Tour Dossier

France, Switzerland, Italy: Around Mont Blanc

These tours have set departure dates:

2007

16/6 – 29/6 (self-guided) 30/6 – 13/7 (self-guided) 14/7 – 27/7 (self-guided) 28/7 - 10/8 (self guided)

29/7 – 11/8 (escorted tour) 11/8 – 24/8 (self-guided) 25/8 – 07/9 (self guided)

Revised: Nov05 partial Oct06

This classic alpine walk, the famous ‘TMB’ or ‘ Le Tour du Mont Blanc’, circumnavigates Western Europe's highest mountain over passes and through the valleys of three contrasting countries. Walkers can savour the food and wine of France, Italy and Switzerland and enjoy some of the finest scenery in the world.

Note: Unlike most of our hotel treks, this tour operates on fixed dates in order to accommodate the logistics of baggage movement. There will be up to fifteen customers doing the walk on any date though you do not have to walk together if you are on the self guided tour. Single travellers can sometimes be paired up with others, if they are prepared to share, and thus save single supplement charges. There are normally 2 staff in the area to carry out the baggage transfers. One acts as the guide on any guided departures. They will also act as a local contact in case of any problems that may arise.
 

Joining point: Either at the Swiss (not French) arrivals area of Geneva airport shortly after scheduled arrival time of the Swissair flights used by UK-based fights-included customers – this is normally late morning on Day 1 – see below) or at the first hotel in Les Houches.

First hotel: Auberge du Beau Site at Les Houches in the Chamonix valley.

Nearest airport: Geneva.

We provide coach transfers to and from Geneva (approx 1.5 hours each way) for our ‘full package’ customers who have their flights included. This coach transfer connects with the arrival and departure of the recommended flights from London. This coach transfer is also available for ‘Land-only’ customers.
In 2007 our recommended flights are scheduled as follows:
Day 1 of each tour: LHR dep 10.10, GVA arr 12.50.
Day 14: GVA dep 13.35, LHR arr 14.25.
The coach transfer is available at a charge, (£25 one way, £50 return), for land only customers.
 

Public transport between Geneva and Les Houches: Land only clients who are making their own way can also take a bus from Geneva airport direct to Les Houches (twice daily, not Sunday pm). The same bus also stops at Geneva bus station in the city centre. There are also train services on two different routes from Geneva to Chamonix and Les Houches: (a) on Swiss railways from Geneva Airport via Geneva Cornavin (central station), changing trains at Martigny and Le Chatelard, from Le Chatelard onwards on French railways; (b) on French Railways (SNCF) from Geneva Eaux Vives, changing trains at Le Fayet. Although trains stop at Les Houches the station is some distance from the village and there is no phone or taxi rank at the station, so if you are arriving by train with baggage it is better to travel to Le Fayet and take a taxi from there to your hotel in Les Houches. Train timetables will be available on the Internet, but note that there is a changeover to new summer timetables at the end of May.

End of Tour: The tour ends on day 14 (normally a Friday) at Les Houches. Bus transfers back to Geneva as for outward journey to connect with our group flights from London, or use of public transport.
Travel options from the UK: We can arrange flights London-Geneva-London on British Airways or Swiss, subject to availability. We can also arrange flights from a number of other airports but to fit in with our pre-arranged transfers to and from Chamonix these may necessitate a routing via Zurich or a night in Geneva. There are also a number of low cost flights available to Geneva from a number of UK airports. You can make your own reservations and use the ‘Land Only’ price but please check with us before making the reservation so we can ensure that a connection will be made with the coach.

If on an escorted tour:
These instructions are essentially the same as for the self guided tours. The main difference is that you will be met in the evening at your hotel on the first night by the leader on the escorted tours for a trek briefing. The leader will lead you around the route every day and normally eat with you in the evenings as well. They will look after your safety, group organization, make sure you get into the right hotels, and take care of navigation. Hence on the escorted tours you are not provided with route notes and maps unlike on the self guided trips.
 

