Mont Blanc - Haute Route

France is the most visited country in the world, for it's chic, it's charm, it's "je ne sais quoi"! Very varied landscapes, customs, traditions and characteristics over an area a little bigger than twice the size of Colorado. From the Mont Blanc glaciers to the green pastures of Savoie, all the way down to the sea, the mountain regions are charged with history, excellent food, great wines and character, definitely not a "déjà vu".

The mythical loop seen from the top! This route is reserved to trained hikers. By the highest altitude passages, on the rocky or glacial slopes, this itinerary radiates around the uncontested Master of the Alps. Each day, unexpected view on Mont Blanc.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Chamonix
• Day 2/  Chamonix - Contamines-Montjoie - Conscrits Hut
• Day 3/  Conscrits Hut - Mont Tondu Pass - Robert Blanc Hut
• Day 4/  Robert-Blanc Hut - Passage of the Cabottes - Pass of La Seigne - Elisabetta Hut
• Day 5/  Elisabetta Hut - Mont Fortin - Courmayeur - Torino Hut 
• Day 6/  Torino Hut - Valley Blanche - Aiguille of the Midi - Chamonix
• Day 7/  Argentiere - Aiguille of Grands Montets - Moraine of the Rognons - Lognan Hut - Chamonix
• Day 8/  Transfer to Geneva for the flight home.

The Mont Blanc mountain range presents astonishing varieties of landscapes, mountain pastures, granite summits and disproportionate glacial basins.
This exclusive program is a discovery of the mythical loop seen from the top! These routes are reserved to trained hikers. By the highest passages of altitude, on its rocky or glacial slopes, each day, we tour around the uncontested Master of the Alps.
The various summits progressively climbed during this circuit, present to us, many unexpected views on Mont Blanc.

Day 1/  Geneva - Welcome to Chamonix - Settle in at the Hotel - Meet your guide
Reception at Geneva airport where your shuttle is waiting for you. Settle in at "Le Prieure" hotel in Chamonix for one night, evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2/  Chamonix - Contamines-Montjoie - Conscrits Hut
After a transfer to Montjoie valley, we follow the pathway of Tré-la-Tete. On this superb route, the landscapes metamorphose at the rhythm of our progression. The mountain pastures and the frenzy of the valley are quickly covered by the deep spruce forests, substituted in turn by moraines (accumulation of rocks and sand left over by glaciers) and glaciers approaching the Conscrits Hut (8,465 feet).
5 H walk. Ascent: 4,600 feet.

Day 3/  Conscrits Hut - Mont Tondu Pass - Robert Blanc Hut
After crossing the Tre-la-Tete glacier, we begin the ascent in direction of  Mount Tondu (10,486 feet), rocky summit and impregnable point of view on the Tarentaise, Vanoise and Beaufortain mountain ranges. The descent of the pass is facilitated, thanks to our "Via Ferrata" equipment which helps with some passages. We then cross towards the famous Robert-Blanc hut, in the valley of the Glaciers.
5. 30 H walk. Ascent : 2,133 feet  Descent: 1,148 feet

Day 4/  Robert-Blanc Hut - Passage off the Cabottes - La Seigne Pass - Elisabetta Hut
We gently leave the scree-covered slope to join the glacier of the Glaciers which we cross early in the morning, in a fresh atmosphere! After the passage of Cabottes, it is La Seigne pass (8,255 feet) which opens up the Val Vény valley to us, on the Italian side. While following ibexes walking paths, we join the Estelette bivouac, privileged view point on splendid dark and austere mountain walls, contrasting with the glaciers scintillating in the sun. We go down to the Elisabetta hut for the night.
7. 30 H walk. Ascent: 1,148 feet. Descent: 2,953 feet.

Day 5/  Elisabetta Hut- Mont Fortin - Courmayeur - Torino Hut  
Return to the balcony paths of the Val Vény valley for an incredible panorama. We go up to the Mont Fortin before rejoining the valley's pathway. We take the time to pause at Courmayeur, the Italian Chamonix, and then a short transfer to Entrêves, we quickly gain altitude again by way of the Helbronner gondola. Upon arrival, the Torino hut, where we spend the night, opens a new panorama on the Valley Blanche.
3. 30 H walk. Descent : 2,953 feet.

