(Choose one or more)
| Cost From: | $3695 |
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| Length: | 8 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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From the surprise picnics to tasting grolla in the mountain hut, it was all wonderfully organized.B. Scott—Chapmore Ends England
By adding trips to your “Wish List” (above), you can easily make a side-by-side detailed comparison of as many trips as you like.
Hike the spectacular emerald-green rice terraces of mountainous Banaue (the famed “stepping stones to the sky”), then don your snorkeling gear and slip into the warm waters of the Coral Triangle to swim amid a staggering abundance of vibrant reef life.
One of the “Great Hikes of the World” is the famous circuit around Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak. From this immense, glacier-clad massif, seven valleys radiate out into France, Italy, and Switzerland, and in circling this great mountain, we cross from one country to another—on foot! As we dip into a new valley each day, we savor the changes in language, landscape, architecture, and cuisine. The mountain views make this journey a photographer’s dream, and our team of top-notch Trip Leaders provides a wonderfully fun atmosphere along the way. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic among the world’s mountain adventures, and we’ve honed this gem to perfection with impeccably planned hiking days on the very best trails.
$3695 (11-14 members)
$4095 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $475
Prices are for 2010 dates
Jul 1-8, 2010 Richard Bell
Clive Roberts
Jul 24-31, 2010 Mark Black
Tim Burford
Aug 15-22, 2010 Annie Hawkins
Rob Noonan
Sep 5-12, 2010 Daniel Windham
Rob Noonan
*There may be up to 3 leaders on any departure. Please call for details.
Reading list, click here.
From Chamonix, a charming old mountain town right at the foot of Mont Blanc, we hike below the stunning pinnacles of the Aiguilles Rouges and on to the mountain-ringed alpine lake of Lac Blanc, with its spectacular views over the entire Chamonix Valley. We return by cable car from La Flégère or continue hiking along the Grand Balcon, a natural terrace at 6,500 feet, before returning to Chamonix.
Hiking past the edge of the Bionnassay Glacier, we cross over the Col de Tricot (7,000') and descend through a lovely forest into the Val Montjoie and on to the charming village of Les Contamines, once a town of chamois hunters and smugglers. The next day, we hike over Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,180'), with superb vistas over the Tarantaise region, and descend through flowery meadows to the remote summer village of Les Chapieux. On Day 4, we depart France on a hike into Italy via the Col de la Seigne (8,300'), with views of Mont Blanc’s massive southern face and in the far distance, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. We descend past the beautifully situated stone lodge of the Elisabetta Refuge (7,600'), beneath the Aiguille Blanche. Continuing our descent, we reach Courmayeur, a stylish mountain town and Italy’s counterpart to Chamonix.
Climbing past the massive granite peaks of Mont Dolent and the Grandes Jorasses, we hike into the mountain wonderland of Switzerland via the Grand Col Ferret (8,400'). A trail in the gentle Val Ferret leads us through traditional Swiss villages of wooden chalets and takes us to the mountain resort of Champex, set on a sparkling blue lake. On Day 6, we cross the Fenêtre d’Arpette (8,800'), a narrow and dramatic pass with breathtaking views of the magnificent Trient Glacier and its valley. A long and steep descent takes us along the edge of the glacier and through the forest to our overnight at Col de la Forclaz.
Our trail climbs through a serene larch forest to the Col de Balme (7,234'), the border between Switzerland and France. Once again overlooking the Chamonix Valley, we savor the glory of the Mont Blanc massif before us. After lunch at the pass, we have the option of a gondola descent to Le Tour or a long, gentle hikedown to the village of Argentière. We head back to Chamonix and depart on Day 8.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
