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TOUR DU MONT BLANC

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26-June to 06-July, 2021

Tour price per person: Eur 2388/-

The 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc covers the complete circuit on foot. There are 5 major passes, 165 km of walking and we cross into France, Italy and Switzerland.

Starting in the Chamonix Valley, we trek in a clock-wise direction along well maintained trails to small villages where we spend the night. The views are outstanding throughout: huge granite spires, tumbling glaciers, snowy peaks and fast-flowing rivers. You will see magnificent Alpine flowers, birds of prey and animals such as ibex, chamois, stoats and marmots.

During the trek, we stay at hotels for nine nights and spend one night at an Auberge at Les Chapieux. We have chosen to include most of your meals when on the trek as we have found it is simpler for you and often costs less overall. There is a rest day in La Palud (Courmayeur) on day 7 where you can trek to La Visaille or relax in the town.

The walking will be mostly on well-maintained trails, though it is likely that we will encounter some rougher ground. Some ascents will be tough and you should be confident of climbing and then descending over 1000m in a day. The walk should appeal to people who regularly take walking weekends and are happy covering 16- 22 km (10 – 14 miles) each day, with a number of ascents and descents. This is a challenging trek and you should be confident of your fitness.

We trek in a clockwise direction as the days are less strenuous at the beginning: it allows you to build your fitness and have a day off in La Palud (Courmayeur) before the last three big days.

  • Reviews 0 Reviews
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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    Small Group Holidays
  • Activity Level Tough Plus
    6/8
  • Group Size Medium Group
    14
All about the TOUR DU MONT BLANC.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The most classic trek in Western Europe. Trekking in a clockwise direction through France, Switzerland and Italy, we cross 5 major passes, cover around 165 km and see some of the finest views in the Alps.
  • Enjoy incredible views of the whole Mont Blanc range, including Les Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Vert and Les Drus from Lac Blanc (2352m)
  • Enjoy the calming, pastoral beauty the relatively easy stage from Champex to La Fouly in the Swiss Val Ferret.
  • The views from the Italian stages of Col de la Seine, Tete de la Tronche and Grand Col Ferret are exceptional.

FACT FILE

  • Type of Tour: Treks & Walks
  • Grade: Tough +
  • Altitude : 2537m/8324 ft.
  • Date: 26 June to 06 July, 2021
  • Tour Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
  • Trek Duration : 08 Nights / 09 Days
  • Ex-Destination: Les Houches
  • Reporting Time: At hotel in Les Houches 1630 hrs (Day 01)
  • Dispersal Time:From Hotel in Les Houches post breakfast (Day 11)
  • Accommodation (Nights) : Hotel – 09; Auberge – 01
  • Food Plan : Breakfasts – 10, Picnic Lunches – 08 & Dinner – 06
  • Travel & Transport: Transfers by local buses/cable cars.
  • Requisite Group Size : 10 Pax
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Accommodation:

In 2* / 3* hotels for 09 Nights; In an Auberge for 01 Night.

Food:

Breakfast – 10, Picnic Lunches – 08 & Dinner – 06 included.

Travel:

On trek transfers Local bus / cable car.

Others:

  • Luggage transfers so that you have your main luggage for 09 of the 10 nights (i.e. you will not have access to your luggage on Day 08 at Les Chapieux).
  • English speaking IML guide. (The International Mountain Leader award (the IML) is the qualification needed to lead treks in the Alps.)
Whats not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Goods and Services Tax as applicable.
  • TCS (tax collected at source) as on date
  • International flight fares.
  • Internal flight fares.
  • Visa Fees
  • Dinners and lunches on Day 01, 10, 11 and when in Courmayeur (approx. € 200/-).
  • Other not mentioned meals or refreshments.
  • Other not mentioned tours, activities or extras.
  • Any expenses of personal nature such as mineral water, laundry, liquor, etc.
  • Any kind of insurance such as travel, accident, theft, medical, evacuation, etc.
  • Tips to hotel staff, driver, guide, etc.
  • Any extra costs incurred due to extension/change of the itinerary because of natural calamities, flight delays, road blocks, vehicle breakdown, etc. factors beyond the control of “Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.” and its associates.
  • Items not specified in the above in “Cost Includes”.
  1. Day 1 Arrive at Les Houches

    Arrival at your hotel in Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley (from Geneva Airport the trip takes just over an hour). Les Houches is a small town 7 km from Chamonix and has a few restaurants, bars and outdoor equipment shops. Rooms are normally available from 3 pm. If you want to visit Chamonix town, it takes 15 minutes by public bus. There will be a short briefing by our Trek Leader about the week ahead, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: none.