Day 6/  Torino Hut- Valley Blanche - Aiguille of the Midi - Chamonix
Early morning departure with an unforgettable sunrise on the East faces of Mont Blanc of Tacul and  of Mont Maudit, which progressively illuminates our walk on the glacier of the Giant. While crossing the Valley Blanche, we take with us a great view of Mont Blanc from the Grand Capucin. We zigzag on the edge of the crevasses and close to the Seracs (ice fall), with their superb blue and white nuances of color. Arriving next to the Gros Rognon, and further on at the Col du Midi, we contemplate this vast plateau dominated by the Aiguille du Midi, departure point for the cable car. We enjoy a last glance from these panoramic terraces of altitude before taking the cabin which brings us back returns us back down to the valley.
Arrival at Chamonix around 11 a.m., return to the hotel to rest.
5 H  walk. Ascent: 1,968 feet. Descent: 820 feet.
Lodging: Prieure or Croix Blanche Hotel
Evening meal: Brasserie de l'M.

Day 7/  Argentière - Aiguille of Grands Montets - Moraine of the Rognons - Lognan Hut - Chamonix
Early rise for this last day to discover the Argentiere glacier and some of the most legendary mountain summits of Chamonix: the Aiguille Verte, Aiguille d'Argentière, the Droites and the Courtes. At the foot of theses impressive faces (sometimes more than 3300 feet high), we cross the Rognons glacier of the Rognons to join the moraine of the same name. In an impressive glacial zigzag, we walk between the seracs to finally discover the Argentiere glacier. From there, a short passage by ladders makes it then, possible to follow the glacier moraine, on a gigantic surface of ice, to join the Lognan hut, final point of our epic in the middle of the Chamonix glaciers. Return by way of the paths and the Lognan cable car.
4. 30 H walk. Ascent: 330 feet. Descent: 4,921 feet
Lodging: Prieure or Croix Blanche Hotel
Evening meal: panoramic restaurant.

Day 8/ Depart from Geneva
Return shuttle to Geneva airport for  flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice. 

Day 7, each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).
From Day 2 to day 6, you carry all of your personal belongings plus your daily picnic and energy food. Your back pack contains the essential minimum for the circuit, and can not exceed 18 to 22 pounds.

The guide
- experienced Mountain World Travel English speaking professional high mountain guide (UIAGM).

Ground Transportation by private mini buses or taxi, and cable car.

In Chamonix (3 nights), we book hotels, inns, or similar, of excellent standard, 3 stars, based on double occupancy and according to availability at the time of reservation. We choose these hotels, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for their cordiality and hospitality.
- 4 nights in mountain hut, shared dormitory accommodation.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Downtown: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
In the mountains, we want to be able to provide you with well balanced/hearty meals to keep you well fueled during your exertions, but at the same time keep the weight in the bags that we carry to a minimum.
- Breakfasts and dinners are prepared by our hosts in the huts.
- Lunch: picnic, in the form of sandwiches, cheese and fruits.
- Energy food (an assortment of chocolate bars to accompany you in the effort) provided by Mountain World Travel.
Drinks: mineral water provided
Save a bit of room in your bag to split carrying some of our food supply.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Geneva (Switzerland)
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water at restaurant)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Geneva, Switzerland
-  Swiss, the national company, operates daily to Geneva in cooperation with Star Alliance
-  Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Amsterdam or Paris.
-  StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Frankfurt or Munich
-  Oneworld (American, British) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to France. italy and Switzerland for up to 90 days.
US citizens, please check with the US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
France      Italy     Switzerland
For other nationalities, please contact the French, Italian, Swiss embassies in your country.

No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.

