Trip Notes: Mont Blanc Family Explorer (5+yrs)

France

Price per person: from £460 (check availability HERE)

Aside from the incredible mountain views, glaciers, sharp granite spires and the highest mountain in Europe, there are many things in Chamonix to keep everyone in the family busy. Walking, cycling, rafting, horse riding, paragliding, swimming, bobsleighs and adventure rope parks are just some of the activities available. In the relaxed atmosphere of Chamonix there are pavement cafés, small shops, child-friendly restaurants and a traditional French market. We have designed the trip with children in mind so that no activity is too long and there is free time to either relax or take optional activities.

In addition to having fun, we aim to add some educational value to the trip with introductions to local food, such as a fondue, and ample opportunity to try out your French language skills. On our mountain days we will chat about the environment, and search for animal tracks and Alpine plants. We will discuss why the glaciers are getting smaller and have fun with map reading and a treasure hunt on the last day. French people generally like and welcome children.

Our chalet accommodation is ideal for families with 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 we have an indoor games room that can be used if the weather is poor. Nearby, there is a forest to run off any excess energy and we are able to arrange a baby sitting service for parents who would like to go into Chamonix for a drink or a meal (all baby sitters are qualified state-registered nannies). We provide good quality, filling meals that will be familiar to children but may have a local twist: foods that children tend to enjoy include cheese fondue, baguette, pain-au-chocolat, barbeques, fresh fruit and the ice creams!

The trip will be lead 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, fauna and the best place to get a coffee and an ice cream.

