The Tour of Mont Blanc
Our guided Tour of Mont Blanc is a classic walk around the most impressive mountain massif in Europe, which contains the most challenging concentration of 4,000m. peaks in the Alps. Characterised by towering snowy summits, soaring rock spires and massive glaciers, these mountains are an awesome spectacle which can be clearly viewed and appreciated from the paths followed on this journey. Starting from les Houches near Chamonix, we trace an anti-clockwise route around the range, visiting Italy and Switzerland on the way.
One of the great pleasures of this journey is the accommodation in a variety of comfortable and welcoming small hotels and mountain refuges, and the chance to sample the cooking of three different countries.
You will need to carry personal equipment, clothes and lunches on two occasions, once for one night and once for two, but otherwise all baggage (except your daypack) will be transported to your next overnight stop.
Breakfast is provided every day and dinner on every day except days 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13. You will need to provide yourself with lunches and personal snacks.
Arrival is on Saturday at Les Houches. From here the entire circuit is completed on foot, apart from the occasional use of chairlifts and local buses (included in the holiday price.)
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Les Houches. Hotel accommodation.
Day 2 (Sunday): Cable-car to Col de Voza. Intricate paths lead past the Bionnassay glacier and over the Col de Tricot (2120m) to the Chalets de Miage, and from there past the Chalets de Truc to descend to Les Contamines. Our hotel is in a peaceful situation on the outskirts of this lively mountain village.
Day 3 (Monday): We climb through alpine pastures and over snowfields to reach the Col du Bonhomme and then traverse to the higher Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2433m). We descend from here to the small hamlet of Les Chapieux for the night.
Day 4 (Tuesday): A much shorter day over the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and across the Italian border to the Elisabetta hut, perched near its impressive glacier.
Day 5 (Wednesday): The aiguilles, ridges and glaciers of the Brenva face are revealed as we wander across flower-filled hillsides to Col Checrouit, where we descend by cable-car to Courmayeur.
Day 6 (Thursday): A rest day in the charming Italian town of Courmayeur.
Day 7 (Friday): A steady climb leads onto the Mont de la Saxe; all day now there are dazzling views of the south face of the Grandes Jorasses, before we drop down towards La Vachey. From here we take a short bus ride to the valley head before finishing the day at the Elena Hut, close to the Glacier de Pre de Bar.
(It is worth noting that the last two walking days provide some of the best days of the Tour; however, some trek operators either leave them out completely, or combine them with other sections to give excessively long days.)
Day 8 (Saturday): A delightful walk up to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) with views of Mont Dolent, where three countries meet. Then down gentler slopes into Switzerland and a night at a a comfortable mountain hotel in La Fouly.
Day 9 (Sunday): A fairly easy day through woods to our accommodation situated in a valley above Champex and its lake.
Day 10 (Monday): A testing climb over the Fenetre d’Arpette (2665m), then down by the side of the Trient glacier to the village of the same name.
Day 11 (Tuesday): A well-graded path leads us up through cool woods and onto the Col de Balme (2191m) where Mont Blanc, the Aiguiile Verte and the Drus capture the eye. From here we descend via the Montagne de Posettes to our hotel in the bustling village of Argentiere.
Day 12 (Wednesday): A tremendous day! An exciting ascent of the ladders above Argentiere leads to the Grand Balcon Sud and on via the beautifully situated Lac Blanc (2352m) to Plan Praz and a cable-car descent to Chamonix. All day there are amazing views of the Verte, the Chamonix Aiguilles and Mont Blanc itself – the snowy roof of Europe.
Day 13 (Thursday): Free day in Chamonix – a chance to explore this bustling, historic Alpine town, or take a cable-car trip to the Aiguille du Midi (3842m) with its intimate views of the highest peaks and galciers. This can be combined with a trip down on the Montenvers railway back to Chamonix.
Day 14 (Friday): Take the cable-car back up to Plan Praz and climb to the top of the Brevent on mountain paths and across easy snowfields. A long descent follows to return to our starting point at Les Houches.
Day 15 (Saturday): Set off on return journey.
Weather: The Alps can be quite changeable; cloud and rain is not unusual in summer, but when the sun shines it is very hot, and protection against sunburn is essential. At night it can be cold around huts and in higher valleys.
Grade and Terrain: This trip is suitable for any regular hill-walker. Paths are generally good, although there are some steep bouldery sections and snow patches may need to be crossed. Ice-axes are not required, although walking poles can be very useful. Ascents and descents are quite long, but usually well graded.
Accommodation and meals: Overnight accommodation is in simple but comfortable mountain inns and huts. Twin-bedded rooms are usually available in the inns (although single people can be catered for), but dormitory accommodation is normal in the huts. Three course evening meals are provided each evening (except on rest days), with a continental breakfast in the morning.
You will find your bags waiting for you at your accommodation. During most days you need carry only a light daypack.
Daily Routine: Each morning after breakfast (normally 7.00 – 7.30 am) we ask you to bring your bags down for the driver to collect. We suggest that you bring just one bag each, preferably of the soft “sports” style, as these are easier than suitcases to load into the vehicle.
We set off around 8.00 am and walk for about an hour, when we stop for a short break. Then we continue until lunch, between 12 and 1pm, which is usually at a viewpoint, by a stream or some other pleasant spot. Other breaks are taken as required.
We generally arrive at our overnight accommodation between 3 and 5pm, and you will find your bags waiting for you.
Dinner is usually between 7.30 and 8.00pm. We ask that you pay for any drinks the same night.
Equipment List:
Walking boots, lightweight, waterproof, supportive and comfortable
Rucksack – (45-50 litres)
Waterproofs (preferable fairly light)
Sunhat
Fleece gloves or similar
Lightweight fleece
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms (lightweight polycotton or microfibre etc.)
Shorts
Shirts (inc. one long-sleeved)
Underwear
Walking socks
Sandals or light footwear (for huts)
Water-bottle (at least 1 litre – you will need to drink at least this amount, probably more)
Trail food, eg cereal bars, nuts and raisins, dried fruit
Sun cream
First Aid kit (including blister treatment)
Water purifying tablets (in the unlikely case you need to collect water from streams etc.)
Washbag (sample size toothpaste, shampoo etc.)
Towel
Toilet paper
Torch and batteries
Sheet sleeping bag (for huts)
Poly bags (useful for food, dirty clothes, maps etc.)
You may want to bring:
Camera
Binoculars
Flower book
Alarm clock
Walking poles (highly recommended for snow patches, stream crossings and general support.
Maps:
IGN 1: 25 000 Chamonix 3630 OT
IGN 1:25 000 St-Gervais 3531 ET
Dates: June 30th - July 14th 2012
Cost: £1,350 (Land only)
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