Tour du Mont Blanc

France, Italy, Switzerland, and even other European countries, share this same mountain range, the Alps. The highest peak in Europe is located in the Alps, Mont Blanc at 15,780 feet on the French-Italian border.

But besides that, each one of these countries has it's own history, traditions and distinctiveness. Traveling from one to the other by means of walking quietly reveals their real charms and differences that have made these tourist destinations the most engaging.

Discover three countries and various valleys, and as many cultures radiating around Europe's highest mountain. The contrasts between mountain pastures and high altitude glacial tops is seizing. Our "formula" proposes lodging in private bedrooms/hotel or inn, with well timed transfers, so we can best benefit from the entirety of our excursion.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Chamonix
• Day 2/  Montenvers - Mer de Glace - Panoramic trail - Plan of the Aiguille - Chamonix
• Day 3/  Le Fayet - Bellevue - Miage - Contamines 
• Day 4/  Notre Dame de la Gorge - Croix du Bonhomme pass - Gittes option.
• Day 5/  Tête des Fours- Chapieux
• Day 6/  Seigne pass - Courmayeur
• Day 7/  Grand col Ferret - La Fouly - Champex
• Day 8/  Fenêtre d'Arpette - Trient
• Day 9/  Balme pass - Le Tour - Argentière 
• Day 10/  Montets pass - Chéserys and Blanc lakes - Chamonix
• Day 11/  Aiguille of Midi - Chamonix
• Day 12/  Transfer Geneva; depart.

The tour of Mont Blanc was one of the first born trips around the alpine mountain range. Today still, it is a true success. Hiking the Tour of Mont Blanc is to pay homage to the Mont Blanc, but also to benefit from the rich landscapes and cultural palette. No other alpine mountain range offers, on such a small surface, such a choice of sites and famous mountain ascents, whose variety is limited only by its exclusively granite composition. Broad glacial basins accompany ice glacier tongues way down in the valleys. This route takes you along to three different countries and, along the way, you will learn about the alpine diversity around this prestigious mountain range; which draws all passionate mountain dwellers.
With our "formula" designed for comfort, this Tour of the Mont Blanc proposes lodgings in private bedrooms, hotels or inns of quality, and a unique alternative which allows for an easier adaptation to altitude gains.

Day 1/  Geneva - Chamonix
Reception at Geneva airport with shuttle transportation to hotel. Settle in at the "Prieure" hotel in Chamonix or the "Croix Blanche", evening meal at the restaurant in the hotel while enjoying a panoramic sight onto Chamonix and the surrounding glaciers. (Guaranteed spectacle!).

Day 2/  Montenvers - Sea of Ice - Northern Balcony  paths- Plan of the Aiguille
We join the Sea of Ice (Mer de Glace) by train, leisurely departure. Discovery of the Crystal gallery site (Quartz), short stroll in front of the glacier, nothing but for the pleasure of the eyes! A warm up crossing the Northern balcony paths in the directions of "the Plan of the Aiguille." Possibility of joining Chamonix with the cable car or simply going back down to Chamonix via the pedestrian paths in the direction of Biollay or Grepon.
3 to 6  H  walk, depending on choice

Day 3/  Fayet - Bellevue - Miage - Contamines
Transfer to Fayet to take the Mont Blanc Train to the Bellevue Station. Descend in direction of the "Planet" to pass on the moraine (geologic term for the deposit of sand and gravel left by glaciers many years ago) of the Bionnassay glacier and via the large valley of Tricot, going up towards the Tricot pass (6,955 feet). Descend to the Miage country cottages for a well deserved lunch break at James table Miage refuge. In the afternoon, a short ascent allows us to join the Truc country cottages. To finish, descend to the Contamine-Montjoie village to our inn.

Day 4/  Notre Dame de la Gorge - Croix du Bonhomme pass- Gittes option
Short transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge by bus or shuttle, starting point of the excursion. We take the "Roman way" in direction of the Jovet country cottages, precisely where Mont Blanc Tour merges with the Beaufortain Tour itinerary. We then begin our ascent up to the Bonhomme pass (7,641 feet), then to the Croix du Bonhomme pass (8,133 feet) to join the refuge of the same name, where we enjoy lunch and take time to settle in for the night. In the afternoon, possibility of leaving to discover the wild pathways of the Tour du Mont Blanc wild paths via the Gittes peak (round trip) followed by a snack to include a good bottle of wine and succulent sausages!
It will be necessary to carry a change of clothes for this evening as the refuge is not accessible by car and you will not have your main bag until the following day at Chapieux.

