The Best of Mont Blanc
Hiking Trip Details
- Location: France, Italy, Switzerland
- Length: 7 days
- Grade: Strenuous and moderate
- Accommodations: Hotels and mountain refuges
- Group size: 5 – 12
- Dates, Part 1: June 27 – July 3 and September 2 – 13, 2012
- Dates, Part 2: July 2 – 8 and September 7 – 13, 2012
- Land Cost, Part 1 (US$): $1,995
- Land Cost, Part 2 (US$): $2,250
Hiking Trip Summary
Designed for those who would like to experience the hut-to-hut style of hiking, but have only a limited amount of time, our Best of Mont Blanc trips encompass some of the most beautiful areas of the Mont Blanc region.
The Mont Blanc Massif, composed of Mont Blanc (15,536′) the highest peak in Western Europe and a flank of impressively spectacular peaks and glaciers, uniquely straddles the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Rich in alpine history and cultural diversity, this region has been attracting mountaineers and hikers from the world over for nearly two hundred years.
We offer two itinerary options designed to join our 12-Day Tour du Mont Blanc. Our trip, Tete du Nord 7-Days, hikes in the southwest corner of the region, which has a remote and distinctly French accent to it. Staying largely at small French farms that have been converted into huts or mountain refuges, this tour recalls the simple atmosphere of old world mountain life. In exchange for your efforts, the mountains will share their power and simplicity, their wildflowers and always their breathtaking views.
Our Grand Ferret 7-Days, takes in the northeast corner of the region offering wonderfully diverse alpine terrain and outstanding panoramas as we progress from one country to the next. Characteristically, the accommodations are in hotels with private baths or in small hiker’s hotels with shared facilities.
We’ve been guiding this route since 1988 and have long since stopped counting how many times we’ve been around. Let us introduce you to an area we’ve grown to feel a part of. Let us introduce you to the families of the hotels and huts along the way. Let us introduce you to the unfailingly inspiring landscapes of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Itinerary
Part 1: Tete du Nord
Day 1: Arrive Geneva, Cointrin International Airport. Group transfer to Chamonix, France at 1:00 pm. Welcome dinner and orientation. Chamonix is home a dazzling array of many of the highest peaks in the Alps including Mont Blanc (15,860′).
Day 2: Short transfer to Les Houches and cable car to Bellevue. Here we begin today’s hike passing by the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay then up through lush meadows to the Col du Tricot (6,995′) with spectacular views of the Aiguille du Bionnassay, Dome du Gouter and the entire Chamonix Valley. After our steep descent from the Col, we arrive at our refuge.
Day 3: From our refuge, we continue to the village of Les Contamines, where we have time to linger and buy lunch items for the next day. Departing Les Contamines, we hike up the Mont Joie Valley, past a 15th century mountain church, Notre Dame de la Gorge, cross a small, ancient Roman bridge and continue up this broad alpine valley to our overnight stop.
Day 4: Departing our refuge, we begin a steady climb to the Croix de la Bonhomme and to the Col des Fours (8,960′). After a long descent passing though the Ville des Glacier and maybe stopping to buy some beaufort cheese at a farm, we will end our day at the remote and rustic refuge.
Day 5: Today’s hike will bring us to the Italian border at the Col de la Seigne (8,300′). Hiking down the Val Veny, the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif and Mont Blanc itself will dominate the scene with its myriad of glaciers and towering rocky peaks. Transfer by bus to our hotel in Courmayeur, Italy.
Day 6: Rest day in Courmayeur. The day can be spent exploring the town’s narrow streets, sampling the local pastries and cuisine, day hiking, or taking a series of cable cars up to Point Helbronner and into the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Day 7: Depart Courmayeur.
Part 2: Grand Ferret
Day 1: Independent travel to the hotel in Chamonix.
Day 2: Transfer by bus to the end of the spectacular Val Ferret. Hike to Ferret, Switzerland over the Col Grand Ferret (8,372′). Stopping for lunch en route, we are offered views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret and the skyline is dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret.
Day 3: A moderate day of hiking takes us down the Ferret Valley through small Swiss hamlets and beautiful gardens. The hike ends with a climb up to the picturesque lake village of Champex.
Day 4: There are two hiking options for today. One via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other more difficult route up and over the ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d’Arpette. Both routes offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps.
Day 5: Hike from Trient to Vallorcine, France over the Col de Balme (7,230). Crossing into France at the Col, once again the spectacular sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc Range with its dramatic peaks and glaciers will be breathtaking. We will end our day in Argentiere.
Day 6: Argentiere to Chamonix via the “Grand Balcon Sud” with ever-changing views of the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguilles des Chamonix, the glaciers of le Tour, Argentiere and the Mer de Glace.
Day 7: Depart Chamonix at 6:30 am for group transfer to the Geneva Airport arriving about 7:30 am.
Additional Information
Included
Group transfers to or from the Geneva Airport, all accommodations, all continental-style breakfasts, most dinners, all group transfers on ski lifts, buses and trains as described in the itinerary, guides, great hiking and memories!
Not Included
Airfare, lunches, 1 dinner in Courmayeur (part 1 only), optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature.
Luggage
This hike is not van supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate-sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 20 lbs. including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel in Chamonix.
Accommodations and Facilities
On Part 1, Tete du Nord, the first night in Chamonix and last two nights in Courmayeur are spent in wonderful hotels with private baths. The other 3 nights we stay in refuges also called huts. These can vary depending where they are located. Each refuge has its own charm and unique character. All three nights in the refuges offer simple overnight stops for hikers that offer bunkrooms and shared facilities.
On Part 2, Grand Ferret, the accommodations include 4 nights in hotels (Chamonix the first and last nights, Champex and Le Buet) with private baths. The other 2 nights are spend in small hotels that include private rooms and shared facilities.
Breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotels or refuges and lunches are picnic style along the trail.
Travel
It is easiest to fly to Geneva. However, there are frequent trains from Zurich or Paris; just be sure to allow for extra travel time.
Meeting point
Part 1: Geneva airport at 1:00 pm on the first day for a group transfer to our hotel in Chamonix.
Part 2: At the hotel in Chamonix.
Ending Point
Part 1: Courmayeur from where you can travel back to Chamonix , retrieve any left luggage, and continue on your travels.
Part 2: Group transfer from the hotel in Chamonix the morning of the last day arriving the Geneva airport arriving about 7:30 am.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gains, loss and distance, or to register please call.
