Mont Blanc Highlights: France, Italy, Switzerland

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...

Average Review Rating: from 74 reviews.

Sheila Dunbar

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written August 2012
A wonderfully well-crafted week's walking in an exceptionally beautiful and inspiring area.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
That cold beer after the long descent from the Lac Blanc; the leisurely picnic lunch on the Aiguillette de Brevent on the last walk with the opportunity to savour the stupendous view of Mont Blanc close up and the views over to earlier walks; the pink of the setting sun on the snow on Mont Blanc from the Chalet window.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver is endlessly patient and good-humoured. Our group was of varying abilities and experience but he brought out the best in everyone. He manages the tasks of shepherd and host in a very relaxed way. And he really knows and loves the area.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you have a good level of fitness to enjoy the ascents. On a couple of days there are both long ascents and descents. If you are a very fast,fit walker you may need to accept that others are not and that you have to accept the necessary discipline of walking as a group.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This holiday exceeded my expectations in every way. For those doubtful about their ability to do a hut-to-hut in the high mountains it is a really good option. The Chalet isn't luxurious but it is comfortable and well set-up for walkers. And above all, you will have fun and be very well fed.
Rupinder Kaur Sara

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written August 2012
Fantastic trip, amazing views and really good food. Nice to have the luxury mixed in with the work. Oliver and Elaine make it home from home, really good hosts and bent over backwards to make sure we got to do all the things we wanted on our 'day off'
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Eating tart at Mama's surroubded by amazing views and good company
What did you think of your group leader?
Couldnt fault Oliver. Patient, knowledgable, good fun, really made the trip
Jeanne Barlatt

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written August 2012
I had a wonderful week on this trip. It was my first walking holiday so was unsure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful scenary and the varied walks each day. I particular enjoyed the door stopper sandwiches made by the lovely Elaine. When you've been trekking up a mountain all morning they are just what you need!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There was great camaraderie in the group I was with and we all supported each other during the trickier sections. Finishing the challenging trek on Tuesday morning was particularly rewarding. The views from the top were incredible.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver was a very supportive group leader with endless knowledge about the area and history of the region. His jokes were an acquired taste - but we all got used to those! ;o)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want to explore the beauty of the Alps and want some home comforts at the end of the day, I think you'll really enjoy this trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Almost forgot to mention Dylan, Oliver and Elaine's fox terrier who accompanies the group on most of the walks. He's a little rascal and will melt your heart - as he did to mine!
Christopher Hughes

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written August 2012
An amazing experience, stunning scenery, fabulous walks and led by Oliver, a quiet man with a great sense of humour, energy, knowledge and love of his surroundings.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me, just too many, but if I have to choose, the first time Mont Blanc appeared through the clouds on the initial walk, and the later walk (climb!) to Lac Blanc - Chris For me, the moment I realised that life and its worries were blown away by the age and grandeur of the Mont Blanc range - Mel
What did you think of your group leader?
Exceptional in every way. His ability to communicate his knowledge, respect and love of the mountains inluding the flora and fauna was infectious. Oliver assessed the various abilities in the group with discretion and sensitivity so that the group gelled naturally and supported each other with care and humour. Oliver's second in command on some of the walks, Dylan the fox terrier was a great companion and the source of much commaradarie. Back at base camp, Elaine set you up for the day with a substantial lunch and a different home made cake every day! A three course meal had been prepared, waiting for you on your return. Heaven!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes, don't doubt in your own ability to do any of the walks. The rewards are amazing. Make sure you have a good pair of walking boots. Hydration tablets in a camel pack are a good idea. Energy bars are useful. Would strongly recommend the cable car to the Aguille du Midi as early as possible (6.30am) on the free day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A truly fabulous experience. A trip difficult to follow. A very warm welcome and home cooking make you feel looked after. Great tarts at various refuges on a variety of walks. A reward for a morning's effort that you can indulge in without any worries about the calories!
Sandra Fox

