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 76 reviews.

A Sreenath

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
The best holiday I ever had in my life so far. Wonderful scenery, wonderful guide and wonderful group.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The view of Lac Blanc on the third day of the walk. While having lunch beside the lake, I felt for moment that all my dreams are fulfilled. Even after a week from the holiday, I still stare at my photos from that day. It is hard to explain the scenery in one word as you can see the snow caped mountains,beautiful lake, refugee, ibex (mountain goats) etc in single location. For facebook users, you will be confused which photo to be made your profile photo.
What did you think of your group leader?
In one word, "perfect". I still wonder how a person can manage these many days of walking in a year.
Being my first walking holiday, I was a bit worried about the difficulty of walking for five days. But he set the walk speed in such a way that we never feel the strain of walk. I was even ready for walk on the sixth day also. He kept on interacting each and every member of the walk and made sure the group enjoys the walk. Another thing not missed out is the endless flow of jokes from his mouth, But you have to listen carefully to understand them, which I couldn't do most of the times.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walk is within the limits of anybody who is used to 5-6 hours of weekend walking. Longest walks are on third and last day. I will be very helpful if you practice multiple days walking as we are tend to relax on the next day of our weekend walk. Being a centre based walking, we have the option of not to walk on any days if we dont feel like. Personally I will advise you not to miss out walk on third day (Lac Blanc). Also never ever forget waterproofs on any day of the walk.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can not finish my review without mentioning another two important characters in this beautiful holiday. They are Elaine (Oliver's wife) and Dylan (their dog). You will be amazed to see how Elaine caters to the needs of fifteen people for lunch and dinner. It is hard to explain Dylan in one word. He will be the main entertaintment fo the week. He will be with us for three walks and can even take a tiger it it comes in our way. I (sure, the whole group) just loved him.
Last but not the least, don't miss out the blue berry tarts at the refugees during lunch time.
Bev Walshe

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
Unique! A week wirh some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Walking with Oliver was a special experience, he is an expert in so many fields, but he was ever watchful of his group. He was always bubbling with humour. After our walks there was always a warm welcome home by Elaine, with her delicious food and twinkly good humour. Not to mention the hot tub, Dylan-the-dog, and the puns!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Finding meadows alive with flowers in hidden valleys high in the mountains - and knowing that I had walked every step of the way.
What did you think of your group leader?
Inspirational and extremely professional. It takes vast experience and expertese to maintain Olivere's level of good humour and leadership while still monitoring individuals AND hold together a group with a range of experience and ability.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Remember to take gloves along with the hat and sun block.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was more than a holiday. I've come back fitter, my spirits are higher and I ate and drank heartily throughout!
The beds were very comfortabe - very important after a day walking!
Robert Stockdale

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
What a stunning week! Unrivalled views, excellent hosting by Oliver and Elaine whose care and obvious enjoyment of their work made this a fun, exhilirating and memorable walking holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were several highlights of the trip: after the somewhat long and, at times, challenging walk to reach the top at 'Lac Blanc' it was worth every minute. We were privileged to see Ibex who paused long enough for photos posing adjacent to the turquoise meltwater.
The trip to Italy was beautiful - the amazing 'balcony walk' through meadows filled with wild flowers identified and described by Oliver, whose extensive knowledge made them even more interesting.
Every day was different and memorable in its own right.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver, as our group leader was caring, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and also great fun! His co-pilot, Dylan, was also amusing (Fox Terrier!). At all times, we felt safe, included and we could not have asked for a nicer person to make the walks interesting and fun .
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would certainly advise being prepared for changable weather. One day we experienced all conditions apart from snow! It was often warm and benign low down needing suncream and sunhats, but at high altitude the weather became cool and wet on two occaions thus needing our waterproof leggings which we had fortunately packed in our backpacks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would recommend this trip to potential Exodus customers. As a grade B walk we felt it was about right - some challenging walks and some less so. However, every day was a full days' walk and the hot-tub and large evening meal (with plenty of wine) was much appreciated.
Our third Exodus holiday and more to come!
Neil Rolin

