| Cost From: | $4195 |
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| Length: | 9 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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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
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On this high alpine adventure, we trek in the Tien Shan (“Celestial Mountains”), the highest mountain range in Central Asia, and discover the fascinating culture of traditional Kyrgyz nomads.
One of the ‘Great Hikes of the World’ is the circuit around Mont Blanc, western Europe’s highest mountain. In circling this great massif, we cross from one country to another—on foot! Mont Blanc is an immense, beautiful, glacier-clad massif whose seven valleys radiate out into France, Italy, and Switzerland. As we dip into a new valley each day, we savor changes in language, landscape, architecture, and cuisine. The mountain views make the 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.
$4195 (12-14 guests)
$4495 (9-11 guests)
$4795 (5-8 guests)
Single supplement: $565
Prices are for 2009 dates
Jul 31-Aug 8, 2009 Clive Roberts
JoAnn Lantz
Sep 5-13, 2009 Daniel Windham
Tim Burford, Annie Hawkins
Jul 1-8, 2010
Jul 24-31, 2010
Aug 15-22, 2010
Sep 5-12, 2010
*2010 departures are 8 days
Note: There may be up to 3 leaders on any departure. Please call for details.
The US Dollar has strengthened against the Euro, and Wilderness Travel would like to pass the savings along to you! Here's how it works: we will purchase the Euros for your trip when you sign up, which lets us lock in the current exchange rate, and guarantee your savings. To receive the discount, the first deposit on the trip ($500 per person) is non-refundable. If you prefer to have your deposit be fully refundable up to 90 days before departure, you can sign up at the regular published rate for the trip.
To find out the current discount available at today’s rate, please call us at 1-800-368-2794 or send us an email.
Reading list, click here.
From Chamonix, a charming old mountain town right at the foot of Mont Blanc, we hike up to the Aiguilles Rouges and along the Grand Balcony trail. The mountain-ringed alpine lake of Lac Blanc is our destination, and it offers our first spectacular views over the entire Chamonix Valley.
Hiking past the edge of the Bionnassay Glacier, we cross over Col de Tricot (7,000') and descend through a lovely forest into the Val Montjoie and on to the village of Contamines, once a town of chamois hunters and smugglers. The next day, we hike over Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (8,180'), with superb vistas over the Tarantaise region, and descend through flowery meadows to the remote summer village of Chapieux. On Day 5, we depart France on a hike into Italy via Col de la Seigne (8,300'), with views of Mont Blanc’s massive 11,000-foot-high southern face. 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 Champex, set on a blue lake. On Day 7, we cross the steep Fenetre d’Arpette (8,800') and descend along the edge of the magnificent Trient Glacier to our overnight in Col de la Forclaz.
Our trail climbs through a serene larch forest to the Col du 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. We have lunch at the pass, enjoying sweeping views, then have the option of a gondola descent to Le Tour or a long, gentle hike down to the village of Argentière, from which we head back to Chamonix and depart on Day 9.