Health hazards
- Heat: protect your eyes and your skin against the sun, as it is more intense with altitude.
- Cold: plan on packing protective clothing against the cold (jackets, fleece, gloves, hat), especially in relevance to the activity.
- Dehydration: drink and nourish yourself sufficiently and correctly throughout the effort.
- Small wounds: blisters, tendonitis...bring along band aids, an antiseptic and another cream for muscle aches. They will take up a bit of room, but well worth the space.
- Altitude sickness: can be felt at around 8,000 feet and above and can come on quickly (after just one night spent in altitude). Hard to predict and varies completely from one person to another. Good hydration is necessary, progressive altitude acclimatization and Aspirin can all help in reventing the unpleasant side effects of altitude sickness.
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 5
At least 3 months prior:  Hike 13 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days, a backpack of 18 to 22 pounds OR if you are regularly committed to another intense sports activity that develops stamina (jogging, cycling or swimming) for a cumulative duration of 3 to 4 hours per week (without excessive shortness of breath or exceptional fatigue), you should be up to speed.  

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, (short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell mountaineering jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Mountaineering long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Mountaineering shoes with rigid soles compatible for crampons.
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of gaiters
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles
- A pair of crampons with "antibottes" (rubber plates preventing snow from balling up underfoot).
- An ice axe.
- Mountaineering helmet.
- An adjustable, light and compact harness, adapted for walking.
- A locking karabiner, for rope maneuvers.

Sleeping
- A bed sheet only (blankets are provided by the huts)
For all of the circuits in the Alps which include night (s) in hut (s), Mountain World Travel provides a new recyclable bed sheet to each participant.

Pharmacy
- You own small "pharmacy" to have validated by your Doctor. It should contain: sun lotion, bandages, sterile strips and double skin, anti diarrhea medication, pain killers, an anti inflammatory, a muscle relaxant, eye lotion, cough drops, a broad spectrum antibiotic, disinfectant, tweezers, personal ear plugs, and personal drugs. And anything else indicated on the "Trip Details" page or in "Important Information" (including necessary items to treat altitude sickness).
- However, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness (Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
 
Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 11 to 14 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
If you wish to rent mountaineering shoes, ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet, please inform us at the time of your booking. As Mountain World Travel does not itself rent out this kind of material, we will direct you to our partner store at location (you will be offered a discount).  The confirmation that you receive after booking will specify directions to the rental shop.

On the day of arrival (and depending on his/her availability), your guide will be able to help you for choosing your rental equipment.
Here is an idea of pricing for crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet:
- $   70 for a 3 to 5 day duration,
- $ 100 for a 6 to 9 day duration.
A deposit is required when renting material (credit card imprint)

During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).

France is the most visited country in the world. It has everything that you could ever want to see on your adventure travel holidays: romantic villages, good beaches, more monuments than any other country, lovely nature and incredible mountain scenery. France is also a very pleasant place to stay. It has haute cuisine, great wines and people enjoy their lives. The South with its lovely nature, good food, roman ruins and of course the Riviera draws a lot of visitors every year. The Provence is dotted with pleasant bucolic charming villages.
French Alps are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The Alps French mountain range stretch out to four "departments", from north to south, on a total surface of 10,255 square miles: Haute-Savoy, Savoy, Isere and the Hautes-Alpes.

Haute-Savoy: the frontier of Italy and Switzerland, with Chamonix and it's glaciers at its heart.  Chamonix is the alpinism and hiking capital which surrounds Mont Blanc in the Aravis mountain range and in the Aiguilles Rouges or Dents-Blanches natural reserves. Our circuits are designed to exceed French borders and to travel from one country to another (Switzerland, Italy), discovering different cultures.  

Savoy: from the Préalpes of the Bauges region to the Vanoise national park, at the very end of Tarentaise, while passing by the Maurienne valley, an ensemble of singular mountains where the limestone of the Prealpes (at an average altitude lower than 7,000 feet) contrast with the high summits of Vanoise, such as the Grande-Casse which culminates at 12,638 feet. Savoy is land rich in tradition and farming at the junction of Maurienne and Tarentaise.

Isere: the high plateaus of Vercors and their natural reserves, Chartreuse and its splendid fir plantations constitute the richness of the French Préalpes. Lesser known mountain ranges, Belledonne and the Rousses, mark the transition with the South and with Savoy in the north.