     

  2. Day 2 Les Houches – Lac Blanc – Argentiere (Ascent 450m, Descent 1100m; Hiking time is approximately 8 hours); (25 km *)

    After breakfast we take the local bus for 15 minutes from Les Houches to Chamonix (1030m) where we start our trek. We hike to Les Praz (1065m) and then take the Flegere cable car up to 1900m. From here we hike through open countryside for 1.5 – 2 hours to Lac Blanc (2352m). There are incredible views of the whole Mont Blanc range, including Les Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Vert and Les Drus. We then follow a beautiful path through the forest to Argentiere (1244m). You are re-united with your luggage at the hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Note: * Can be reduced to 18 km by taking the Flegere cable car

  3. Day 3 Argentiere – Col de Balme – Trient (Switzerland) (Ascent 1180m, Descent 894m.; Hiking time is approximately 7 hours); (14 km)

    From the hotel we hike through old Argentiere and up to the Col des Posettes (1997m) for superb views Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. From here, we traverse to the Col de Balme (2191m) and look directly into Switzerland. We descend through open country with views of glaciers to Trient (1297m) where we spend the night. You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

  4. Day 4 Trient – La Forclaz – Bovine Route – Champex (Ascent 461m, Descent 543m.; Hiking time is approximately 6 hours); (15 km)

    From Trient we proceed to Col de la Forclaz (1526m) a short climb and then we hike along the ‘Bovine Route’ to Champex (1486m). The route winds its way through meadows, forests and open country with views of the mountains of Verbier and the great Sion Valley. There are no great ascents today and just before Champex there is an auberge where you can sit in a garden amongst the charming forests of Champex d’en haut. You arrive at Champex Lac with its beautiful lake-side hotels and cafés. You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

  5. Day 5 Champex – La Fouly (Ascent 550m, Descent 440m.; Hiking time is approximately 5 - 6 hours); (14 km)

    From Champex d’en haut it is a gentle 5 – 6 hour trek to La Fouly (1600m) along the Val Ferret. We start our walk from the auberge continuing to Champex Lac and then descend to the valley floor and follow the river through forests and meadows to Prazde-Fort. We then ascend in similar surroundings with wonderful views of Mt Dolent and the South Face of the Mont Blanc range. You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

  6. Day 6 La Fouly – Grand Col Ferret – La Palud, Courmayeur (Italy) (Ascent 970m, Descent 1170m.; Hiking time is approximately 7 - 8 hours); (29 km **)

    We continue from La Fouly along the Val Ferret and cross into Italy via the impressive Grand Col Ferret (2537). From here, the descent is slightly steeper but rewards us with outstanding views of two of the Alps most iconic mountains – Les Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc. Our hotel is in La Palud (1350m), a small hamlet 3 km outside of the centre of Courmayeur (45 mins walk / 10 mins bus ride). You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

  7. Day 7 Rest day in La Palud, Courmayeur or hike to La Visaille

    Today can be used as a rest day or to hike to La Visaille meaning you complete the whole circuit of the TMB on foot. The accommodation at the half-way point between La Palud (Courmayeur) and Les Chapieux is not good enough and so we spend two nights at La Palud. If you choose to walk, you head to Courmayeur (1200m) and then up to the Col Chécrouit (1956m). From here you follow the TMB trail with superb views of the whole of the South Face of Mont Blanc. The mountain is much steeper this side, compared to the views from Chamonix, with fabulous long ridges and gullies – many of which offer the most challenging routes to mountaineers. You descend to La Visaille (1659m) and then take a 15 minute bus ride back to Courmayeur. If you choose to use today as a rest day, Courmayeur is one of Italy’s premier ski resorts and is full of pretty shops, cafés and restaurants. Close by, there is the excellent Skyway cable car, the spa at Pre St Didier and lots of gentler walking options. You could also head to Aosta (one hour by bus) to see Roman walls, an amphitheatre and mediaeval walls and buildings. You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast

  8. Day 8 Courmayeur – Val Veny – Col de la Seigne – Les Chapieux (Ascent 860m, Descent 967m.; Hiking time is approximately 7 hours); (32 km *** using the bus)

