TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Robert Friel

  TOUR DU MONT BLANC

  

  Written August 2008

  Superb walking holiday.  Pretty challenging - but a great sense of achievement. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Going via Fenetre d'Arpete rather than the Bovine route on the first day made it feel like a real mountain holiday (with excellent ice cream as an added bonus).

  Grand Col du Ferret and Col de la Seigne both have endlessly stunning views. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader Liz was excellent - got the pace and breaks spot on

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack light - then get rid of everything unnecessary!  

  Dorm accommodation so go prepared to have fun with the rest of the group and you'll struggle to top it.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Another excellent group and another excellent holiday.

  Almost as spectacular as the Himalayas! 

  Watch out for the Marmots... 

   
• 

  David Dobson

  TOUR DU MONT BLANC

  

  Written July 2008

  This is one of the classic walks in the World. As long as the adventurer realises it is graded as a C/D and knowing what it means then this is a scenic adventure of your life time. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The whole trip put my world back on its axis. The last day looking over at Mont Blonk was like drinking a high quality wine the your eyes, also as in psalm 121 gaining strength hrom the hills.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  A1. Gary had time for all and showed high quality of leadership in what could be difficult situations.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you are able to cope with a grade C/D go for it, this life is not a trial you are only here the once.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Looking forward to my next dream. Thank You Exodus for all the planning.

   
• 

  Jacqueline Wilson

  TOUR DU MONT BLANC

  

  Written July 2008

  As a first-time visitor to this part of the world, this trip gave me a great feel for what makes the Alps such a world destination for climbers and trekkers. We sampled it all, from peaks to glaciers, flora, fauna and food, all while visiting three different countries and having great craic along the way.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Catching my first ever glimpse of a glacier through the bus window on the way to our first hotel from Geneva set my heart racing, but I was repeatedly awed by the close-up views of glaciers we got throughout the week. The highlight for me was seeing the Mer de Glace for the first time. I'm sure I was just as much in awe of it as our Victorian predecessors who trekked to see it.

  Another highlight was standing as a group on the Grand Balcon Sud route during our descent into Chamonix on our last walking day and waiting for the clouds to drift away revealing the summit of Mont Blanc. What a great end to the trip.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Carey did a great job, especially considering we were a fairly big group (15 or 16). As one person in the group said, she had a very light but firm touch, enabling us all to walk at the pace that suited us best, while making sure we kept a good group dynamic, regrouping at pre-arranged points along the way. She allowed us all to get the most out of the holiday from our own personal perspectives. Once she found out that some of the group were particularly interested in Alpine flora, she went out of her way to help them identify the various plants they saw. She frequently phoned ahead to find out about things people had asked about (such as cable-car times etc). She made a hard job look easy, with her easy-going nature and obvious experience and capability. She was also very sociable and it felt like she was one of the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Accommodation - be prepared for lots of nights of staying in dorms. Most are packed with bunks, without much space for your gear; you'll be in close quarters with your fellow travellers, often with just two or three showers for the Exodus group and whoever else is staying! The craic was great in the dorms on my trip, so be ready to take the rough with the smooth and go with the flow. It's only for one week, and you've a lovely hotel in Chamonix to look forward to at the end!

  Walking - although there are no summits on this trip, be aware that you're carrying all your gear, which is why it has the C/D grade. I personally found it closer to a C than a D. I'm a 36-year-old day/weekend hillwalker and I found it fine. I definitely found it helpful to train up for self carrying, by loading up my bigger rucksack and doing some training walks in advance. Obviously the fitter you are the easier you'll find it, and therefore the more you'll enjoy it.

  Weather - although the typical photos of the Alps in summer are all blue skies and flowery meadows, I did this trip in mid July 2008 and spent half the week in low cloud with no views. Just be aware that you may get a day or two of limited views due to low cloud. Those Alpine pastures aren't green and lush for nothing... it does rain! Just prepare for rain and sun.

  Alcohol - be prepared for tiny measures of wine in Switzerland. You'll literally be served a small tasting glass a third full and it will cost you about 2 to 3 euros.

  Smoking - we had two smokers in my group and they couldn't find anywhere to buy cigarettes for most of the trip. Strangely none of the little supermarkets or bars sold them until we arrived in Chamonix near the end of the trip. Take your week's supply with you!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Several days of the trip are in Switzerland and although the shops, cafes and hotels you'll encounter almost all take euros, the rate of exchange between British pounds and Swiss francs is much better than the rate between pounds and euros.

  We didn't encounter any ATMs until the penultimate day of the trip, when we arrived in Chamonix. Bring enough to last you until then.

  Also, Chamonix is very expensive.

   
• 

  Jennifer King

  I'll never forget the sense of achievement when arriving in Chamonix after completing the walk

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I'll never forget the journey travelling from Geneva to Col de Forclaz, and being inspired by the view of Mt Blanc, and knowing I was going to spend the following week circumnavigating it. It made me feel very privilaged to be there, and I knew then that I had a great week ahead.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader, was extremely good, if she was not there, our trip would have been very different,. Her dedication and enthusiasm is not found in every group leader, we were very fortunate. She was when required very firm. She knew how much we valued her, and we loved her company. She became a friend to each member of the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  That this trip involves alot of accent and decent each day. So therefore it is not a walk which involves walking to a high altitude, for some this will be a bonus for others this may dissappointment

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  no