Yak Trekking
in Val d'Hérens
Becoming a nomad for a few days and living at the pace of a yak caravan, is a unique adventure with a Himalayan taste in the beautiful alpine setting of Valais.
© Bertrand Carlier
Dates 2026
New this year: You can now arrive one day before the official start of the trek, sleep on site (in the Giette dormitory if the departure point is at La Giette, or in a tent at the mountain pasture if the departure point is at Tzaté), and enjoy a quiet day to settle in and get into the swing of things.
You can go for walks in the surrounding area, meet the yaks, lend a hand on the farm or at the mountain pasture if you wish, or take part in an activity offered by the herders present for the trek. This will allow you to enjoy your trek with the yaks even more if you give your body and mind the chance to settle in and acclimatize. Especially if you are coming from far away or from low altitude, it is advisable to take your time. In our fast-paced world, slowing down has become essential, which is why we offer these acclimatization days. This will also give you more time to get to know the yaks. If you are departing from Tzaté, you can accompany us to fetch them from the mountains and bring them back to camp for the start of the trek the next day. If you are departing from La Giette, you can spend some time with them in the pasture and brush them. Price for the extra night with half board (plus transport to the mountain pasture in summer): CHF 80.-
Pentecost Trek: May 22-25, 2026 (3 days)
Acclimatization day: arrival on Thursday, May 21 in the evening. Overnight stay in the dormitory. Friday, May 22 is free, or you can sign up for a class on edible plants with Stéphane: “Picking and cooking wild plants.” This is a class from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. where you will learn to identify plants using all your senses. You will see how to pick them and then prepare them by cooking dinner together. Price: 50.-
For the trek itself, meet on Friday evening at 6:00 PM at La Giette for a joyous dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. Accommodation in the La Giette dormitory. Saturday morning departure with the entire herd from La Giette. Night in tents on Saturday and Sunday. The route of the trek may change depending on mountain and weather conditions: La Giette - La Luette - Eison - Volovron - Evolène - La Giette. Price for three days with dormitory, half board, yaks, portage accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 630 (children up to 16 years old 510).
Inalpe Trek: June 18-21, 2026 (3 days)
We, meet at La Giette at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening for a joyous dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. Accommodation in the La Giette dormitory. Friday morning, departure with the entire herd from La Giette. Friday and Saturday nights will be spent in tents. The trek route may change depending on mountain and weather conditions: La Giette - Lac Bleu - Ferpècle - Alpage de Tzaté. The return to La Giette will be by car. Price for three days with dormitory, half board, yaks, portage, accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 630 (children up to 16 years old: CHF 510).
Alpine Pasture Trek I, August 14-16, 2026
We meet on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Forclaz, walk up to the Tzaté mountain pasture (luggage will be transported by jeep) where we will camp next to the yaks. We will share a convivial dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. On Saturday, we will set off with the caravan via the Col de Tzaté to Moiry and camp at Lac des Autannes. On Sunday, we will cross the Col de Torrent and return to the Tzaté mountain pasture, where we will release the yaks. The humans will walk down to La Forclaz, while the luggage will be transported by jeep. Price for two days with half board, yaks, portage, accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 400 (children up to age 16: CHF 320).
Alpine Pasture Trek II, August 28-30, 2026
We meet on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Forclaz, walk up to the Tzaté mountain pasture (luggage will be transported by jeep) where we will camp next to the yaks. We will share a convivial dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. On Saturday, we will set off with the caravan via the Col de Tzaté to Moiry and camp at Lac des Autannes. On Sunday, we will cross the Col de Torrent and return to the Tzaté mountain pasture, where we will release the yaks. The humans will walk down to La Forclaz, while the luggage will be transported by jeep. Price for two days with half board, yaks, portage, accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 400 (children up to age 16: CHF 320).
