Mont Blanc Circuit

Weather - I did the trip in late June last year, and the weather was lovely pretty much all the way through. We did have a couple of days of white cloud or grey skies, but the sun was actually out most of the time. It rained a couple of afternoons after the clouds built up. To check the weather, I would look online at forecasts. It's impossible to say what the conditions are going to be exactly, as the mountains can change everything depending on local patterns. It should be nice and warm during the day, low to mid 20s, and pleasant evenings lower down. As you go higher, you may find it chilly sometimes in the evening and so will need a fleece/ jacket for this.

Clothing - I had a warm fleece, wind/ waterproof jacket and some gloves. Apart from that, it was just the usual layers underneath. I would also advise a rain cover for your rucksack.

Washing - I did wash out things as I went along, and just dried them at the campsites, which didn't present any problems. I don't recall any washing machines.

Water - you don't need purification tablets, as the campsites will have drinking water available to fill your bottles from as you go along.

Free time - Courmayeur is very pretty and lovely to walk around for a few hours. Most of us did a cable car ride and it's well worth it for amazing views. I think the next free day (11 or 12) most of us took it easy, as it was the first day off for a while! The last free day in Chamonix, I just spent relaxing around Chamonix having a beer and sitting in the sunshine. I don't think anyone did extra walks, but some people did take the other cable car ride.

Money - It's hard to say exactly how much to take, as some people take more than others. You need to budget for the meals not included, plus drinks, and anything over that is optional. For the lunches not included, maybe allow €60. For the dinner not included, maybe €25 and then drinks will depend but costs aren't so different to the UK, so whatever you would spend on water, juice and alcohol normally.

It's a great trip, and nothing to different to advise apart from what's in the trip notes. The more basic camps are just that, so don't expect comfort, but all the rest are really nice!

Katarzyna Crompton - European Operations

Breakfasts consist of bread, cereals, yoghurt and plenty of tea and coffee. Each morning, fresh ingredients are laid out for you to make your own choice of sandwiches. A range of fillings are available, including some suitable for vegetarians. Fruit is also provided. On many of the walking days it is possible to stop at one or more mountain refuges which serve a range of refreshments including some delicious cakes and tarts. In the evening a hot meal will either be cooked for you in camp or we will eat out at a local restaurant. A vegetarian option will be made available but there may not be the choice of dishes that you would get in the UK.

Katarzyna Crompton - Customer Operations

The leader will be able to advise on how you can reach the next night’s campsite using public transport. There is a reasonable bus service in many of the areas visited. Please contact Exodus directly if you require any further information.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

You do have to put your own tent up each evening and take it down each morning but this doesn’t take very long. It would be appreciated if you helped out with a few camp chores such as washing up and clearing the table and you will have to make your own sandwiches before each walking day.

Katarzyna Crompton - Customer Operations

A few campsites actually have washing machines and lines to hang stuff on, and you can usually get things pretty dry.

The others have a minimum of a sink so you could always run water through things, and then there are two wild camps with nothing.

Peter Stokes - Customer Operations

It’s not necessary to take both currencies as the places we visit in Switzerland will take Euros. However, you may not get a particularly favourable Euro/ Swiss Franc exchange rate, but you won't be spending much when over the border so the difference is minimal.

Katarzyna Crompton - Customer Operations

Staff member Louisa Richardson travelled to the Mont Blanc region and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the area.

If you are used to walking with poles then you can take them with you. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is personal preference but do remember to pack them as part of your main luggage to be stowed in the hold.

Sharmil Goswami - Sales

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Switzerland where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to France where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Italy where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

You can view the Grading System for our Walking & Trekking programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!