Best
of Chamonix Treks 2024
Adventurous treks,
mountain lakes, Chamonix based week
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Course
overview
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The
Chamonix valley must surely rank as one of
the world's best bases for a walking holiday.
The valley is hemmed in by sharp granite spires,
tumbling glaciers, and snowy peaks. Glimmering
above them all is the dome of Mont Blanc,
the highest peak. |
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This
week aims to show you some of the most remote
treks in the Mont Blanc massif, and to avoid
the crowded and easily accessed classic honey
pots, such as Lac Blanc and around Montenvers.
We offer a week of challenging and remote
trekking, in wild scenery, far from the crowds
and tourist hotspots. |
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The
Best of Mont Blanc Treks week has been designed
to show you the most spectacular viewpoints
above the valley floors, such as exploring
the hidden valleys of the Aiguilles Rouges
such as Tre-les-Eaux, Diosaz, and Berard.
You will be led by a qualified trekking guide
(UIMLA qualified), who has a vast local knowledge. |
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We
ensure that we avoid sections of the hut-to-hut
treks in the region, such as the Tour du Mont
Blanc, to tread the path less trod, and to
enjoy the remote and rugged beauty of the
Mont Blanc massif. You explore the non-commercialised
areas, to get a real feel for what the region
has to offer, and how it used to be. |
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The
trekking in the Mont Blanc massif is unforgiving
and steep in many places, even compared to
other Alpine regions. This is a key reason
why you are led by an IML. At either side
of the key summer season, there is a high
chance of crossing some snow patches. |
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During the week, you may well trek for a day
in Switzerland or Italy. The itinerary is
deliberately highly flexible to account for
the weather and conditions, so that you achieve
the most during the week. With this challenging
and adventurous itinerary, it is easy to alter
any of the objectives, so suit how you are
feeling each day. |
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Dates:
These
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice. |
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
You are led by a UIMLA International
Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest qualification
for leading trekking groups in the Alps (where
it is a legal requirement) and worldwide. During
the treks their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment,
education and safety, all of which are equally
important. Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You
will learn about the environment, flora, fauna,
glaciology, geology, and geography of the region.
To ensure your safety your IML will
guide you on steep ground, on fixed equipment
(ladders, chains, etc), and over snow patches.
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Daily
Course Itinerary
One of the delights of trekking is that, unlike
skiing or climbing, you can go out in all levels
of visibility and snowfall, and have a great day.
Chamonix is blessed with hundreds of trekking areas
close by, and so the itinerary can be flexed on
any day to take account of better weather or underfoot
conditions, to ensure that you sample the best on
offer. The itinerary below is to provide you with
a taster of what you could achieve, and isn't fixed
in stone. We get many clients who come back year
after year to repeat this course, but they need
never repeat a route they have done before. Your
guide will have a massive local knowledge and experience.
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Sunday
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00
check-in followed by and course safety and
itinerary briefings. There is time for kit
checks or rental of equipment (see inclusions
below for what you are provided as part of
the course price). Briefings are over by 18:00
and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group
to pre-dinner drinks. Some clients opt to
travel out a day or two early to get their
hill legs back and to explore the town. Night
in Chamonix. |
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Monday
After meeting your guide in the morning, you
are transported to one of the trekking regions,
such as Vallorcine or Servoz. The
first day will get your hill legs back, as
you ascend through the forests to break out
above the treeline, to the amazing views across
the mountains. The objective for the day will
be a high pass or a trekking peak summit.
You are likely to see some of the wild animals
in these remote areas, such as Chamois and
Ibex. Night in Chamonix. |
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Tuesday
You
undertake a spectacular trek such as the high
passes of the Aiguilles Rouges, far above
the village of Vallorcine. The path starts
by following a torrent gorge up through the
woods, before emerging above the treeline,
before heading up past the hut to the col
or a peak, such as Col d'Anterne, which is
a great place for a lunch stop.
Views
from these routes are spectacular, looking
across the whole of the Mont Blanc massif.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Wednesday
A
popular trek for the middle of the week is
in the Contamines valley to the west of Mont
Blanc. Here the goal of the day would be to
ascend to one of the mountain huts above the
valley, and to follow a quiet balcony track
contouring around the valley. You could even
cross a high pass, such as Col du Fenetre,
or trek into the Beaufortain area beyond.
