Mont Blanc Highlights - EXODUS TRAVEL
Food: All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included in the price of the trip. Typical Meals Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast will usually consist of cereal, eggs, orange juice, croissant, fresh French bread, butter, jam, tea or coffee. Lunch: Picnic style lunches will normally include bread, fresh salad vegetables, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit. Evening meal: Will normally consist of a first course of soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat or fish with rice, potatoes or pasta and vegetables, followed by dessert or fruit and tea or coffee. The price of the evening meal does not include wine, beer, bottled water or soft drinks. Vegetarians: Although vegetarianism is not common in France and most meals are based on meat or fish, it is usually possible to cater for vegetarians as long as they are prepared to be flexible. If you are a vegetarian please inform us at the time of booking.
Start destination: ChamonixEnd destination: Chamonix
- Fly to Geneva
- Drive to the head of the Chamonix Valley; walk to Switzerland via Les Bonhommes and the Col de Balme; descend back into France passing Chalets de Balme.
- Transfer above Les Houches; ascend to the Bel Lachat Refuge, before crossing the Carlaveyron Natural
- Reserve and summiting the Aiguillette des Houches and the Aiguillette du Brevent.
- Starting from Les Houches cross the Col de Voza and continue towards Les Contamines.
- Free day for optional walks, activities or sightseeing.
- Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy; climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Ferret Valley towards Courmayeur.
- Drive to Col de Montets; walk via Lac Blanc to La Flegere then descend by cable car.
- Fly to London
The circuit of Mont Blanc is one of the finest walking routes in the Alps. It is in reality a series of paths linking the seven valleys that surround the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc. To complete the whole circuit normally takes a fortnight, but for those with less time this one-week Exodus tour takes in the most outstanding sections with beautiful mountain highlights each day. Throughout the holiday we are based in the delightful Chalet Chamonix with dramatic views of Mont Blanc and use private buses to travel out each day to re-join the next stage of our walk covering beautiful secitons of the famous circuit. At the end of each day we return home for afternoon tea or for those who wish a dip in the chalet’s bubbling Jacuzzi.
Day 1: Arrive Geneva
Chalet Chamonix.
Day 2
Drive to the head of the Chamonix Valley; walk to Switzerland via Les Bonhommes and the Col de Balme; descend back into France passing Chalets de Balme.
From the Chalet we drive to Le Buet (1330m/4350ft). Climbing to (2000m/6500ft), we are rewarded with a stunning balcony walk as we flank the Aiguilette des Possettes, passing the Col de Possettes. The views of the Mont Blanc range and its glaciers are exceptional. Climbing to Les Bonhommes in Switzerland (2140m/7020ft) we enjoy sweeping views of the Swiss Alps and the Emosson Dam. Then via France, crossing the source of the River Arve that flows through Chamonix, we reach the Col de Balme (2191m/7190ft) and step into Switzerland to admire the panorama across the Rhone Valley. We descend to meet the valley and meet our transport back to the Chalet.
Day 3
Transfer above Les Houches; ascend to the Bel Lachat Refuge, before crossing the Carlaveyron Natural Reserve and summiting the Aiguillette des Houches and the Aiguillette du Brevent.
A spectacular walk from (1370m/4450ft) up to the Bel Lachat refuge on the classic TMB and GR5 routes. Crossing the beautiful Carlaveyron Natural Reserve we summit the Aiguillette des Houches (2285m/7500ft) for one of the finest views in the Alps - looking directly across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc summit. Passing through alpine meadows we descend by a different route to La Flatière (1370m/4500ft).
Day 4
Starting from Les Houches cross the Col de Voza and continue towards Les Contamines.
A short transfer takes us through picturesque hamlets and quaint Savoy farm houses to Maison Neuve our start point above the village of Les Houches. From here we begin our climb to the Col de Voza (1653m/5360ft) from where we enjoy sweeping views of the Chamonix Valley and Aravis mountains. Exploring the Bionnassay Valley, dominated by the spectacular Aiguille de Bionnassay and its glacier, we continue via the little village of Champel towards Les Contamines commune (1015m/3330ft).
Day 5
Free day for optional walks, activities or sightseeing.
Free day for optional walks or sightseeing. Your leader will be able to advise you of possible routes. Or you may choose to visit the bustling Alpine resort town of Chamonix , with its' numerous shops, bars, restaurants and cafés. There are several cable car excursions you can make from Chamonix, of which the most spectacular is the ascent to the Aiguille du Midi (3842m/12600ft), offering fantastic views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. It should also be possible to take the mountain train up to Montenvers for close up views of the glacier, Mer de Glace. Another popular option is to take a trip to nearby Annecy, the 'Venice of the Alps'.
Day 6
Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy; climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Ferret Valley towards Courmayeur.
We drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy for a chance to soak up some Italian atmosphere! From Lavachey (1640m/5380ft) we climb up to the Bonatti refuge. At just over (2000m/6560ft), the view from here is one of the finest on the tour. Mont Blanc itself, the towering rocky peak of Grandes Jorasses and the glaciers that crowd the northern flank of Val Ferret are there to be admired. Following a dramatic traversing path we contour high above the valley passing by the Bertone refuge before descending into Courmayeur, the perfect spot for a well-deserved Italian ice-cream.
Day 7
Drive to Col de Montets; walk via Lac Blanc to La Flegere then descend by cable car.
We drive to Col des Montets and then climb to the beautiful Lac Blanc, the highest point of the week (2352m - 7715ft), a spectacular setting with dramatic, panoramic vistas. If we are lucky we will be able to see Ibex. We then descend and continue to La Flégère, from where we take a téléférique back down to the valley floor to join our transport. If the Flégère lift is closed, or there is low lying snow and it is not possible to walk to lac Blanc then we will instead walk to the beautiful Lacs des Cheserys and then onwards to Flégère before descending past the charming Chalet Floria (there will be time for a cup of tea) and onwards to Chamonix. This will make a total climb of 746m - 2445ft and descent of 1184m - 3880ft. This is a stunning and beautiful day that equals the original. We only anticipate this happening on the spring and autumn departures.
Day 8: Departure.