Current as of: April 16, 2024 - 15:39
Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: France, Italy, Switzerland
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
4 out of 7 - Moderate / Challenging
- 15 Days: Flight Inclusive
- 15 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TWO
- Carbon Footprint: 16kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Admire spectacular views of Mont Blanc from the iconic surrounding trails
If you enjoy the comfort of a bed every night, we offer the Mont Blanc Circuit as a fully accommodated walking holiday, with all nights spent in a variety of lodgings from family-run two- and three-star hotels to basic inns or pensions. We include 10 walking days and three rest days, in which we cross the borders of Switzerland, Italy and France and enjoy unrivalled views of the Alps and Mont Blanc itself.
Overall the trekking will feel tough with long walking days but the three rest days are incorporated to give you time to rest the legs whilst enjoying three fascinating alpine towns.
Courmayeur is an old worldly Italian gem with windy pedestrian streets lined with chic shops and delightful cafes, bars and restaurants. A short, free, bus ride away is the luxurious QC Therm Spa and wellness centre, a lovely treat. Les Contamines and St Gervais are charming alpine towns with interesting local markets, electric bike hire and gondoliers taking you up to stunning view points. The last free day is in Chamonix, the vibrant heart of the Mont Blanc massif, with a wide choice of activities to try, including paragliding and taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to 12,605ft (3,842m) for spectacular, close-up views of Mont Blanc.
The itinerary follows the same route as our camping version (trip code TWB). With your qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) guiding the way, you will complete the famous circuit, and your baggage is transported for you by our support vehicle. We offer the comfort of a bed in quaint, picturesque accommodations on route so you can enjoy your walking holiday in comfort. In most places we use a hotel for just one night, before moving on the next day; occasionally we settle in for a few nights and use local transport to take us to the next point of the circuit.
At a Glance
- 14 nights hotels/pensions/village inns
- 10 days point-to-point trekking with baggage transfers; three rest days
- Eight days challenging and two days moderate walking (see trip notes for more details)
- Altitude maximum 8,323ft (2,537m), average 5,003ft (1,525m)
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
Highlights
- Stay in a variety of small, friendly hotels and pensions
- Walk in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe
- Enjoy the spectacular scenery of this world-famous route
- Three rest days to explore the alpine towns of Courmayeur, Les Contamines and Chamonix.
- No camping
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging). It involves 10 days of walking; two days at a Moderate level and eight days at a Challenging level. For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
Most of the days are long, quite often involving an ascent of 3,000ft-4,000ft (900m-1200m), equivalent to three to four hours walking uphill, followed by a similar descent. Although the paths are well maintained, there are sections that are rough underfoot with sometimes loose rocks, so you need to be confident in your footing and balance. On day 2 there are two metal ladders to descend en route from Lac Blanc, these are secured against the rock, consist of approximately 12 steps and are not difficult to climb. The route throughout is non-technical, however we will be walking mountain paths throughout and this trip is not advised for severe vertigo sufferers.
Please be aware on days 6 and 8 we take a short bus transfer to avoid trekking on busy roads.
Most people trek the Tour du Mont Blanc anti-clockwise. From years of experience we have discovered that trekking the route clockwise allows for quieter trails and avoids a tough ascent over the first couple of days. The views and walks are still just as beautiful in this direction.
As this is a group holiday you need to be confident that your fitness will allow you to enjoyably walk at a consistent and steady pace that matches the group average, therefore allowing the group to finish the day at a reasonable time. You will also enjoy the trek a great deal more if your fitness allows you to walk the route in relative ease. A Challenging graded day would be equivalent to walking between three to five hours uphill and a similar time descending downhill, so up to nine hours in total depending on the pace (including breaks). Due to the lower altitude, climate and overall comfort of this trek, it is graded Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging). The Activity Level reflects the overall endurance of the trip, not just the ease of any particular walk. Other treks with a higher Activity Level, requiring a higher overall endurance due to their remoteness, lack of facilities or average weather etc, may have shorter, easier walks. Please read the daily itineraries below when making comparisons to other walks/trips you may have done before.
If you are unable to walk during the itinerary and want to opt out of a day, please take note that this can sometimes be a little tricky depending on where on the circuit you are. To reach the next point you will need to take a public bus (which run at limited times) or taxi (which can be expensive in a more remote location). Our support vehicle is not suitable for taking passengers, so please be aware of this when deciding to book this trip.
Download our Fitness Training Guide for more information on our Activity Levels.
All ascents, descents and distances listed have been measured by our local partner using satellite-based mapping software. Please note, GPS measuring devices can give differing results, especially in mountainous terrain and on winding paths. Measurements stated throughout these trip notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Your main luggage will be transported for you between accommodations but please note that you will be expected to carry this to your room.
Please note: It is essential you have helicopter evacuation cover for this trip.