Level of Difficulty

Grade: We grade this tour as moderate to strenuous; anyone used to hill walking/mountain hiking with a daily height gain/loss of 3,300 feet (1000 metres) per day should find the tour within their capability.  Some potential customers have asked us about whether there are any vertigo-inducing localities on the TMB, or if a head for heights is needed.  The answer in short is ‘No’ – provided you stick to the basic TMB as described in our route notes and defined on the maps; and avoid the ‘variations’. Of course you always need to take care where you put your feet.  (Some of the variations and alternatives pose no problem – we make it clear in the notes, which in our opinion do require a ‘head for heights’). 

Day Stages: Average duration of walk­ing per day is 6 to 7 hours. Some of the walks can be shortened if desired by the use of cable cars or (in Italy) a local bus service.

Waymarking and routefinding: This is a well-trodden trail and the waymarking and signposting is mostly good, particularly where the route coincides with the GR5 French long distance trail.  There are however differences between the styles and thoroughness of waymarking in the 3 countries. These differences are explained in the route notes.  It is advisable to have with you and be familiar with the use of a small pocket compass as the cloud may occasionally be down on the high passes. On the self guided tours (but not escorted) we provide you with detailed route descriptions and excellent scales, which show the whole of our TMB route (ie including the Italian and Swiss sectors).detailed French walkers' maps (TOP 25 series) at 1:25,000

Outline Itinerary

q       Day 1: Fly to Geneva and transfer to Les Houches (see above).  Coach/minibus from Geneva to Les Houches.

q       Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines: 19 kms / 7 hours. A steady climb from Les Houches (950m) via Col de Voza (1653 m) and below the tip of the Bionassay glacier to the Col de Tricot (2120 m). There is a very steep descent from the col to the Chalets de Miage (1550m) followed by a short climb over Truc before descending through forest to Les Contamines (1170m).  A demanding day.  Many walkers start by taking the cable car up from Les Houches to Bellevue; this avoids the long slog and makes for a more enjoyable start to the tour.  

q       Day 3: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, 17.5 kms / 7 hours. We ascend to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and then traverse to the slightly higher Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2479m) before descending to Les Chapieux.  Your bags are not carried to this point - you will next see them in Italy.  You have to carry your wash bag and a change of clothing for two days (1 night).

q       Day 4: Les Chapieux to La Palud, 30 kms / 9 hours. The walk can be shortened to around 20km by using local buses along the Val Veni (Italy) – the bus service does not normally operate before 1 July. After a steady ascent past Ville de Glaciers, we cross the Col de la Seigne (2516m) into Italy.  The Elisabetta refuge is a popular lunch stop.  In summer (not before 1 July) there is a local bus service along the Val Veni from Cantine de la Visaille to La Saxe and Courmayeur, but purists can follow the strict TMB route high up on the south side of Val Veni, or follow delightful low-level paths along the Val Veni itself. From La Saxe or Courmayeur you can walk or catch the bus up to La Palud.

q       Day 5: In La Palud. A chance for a well-deserved rest.  On a clear day you may like to take the cable car from La Palud to Pointe Heilbronner (3462m) on the crest of the Mont Blanc massif with views across the Glacier du Geant.  Alternatively you can try one of the TMB variations, for instance from Courmayeur over Mont de la Saxe or Col Sapin, returning by bus from La Vachey or Pra Sec along Val Ferret to La Palud.  This bus may not run before July 1.  [Note: an additional map will be needed if you intend to do any of these TMB variations on the south side of the Italian Val Ferret.  The 1:50,000 map ‘Pays du Mont Blanc’ published by Didier Richard covers this part of the route and shows the TMB.  This map is not provided as part of the package, but can be obtained through us or a map shop such as Stanfords in London.] 

q       Day 6: La Palud to La Fouly. 28 kms / 7 hours. The walk can be shortened by taking the bus to La Vachey or Arnuva. We pass close by Mont Dolent, and cross the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) to re-enter Switzerland. From Grand Col Ferret we descend through alpine meadows past the summer pastures and barns of La Peula (refreshments available) and the tiny village of Ferret to our hotel in La Fouly (1595m).

q       Day 7: La Fouly to Champex.  17 kms/4.5 hours. We follow the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret and pass through some pretty villages before leaving the valley to climb through woods to Champex in its picturesque lakeside setting.  An easy day – in warm weather there is time to cool off in the open-air swimming pool. 

q       Day 8: Rest day in Champex.  A chance to stroll around the lake and visit the botanic gardens (open daily except Sundays and Mondays; small entry fee).

