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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
Walking from the chalet we head up through larch and fir forest to the
impressive Aiguillette d’Argentiere – a 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 with increasingly
better views of the Mont Blanc range and the massive granite spire that
is the Dru. The glaciers are below us and we see greater panoramas as
we climb. At Lac Blanc (2350m), justifiably regarded as one of the most
beautiful places in the Alps, we stop having completed 1100m of ascent.
Located on the Tour du Mont Blanc, this is an enchanting place to have
lunch. We descend by a different route and end our circuit back at the
chalet.
Day 3
A short transfer brings us to the quaint town of Les Houches where we
take the Bellevue cable car. Here we join the main path of the Tour du
Mont Blanc and follow a route through high alpine meadows where alpine
orchids are usually seen in early July. We cross a bridge at the mouth
of a glacier and then climb to the Col de Tricot (2120m) for great views.
A steep descent brings us to the Chalets de Miage which are dominated
by the great Domes de Miage – part of the Mont Blanc massif. We
then head, via a small peak, to Les Contamines where we can buy ice cream
and a beer. Our transport will then take us back to the chalet.
Day 4
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 5
Just 20 minutes from the chalet our expedition starts close to the Swiss
border. From here we trek upwards to the stunning Emosson Lake for fine
views of the mountains and then continue through wild and rough country
to see dinosaur footprints – proof that the Alps were once under
a great sea. A steep and rocky climb with a few pieces of fixed equipment
brings us to the Col de la Terrasse (2648m). A short descent brings us
to our over-night accommodation - the Chalet de Loriaz - with arguably
one of best views in the region.
Day 6
Continuing through a forest brings us behind the Aiguilles Rouges –
an impressive range of high rocky peaks that separates us from the main
Chamonix valley. It is much less visited and follows a river through spectacular
high mountain scenery. We cross the Col de Salenton (2526m) and descend
through wild, rugged scenery to the Refuge de Moede Anterne at just over
2000m where we spend the night.
Day 7
Descending from the refuge we head into the forest and then cross a river
at 1600m before heading up the Col de Brevent (2368m). The view from the
top is outstanding and well worth the climb. We then head to Le Brevent
peak (2525m) and have a choice of routes back to the valley depending
on how much energy we have left. We return to our chalet for dinner and
a well-earned shower.
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?
This trip should appeal to you if you regularly take walking weekends
and are happy covering 12-15 miles a day and climbing a number of peaks
en-route. On this trip we normally walk for 6 or 7 hours (12-20km), although
it will be more if we take in any summits or side trips. We generally
follow good, well-maintained paths and the highest altitude we walk at
is 2700 metres, so you should not feel the altitude apart from a little
shortness of breath. As the trip is early in the season we may encounter
patches of snow, particularly at the cols, and may have to kick steps
to make the path secure. Although the accommodation is pre-booked, and
therefore fixed each night, we like to set off each day with a flexible
approach to our route giving you the opportunity to have an input. When
staying at the mountain refuges we sleep in mixed sex dormitories. (Check availability: HERE)
Group size
Minimum 7, maximum 12. We welcome single people as an activity holiday
is a great way to meet new friends. You must be 18 years or over.
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 at the chalet
and in dormitories at the mountain refuges. 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 when part of the organised trek. All walks
are lead by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader (IML).
Accommodation and meals
For this trek we stay at our chalet for 5 nights and in mountain refuges
for 2 nights.
Chalet
At the chalet accommodation, rooms are on a twin-share basis with attached
bathrooms and towels provided (More information on accommodation: HERE).
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 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.
Mountain refuges
The mountain refuges have 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 refuges:
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 this
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
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 25 minutes,
except the return from Les Contamines which takes 45 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 0-20°C at higher altitudes (at the cols it can be cold and windy).
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 huts. 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. 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 rucksack (40-50 litres is recommended)
that will give you enough room to carry a few clothes plus other items
for the 3-day expedition. During the day, you will need a sun hat, sun
cream, sunglasses, water bottle, warm woolly hat and gloves. For the nights
at the refuges 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.
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 any snacks you might buy at mountain refuges or cafés. You
also need to buy lunch and dinner on day 4 (allow 35 euros, approx £25,
for the two meals). Count on 100-120 euros extra for the week (£75-82).
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
• 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
• Rafting: 1 hour / 35 euros / person
• Ice climbing: full day from 90 euros
• Hydrospeed: 2 hours / 45 euros
• Local swimming pool complex: Adult 7 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.
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