Trip Notes: Mont Blanc Highlights

France, Switzerland, Italy

Price per person: from £490 (check availability HERE)

The Tour du Mont Blanc is justifiably one of the finest walks in the world, normally taking two weeks to complete. For those with less time, however, this trip follows some of the finest sections of the famous trek and visits other less-frequented parts of the range. Based for a week at our chalet we take day-walks into the snow-capped mountains, returning to the comfort of the chalet each evening.

Walking through thick larch and pine forests, taking cable cars above the tree-line to ‘alpages’ and admiring the views from a mountain café are all in a days walk. You will see panoramic views of the whole Mont Blanc range, enjoy colourful Alpine flowers and catch glimpses of marmots, chamois and large birds of prey. The relaxed but vibrant atmosphere of Chamonix with its' bars, pavement cafes and excellent range of shops are only minutes from our base.

The walking will be varied and mostly on well-maintained paths. We aim to be out for around 6-8 hours each day and walk for 5-6 hours (8-15km each day). Most of the ascents are less than 500m except for the walk to the Col de Balme (900m of ascent) which can feel a bit tougher. The trip is suitable for people who like a walking weekend in the British hills where you might be out for 6-7 hours and cover 8-12 miles.

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.

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 cable car takes us to Planpraz at 2000m with the whole Mont Blanc range before us. We trek east for about 3 hours along the Tour du Mont Blanc following an undulating trail with panoramic views of the Chamonix Aiguilles, the impressive spire of the Dru and the Aiguille Vert. A steep descent brings us back to the chalet (there is the option of taking a cable car down to save the knees). The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Chamonix, shop or admire the view from one of its cafés.
Day 3 We transfer just over the border into Switzerland and 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.
Day 4 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 along part of the Tour du Mont Blanc 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. Fondue night at the chalet.
Day 5 A free day in Chamonix. Options include: the spectacular cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m for arguably the finest view in the Alps, horse riding, rock climbing, cycling, rafting, ice climbing and paragliding. Today is the chef’s day off and so you will need to organise your own lunch and dinner.
Day 6 We drive into Switzerland and trek from Trient, along the Tour du Mont Blanc and over the Col de Balme (2200m). From the col there are uninterrupted views of both the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges ranges and all the great glaciers descending to the valley bottom. We descend to the small village of Le Tour with its old wooden chalets and pretty window boxes.
Day 7 We take a cable car to Flegere at 1900m and then walk through rocky terrain to Lac Blanc at 2350m on the Tour du Mont Blanc. The marmots are pretty noisy up here and there are plenty of Alpine plants to see. Traversing past the Lacs de Cheserys we then have a choice of routes back to the valley. If the weather is fine we will have a barbeque in the chalet garden.
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 enjoy a walking weekend in the British hills where you might be out for 6-7 hours, cover 8-12 miles and climb one or two summits en-route. On this trip we walk for around 6 hours each day (8-15km) although we will actually be outside for 8 hours. We follow good, well-maintained paths and the highest altitude we walk at is 2500metres, 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). All transfers to and from the walks and cable cars are included. All walks are lead by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML).
Accommodation and meals
For this trek we stay at our chalet accommodation. Rooms are on a twin-share basis with private bathrooms (more information on accommodation: HERE). Meals included are eaten at the chalet or as a picnic when out walking and, if the weather is fine we plan to have a barbeque on one evening in the garden. 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 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 20 minutes, except when we go to Trient in Switzerland which takes 30 minutes. We intend to use lifts and cable cars to gain altitude on some days. These are included in the cost. 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 rain – either as frontal weather or as thunder storms after a hot day – and you should come prepared for this. It can be cold and windy at higher elevations and snow is not unknown. 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. Although you may like to bring trekking shoes, we do not recommend them as we will occasionally encounter rough terrain and should be prepared for 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. 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 cameras and a blister kit with you.
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 5 (allow 35 euros, approx £25, for the two meals). Count on 100-150 euros extra for the week (£75-110). Chamonix has many cafés, map shops and outdoor stores with a huge range of equipment.
Optional activities for your free day
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
• 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 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.