Trip Notes: Mont Blanc Multi Activity

France

Price per person: £535 (check availability HERE)

Chamonix is a great place for a teenage family adventure holiday. There is mountain biking, trekking, rock climbing, abseiling and rafting in addition to adrenaline-pumping Adventure Parks with aerial ropeways, tree slides and summer bobsleighs. There are also plenty of places to chill out and sunbathe, such as the lake and the swimming pool, and quiet forests for a relaxing walk. Sitting in a café with a Coke or a coffee admiring the highest mountains in Europe and practicing your French can be a really cool and memorable way to spend your summer holiday.

Recognising that many people come to the Alps to go walking, the trip includes a 2-day trek with an overnight stay in a mountain refuge. Enjoying the flowers, animals, birds and spending a night high up in the mountains away from civilisation can be a hugely rewarding experience. 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.

Our chalet accommodation is ideal for families with 8 well-appointed rooms with attached 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 you, but may have a local twist, such as 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. As teenagers often have younger brothers and sisters there can be flexibility on the age limit.

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 the morning mountain biking through forest and open country in the Chamonix valley. The biking is not too tough and will allow you to become familiar with the area. 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, paragliding or going to the local swimming pool which has indoor pools, a jacuzzi, 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 a small restaurant sells 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. At dinner we will have a fondue – traditional mountain food made from local cheeses.
Day 4 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 ice climbing, rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, 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 5 The start point of our expedition is just 5 minutes drive from the chalet. We make our way up through larch and fir forest until we reach the Aiguillette d’Argentiere – an impressive rock spire that seduces brave novice climbers. From here we continue up a small section of steeper ground with the help of a series of small ropes and ladders to make it easier. As we climb, we are rewarded with increasingly better views of the whole Mont Blanc range and the great glaciers that descend towards the Chamonix valley. En-route we will stop for lunch and maybe spot marmots or chamois which live at these higher altitudes. Our goal is Lac Blanc (2350m), justifiably regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the Alps and where we will stay the night. It is a wild place with wonderful views and, if the night-sky is clear, a great place to look at the stars and watch for shooting stars. Having climbed almost 1100m (nearly as much as climbing Ben Nevis) we should all sleep well.
Day 6 Our trek today is less strenuous as we head south-west along a section of the famous ‘Tour du Mont Blanc’. The path undulates through forest and screes with panoramic views of the highest mountain in Europe. We reach the end of our trek at Planpraz (2000m) where we’ll have a well-deserved cool drink at the café. We descend to Chamonix in a telecabine and then transfer back to the chalet in time for afternoon tea.
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. The afternoon is free until about 4pm when we do some 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 10:00 (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 and are designed for families with children from 12 years. The trekking expedition follows well-maintained and marked trails. On one small section of steeper ground we encounter fixed equipment, in the form of short ladders and short ropes, to help you up. The chalet accommodation is modern and well-equipped for families and the mountain refuge, although simple, is surprisingly comfortable. 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 over 12 years old. As teenagers often have younger brothers and sisters there can be flexibility on the age limit. However, with the 2-day trek on this departure in mind, our trip designed for younger children 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). At the refuges we are in dormitories. 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 & meals
For this trek we stay at our chalet for 6 nights and at a mountain refuge for 1 night.
Chalet
For this trip we stay at our chalet accommodation. Rooms are on a twin-share basis with attached 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.
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 at the chalet:
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.
Mountain refuge
The mountain refuge has mixed-sex dormitory style sleeping arrangements with up to 30 people sharing a room. You are given and blanket and a pillow by the refuge and so you may like to bring a sheet-sleeping bag for your comfort. The huts provide slippers as you are not allowed to wear your boots inside. The huts tend to be warm inside even if it is cold outside in the night air. The toilets are basic – normally a shed with a hole in the floor. There is no hot water, but you can wash your hand and face using the cold-water taps outside. Breakfast and evening meals are a set menu and served at set times. Vegetarians are not well catered for and are often served the main meal minus the meat. More information on refuges, see accommodation: HERE).
Typical meals at the mountain refuge:
Breakfast: bread, jam, tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Dinner: the main meal will be meat and vegetables with pasta or potatoes and there will be either a starter or a dessert.
The refuges also sell soft drinks, beer, wine, mineral water, cakes and a variety of chocolate bars.
If you chose not to take or eat any of the meals provided throughout the trip, 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 intend to hire bicycles on day 2 and use the cable car from Planpraz to Chamonix on day 6: 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 can occasionally be cold and windy at the highest elevations). It all depends on whether the sun is out and it can often feel very hot: occasionally it reaches 30°C in the valley and can feel quite muggy in the late afternoon. At night the temperature is 5-12°C in the valley and can drop close to zero at the mountain hut. 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
Most activities can be done in a pair of trainers, however, we highly recommend that everyone in the group has walking boots for the trek. 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. The boots will also be useful for any optional activities that may require sturdy footwear.
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, a bathing costume and a towel. You should have a rucksack (30-40 litres is recommended) that will give you enough room to carry a few clothes plus other items for the 2-day expedition. During the day, you will need a sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses, water bottle, warm woolly hat and gloves. 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. For the night at the refuge you may like to bring sheet sleeping bag, a change of underwear, basic toiletries and a torch – please remember that you will have to carry it all. Although it may be cold outside the refuges at night, it will be very warm inside and so down jackets are not needed. You are required to carry your picnic and will probably have your cameras and a blister kit with you.
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 4 (allow 35 euros per person, approx £25, for the two meals). Count on 50-70 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 5 & 6 Mountain trek and overnight accommodation and meals in a mountain refuge. Cable car from Planpraz to Chamonix.
• 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 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.