rugged mountain trails with boulders, large steps, or exposed sections.
Technical Level 5: For seasoned hikers, capable of navigating off-trail routes or mountain trails with equipped sections, such as cables or ladders.
Comfort :
Niveau 1. Le confort de votre séjour est minimaliste. Vous dormez sous tente et portez vos affaires personnelles tout au long du séjour.
Niveau 2. Le confort de votre séjour est limité. Vous dormez principalement en refuge ou en auberge, dans des dortoirs, et portez vos affaires personnelles tout au long du séjour.
Niveau 3. Le confort de votre séjour est intermédiaire. Vous dormez principalement en refuge, en auberge ou en hôtel, en dortoirs. Une assistance est prévue pour le transport de vos affaires personnelles, lorsque cela est possible.
Niveau 4. Le confort de votre séjour est élevé. Vous dormez principalement en hôtel, en chambre. Une assistance est prévue pour le transport de vos affaires personnelles, lorsque cela est possible.
Niveau 5. Le confort de votre séjour est très élevé. Vous dormez principalement dans des hôtels 3 ou 4 étoiles en chambre. Une assistance est prévue pour le transport de vos affaires personnelles, lorsque cela est possible.
General information
Level 1 Training Course - Autonomy and Safety in Bivouac
Duration : 3 days / 2 nights in bivouac
For whom ? Beginner or intermediate hikers wishing to master the basics of self-reliance in the mountains.
Guiding : Certified mountain guide. Maximum 8 people per guide.
Learning objectives : This course will equip you with the essential skills to navigate independently in the mountains: preparing your hike and equipment, navigation, setting up camp, managing natural resources, and understanding the mountain environment.
Ideal for hikers wishing to become more self-reliant and safer during their bivouac treks.
PROGRAM / TOPICS COVERED :
Preparing for your hike : selecting the right equipment, packing your bag...
Autonomy in bivouac : setting up camp
Orientation : validating the skills acquired during the Level 1 course
Moutain environment : naturalist notions, respect for biodiversity
Miscellaneous : management of natural resources
The program is given for information purposes only. Your guide may modify it depending on the level of the group and the conditions of the mountain.
Group booking
Group session associates several people who don’t know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : See below for the group booking module (reservations will open soon)
Price 2026 : 470 € per person based on minimum of 4 participants
This price includes :
- the organization and supervision by a state qualified trekking guide
- bivouac kit : tent, sleeping bag, stove
- picnic lunches, dinners and breakfasts
- transfers throughout the hike
This price does not include :
- drinks and personal expenditure (souvenirs…)
- repatriation insurance (compulsory). Cancellation Insurance highly reccommended
Private booking
Want to go hiking and learn with family or friends ? Want the freedom to choose your departure dates* and benefit from personalized guidance ? Choose the private package !
This is the traditional relationship between a guide and their clients. It allows you to be alone or in a group with your guide, who will respond to your specific needs. The ideal package for realizing your plans, as it guarantees maximum comfort.
Discounted rates based on the number of participants.
*Subject to availability of accommodation.
Contact us for a quote.
Further information
Find in this in this section, all the information about this activity. For any further information please contact our advisors (contact details above).
Meeting point : Meet at 8:30 am at the Compagnie des guides offices on the morning of the first day.
Ability level : 3/5 - Moderate difficulty. Good condition and physical preparation are desired. 500 m to 700 m of elevation gain on average and 5 to 6 hours of walking. The terrain may have some steep passages requiring good technical ease. Hiking experience is desired Children minimum 16 years old accompanied by a parent
Guiding policy : each mountain leader can guides a group from 4 to 8 people. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy guarantees a high level experience. Children minimum 16 years old accompanied by a parent
Accomodation :
- During the stay: 2 night in a tent (bivouac). You carry your personal belongings in your backpack throughout the trip.
- Before & after the trip : benefit from preferential prices from our partner hotels in Chamonix. If you wish to receive information just ask the Randonnée department.
Documentation :
- Participants must have sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance offering both of these types of cover when you sign up.
- Participants must also take valid ID with them.
Preparing for the trip : few days before the trip, the mountain guide will be in contact to answer any questions you may have
Documents available for download
- Information sheet
- https://reservation.chamonix-guides.com/medias/images/prestations/conditions-de…
- https://reservation.chamonix-guides.com/medias/images/prestations/droits-du-cli…
- https://reservation.chamonix-guides.com/medias/images/prestations/insurance-imp…
- https://reservation.chamonix-guides.com/medias/images/prestations/assurance-imp…
Equipment
Weight is a hiker's adversary, so it is crucial to carefully select your equipment as it plays a key role in ensuring the success of your trip.
Your gear
- A 45L backpack
- A pair of top quality hiking boots
- A pair of telescopic poles
- A hat or cap
- A warm hat
- Category 3 sunglasses
- Breathable long and short-sleeved T-shirts
- A polar fleece
- A warm down jacket
- A Gore-Tex waterproof jacket
- A rain poncho
- A hiking trouser
- A Gore-Tex waterproof trouser
- A short
- A pair of gloves
- Hiking-appropriate socks
- A minimum 2L water bottle
- A pocketknife and a spork
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- A sleeping bag liner
- Toiletry kit, earplugs, and toilet paper
- Minimal personal pharmacy: blister pads like Compeed, medications for common ailments such as diarrhea, constipation, sore throat, headaches, pain, allergies
- Spare clothes as per your preference
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Millet (excluding crampons, ice axes and helmet), Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Departure into the Unknown
We begin our day at the Chamonix Guides Company headquarters with a briefing to check the mandatory equipment. This allows us to ensure everything is in order and also to distribute the food prepared by your guide.
We then set off towards a less-traveled mountain range, such as the Aravis, Bauges, or Beaufortain, for a complete immersion in nature.
The first day is generally short, allowing us to quickly find a bivouac site where the guide will teach you the basics of tent and camp setup. We will also learn to find water and discuss the concept of natural resources and their management. With our first night under the stars fast approaching, it will be time to prepare our first meal and quickly snuggle into our sleeping bags for the night.
Day 2
Getting Lost to Find Yourself
We pack up camp carefully and meticulously. The goal : to leave no trace.
Then we set off for a beautiful day during which we will learn how to use our map. As this is a Level 2 course, the basic techniques have already been validated; we will focus on the terrain and characteristic features of the landscape that we can identify on a map.
We will navigate from point to point, guided by your instructor, who will assess your level of independence in map reading and compass use.
During the day, your instructor will also share naturalist knowledge to help you find edible berries and plants. Nature offers countless possibilities! This is also an opportunity to discuss environmental awareness and practical skills, and thus provide you with the foundations for respecting biodiversity in its needs and in our practices.
In the late afternoon, a beautiful and long day comes to an end; it's time to prepare camp for the night.
Day 3
Back to reality
The night must have been beautiful and peaceful, judging by the first two days. It's time to return to the car parked on the first day. We'll use the map again to retrace our steps, but not on the same path. We'll discover new areas and new learning opportunities. Once you reach the car at the end of the day, you'll be completely self-sufficient for your independent bivouac trek.
Booking
Book your activity
Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 22 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 22 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 2.2€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
x