There is an abundance of day walks from Champex, of which one of the most challenging is from La Breya (upper cable car station at 2198m) to the mountain hut at Cabane d’Orny (2811m).  Good weather and a head for heights are needed for this walk; we do not provide route notes but route finding is simple in good weather.    Another good walk from Champex-Lac is to follow the Val d’Arpette up towards the Fenetre d’Arpette. 

For those who are starting to feel the lack of cultural stimulation it is possible to use the ‘rest’ day at Champex for an excursion by bus and narrow gauge train to the neighbouring town of Martigny, where the renowned Pierre Giannada gallery (www.giannada.ch) puts on some mighty summer exhibitions.  In 2000 50 original Van Goghs were on show every day for 5 months, while in 2001 it was the turn of Picasso. see the above website for what is on offer this year.    

q       Day 9: Champex to Trient, 20km/5 hours. We ascend through woods to reach the barns of Bovine (1987m; food and drinks usually available) and then descend to the Col de la Forclaz (1,526m; refreshments available including – in season - local tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry pie – recommended!). There is then the option of a walk to the Chalet du Glacier and a bit beyond for fine views of the Trient Glacier before descending to the village of Trient. Basic accommodation in rooms in a simple auberge (inn).   There is a strenuous and challenging variation to today’s route, over the Fenetre d’Arpette (2665m), although we consider that the ‘Bovine’ route is so scenic that it should not be missed.   

q       Day 10: Trient to Argentiere, 20 kms/ 6 hours. We cross into France via the Col de Balme (2191m) revealing the Chamonix Valley below and the Mont Blanc massif. On the way up to the col there is a longer but very scenic and satisfying alternative via Les Grands (head for heights an advantage at one point). The best way on from Col de Balme is via the spectacular but easy Posettes ridge, from the end of which there is a steep descent on good paths through forest to Tre le Champ and our hotel at Argentiere. For those who want a more leisurely day, a shorter (and still scenic) descent from Col de Balme to Argentiere is possible via Le Tour.

q       Day 11: Argentiere to Chamonix, 12 kms/5 hours.  We climb via Tre le Champ (1417m) and Les Cheserys, and make a detour to the scenic Lac Blanc (2352m) before rejoining the Grand Balcon route, which looks across the Chamonix valley towards Mont Blanc. From La Flegere (1877) you can either descend to the valley at Les Praz de Chamonix on foot or by gondola  & cable car. From Les Praz, you would make your way to the hotel either by bus or by walking through the pleasant environs; or continue along the Grand Balcon for another 2 hours to Plan Praz, from where there is another cable car (or rather gondola – an enclosed chair lift) and another footpath down to Chamonix.  It is necessary to check the timetables and keep an eye on the time so as not to miss the last gondola down.

q       Day 12:  In Chamonix.  A chance to take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi (3842m/cost: Euros 34.00/pp/return but it's really worth it); or a train ride to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace glacier; or explore Chamonix and its surroundings. For those who might prefer something totally different from walking Chamonix boasts an Olympic standard pool and aquatic fun centre, a summer luge course, opportunities for that first paragliding flight (check your insurance), golf etc.

q       Day 13: Chamonix to Les Houches. 14 kms / 6 hours. We rejoin the trail either at La Flegere, using the cable car from Les Praz de Chamonix, and continue along the Grand Balcon to Plan Praz or at Plan Praz via the Brevent cable car from Chamonix.  From Plan Praz we ascend to Col de Brevent and on up to the peak of Le Brevent (2525m), one of the highest points of the tour. This day offers some of the finest views of the route. From Brevent we descend to Les Houches (1010m) and make our way to the hotel where we spend the last  night.  In case of bad weather or low cloud there are good low/medium level walks leading to Les Houches along the flanks of the Chamonix valley such as the ‘Petit Balcon’ and the  ‘Rive d’Arve’.  These named walks are well marked and signposted.

q       Day 14.  Departure from Les Houches. Coach to Geneva airport after breakfast. 