Alpine Pasture Trek III, September 11-13, 2026
We meet on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Forclaz, walk up to the Tzaté mountain pasture (luggage will be transported by jeep) where we will camp next to the yaks. We will share a convivial dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. On Saturday, we will set off with the caravan via the Col de Tzaté to Moiry and camp at Lac des Autannes. On Sunday, we will cross the Col de Torrent and return to the Tzaté mountain pasture, where we will release the yaks. The humans will walk down to La Forclaz, while the luggage will be transported by jeep. Price for two days with half board, yaks, portage, accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 400 (children up to age 16: CHF 320).
Alpine Pasture Trek IV, September 25-27, 2026
For the trek itself, meet on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Forclaz, walk up to the Tzaté mountain pasture (luggage will be transported by jeep) where we will camp next to the yaks. We will share a convivial dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. On Saturday, we will set off with the caravan via the Col de Tzaté to Moiry and camp at Lac des Autannes. On Sunday, we will cross the Col de Torrent and return to the Tzaté mountain pasture, where we will release the yaks. The humans will walk down to La Forclaz, while the luggage will be transported by jeep.
Price for two days with half board, yaks, portage, accompanied by experienced herders: CHF 400 (children up to age 16: CHF 320).
Désalpe Trek October 7-11, 2026 (4 days)
Acclimatization day: arrival on Tuesday, October 6, with ascent to the mountain pasture and setting up camp. Wednesday, October 7, is free or sign in for a one-hour QiGong class with Rosula in the morning (price CHF 30) and/or you can go with the herders to fetch the yaks from the mountains, bring them back to camp, and brush them.
For the trek itself, meet on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Forclaz, walk up to the Tzaté mountain pasture (luggage will be transported by jeep) where we will camp next to the yaks. We will share a convivial dinner where we will discuss the details of the trek and how to work with the yaks. We will spend Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in tents. The route may change depending on mountain and weather conditions: Col de Tzaté, Moiry, Pas de Lona, Haut Vallon de Réchy, Col de Cou, L'A Vieille - Volovron - Evolène – La Giette.
Price for four days with half board, yaks, portage, and supervision: CHF 820 (children up to 16 years old: 650).
Transhumances
For those who don't like sleeping in tents, join us for one of our TRANSHUMANCE.
The spring transhumance takes place on May 1 and May 16, 2026, and the autumn transhumance in early November.
The route goes from La Giette to La Luette and back again. It is a 4-5 hour walk to bring the yaks to a lower pasture - and bring them back up after two or three weeks.
Meet at 9 a.m. at La Giette. CHF 80 (40 for children) for the day. Payable on the day.
Contact us if you're interested and we'll keep you informed of the dates.
Vidéo created par Florian Ozainne
The team of herders
Rosula – the owner of the yak herd is the first European to lead yaks on long treks across the Alps. She has walked more than 2,200 km with her yaks – not counting the treks with clients.
Sandrine – a biologist and mountaineer, Sandrine made two major crossings in Switzerland with the yaks and Rosula in 2015 and 2016. She worked for nine months as a trekking guide in the Sultanate of Oman. She currently supervises asylum seekers for outdoor work, alongside her freelance work as a translator in the natural sciences: www.filoplume.ch
Florian – a trained farmer, Florian worked for several summers as a herder with Hérens cows. He lives in Brittany, where he runs a masonry business specializing in old buildings: www.pierre-terre-chaux-maconnerie.fr
Stéphane – a social worker and former caretaker of the Dorbon refuge, Stéphane has traveled by bike to the Himalayas, which he has explored extensively. Passionate about wild plants and primitive living techniques, he offers nature outings. www.chemins-sauvages.ch
Olivier - an artist/painter/sculptor by training, Olivier became a Buddhist monk in a Tibetan monastery located in Switzerland. He is passionate about mountains, trekking, and trail running. Olivier supports Rosula in the administration of the treks, so he is often the one who will respond to your emails.
