Cho choooo...
Steam locomotives have given way to electric motors on the Swiss red trains but the magic is still working. In the heart of the Alps, the different lines weave between the valleys, passing from viaducts to tunnels, from forests to alpine pastures and leading to the most beautiful hiking spots. It is an opportunity to leave your car at home but above all to travel the country long, wide and across to take the time to contemplate the landscape. The various stops will allow you to soak up the local atmosphere, very diverse in this multilingual country, and to hike at your own pace!
This 10-day tour covers some of the most beautiful lines in the Alps: the Simplon tunnel, the Centovalli blue train on the border with Italy, the famous Bernina line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Glacier Express line that runs from the Rhine Gorge to Zermatt. While staying in Switzerland, the stops take you through the Italian-speaking Ticino Great Lakes region, the snowy mountains of Romansh Grisons and an end at the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt.
DEPARTURES AND PRICES
Departures from 14 June to 14 September 2023.
Without baggage transport
415€ per person classic accommodation.
Daily departures (except Saturdays or Sundays).
With baggage transport
495€ per person classic accommodation.
595€ per person comfort accommodation in bedroom (5 nights in 6).
715€ per person comfort hotel accommodation in twin/double bedroom.
Departures Saturdays or Sundays.
Information and reservation is simple by telephone or e-mail.
Secure payment
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Meet Sunday at 10:30am infront of the train station in Montroc-le-Planet
COL DE LA BALME - TRIENT
Climb via the balcony trail of Posettes to the Col de Balme (2200m) on the French-Swiss border. Magnificent view of the surrounding glaciers of Argentiere, Tour and the north face of the Mont Blanc range. Descend into Swiss pastures to the village of Trient. Night in a gîte. (*without baggage) ***add this in only if night without baggage***
5 hour walk / Elevation: +840m -920m
BRE AND BOGLIA MOUNTAINS
After the morning visit of the town, climb to the small village of Bre and its small alleys overlooking the lake. The funicular allows to shorten the stage by going up the rib to the top. The hike continues on the ridge and the view emerges gradually: Mont Rose, Malcantone, Ticino... Once at the top there is only a long descent to reach Lugano.
6h30 walk/ altitude difference: +1250m -1250m from Lugano
5h30 walk/ altitude difference: +750m -1350m by taking the funicular
SAN SALVATORE - MORCOTE
From Lugano the view of Monte Salvatore is reminiscent of the Sugar Loaf of Rio de Janeiro. The hike of the day goes up to its summit and continues to the south by a series of paths in forest until Alpe Vicania and finally the small port of Morcote. Back to Lugano by bus or boat (50min)!
6h00 walk/ Altitude difference: +900m -900m
BERNINA - BERGUN LINE
The day starts with a bus ride to Tirano along Lake Como. From this village, you can board the famous UNESCO-listed Bernina train: viaducts, lakes, villages, alpine pastures and glaciers link up to the Bernina pass at an altitude of 2250m. Descent to St Moritz and crossing the Albula tunnel to reach Bergun using many viaducts and tunnels at the bottom of a deep valley. Overnight in a hotel in the heart of the village.
3h00 bus along Lake Como
3h30 train on the Bernina line
LAKES OF RAVAIS - KESCH-HUTTE
Small transfer in the Val Thuors in the morning. Start of the hike in the hamlet of Chants and its small chalets where were shot several series of the little Heidi. The path goes up the wild valley of Ravais-ch to the lakes of Ravais. The bravest can climb to the Sertigpass. The trail then leads to the Kesch hut at the foot of the Porchabella glacier.
Night in half board, without luggage.
5.00 am walk/ Altitude difference: +950m -150m
THUORS - BERGUN BALCONY
The tour continues along the balcony path overlooking the village of Bergun. The path leads to the micro station of Darlux and the wild Val da Tisch. Possibility to take the chairlift of Darlux to save a bit of negative altitude.
6h30 walk/ altitude difference: +400m -1650m
RHINE GORGE - OBERALPPASS - ZERMATT
Last day along the Glacier Express line between St Moritz and Zermatt along the typical Swiss landscapes. The line alternates between the castles, the surprising gorges of the anterior Rhine and finally the alpine pastures up to the Oberalppass at 2000m altitude. The line continues in the upper Rhone Valley and finally Zermatt.
Night in a hostel in the centre of Zermatt.
7h30 train from Bergun to Zermatt along the Glacier Express
BALCONY OF EUROPE - ZERMATT
Balcony path overlooking the Zermatt Valley with the Matterhorn and its giant glaciers in sight. Descent through the alpine villages to Zermatt.
Overnight in the centre of Zermatt.
5h walk/ Altitude difference: +900 m; -900 m
MATTERHORN-FACED
Climbing in a loop on the heights of Zermatt, along a superb balcony path at the foot of the Matterhorn and the other 4000, in the middle of small shepherding villages. Descent to the village of Zermatt.
5h walk/ Altitude difference: +950m; -950m
ZERMATT - VISP
Return by train to Visp then Geneva or Basel.
3h30 train from Zermatt to Geneva or Basel
End of the hike in the early afternoon in Geneva or Basel.
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.
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.
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.
Two options:
without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.
with baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily by our logistics vehicle.
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.
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).
During the stages of your tour in Switzerland, Euros are widely accepted and it is not essential to carry Swiss Francs.
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.
We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)
IGN Top 25 - 3630 OT - Chamonix and Top 25 - 3531 ET - Saint Gervais (1/25 000)
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.
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.
At the end of the tour the return to the departure point at Montroc-le-Planet is easy via bus.
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
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.
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
Clothing
Other Equipment
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.
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.