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 We collect our bikes and spend a leisurely morning exploring and getting to know the Chamonix Valley. We follow easy trails through the forests and occasionally cross quiet roads. We end the ride at the chalet in time for a picnic lunch. The afternoon is free to relax at the chalet or take part in an optional activity, such as rock climbing, horse riding or going to the local swimming pool which has indoor pools, an outdoor lake and a ‘death slide’.
Day 3 Driving 45 minutes brings us to Les Contamines – a small village surrounded by big hills and located on the Mont Blanc Circuit – one of the most famous trekking routes in the world. We spend the day at the Adventure Park which has lake swimming, pedalos, tennis, horse riding, and an aerial ropeway with tree slides. There is plenty of open space to make ourselves comfortable and ample opportunity for your children to meet French children in a relaxed environment. Parasols are provided at the lake side and there is a small restaurant selling drinks, ice creams and snacks. If you are feeling energetic there is plenty of excellent walking and close by a pretty Catholic church. We will return to Chamonix by 5:00pm in time for tea and biscuits.
Day 4 A 5-minute drive brings us to the start point for our trek to see a glacier. We walk on a well-maintained path through a pretty fir and larch forest with classic views of Chamonix and the great Alpine peaks. En-route we stop at a mountain hut for refreshments. The highlight is the mighty Mer de Glace (sea of ice) – a huge, gleaming-white glacier with crevasses and steep sides. We will take a picnic and walk at a comfortable pace spending time looking at Alpine plants and trying to spot wildlife. The walk will take around 2.5 - 3 hours in total. If everyone is feeling energetic, we can extend the walk. At dinner we will have a fondue – traditional mountain food made from local cheeses.
Day 5 Traditional markets are still very much a part of French culture and the weekly event at St Gervais is no exception. Here you can find all sorts of local produce - cheeses, honey, fruit, herbs and spices and weird sausages. There are lots of pavement cafés and the town is full of beautiful flower displays. Returning in time for an early lunch means you have the afternoon free to relax or take some optional activities.
Day 6 A free day for everyone. There are innumerable activities to take part in, such as a ride up the spectacular cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m for arguably the finest view in the Alps. At this height you are among the great Alpine peaks and glaciers with unimpeded views from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn almost 100km away. There are lots of walks in the valley that start from the chalet or are just a small cable-car ride away. Other adventurous pursuits include rafting or rock climbing. You may also like to go to Chamonix’s Alpine museum or spend time window shopping. Today is the chef’s day off and so you will need to organise your own lunch and dinner.
Day 7 Saturday is market day in Chamonix with food and clothes stalls. Next to the market is Chamonix’s Adventure Park which has aerial rope-ways, a bungee trampoline and a spectacular summer bobsleigh – at 900m long it is the longest in France. Most of the afternoon is free, until about 4pm when we do some basic map reading with the children followed by a treasure hunt using maps and compasses. Assuming the weather is fine we will have a barbeque this evening.
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 and my family?
This trip should appeal to you and your family if you enjoy fresh air, the mountains and outdoor activities. The trip is fairly active although there are plenty of opportunities to relax. None of the activities included are too tough or too long and are designed for families with children between 5 and 12 years. The chalet accommodation is modern and well-equipped for families. Safety is paramount and we only use or recommend qualified staff. (Check availability: HERE)
Responsibility for your children
Our staff and group leaders are there as guides to professionally organise the holiday and be there for advice, help and information. They are not child minders and so you should not expect them, or any other group members, to be responsible for your children.
Booking
We recommend that you book early as the flights are much cheaper the further in advance you book. (see USEFUL LINKS page)
Group size
Minimum 7, maximum 15. The trip is aimed for parents whose children are between 5 and 12 years old. Obviously, we are aware that a teenage brother or sister may also be included. However, our departure designed for teenagers may be more suitable for your family.
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 although if there are three to a room we offer a discount (see Accommodation). 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 activities mentioned. ‘Activities Included’ are listed at the bottom of this page. All other options must be paid for by you – see ‘Optional Activities’ below. All organised days are led by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML).
Accommodation
For this trip we stay at our chalet accommodation. Rooms are on a twin-share basis with private bathrooms and towels provided (More information on accommodation: HERE). You need to accept a certain amount of flexibility when we allocate rooms. For families of two or four you will be put in one or two twin rooms. For families of three or five we will either squeeze a mattress on the floor of the twin room to make a three or put one member of your family with someone from another family. Obviously, we take rooming very seriously and will take extra care at the time of your booking to ask you how your family would prefer to be roomed and accommodate everyone in an appropriate manner.
Meals
All meals provided by us are eaten at the chalet or as a picnic when out for the day. If the weather is fine we plan to have a barbeque on one evening in the garden. We provide tea, coffee and juice 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
Transfers where mentioned are included in the price of the holiday and are normally in our 8-seater minibuses. Occasionally we may use cars – it depends on the size of the group. No journey is longer than 25 minutes, except when we go to Les Contamines which takes 45 minutes each way. We hire bicycles - these are included in the price of the holiday. 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. At the chalet we have a chef and other staff who help with the shopping, cleaning and other duties.
Weather
In the summer, daytime temperatures can vary from 15-25°C in the valleys to 5-20°C at higher altitudes. It all depends on whether the sun is out and it can often feel very hot: occasionally it reaches 30°C and can feel quite muggy in the late afternoon. At night the temperature is 5-12°C. As with all mountain ranges it can and does rain – either as frontal weather or as thunder storms after a hot day – and you should come 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
Most activities can be done in a pair of trainers, though if you have them, you may like to bring walking boots for the trek to see the glacier and any optional activities that may require sturdy footwear. A waterproof jacket is essential as it can rain at any time, particularly at the end of a hot day when thunder storms are likely. We, however, do our best to avoid big downpours. In addition, we recommend that you have a selection of shorts, T-shirts, trousers or skirts, a bathing costume and towel and a jumper or fleece jacket. You should have a small rucksack (20-30 litres is recommended) with sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses and a water bottle. Please be aware that the sun is much stronger in the mountains due to the altitude and so extra care should be taken to protect yourself and your children. You are required to carry your picnic and will probably have other items such as your camera in your rucksack. Occasionally, even in the height of summer, it can be cold during the day and so we recommend you bring a woolly hat and gloves. For any of the Optional Activities where special equipment is required, such as rope and harnesses for rock climbing, this will be provided.
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, any optional activities, drinks not included and for lunch and dinner on day 6 (allow 30 euros per adult, approx £20, for the two meals - ‘kids meals’ cost less). Count on 40-50 euros per person for drinks, ice creams and the 2 extra meals. The amount you spend on Optional Activities depends on what you do and how many options you choose to take. Prices are below and are booked directly with the people who run them. Chamonix has many cafés, map shops and outdoor stores with a huge range of equipment.
Activities included
All organised days are led by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML).
• Day 2 Cycle hire included in the price.
• Day 3 Entrance to the Adventure Park at Les Contamines is free. The optional activities will cost you extra. Swimming is 2 euros and includes a parasol.
• Day 4 Trek to glacier.
• Day 5 Visit St Gervais weekly market.
• Day 7 Chamonix Adventure Park, map reading and treasure hunt.
Optional Activities
All prices include the hire of specialist equipment and qualified guides. Prices are correct at time of writing: December 2006. Some prices are based on a minimum number of participants and all activities are booked directly with the people who run them.
• Aiguille du Midi: adults 39 euros / child 25 euros / family ticket (2+2) 108 euros
• Rock climbing: half day from 40 euros
• Paragliding: half day / 1 jump 99 euros
• Horse riding: half day 40 euros
• Canyoning: half day 62 euros / full day 93 euros / minimum age 13
• Rafting: 1 hour / 35 euros / person
• Ice climbing: full day from 90 euros / minimum age 12
• Hydrospeed: 2 hours / 45 euros
• Local swimming pool complex: Adult 7 euros / child 4 euros
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 walking 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.