    We take 2 public buses (approx 10 and 20 minutes each) and travel to Val Veny under the spectacular South Face and ridges of Mont Blanc. We trek along a wide glacial valley surrounded by glaciers and high peaks to the Col de la Seigne (2516m) which marks the border between France and Italy. We then descend to Les Chapieux (1549m). Today is quite a long day, although it is not steep. You will not have access to your luggage tonight and so you need to pack appropriately. Overnight stay in Auberge. At Les Chapieux there may be more than two people in a room.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

    Note: *** Can be reduced to 22 km by taking bus.

  9. Day 09 Les Chapieux – Col du Bonhomme - Les Contamines (Ascent 930m, Descent 1320m.; Hiking time is approximately 7 - 8 hours)

    We make a steep ascent above Les Chapieux through marmot country and on through open meadows to more barren scenery. We cross 2 cols (2479m and 2329m) in wild surroundings with fabulous Alpine Flowers and marmots, weasels and chamois. We then head down through open country and on to a narrowing valley. Our destination is Les Contamines (1167m) – a pretty ski village with an interesting church. The hotel is located 1km outside of the centre of Les Contamines. You will have your main luggage delivered to the hotel tonight. Today is a long day. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

  10. Day 10 Les Contamines – Les Houches (Ascent 1170m, Descent 650m.; Hiking time is approximately 6 - 7 hours)

    We ascend thought pretty forests and meadows to the Chalets du Truc perched under the great west-face of the Mont Blanc range. There is a small peak we can climb before descending to the Chalets de Miage at 1559m. We then make a steep climb to the Col du Tricot (2120m) and then on towards the plateau above Les Houches. This is a fitting end to our trek with the most outstanding views of the Chamonix Valley, the Chamonix Aiguilles and the Mont Blanc massif. We descend quickly by cable car and take a short ride by public bus to our hotel. We check into the hotel and are reunited with our luggage. Overnight stay at Hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

  11. Day 11 Les Houches; Final Departure

    Check out from the hotel is normally 10.00 am.

    Meals included: Breakfast.

     

Accommodation

  • In 2* / 3* hotels for 09 Nights; In an Auberge for 01 Night.

This trip should appeal to you if you regularly take walking weekends and are happy covering 16 – 22 km (10-14 miles) each day, with a number of ascents and descents. On the TMB we normally walk for between 6 and 8 hours each day and, be outdoors for 8 or 9 hours. We generally follow good, well-maintained paths and the highest altitude we walk to, is 2537 metres, so you should not feel the altitude apart from a little shortness of breath. In late June and early July we may encounter patches of snow, particularly at the cols, and may have to kick steps to make the path secure. We aim to have twin-bedded rooms throughout, though occasionally there may be more than two in a room at the auberge at Les Chapieux.

  1. Luggage Transfers:

You will have access to your main luggage for 10 of the 11 nights (i.e. you will not have access to your luggage on Day 08 at Les Chapieux). On the day you do not have access to your luggage (01 night in total) you will need to carry your overnight gear, which will most likely include spare socks, underwear, T-shirt and basic toiletries. This is light back-packing and we recommend you have a 40 litre rucsac. We do not transfer your luggage to every night stop as we feel it is unnecessary and environmentally unsound. In addition, it adds a great deal to the cost of the tour as some of the drives between hotels are 5 hour round-trips.

 

Please restrict the weight of your main luggage to 20 kg. This helps us with the luggage transfers.

 

We strongly recommend that you do not leave any valuables or any object of high value in your main luggage. When your luggage is transferred and then delivered to the next hotel, it is likely that it will be left in the reception area or in an unattended back-room. We recommend that you lock your luggage and clearly label it with your name, address and mobile phone number.

 

  1. Transport During The Tour:

All transfers to the walks are included in the price of the tour: we use a mix of private and public transport. No journey is longer than 40 minutes, except the trip to and from the airport which takes just over an hour. We intend to use cable cars to gain or lose altitude on some days. These are included in the cost.

 

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 5°C at some of the night stops. 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 tour.