After you descend through the forests to your
start point, and you return to the Chamonix
valley.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Thursday
If
you would like to spend a night in a mountain
hut, then the next two days are usually the
best for this two day mini-expedition. The
alternative is another day trek, with the
night in Chamonix. You can decide at the start
of the week which itinerary it would like
to follow. Note the price of the hut is not
included in the course price. Either option
would involve a great day remote trekking,
in France, or perhaps across the border above
the Italian Val d'Aoste. |
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Friday
Either
a trek and descent from a mountain hut (such
as the Victor Emmanuel or Bonatti refuge),
or a day trek from Chamonix. An ideal final
trek from Chamonix could be Mont Buet 3099m,
the highest trekking peak in the region.
It is not unusual for this adventurous trekking
course to summit peaks in France, Italy and
Switzerland during the week! Evening
social drinks,
then a celebratory meal, with the final night
spent in Chamonix. |
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Saturday
Breakfast,
then accommodation check out at 10:00, after
which you are free to depart for home.
If you feel you require any feedback, please
ask your guide on the Friday or the resort
team.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow
itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather
and conditions dependant, so occasionally
we are forced to alter the plans. If this
is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide
to the types of route / activity that you
will attempt.
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
full days UIMLA guiding, 1:8 max ratio
7 days holiday in total |
£999 |
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Live
availability
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Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for five
days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings,
3) self-catered accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Pre course information booklet, 5) Equipment
discount voucher for UK shops, 6) Free 36 page technical
Course Instruction Booklet, 7) Valley transport as it
is required, 8) Evening technical instruction when in
Chamonix. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals
in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 4) Cable cars and mountain uplift (not
normally required), 5) Option of one night half board
stay in a mountain hut for you and your guide (budget
on c. £30), 6) Activities insurance, & excess
baggage charges. |
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| Notes:
Group
sizes 2 to 8 clients, with 1
leader. |
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Course
upgrade options
Many clients on this
trip consider upgrading with one or more of
the following course additions... |
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Private
room |
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Big
5 Alpine
extensions |
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Technical
kit rental |
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Acclimatise
weekend |
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Upgrade
to single from
£300-£500 in addition to
standard course price,
depending on week. |
Extend by 2 days after
to ascend one of the
Big 5 Alpine peaks as
an extra summit. |
Rent all technical kit
for a week. Full Alpine
Bundle costs you just
£100 for the week. |
Saturday
night spent in
Chamonix, with choice
of self-guided or guided
on Sunday. From £70. |
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Click
for details |
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for details |
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for details |
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for details |
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Standard
course accommodation - normally clients are based
in self-catered flats (details),
so take a look, and decide if it's for you. For
more luxury, contact us for quotes in higher standard
apartments, or hotels of any standard required.
If you have / source your own course accommodation,
or we cannot provide an upgrade, the standard course
price has a £100pp reduction applied on your
invoice. |
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Current
course availability
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Location
data for this trip |
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| The
trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
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Local
Currency
€ Euros
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Travel
from UK
1hr flight
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| Regional
information |
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When to Travel: Any time between mid-June and
late September is suitable for trekking in the Alps.
Snowfall is possible on higher ground all year round,
but is unlikely in mid-summer. July and August are
the key months for the French holidays, and are
often the hottest months, with a higher risk of
afternoon rain showers. |
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Mountain Weather: A key risk that your leader
will be more than aware of is the afternoon Alpine
thunderstorm, that are at their peak in the summer
months. You should come equiped to expect three
seasons in one day! The mornings are cold and clear,
midday is hot, and there is the afternoon storm
risk. |
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Fixed Equipment: Above the Chamonix valley,
there are many short sections of fixed equipment
to negotiate on the treks. This may involve ladders,
chains, fixed wires / ropes, and staples / footholds.
Your leader always carries a rope and some equipment
to assist you on these sections, if required. |
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Local Produce: Chamonix is within the Haute-Savoie
département of France, famed for cheese dishes,
using milk from local cow herds and goats, as well
as meat dishes. You can buy local produce for lunch
each day, and can eat out each evening. |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
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| So
why choose us? |
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We
are true specialists in the Alps. See our blog,
by clicking on the logo. |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount you can achieve each day. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 guides, and a resort support
team, who all want you to have the best time possible!
For more details on the guiding team and qualifications,
please click
here. |
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| Any
further questions? |
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A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
 
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. Many people opt for this service,
and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are
keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and
that you select a course that is suitable for you. It
makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if
you are on the right trip. |
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