The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 600m - 1200m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: this tour is not technically difficult and is open to children from 12 years.

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 2 IGN TOP 25 with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

The tour of Mont Blanc is a trek which is very well indicated:
- in France: marked with red and white stripes for Grande Randonnée (in both directions).
- in Switzerland and Italy: a black dot on a yellow diamond (in both directions).

It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Two options:
without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.
with baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily by our logistics vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC: 6 nights in dormitory, in a refuge or gîte.

CONFORT: 3 nights in gîtes in a twin/double bedroom.
                 2 nights in gîtes in a 4 person bedroom.
                 1 night in hotel in a twin/double bedroom.
All accommodation has hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (days 1,2,3,4 and 6).

CURRENCY

During the stages of your tour in Switzerland, Euros are widely accepted and it is not essential to carry Swiss Francs.

FITNESS LEVEL

Ability to easily walk 20km (on the flat) in a maximum of 4 hours. 
If this is not the case, we recommend that you train during the three weeks prior to departure, for example running 4-5km or hiking/cycling 3-4 hours, 2 to 3 times per week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3630 OT - Chamonix and Top 25 - 3531 ET - Saint Gervais (1/25 000)

Practical information

DEPART

From mid June to mid September.
Departures every Saturday and Sunday, option with baggage transport.
Daily departures for groups of minimum 6 persons, option with baggage transport.
Daily departures (except Saturday and Sunday), option without baggage transport.

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point at 10:30am at Montroc-le-Planet train station to collect your baggage 
OR your luggage can be collected on request at your hotel in the Chamonix valley allowing you to depart freely without meeting.
Option "without baggage transport" no meeting required at departure point.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:45pm, arrival at Chamonix at 7:48pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow the main road towards Argentiere and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentiere).
There is ample parking at the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet or in the village of Le Tour 1km away.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
The easiest option for your return, is to leave your car at the end point of the tour at the Prarion cable car in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet.

CAR-SHARING                                                                                                                                Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations:   www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2h15 by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)

End point during the afternoon at the bottom of the Prarion cable car in Les Houches.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the return to the departure point at Montroc-le-Planet is easy via bus.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

By request we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your tour.

Les Houches                                                                                                                                   Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10 www.hotelsaintantoine.com                                                                                                                 Hôtel les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71 www.hotel-campanules.com                                         Hôtel les Mélèzes: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 09 www.hotellesmelezes.com

Le Tour                                                                                                                                             Chalet Alpin: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16

Chamonix Tourist Office : +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com

If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley.                                 www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

CONTACT US                                                                                            

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 3) *** add in if days with no baggage*** between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.