Accommodation & Meals

Of the total of 13 nights, 11 nights are spent in hotels of 2* or similar standard, occasionally 3*.  Of these 11 nights, 3 are  ‘half-board’ (dinner, bed and breakfast), the remainder bed and breakfast only.   The other 2 nights are in simple auberges more akin to mountain refuges.  These two nights are ‘half-board’.  Where dinner is not included there is a choice of places to eat at nearby.  Lunches can be provided by most hotels if requested; but there are places to shop for picnic lunches in local towns and villages, or to eat en route in refuges and cafes (although please note that some may not be open for treks starting in June). These are described in our route notes.

q       Night 1: The tour starts in the village of Les Houches at a 3-star chalet-style hotel facing the Mont Blanc range. There are 21 rooms with bath/shower, WC and telephone. The hotel has a shaded garden, a solarium-terrace and a games room. Dinner included.

q       Night 2: Our hotel in Les Contamines is a comfortable 2-star hotel with 16 rooms (most rooms are en suite).  Les Contamines is a ski resort in winter, and has several restaurants and bars, also a well-stocked supermarket where you can stock up on ten-packs…B&B only.

q       Night 3: At the tiny and remote settlement of Les Chapieux, 15 km from the nearest village of Bourg St Maurice, we stay at a small but very welcoming auberge with 12 rooms with basic comforts.  No en suite, but towels are provided. Accommodation in twin / double rooms, evening meal is included. The price and menu are fixed; vegetarians should ensure that we know of your requirements.   Local specialities may include fondue, raclette, potee savoyarde, gratin, crozets de tarentaise etc (but not all at once).   Packed lunches are available; there is also a little shop in the hamlet where such items as the local Beaufort cheese can be obtained. 

q       Nights 4 & 5: For your 2 nights in Italy you stay at a modern 2-star hotel at La Palud (1370m), which is situated close to the station for the cable car to Mont Blanc (Helbronner peak). All rooms have private facilities. There is a large terrace, a bar, and a TV lounge.  It is a short bus ride to the historic town and modern shopping centre of Courmayeur. It is also possible to walk to Courmayeur via La Saxe.  B&B only.

q       Night 6: For our first night in Switzerland in the unspoilt Val Ferret we stay at a small, unclassified but very comfortable hotel (we would describe it as 2/3* standard) in the well-situated village of La Fouly. Each room has a bath or shower The hotel has its own tennis court. B&B only.

q       Nights 7 & 8: In the little resort town of Champex-Lac at the northeastern end of the Mont Blanc range. We will be using a 3-star (all rooms en suite). Nearby there is a good choice of restaurants with specialities such as raclette, lake trout, and local fruit from the Valais. There is a small shop in the town for picnic materials etc.  The first night is half-board and the second one is Bed & Breakfast.

q       Night 9: For our last night in Switzerland we stay at a simple 'relais' or ‘auberge’ (inn) at the tiny village of Trient in the Val Trient. Accommodation is fairly basic tonight, in two-bedded rooms but without private facilities.  Evening meal is included. Cheese fondue has been known to appear as the main dish…sometimes with potatoes rather than bread as the accompaniment.   Packed lunches not available, but there is a good small grocery shop under the same roof as the inn where picnic materials can be obtained.

q       Night 10: Back in France we spend one night in the Hotel La Couronne located at the foot of the valley’s major skiing area in Argentiere. All the rooms are en-suite. B&B only.

q       Nights 11 & 12: We spend two nights at the famous mountain resort of Chamonix. The hotel Gustavia has a mixture of new and early 1900s decor and all the rooms are fully en suite including satellite TV.  A sauna is also available. B&B only.

q       Night 13: Back at Les Houches at the same hotel as on night 1 and half-board again.

Extra nights

As this tour operates to fixed schedules it is not possible to add in extra nights. 

Escorted Departures

Sunday 29 July  to Saturday 11 August 2007.  Same itinerary as the self-guided tour. 

Prices

                                        Including Flights*          Land-Only

Self guided                          £999                                 £799           

Escorted                              £1050                               £847

* From London Gatwick, other airports available at a supplement.