Organisation
Our «green ideology»: our luggage is carried by yaks and the trekking tours are carried out autonomously, as in the Himalayas, i.e. without the use of four-wheel drive vehicles (except in emergencies). However, as the load that the yaks can carry is limited, we only take the bare essentials with us. We make do with rudimentary expedition comforts and cook simple meals with local produce on small camping stoves.
Guides: We are always two herders who lead the yak caravan, take care of the logistics and cooking and accompany you.
Group: Minimum 6 people, maximum 10 people per trek.
Children: Yaks are not “animals for children” like donkeys, llamas, or goats might be. They are large, lively animals with huge horns, and you need to be calm and grounded around them. Yaks walk freely to form a caravan, which does not give children much opportunity to interact directly with them. However, we have had some wonderful experiences with children who are used to walking in the mountains with their parents and who have a certain sensitivity towards animals. The recommended minimum age is around ten years old.
Stages: Between 5 and 7 hours of walking per day. Routes may be modified depending on weather and trail conditions. Good physical condition and sure footing are absolutely essential and required. Treks take place in all weather conditions!
Itineraries: Itineraries depend on the weather, mountain conditions, and the logistics of other treks during the season.
Registration: As the logistics of the treks are complex, it is necessary to register as early as possible, and no later than one month before departure. This is essential so that I can prepare each trek, which requires good organization: I have to take into account the other treks of the season, the management of the herd and the pastures, as well as the availability of the other herders. This cannot be improvised at the last minute! The number of treks per season is limited.
The registration is considered final when you have signed and returned the registration form, and paid a deposit of 20% of the total amount. The remaining amount must be received by me at least two weeks before departure.
Payment coordinates: CCP 40-102544-3 / IBAN CH84 0900 0000 4010 2544 3, in the name of Rosula Blanc, La Giette, 1984 Les Haudères.
Cancellations:
- In the event of cancellation on your part, you will be charged cancellation costs:
Up to two weeks before departure: 20% of the total amount (deposit).
Up to one week before departure: 50% of the total amount.
Less than one week before departure: no refund.
- If the number of participants (with confirmed full payment) proves to be insufficient two weeks before departure, the trek will be canceled. Participants who have already paid will receive a full refund
- In the event of cancellation on our part, participants will receive a full refund
- If the trek has to be abandoned for major reasons, an amount to be determined will be refunded.
Insurance: Each participant must have personal accident insurance that includes mountain rescue.
Equipment: Take as little as possible in your luggage, i.e. only the essentials! Bear in mind, however, that the weather in the mountains can change very quickly and that it can snow at higher altitudes even in midsummer. You need good mountain equipment! Tent, warm sleeping bag*, sleeping mat, torch or headlamp, good mountain or trekking boots, a pullover or fleece, a warm jacket (down jacket), Goretex/rain jacket, rain trousers or pellerine in bad weather, hat against the sun and cap against the cold, gloves, sun cream and sunglasses, personal toiletries, spare clothes to keep you dry in the rain, small emergency first-aid kit, water bottle or thermos flask, pocket knife, small day pack. I will provide you with waterproof bags to store the items carried by the yaks. Each participant is entitled to approx. 10 kg of personal luggage (in addition to the tent), which is carried by the yaks. You only carry your own belongings for the day.
Camping: It is advisable that you have experience in this activity and your own mountain camping equipment—which you are familiar with and know how to use.
Rental: For those who do not have suitable tents for mountain use, we have a few available for rent, as well as four insulated mattresses and two sleeping bags.
Preparation: If you want to prepare yourself and learn more about yaks and how we work with them, I recommend reading “Avec trois yaks vers la mer” (With Three Yaks to the Sea), which recounts our journey across the Alps. Or “Le Silence des Yaks” (The Silence of Yaks), which gives an overview of encounters with yaks and what you can experience with them. Both books can be ordered from me: info@yakshuloche.ch
Photos: Bertrand Carlier