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written August 2012
The mountains were high, the sky was blue the group were lovely and the chalet and our hosts Oliver and Elaine were incredibly welcoming. A fantastic week, full of amazing scenery, interesting people and lots of laughter!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing at the highest point of the walk each day and knowing that I had made it! All the different views of Mont Blanc, which is inspirational from any angle.
What did you think of your group leader?
It is hard to think of anything to say about Oliver that has not already been said by previous reviewers. He is a genuinely lovely man who goes out of his way to make sure that everyone has a great time. His ability to vary his pace to meet the needs of the group, his endless stream of "jokes", knowledge of the mountains (and wild flowers) and where to get the best tarts is immense. Although we all know that Dylan is really in charge!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just do it - you'll have a great time. Annecy is well worth a visit on your free day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a brilliant trip and I thoroughly recommend it. As a first holiday walking in mountains it was probably not the easiest but it has certainly made me want to do more.
louise smart

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
A fabulous trip, excellent walking, great guide and stunning scenary
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many great sights and amazing views of the mountains throughout the trip.
Seeing the mountains while standing between Switzerland and France on the first walking day while watching the Mont Blanc Marathoners struggle up the path.
Looking at the mountains in a field of alpine flowers in the blazing sunshine.
Sitting in the Bonatti refuge at over 2000 metres eating pear and chocolate tart, drinking expresso while looking at the most inspirational mountain scenary.
Seeing a Golden eagle and a Marmot.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olivers excellent leadership meant I could be in terrain which I could not hope to have managed alone. His unique sense of humour and respectful approach to the mountains, other walkers, the mountain refuge owners and to the group made the trip very special. He has an amazing knowledge of Alpine flowers and the local landscape which also enhanced my enjoyment of the walks. There were one or two people on the trip who were better suited to a grade C holiday who were frustrated at the grade B pace of the trip but I found the walks entirely suited to my fitness levels and well described in the trip notes.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take all equipment that is recommended in the trip notes. I used it all!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Elaine and Oliver are great people, very ecologically aware and have a real passion for the countryside and the mountains. There are amazing views of the mountains from the chalet which are beautiful to look at while having breakfast in the mornings and dinner in the evening. Dylan the 11 month old fox terrier accompanied us on most walks and was a joy to have with us- this helped make the trip really special.
PETER HUTCHISON

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
I had never been to walk in the Alps before and had never been on a walking holiday of this sort, so decided to go with Exodus. The whole experience was excellent, from the chalet where we were based, to the area as a whole and the walking in particular.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most inspirational moments seemed to go on and on. The views on all the walks, with the exception of one when the weather closed down, were superb. Mont Blanc was almost always on view, but closer in the flowers on the meadows and the occasional wildlife, such as marmots, were a treat, especially in June.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver, our group leader, was highly experienced and this was obvious from the moment he led us up the first ascent. He was assessing the capability of all 15 of us so that he could set the right pace and balance the walking with rest stops. As we got fitter during the week, the pace increased slightly and the walks became slightly tougher, but this was very much in accordance with the trip notes. Oliver has a great sense of humour and a wealth of jokes which I much enjoyed. They made the whole experience great fun. He was also very careful, where necessary, to explain the safest way to walk across ice and snow and to show how to minimise the risk of a fall. This was kept in proportion and it did not become a health and safety show. He also insisted that we keep ourselves well hydrated, which was necessary as we experienced some of the hottest weather of the year. Oliver has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the plants and flowers that we encountered which were in profusion at the end of June. Oliver has a small fox terrier, by the name of Dylan, who accompanied us on 3 walks. He is a great character whose company we all enjoyed and who became quite a mascot of the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy this tour. It is a great introduction to the Mont Blanc area and Oliver will show you all the best bits of the Tour de Mont Blanc. You need to be of average fitness, but the walks were never of any great distance (perhaps 9 miles), but some longish ascents are included. If you like walking in amazing scenery, you will find this tour excellent value for money.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Oliver's wife, Elaine, runs the chalet. It was a delight to find that everything we needed was on tap from the moment we had arrived to the day we left. She is an excellent cook and we all made the most of the meals. On the Wednesday we went out as a group to an expensive restaurant but I would have preferred to have had a meal back at the chalet! The packed lunches were just right - never too little and always delicious. The chalet facilities were also always available. The hot tub in the garden, with great views of the Mont Blanc range, was very well used and soothed tired limbs. The sauna was also well frequented. For those who wished to stay in touch with the outside world, the Wifi was always on and a computer was available for those who wished to use it, as was a TV, coffee and tea. Elaine made the place run like clockwork and was a delight to chat to.