Mont Blanc Circuit

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  paul boast

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written August 2011

   This has to be one of our most enjoyable holidays - our worry now is how we can top it this year! The camping bit was great as all were thrown in together from the start - having a cup of coffee or a cold beer with a nice cake or biscuits ready when you arrived at camp after a hard day's walking was superb. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I think the last day was really great as the views were spectacular all day, with classis views of Mont Blanc and its environs.  But there were many other days that were fantastic as we were challenging ourselves all the time. In fact we gained fitness throughout the holiday, even though we were pretty fit beforehand through much cycling and walking training.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Mel was fantastic. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna, being in the mountains, geography - her general knowledge was amazing. When we were with her we felt totally secure and were never concerned out our safety.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Get plenty of training in beforehand so you will enjoy your trip and not be concerned about how you will manage. You need to be able to do some consecutive long walks so make the training fun and go for a few days in the Lakes or the Derbyshire hills. Another thing - it can be really very cold in the evenings in September so a good 3 or 4 seasons sleeping bag is essential unless you enjoy sleeping in your clothes!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Our driver and cook also made the holiday a real pleasure. He was completely in control of thee situations and could adapt easily to changes in the weather, diets etc. I think the Compass Cafe was also a good idea so that you could meet some of your fellow travellers beforehand - the people are always the best bit. There was a great cross section in our group with regards to age, background, nationality etc - we had a real laugh!

   
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  Renee van der Most

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  Amazing scenery with stunning views of the Alps, beautiful meadows of alpine flowers, fabulous Mel (our guide and flower identifier) 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  An amazing opportunity to walk in the Alps and enjoy the views.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mel was a fabulous guide. She was very knowledgable about the route (having done the route over the last 4 years), managed the group dynamics very well, supporting us on the 'tough' days and with her extensive knowledge of botany and geology was always able to show us something new regularly and answer our questions. She carried a small plastic digger (and some Snicker bars) to explain glaciation - far better than any geography lesson i have ever had before).

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It can be wet in early Spring but worth it for the flowers.

  The two rough camps are just that! Not really very nice. The other 'comfortable' camps were all great.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes the mountains, great views and meadows of flowers. Sections on the walk were on large tracks and roads which was a pity but there were no alternatives in these areas so necessary to get from camp site to camp site.

   
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  Catherine van Wissen

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  This was a trip that I was expecting to be good, after reading reviews and after personal recommendations from friends, but it still exceeded our expectations, and was a fantastic holiday. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  This is a hard question to answer because although great views are expected in the Alps, there were inspirational views and sights virtually every step of the way. Our guide, Mel, was inspirational, in her love and passion for the mountains and her knowledge of the local landscape, and particularly the flowers and plants. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  As I have said above, our group leader Mel was inspirational. It was obviously not just a holiday for her, it was a lifestyle. She was very encouraging and accommodating, and found ways to coax us up the huge mountains, even in the face of pain and injury. She managed to distract us from the pain by giving us botany 'lessons' as we were going along, and these little talks also enabled her to make the whole group stop and rest to allow the slower members to catch up and rest also. In the end, the whole group were orchid spotting and this gave us a completely new perspective on the Alps, and a depth of experience, which other trekkers walking by at top speed did not get.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a pair of trekking poles, as they were invaluable, since the majority of the trip is either up or down, and you need them for both! Don't rely on being able to wash, and particularly dry clothes. There are washers and dryers at several of the campsites, but the dryers did not appear to work well, and the weather is not stable enough to rely on hanging clothes out to dry. Just take a fresh pair of socks for each day and don't mind wearing other clothes for a few days each. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was a fantastic trip which deserves its reputation of being one of the best walks in the world.

   
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  Christopher Eaton

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  First class trip with an inspirational leader (Graham) who kept the group rolling even when the weather did not co-operate and an excellent driver/chef (Chris) who went the extra mile with food and getting the camp organised. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The views of the Mont Blanc massive while walking and particulalry a brilliant ride across the Glacier du Geant on the Telecabine de la Valle Blanch to the Aigulle du Midi on our rest day in Courmayeur - one occasion when the wather did co-operate!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent both at a technical and group management levels - provided opportunities for the younger, faster, fitter members of the party to burn off their energy whilst encouraging the slower old codgers without being patronising.