Day 5/  Croix du Bonhomme pass - Tête des Fours - Chapieux
Morning departure for the ascent of the Northern or Southern Tête des Fours. If the whole group arrives at the top, we have the possibility of continuing, by way of the Fours pass, for a "savage" descent on to Glaciers city (visit the cheese dairy). Another option consists of heading back down to the refuge and to then take a wide pathway which leads down to Chapieux.

Day 6/  Chapieux - Seigne pass - Courmayeur
Short transfer to Mottets by way of shuttle. Ascent towards the Seigne pass, then descend in the Val Veny to Combal Lake, then to Visaille. From there, a short transfer enables us to join Courmayeur at the beginning of afternoon for a stroll and the possibility of lunching downtown for some good Italian pizza. Val Ferret. Night spent at the Arnuva Hotel or in Courmayeur city, depending upon availability.

Day 7/  Courmayeur - Grand col Ferret - Fouly - Champex
Morning departure by way of a splendid path which enables us to pass from one country to the next, passage in Switzerland by way of the Grand Col Ferret, descend on Ferret, then Fouly. Transfer by vehicle to Champex with free time to spend in a quaint little corner of nature.

Day 8/  Champex - Fenetre of Arpette - Trient
Depending on our physical shape, two options are possible: either the traditional classic tour via Bovine and the Forclaz pass, or a more advanced hike via the Fenetre of Arpette. In either case, our destination is Trient for one night at a hotel.

Day 9/  Trient -  Balme pass - the Tour - Argentière
An imposing excursion which leads us to Balme pass where we will have a lovely lunch. Descend to the Tour where we join our shuttle which takes us to Argentiere for the night.

Day 10/  Argentière - Montets pass - Chéserys and Blanc lakes - Flégère
Discovery of the Aiguilles Rouges reserve and the southern balconies of Mount Blanc. Lunch at the Blanc Lake. Most beautiful sights on to the glaciers, a wild environment. Descend via the Flégère cable car.
From Day 3 to Day 10: 5 H walk approximately

Day 11/  Ascent to the Aiguille du Midi
Today, a foot in the high-mountain domain. Two impressive cable cars will bring us up to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, starting point of one of the most fabulous glacier downhill ski runs in the world and an incredible view-point on to the Mont Blanc mountain range. Return to Chamonix by cable car (- 9,000 feet in 20 minutes!). Free time in the afternoon.

Day 12/  Transfer Geneva and depart
Transfer to the airport for flight back 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. 

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.
During the treks, all of your belongings are dispatched between a back pack and/or a traveling bag carried during our walks. Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). Transport is ensured by the vehicle of assistance and the logistic team during the excursions. Excepot for 1 night (Day 4): It will be necessary to carry a change of clothes for this evening as the refuge is not accessible by car and you will not have your main bag until the following day at Chapieux.

The guide
- an English-speaking professional French Mountain World Travel hiking guide (European Mountain Leader)
The local team
- a driver in charge of the bus.

Ground Transportation by private mini buses or taxi.

Due to our goal of providing quality accommodations, we seek charming and reputable places located in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes or close to the departure of the excursions, however, occasionally, there is but only one accommodation in the area and, in these cases, we are not given a choice.
One night in a mountain hut, shared dormitory accommodation.
In the cities, 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.

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.
- Breakfasts and dinners are prepared by our hosts or enjoyed at a restaurant. The evening meals, warm and copious.
- During hikes: lunch, as a picnic, eaten on site; sometimes we enjoy lunch in a restaurant.
- Energy food (an assortment of chocolate bars to accompany you in the effort) provided by Mountain World Travel.
Drinks: mineral water provided.
Gastronomy: as we cross France and Italy, prepare yourself for great meals!

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
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included&quot.

• 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 preventing the unpleasant side effects of altitude sickness.
Please visit:  http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 3
2 months prior:  Hike 9 to 10 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days OR if you are regularly committed, on an annual basis, to another sports activity for a cumulative duration of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes per week, 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 jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- Gaiters
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

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

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

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
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!