Hautes-Alpes: at the foot of the Ecrins, while slipping towards Provence, tumultuous rivers run. It is also the meeting point of authentic, wild valleys, not far from Italy: Queyras, Ubaye, the valley of Névache.
And so our trips will lead you from Europe highest peak, the Mont Blanc (15,780 feet) down to the Mediterranean Sea, you just have to choose which one suit your needs and desire.

• Our French partner established in the Alps for more than 30 years, cooperate with Mountain World Travel based in Colorado USA to conceive and organize adventure travel trips all other the alpine mountain range.  At the head of the organization, Mountain World Travel is surrounded by mountain travel specialists to answer your requests as precisely as possible.
• A network of mountain leaders, guides and professional logistic specialists for each mountain range.
• A complete offering of guided treks, biking trips etc... from the Northern Alps to the Southern ones, for you to take off to with your friends, family or by yourself to join in on a group.
• Mountain climbing is also our specialty: for good walkers and sportsmen athletes who wish to experience intense moments in the mountains while practicing climbing and trekking the glaciers.

Climate in the Alps
Weather changes quickly in the Alps, an aspect to be taken seriously while choosing and organizing your trek. All on the same day, depending on the altitude, you can profit from splendid sun and summer temperatures, but also undergo icy temperatures and snowstorms. As paradoxical as that may seem, this unforeseeable climatic change is also one of the Alps' assets. The relief has a major impact on the changing weather conditions from one area to another and, at the same time, also impacts the landscapes on these massifs and the organization of life in these areas (social, cultural and economic). The mountains, according to their altitude, have the capacity to retain the clouds and to force precipitations in certain valleys and to preserve them in others. As a consequence, you will cross verdant valleys and others that are drier. You will encounter astonishing microclimates which protect plant species and remarkable animals.
The northern and the Eastern Alps region, where the most beautiful glaciers are located, is an area with the most amount of precipitation.  Here run splendid rivers, torrents which transport the glacial waters and carry  rocks along. For example, Beaufortain is recognized as being one of the most "sprinkled" mountain range of the Alps. These generous rains lend to its very unique characteristics, as it is in its plush mountain pastures where the traditional Beaufort cheese is manufactured, a cheese of great fame!

The Southern Alps, under the influence of the Mediterranean, in general offer a softer climate, a more mineral universe, increasingly remarkable as one approaches Provence. The regional natural reserve of Queyras is a good example of these sunny mountains where you can breathe in the freshness which is diffused by a forest of larch. With each area having such distinct characteristics, diversity is a major driving force for those wishing to voyage to the Alps:  an area to be discovered non-stop and without having "déjà vu" impressions.

Weather
Be prepared....abrupt changes in temperature during an excursion are always possible.  When you leave for the mountains, it is imperative that you carry a back pack with a minimum of equipment to protect yourself against cold and sun. Your guide is a good adviser, but before leaving, we suggest that you read all of the information on our "Trip Details" page.

Average temperatures (day maximum/night minimum) in Fahrenheit degrees:

	Jan	Feb	March	April	May	June
Paris	43/34	45/34	51/38	57/42	64/49	70/54
Marseille	51/37	53/38	58/42	63/47	70/54	78/61
Chamonix	39/23	45/27	50/27	59/37	64/43	72/48

	July	August	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Paris	75/58	75/57	69/52	59/46	49/39	45/36
Marseille	84/66	83/65	77/60	68/52	58/44	53/38
Chamonix	72/48	70/48	70/45	59/36	49/32	39/23

Population	64 millions  habitants
Surface	260,558 square miles
Capital	Paris
Main Cities	Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux
Peaks	Mont Blanc (15,780 feet)
National Parks	Vanoise, Ecrins, Mercantour
Official Language	French
Religion	Catholicism
Head of State	Nicolas Sarkozy
Political Status	Unitary Semi-Presidential Republic
Time Shift	http://www.worldtimezone.com/utc/utc.html

The currency is the €uros (€).
Which currency to bring and where to exchange it?
We advise you to carry dollars in small increments that you can exchange with no problem in main cities. Credit card payment is widespread. There are ATM machines in all the cities and even the small ones, most take Visa and Master Card. ATMs often offer the best exchange rates.