  • Good walking boots: leather or fabric and should be worn-in before you arrive.
  • Full set of good-quality waterproofs – jacket and trousers. Gore-Tex recommended: a ‘pac-a-mac’ is not good enough.
  • Trousers or skirts, short trousers.
  • T-shirts and tops that includes a jumper or fleece jacket.
  • Rucsac that will give you enough room to carry a few clothes plus other items for the 2-day periods when you do not have access to your main luggage, 40 litres is recommended.
  • Sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses, water bottle, warm woolly hat and gloves.
  • Torch, blister kit, any personal medicine.

For the night stops when you will not have access to your main luggage we recommend you carry a change of underwear, socks and T-shirt, basic toiletries and a torch – please remember that you will have to carry it all. You will need to carry your picnic lunch and will probably have your camera and blister kit with you. Although it may be cold outside at night, it will be very warm inside and so down jackets are not needed.

There is an ATM in Les Houches, Argentiere, Chamonix and Courmayeur. There are also a couple of Bureau de Change kiosks in Chamonix. 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 the Chamonix Valley. On trek, euros are accepted everywhere.

You will need extra money for drinks and evening meals not included. In addition, postcards, souvenirs, snacks, you might buy at mountain refuges or cafés and any optional activities. Chamonix and Les Houches have cafés, map shops and outdoor stores with a huge range of equipment.

Typical Costs: These are approximate costs: you can spend more or less than indicated.

Dinners Allow € 25 – 30 per meal for 4 nights: Chamonix Valley & Courmayeur.

Misc. Wine (€ 10 – 15), beer (€ 3 – 5), soft drinks (€ 2 – 3), cakes & snacks, coffee.

It is essential that you are in possession of an up to date and valid passport. You must check the visa and entry requirements of your chosen destination and any countries that you may be stopping off at en-route. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct documentation to gain entry into your chosen destination(s).

Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory when you travel with us and it is a condition of accepting your booking that you agree you will have obtained adequate and valid travel insurance for your booking by the date of departure. We recommend that you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. We recommend that your travel insurance includes repatriation, that you are covered for trekking in the Alps up to 2600 metres, helicopter rescue, all the activities mentioned in this dossier and any optional activities you may take part in. You must check with your insurer that you have adequate and valid cover for your tour. Anyone who does not have insurance will not be allowed to take part in the tour until cover is arranged. This is part of our booking conditions.

Please ensure that you have an up-to-date copy of this dossier immediately before you travel, as from time to time our itineraries may be amended, either for operational reasons or in response to feedback from clients. You will be informed of any major changes to your trip but small changes may just be added to this dossier.

In the event of any cancellation by you, we would need a notification from you in writing. If we receive the cancellation notification from you before 60 days prior to the date of departure the advance amount shall be refunded without cancellation charge for the tour. If we receive the notification in 0-60 days prior to the date of reporting, cancellation charges shall be levied as per the following terms:

 

  • Cancellation between 60 to 51 days before date of departure: 40% of tour cost + cancellation charges for other services.
  • Cancellation between 50 to 31 days before date of departure: 60% of tour cost + cancellation charges for other services.
  • Cancellation between 30 to the day of departure or No Show: 100% of tour cost + cancellation charges for other services.

 

Cancellation by ‘Countryside’ & Refunds:

  • “Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.” reserves the right to cancel a Fixed Departure Tour if the minimum numbers of persons as specified, do not book on that tour. We strongly suggest you not to make any non-refundable air bookings and other travel arrangements, till you receive a final confirmation from us minimum 30 days in advance.
  • “Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.” reserves the right to refuse or cancel any booking if we consider it necessary. In such cases, we shall refund all the money that you have paid.
  • Upon commencement of your tour, “Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.” reserves the right to refuse a member to continue the tour in case of misconduct or bad health or unfit to travel. In such cases, we shall not refund any money that you have paid.
  • Refunds will not be given for unused services on the tour.

 

  • We stay in hotels for 09 nights and an auberge for 01 night.
  • Rooms are on a twin-share basis: some have attached bathrooms; others have bathrooms along the corridor.
  • For the night at Les Chapieux, we aim for you to be in a twin room, but this is not always possible: you may be in a room with more than 2 people and possibly a dormitory. The showers are along the corridor for all guests.
  • Bedding is provided at each night stop, so there is no need to carry sleeping bags.
  • For the night at the auberge at Les Chapieux, duvets are provided.
  • Towels are provided at all night stops.
  • Please note that we do not use mountain refuges or huts for any of the night stops.
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