   
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  Lesley Fysh

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  Glad we finally booked the TMB.  A great introduction to the Alps 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I have two main moments.  These may well have been different if the weather had been more favourable.   One highlight is the telepherique from Courmayeur to Aiguille du Midi on the first rest day.   The views of the glacier, Mont Blanc and the peaks were stunning and nothing like I have seen before.

  The second was reaching Brevent, the final ascent of the TMB.  It had rained on this our last day, but stopped for the last couple of hours of the climb, and although we didn't really get the views,  the feeling of having completed the circuit was pretty good, even a bit emotional!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader, Mel, was excellent.  She is very knowledgeable and a good calm leader.    Our cook/support person had to leave on day two and Carey took over, which was to our benefit.   Excellent food.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The weather overall was not as good as we had hoped and 2 pairs of shorts returned home unworn.  It is going to be cold on the cols, so be prepared with several thin layers to put on and take off.   Good raingear is essential.    The camping was very good with nice flat pitches with no rocks and good facilities.  Even the 2 so-called rough camps were fine.   Having done a few treks I was very pleased not to see the standard dark and cramped mess tent.  We were able to enjoy the light evenings with spacious areas to eat or sit and chat over a beer.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We chose the camping option over the hotel trip and were glad we did.  I think it helped the group to bond together with some friendly competition introduced in the washing up rota, and when breaking camp each day (the tent of shame!)

   
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  Julia Ingram

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  A most enjoyable holiday with lots of exercise and tremendous views. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Every day that the clouds cleared and you could see the mountain views. On one of the rest days I took the cable car up from Italy and accross to France. This is fairly expensive but well worth it for the fantastic scenery.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was excellent, very organized and thorough in briefings and leading. Also our driver transporting our stuff from campsite to campsite was excellent, her cooking and meals were brilliant.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure you are fit and used to walking for long days up and down steep terrain. If you are not a regular camper then don't be put off by the camping part of the trip - it is very well organized and fun.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think grade of trip should be challenging and not moderate/challenging

   
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  Carol Hall

  MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

  

  Written July 2011

  This walk was so much more than expected - on every level; the effort required, the landscape, the organisation, the camping grounds, the guide and support staff, the company, and even the weather.  It was a real experience for us coming from the tropics.  We booked this trip over 12mths earlier so the anticipation was intense and expectations high. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The weather was perfect on two days - the day we arrived and the day we departed - so one of the inspirational moments was sitting in front of our little tent - DOM, and having the snow-capped mountains and the Les Bossons glacier right in front of us against an impossibly blue sky.  Another was the optional trip on our rest day across the massif via the teleferique from La Palud to Heilbronner and on up to the Aguille de Midi.  This was just sensational and a “must-do”, though very cold above the clouds.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Mel was the quintessential guide and her enthusiasm for her “shy” mountains and her botanical knowledge were remarkable.  I am in my 60s and our youngest walker was probably 19 but Mel was able to juggle that dynamic of a wide age range and fitness level with consummate ease.    Carey and Pasquale were well- organised support people and great camp cooks.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack as per the trip notes, whatever the season.  While it was mid-summer the weather wasn’t good for most of the time.  Our first walking day was completed in unrelenting heavy rain so everything in our backpacks was soaked (take a pack liner and a good gortex).  Fresh snow fell for a couple of days after that, so layers of light fleeces were required (not cotton!), and a good sleeping bag essential.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The camping option was a good decision and a lot of fun with interesting and interested people.  The tents were comfortable, dry and warm and camp ground facilities were most acceptable.  There has been quite a lot said about the two rough camps but both had their endearing features.  The first, beside the cement works, is in a stunning valley below the Triente glacier and had a big pole shed with good cooking facilities, clean bathrooms out of the weather, and flat ground for the tents.  Carey cooked us a piping hot meal and it was the first time in two days we had been dry.  The second was less well appointed and a bit boggy but had a village shop selling local produce, and a restaurant where we had an excellent evening meal.  This was our first trip with Exodus but we will be booking again based on this experience.  Thanks to all.

   

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