Travel, tourist & practical retreat information

 Transport

 Trains to local alpine train station (gare) – Les Marécottes (Salvan)
Note: by car, the Martigny to Hotel Balance stretch is a narrow winding alpine road that will be challenging for a non-local driver. We therefore highly recommend transport by train: It is a beautiful and very comfortable ride along lake Geneva or across the Swiss countryside and quite fun with the Mont-Blanc Express alpine train from Martigny to Les Marécottes.

Tickets are available via CFF / SBB – Swiss trains in 1st class or 2nd class: 2nd class ticket provide comfortable travel in Swiss trains; however, If you want more space and quiet, we recommend 1st class.

Geneva Airport - Martigny - Mont-Blanc Express to Les Marécotttes schedule
https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml

Zurich airport (ZH Flughaven) - Martigny - Mont-Blanc Express - Marécottes schedule
https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml

Local - Martigny - Mont-Blanc Express - Marécottes schedule
https://www.mont-blanc-express.ch/ no 1st or 2nd class on this train – schedule été (Summer)

Local connection from Les Marécottes gare to Hotel Balance
Free pick up by Hotel Balance shuttle at Les Marécottes gare during an about 2 hours window before the start and at the end of the retreat.

· Bus connection Les Marecottes gare to Hotel Balance, available on week-ends (Sept 3rd and 4th); purchase ticket at the ticket machine in les Marécottes gare, bus stop Les Granges / route du Van
Schedule + map  https://www.valleedutrient.ch/en/bus-du-vallon-de-van-fp936

· Walking from Les Marécottes – gare to Hotel Balance / Les Granges: for walking lovers, Les Marécottes gare is about a 35-minute walk to the Hotel (starts 10 minutes uphill, then flat).

Alpine Taxi service
From GVA or ZH airport or Martigny; advanced reservation & payment via CC
https://www.taximartigny.ch/en/taxi-route-high
https://www.taximartigny.ch/en/

Temperature, clothing and more

Les Granges sur Salvan – altitude 934 m (3064’), average temperatures: high = 23 degrees C (73 F) / low = 8 degrees C (46 F) in August – September; 10 days with some rain per month.

To bring:
Comfortable walking shoes as we will walk easy trails or dirt roads thru the forest and to a waterfall for some of our Qigong practices.
Summer gear like sunscreen & sunglasses, and light comfortable Summer clothes.
Layering of clothes such as a sweater, jacket and warmer clothing as temperatures drop at night, plus some protection in case we have a little rain.

Tourism information

Extending your stay at Hotel Balance
If you wish to further explore the region before or after the retreat, you may be able to extend your stay at Hotel Balance: contact the Hotel directly to book your extended stay (regular hotel rates apply). https://hotel-balance.ch/contact-us/

More travel tips about the area
https://www.valleedutrient.ch/

Mont Blanc Express train, Martigny to Vallorcines, France
https://www.mont-blanc-express.ch/

Swiss and Europe travel may offer discount rates on train travel
https://switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/che/offers/specials/swiss-coupon-pass
https://www.eurail.com/en/plan-your-trip/find-the-best-pass