Trip Notes: Autumn Colours

France, Italy, Switzerland

Price per person: £490 (check availability HERE)

Autumn is a lovely time to visit Chamonix. The days are warm while the nights are crisp and clear and the summer crowds will have gone. The forested valley sides turn shades of brown and red and the after-glow of the evening sun on the mountains is a rich golden colour. The forests are thick with mushrooms, toadstools and all manner of mosses and lichens and at higher altitudes we should see more hardy plants such as stone crops, houseleeks and rock jasmine. At this time, wildlife readies itself for the winter and it is not unusual to see birds and squirrels preparing for the long, cold season ahead. We will take day walks to a number of different locations – some following the trail of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc – and spend time enjoying the cool air and quiet trails.

Taking day-trips from our chalet, the walking is varied and the views outstanding: big snowy peaks stand above great spires of granite and, of course, Mont Blanc towers above Chamonix. We walk along well-maintained paths, aiming to be out for about 6 hours each day. Actual walking time will be approximately 4 hours (5-8 miles depending on the altitude and terrain) and we never climb more than 500 metres. Occasionally we may use cable cars to allow us to quickly gain altitude. We take time to look for plants, admire them and of course, photograph them. The trip will appeal to both novice and expert flower enthusiasts.

The trip will be led by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) who lives in Chamonix. He has intimate knowledge of the area, with a keen interest in the flora and fauna. Our modern chalet accommodation has 8 well-appointed twin rooms with bathrooms and a large dining area where everyone eats at the same table. The garden has a jacuzzi and barbeque and the south-west facing balcony is a great place for a sun-downer.

The aim of the trip is to experience Chamonix out of season and explore the area with a view to see something different.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Meet at Geneva airport at 18:00 (6pm). We will then transfer you to our chalet near Chamonix – the trip takes just over an hour. There will be a short briefing by our Tour Leader about the week ahead, followed by dinner.
Day 2 A gentle warm-up walk through the great larch, pine and alder forest. There are lichens, mosses and many interesting mushrooms and toadstools. The afternoon is free to explore Chamonix.
Day 3 We take the spectacular cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m for arguably the finest view in the Alps. At this height we are among the great alpine peaks and glaciers with unimpeded views from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn almost 100km away. We descend in the cable car half way to the valley and then walk along the north-facing side of the range: at 2300m we will pass glacial moraines, boulders and outcrops in search of Alpine flowers. We return by train to Chamonix.
Day 4 A relatively easy day taking us to the south-east side of the Aiguilles Rouges. This side of the mountains receives a lot of sunshine and as we climb higher we will see different plants and views – particularly of the massive granite spire of the Dru. We descend through the forest from the impressive Aiguillette d’Argentiere and into Argentiere village which has a couple of small bars.
Day 5 We take a 30 minute transfer to the pretty town of St-Gervais-Les-Bains which hosts a traditional French market on a Thursday morning. We will spend an hour browsing the stalls in this town which prides itself on the flower boxes and displays in the streets. We continue to Les Contamines – a small town on the Mont Blanc Circuit. We walk above the town, through a thick conifer forest, and emerge at the hamlet known as the Chalets de Miage. The view is dominated by the impressive Domes de Miage which are part of the Mont Blanc massif. We return via a different route to Les Contamines and then drive back to Chamonix. Today is the chef’s day off and so you will need to organise your own lunch and dinner.
Day 6 Driving through the Mont Blanc tunnel we have a day trip to Italy and the south side of the Mont Blanc range where the mountains are much steeper and imposing. Val Ferret is an idyllic valley with meadows and crashing rivers. Our walk will gently gain height with increasingly better views as we climb. We should have time to stop in Courmayeur for some Italian coffee, cakes and ice cream.
Day 7 Our final day takes us just over the border into Switzerland and we trek through wild country to see dinosaur footprints – proof that the Alps were once under the sea! The walk culminates with panoramic views of the whole Mont Blanc range and of the great Emosson Lake. On the way back we visit the Reserve Naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges Visitors’ Centre which houses an impressive collection of stuffed animals and birds all of which are native to this area.
Day 8 We depart at 09:00, arriving at Geneva airport by 10:15 in time for your flight home. Those not taking the group transfer to the airport will leave the chalet 10am and make their own arrangements.

Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintains the integrity of the original itinerary.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Is it for me?
This trip should appeal to you if you like a good walk and spending time admiring the flowers. We walk for around 4 hours each day (5-8miles) though we will actually be outside for 6 hours. We follow good, well-maintained paths and none of it is too steep or has big drop-offs. We never climb more than 500 metres in a day. The highest altitude we walk at is 2500 metres, so you should not feel the altitude apart from a little shortness of breath. (Check availability: HERE)
Group size
Minimum 7, maximum 15. We welcome single people as an activity holiday is a great way to meet new friends. You must be 18 years or over. We will take 12-17 year olds as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Price and what it includes
Please see our availability page (HERE) for the price of this holiday
Accommodation throughout the week is on a twin-share basis and we provide 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners. Transfers to and from the airport (specified times only – see Airport transfers below) and all transfers to and from the walks are included. All walks are lead by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML). We have deliberately not included the cost of lifts and cable cars in the final price as we are aware that some people may choose not to go on a walk or bad weather may force us to go elsewhere. We intend to use one cable car on this trip - the Aiguille du Midi on day 3 - which costs 38 euros for the round trip (price confirmed Dec 2006). Most of the other lifts in the Chamonix valley are closed in the autumn.
Accommodation and meals
For this trek we stay at our chalet accommodation. Rooms are on a twin-share basis with bathrooms (more information on accommodation: HERE). The chalet is heated and so will not feel cold during the night. Meals included are eaten at the chalet or as a picnic when out walking. We provide tea and coffee at breakfast and tap water and wine with dinner. All other drinks are not included though we offer an ‘honesty bar’ where you can buy soft drinks, beer and any special requests you may have.
Typical meals:
Breakfast: tea, coffee, juice, cereals, eggs, bread, butter, jam.
Picnic lunch: baguette, mayonnaise, cheeses, cold meats, salad, fruit.
Tea and biscuits in late afternoon.
Dinner: starter, main course, dessert or cheese, wine for adults.
If you chose not to take or eat any of the meals provided, there is no refund.
Airport transfers
We arrange an airport pick-up from Geneva International Airport on Day 1. We meet in the Arrivals Hall near the Information Desk at 5:30pm (17:30hrs) where a representative will be holding a sign with Salamander Treks. Our minibus will leave Geneva Airport at 6pm (18:00hrs) so that we arrive at the chalet in Chamonix at 7:30pm in time for dinner. Many clients arrive in Geneva on different airlines and at different times of the day so we leave the pick-up until 6pm so that most people can take the transfer. If you arrive at Geneva airport early in the day take a short train ride into the city and spend the day sightseeing or shopping. You can leave your baggage at ‘Left Luggage’ at the airport train station. (Please see our useful links HERE).
Clients arriving after the minibus has departed at 6pm should call us for special arrangements which may involve hiring a taxi and any costs incurred will be the responsibility of the client.
For the ‘drop-off’ at the end of the holiday (Day 8), we ensure that you are at Geneva International airport by 10:15am (10:15hrs). If clients need to be at the airport earlier, we will organise a taxi that must be paid for by the client.
You are of course welcome to arrange your own transport to the chalet, but at your own expense.
Transport during the holiday
All transfers to the walks are included in the price of the holiday; we use minibuses and cars depending on the size of the group. No journey is longer than 30 minutes, except when we go to Italy which is 40 minutes each way. We may use lifts and cable cars to gain altitude, though these are not included the cost of the holiday as we are aware that some people may choose not to go on a walk or bad weather may force us to go elsewhere. See ‘Price and what it includes’ for details.
Staff
Throughout the trip, you will be accompanied by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader who has a First Aid certificate and carries a First Aid Kit. He lives in Chamonix and has a keen interest in flowers. At the chalet we have a chef and other staff who help with the shopping, cleaning and other duties.
Weather
In the autumn, daytime temperatures can vary from 5-20°C in the valleys to 0-15°C at higher altitudes. It all depends on whether the sun is out and it can often feel warm one day and quite chilly the next. At night the temperature is 0-10°C, though it would be unusual to go below this at the time of our autumn departures. As with all mountain ranges it can rain: at this time of year it will make it quite cold, so pleases be prepared for this. We pay special attention to the local weather forecasts and will adjust the day-to-day itinerary if we feel it is necessary to get the best from your holiday.
Clothing and equipment
Good walking boots are recommended. These can be either leather or fabric and should be worn-in before you arrive. Trekking shoes are fine, but you should be confident of walking in occasional rough terrain and anticipate wet weather or wet ground underfoot. You need a full set of waterproofs. The jacket should be good quality, for example Goretex or e-Vent, and able to withstand a heavy downpour: a ‘pac-a-mac’ is not good enough. The waterproof trousers do not have to be so robust but will be welcome if we have hard rain. We recommend a warm coat or thick fleece for the early morning autumn chill (if you already own a duvet jacket bring it with you, but don’t buy one specially). In addition, you need trousers or skirts, short trousers and a range of T-shirts and tops that includes a jumper or fleece jacket. You should have a small rucksack (30-40 litres is recommended) with sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses, water bottle, warm woolly hat and gloves. You are required to carry your picnic and will probably have your flower books, cameras and a blister kit with you. As it may be chilly on some days, you may like to bring a flask so that you can have a hot drink while we are out walking.
Extra expenses & money
There are many ATMs (hole-in-the-wall machines) in Chamonix and a couple of Bureau de Change kiosks. Do not use the ATM’s at Geneva airport as they will give you Swiss Francs – France is part of the Euro zone – so wait until you arrive in Chamonix. You will need extra money for postcards, souvenirs, the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (38 euros), and for any drinks not included. You also need to allow for lunch and dinner on day 5 (allow 35 euros, approx £25, for the two meals). Count on 100-150 euros extra for the week (£75-110). There are a few good bookshops with English sections, but there is very little in English on the flora and fauna so please bring reference books with you. Chamonix has many cafés, map shops and outdoor stores with a huge range of equipment.
Passports, visas and insurance
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa if one is necessary in accordance with the regulations of the country you are visiting. Visas are not currently required by nationals of the following countries: Britain and other EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada. Other nationalities should check with relevant authorities.
All people who come on this holiday must have adequate travel insurance that includes repatriation. You must check with your insurer that you are covered for trekking in the Alps, all the activities mentioned in the Trip Notes and any of the optional activities you may take part in. Anyone who does not have insurance will not be allowed to take part in the holiday until cover is arranged. This is part of our booking conditions.