As an organizer of worldwide trips, Mountain World Travel is concerned for our guest's safety and security. We always keep ourselves up to date with current travel warnings and always consider the government safety advices while organizing and preparing our different trips.
We recommend that participants consult the security instructions distributed by government authorities and the traveling recommendations made by government officials; available on websites specific for each country.
US citizens, please check with: US department of State

It all began back in 1995 when Grisha UIAGM / IFMGA professional mountain guide, based in Chamonix France, began to work part-time for the French Allibert-Trekking adventure travel tour operator. During this time, Grisha led some Allibert-Trekking clients, to the summit of Mont Blanc, Mont Rose etc... and was sent all over the world for climbing, expedition and technical trekking trips. A  great relationship has since emerged between Grisha, his wife Catherine and the Allibert-Trekking travel team which led Grisha to make a proposition to them.  The proposition was to create adventure travel trips adapted to the American and Anglo-Saxon clientele. Hence, in 2007, a partnership was created.  Established as Mountain World Travel, the company takes roots in Aspen, Colorado where Grisha and Catherine, now play and work.  The two came to Aspen, 15 years ago from Chamonix, France, when they first fell in love with the area.  They began their days here as ski instructors, with Grisha also working as a mountain guide and a tandem paragliding flight pilot.

For a long time, our French partner and Mountain World Travel has functioned in a very responsible manner throughout the world including, of course, in the Alps.
1993: restoration of Saint-Christophe-in-Oisans mill (helping the Oisans of Saint-Christophe association).
2003, 2004, and 2005: Cleaning off Mount Sauveur in Mercantour with Mountain Wilderness and the National Park of Mercantour.
Since 2004:  Since 3 years: we do not forget the region where our main office is based and it's regional natural reserve by organizing, each year, an operation of maintenance and cleaning off the paths of "The Reserve des Hauts de Chartreuse" (Savoy-Isere) in partnership with the park, the reserve and the association holding the same name. In 2007, this event will be held in Chartreuse, around the Mount Granier (mountain in the neighborhood).

The spoken language in France is French. English is spoken by those in tourism related work. Learning some French key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to facilitate your exchanges with French people.

Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:

Hello: bonjour

How are you: comment allez-vous?

Thanks: merci

Please: s'il vous plait

Goodbye: au revoir

You can ask your guide how to pronounce these key words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!

And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!

The French are truly notorious when it comes to their rules and regulations regarding their food. Most French chefs will take umbrage if you add condiments to a dish before even tasting it and it is also considered as being a grave insult if you ask for ketchup. This is because you are basically then telling the chef that their cooking is unsatisfactory, and it is unnecessary to add any flavoring to meals in France for the most part anyway because they are usually so well prepared.

Nearly all restaurants include tax and a 15 percent service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving additional change is customary, as is leaving the small change from your bill when you pay in cash. In hotels, tip porters per bag and chambermaids per day. Taxi drivers should be tipped 10-15 percent of the fare.

U.S. residents who stay in France less than six months can get a refund of the value-added tax (TVA, in France) on purchases of 200 € or more. Ask stores to complete a TVA refund form, then submit them to customs upon your departure. Refunds from 13% to 19.6% will be credited to your credit card or mailed to you within a few months.

French shops are usually open weekdays from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm but they will be close for an hour or two at lunchtime.

US electrical devices are not compatible with French-Italian-Swiss electrical plugs.
We recommend that you carry an adapter, because the plugs are 220/230 volts in most Europe.

French Alps mountain ranges, where we would all like to happen upon ibex around each turn; therefore, we need to make sure not to scare them away from their original habitat. The marmot is always nearby, but this does not give us a reason to feed them. Don't get too close to the animals even to photograph them!
What a delight to discover hidden Edelweiss or the ground covered with spring Gentians (famous local flower):  leave them on the ground....it is better to take a photo of them than to pick them!
In the Alps, you are never really far from a valley. It is not very complicated difficult to return all of your trash down there. This is not the responsibility of the hut's guard.
Our stays often take you along to discover National parks and Reserves: they are protected and regulated spaces.
We all prefer a respected and preserved environment. We all need to be attentive to this!