Local Costs

	UK	Corsica	France
Tea/Coffee	£1.50		€2.50
Soft Drink	£1.50		€2.50
Bottled Water	£1.50		€1.45
Bottle of Beer	£3.50		€3.50
2 Course Meal*	£15.00		€15.00
3 Course Meal**	£20.00		€25.00
Bottle of Wine	£14.50		€12.00
Breakfast	£5.00

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

Visas not required by UK, CAN, USA & AUS, NZ citizens or EU nationals. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Vaccinations & Protection

Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.

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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Walking Grades and Fitness

The GR20 is serious and challenging walking, for those who enjoy ridge and scrambling holidays and you need to prepare properly.

The terrain in Corsica is particularly challenging as it is rugged and rocky. There are steep ascents and descents and serious scrambling up down and over rocks, traversing peaks from one side to the other side. Not only do you need considerable mountain walking experience to undertake this trek, you need to be going out into the hills regularly right up to the moment of your trip, especially during the week before your departure. If you are not mountain fit, you will not enjoy this holiday and probably won’t complete the itinerary. You need to be surefooted, have good endurance and stamina, as well as being very determined about completing the challenge. Where the terrain is extremely steep in the Cirque de la Solitude’ there are fixed ladders and chains.

Relevant experience - Ascending Snowdon by Grib Gock, descending from Blencathra in the Lakes by Sharp Edge and scrambling along the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glen Coe. These would prepare you for the GR20 in terms of stamina, ability and confidence.

Irrelevant experience that is not sufficient preparation - the visitors track to Ben Nevis and the LLanberis route to Snowden on the 3 peaks challenge, Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro.

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Altitude: On Trek

Gradient Chart

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Climate

Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Corsica has a mediterranean climate, hot summers with moderately cold winters often with clear skies. The island is split in two by mountains and the north of the island is usually hotter than the south. The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be prepared to experience a variety of temperates during the trek.

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

You will need your main luggage (a kitbag or soft holdall style is recommended) and a backpack large enough to carry your sleeping bag and trek clothing/equipment for up to 3 consecutive nights. We suggest 50 litres in size. You will have access to your main luggage at several points during the trip (8/14 nights) and the longest section of the trek when you will be without your main luggage is days 5 to 8. See the day to day itinerary for full details.

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Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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Trek Kit Bag

For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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Need help on clothing or equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/ explore for further information.

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Clothing & Footwear: On Trek

• Waterproofs - Breathable jacket and trouser-type waterproofs made from material such as Goretex not only protects against rain and wind, but also stops you from overheating. They ‘breathe’ and avoid condensation that you will experience from nylon waterproofs.
• Long Trousers - For everyday walking, light trekking trousers are the most suitable. Jeans are not recommended as they are often difficult to walk in over longer distances and become cumbersome when wet.
• Thick sweaters and fleece jackets -Thick sweaters or fleece jackets are essential as nights can be very cold at night. Make sure that your waterproof jacket is loose enough to wear over your sweaters and/or fleeces.
• Thermal Underwear, Hat, Scarf, Gloves -Long sleeve tops and “long john” legging thermal underwear is essential.
• Shorts - Shorts can be very comfortable to walk in but you must carry long trousers with you in case you get either sunburned or cold!
• Swimming Costume - There are opportunities for swimming in rock pools
• Walking Boots - We strongly recommend walking in good boots. Trainers, tennis shoes etc do not give the ankle support afforded by a decent pair of boots. Many people now trek in the lighter weight Goretex or leather boots. They have the advantage that they take little breaking in. The slightly heavier traditional leather walking boots are also good. Avoid the types often found in high street shoe shops that are simply cheap trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on – they give little support and will probably not last the trek. Above all, your boots must be well broken in and comfortable. It is a good idea to carry your boots in your hand luggage on international flights or wear them – should your luggage be delayed, your well broken in boots are the one thing which will be irreplaceable.
• Trainers or Trekking sandals - Useful around camp.
• Socks - It is best to wear a pair of liner socks under a pair of fairly thick loop stitch socks. This helps to protect your feet against blisters. Avoid nylon socks, they are abrasive, don’t ‘breathe’ well and can cause blisters.

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Equipment

On the GR20 trek you will need to carry the following equipment:-

• Walking poles - essential for the rocky terrain
• Water bottle (at least 2 litres) - platypus/campelpak type strongly recommended to avoid the need for constant stoping
• 3 season sleeping bag
• Headtorch
• Tuppaware/lunch container plus cutlery for picnic lunches
• Ziplock bag for any rubbish collected during the days walk
• Sunscreen 
• Sun hat
• Personal first aid kit including blister plasters
• Insect repellant
• Ear plugs. -

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Personal First Aid Kit

For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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General Information

Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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