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
A relatively easy way to experience awe-inspiring scenery. You can just take in the beauty of nature without worrying about anything else.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The purity of the mountain streams, the beauty of the mountains and the overwhelming feeling of happiness being part of the world which is somehow completely absent in normal everyday life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver was very caring and looked after all of our interests. He is more or less omniscient though not in an annoying way. An incredibly nice man with an even nicer dog and a wonderful sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Elaine worked incredibly hard to cater for our every need. It was much appreciated. She and Oliver made us feel at home instantly. A very difficult thing to achieve. Thanks to them both.
Heather Cowap

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
This was a fantastic holiday. The walks were well chosen through beautiful scenery and the leadership was great, ensuring that everyone in the group was able to comfortably appreciate the surroundings. The chalet was very cosy and the food delicious.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Every day was lovely but I particularly enjoyed the walk to Lac Blanc with exceptional views of the Mer de Glace. I found the ascent difficult but was rewarded at the top with a hot chocolate in the sunshine next to a beautiful lake, while baby Ibex roamed nearby.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver was a very skilled group leader and a fun and friendly person. He was able to judge the ability of each member of the group and set the pace accordingly. He was very safe and careful, and seemed to have an endless supply of knee straps and energy drinks. What I enjoyed most about this trip was that Oliver gave us time to enjoy the scenery, take photographs and indulge in coffee and pear and chocolate tart at refuges without ever feeling rushed. Oliver has obviously worked very hard to forge good relationships with the owners of the best refuges ensuring that we always recieved a warm welcome, despite descending on them in large numbers and sometimes eating our own food. Although we did plenty of walking and I returned home with sore legs and a couple of blisters, this really did feel like a relaxing holiday, and that was thanks to Oliver.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Although there are some quite lengthy ascents they are taken at a steady pace so don't worry too much if you are like me and not super fit.
Peter Helps

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
I had a wonderful time and would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see the best of this beautiful area. The views on the walks were simply stunning and the hospitality of the hosts Oliver and Elaine made for a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the accommodation. I hadn't travelled on a group trip like this before and was unsure what to expect, but couldn't have asked to spend the week with a nicer group of people, which helped to make the week perfect. If you are as lucky as we were with the weather, make sure you go up the Aiguille du Midi and Helbronner cable cars on the free day - the views are just unbelievable!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hard to choose one moment/day, but I think my favourites were climbing up to Lac Blanc - which was a bit of a slog but well worth it - and day 3 above Val Ferret which was (thankfully) modified from the original itinerary thanks to Oliver's local knowledge and was full of some of the most beautiful alpine flower meadows I have ever seen!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very experienced and this knowledge has enabled him to plan some excellent and rewarding routes, which didn't seem too busy even in mid-July. The pace each day was just right, which was quite an achievement given the diverse range of people/ages in the group. I reckon he needs some new jokes to tell though!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You will enjoy it more if you get your fitness up beforehand and are used to walking - good boots are also a must, I had some Meindl Burma pros and these were a lifesaver for my feet! Plan in advance for the free day too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just do it, you will have a lovely time! Watch out for their very sweet Fox terrier Dylan pinching your sandals though!
Alasdair Murray

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Written July 2012
A good range of walks with differing terrains and views of the Alps. Travelling time to the walks is limited and time on the walks is well balanced with free time at the end of each day.At the end of each day I felt like I'd had an enjoyable day but never too tired and looking forward to the next day.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My first trip to the area and has encouraged me to go back
What did you think of your group leader?
First class.
Whilst on duty guiding or "off duty" hosting in the chalet along with Elaine, Oliver was a great leader. Mindful of all in the group and the range of abilities.
Determined to ensure we all had a good holiday
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Book this holiday for a good range of walks, views, being well fed and entertained (or cringe) at Olivers jokes and tales.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Another good value Exodus holiday.