Group
We provide a qualified International Mountain Leader to escort the group on each walking day. Our walking leaders are true mountain professionals as well as being skilled group leaders. This not only helps to assure safety on the mountain but also that your leader has experience and knowledge in the wider mountain environment such as flora and fauna, geology, weather and local customs. Our support leaders will transfer your main luggage from hotel to hotel each time you move on. Please note that your baggage is not carried to your room.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 14
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Chamonix
- End City: Chamonix
Land Only Itinerary
Start Chamonix
Chamonix may well be among the best-known ski resorts in the world, but it’s also where we come together as a group for the first time. We’ll gather at the hotel in the evening for a welcome briefing, where we’ll chat about the trek, meet each other and get to know our expert tour leader.
Accommodation: Richemond Hotel (or similar)
Start Chamonix
Transfer from Geneva airport to Chamonix, France. In the evening there is an introductory briefing by your leader.
Accommodation: Richemond Hotel (or similar)
Lac Blanc and the Grand Balcon Sud from Chamonix to les Frasserands
From our hotel in Chamonix, we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère. The trail today is named the Grand Balcon and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. Initially we contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (7715ft/2,352m). The trail descends and then contours high above the valley before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands and Montroc. In the afternoon, there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend. We return to our hotel in Chamonix in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Richemond Hotel (or similar)
Over Col de Balme into Switzerland; night at Col de la Forclaz
We travel back to Montroc at the top of the Chamonix valley where we begin our ascent to the Aiguillette de Posettes (7,200ft/2,201m), descend a little and then climb towards the Col de Balme from where we follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Excellent views all morning of Aiguille d’Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. After lunch we walk through to the small Swiss hamlet of Trient. Good views of the Trient Glacier. A sting in the tail today as we finish with a steep climb from Trient to our hotel at the Col de la Forclaz.
Accommodation: Hotel Col de la Forclaz (or similar)
Follow Bovine Route to Champex
We leave the Col de la Forclaz, where we can look directly down into the Rhône valley and the Swiss town of Martigny and follow a historic path used to take the cows to high pasture, the ‘Bovine route’ (6,720ft/2,049m). Our trail takes us through meadows and high-alpine pastures before we descend to the charming town of Champex set beside a picturesque alpine lake.
Accommodation: Hotel Splendide (or similar)
Head up the Val Ferret to La Fouly
Now on the east side of the main Mont Blanc Massif we walk south, descending through woods to the Val Ferret and on to Issert and other small, pretty, alpine farming villages. This is quite a good day for flowers, including orchids. We continue up the valley to the remote village La Fouly (5,250ft/1,600m). This is at the foot of Mont Dolent, whose summit is at the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Italy.
Accommodation: Auberge des Glaciers (or similar)
Follow river La Drance; climb to the highest point of the tour at Grand Col Ferret and into Italy. Overnight at La Palud
Still following the same valley and the river La Drance, we climb to the Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft/2,537m), the highest pass of the tour. Now in Italy, the valley is also called Val Ferret. The mountain views from the Col are stunning with the Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. We walk down the valley to Arp Nouva then travel by bus to our hotel in La Palud near Courmayeur.
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar)
Rest day
The nearby ex-spa towns of Courmayeur and Entrèves have picturesque older sections, which are worth a visit, especially for the keen photographer. There is a cable car from Entrèves to Point Helbronner (11,350ft/3,461m) and on across the glacier to Aiguille du Midi (and in fact on down to Chamonix). This is a splendid (optional) excursion, which gives close-up views of all the big peaks. Alternatively you might wish to relax and recover in the spa baths at Pre Saint Didier a short bus ride from Courmayeur. It is recommended to book in advance for the spa to avoid disappointment, by clicking https://www.qcterme.com/en/pre-saint-didier/qc-terme-pre-saint-didier
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar)
Climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Ferret Valley around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur
We start with a short bus ride to pick up the TMB and from the road climb up to the Bonatti refuge (6,640ft/2,025m). Today we follow a beautiful contouring path around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur. The views of the south Mont Blanc massif are exceptional as are those of the towering peaks of the Grandes Jorasses and the glaciers which crowd the northern flank of the Val Ferret. In the afternoon we have a long, steep descent to Courmayeur from where we take a short bus ride into the spectacular Val Veny.
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar)
Cross the Col de la Seigne back to France, descend through la Ville des Glaciers to Les Chapieux
Today we are heading for the Val Veny and the start of our walk at La Visaille. We’ll reach this by bus to then start climbing gently along good paths beneath the massive glacier de Miage and pass Lac Combal before the gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road and head for today’s pass: the Col de la Seigne (8,250ft/2,516m), which marks our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through la Ville des Glaciers and finally after quite a long walking day to Les Chapieux, a remote hamlet inhabited only during the summer months.
Accommodation: Auberge de la Nova (or similar)
Ascend to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, then contour across to the Col du Bonhomme
We have now reached the southwest corner of the circuit and turn north to climb once again. Today is a longer day; first we make a steep climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,130ft/2,478m) and then contour around to the Col du Bonhomme. We then descend (again on a Roman road) to Les Contamines. A short bus ride down the valley takes us to the pretty village of St Gervais, the perfect place for a day off.
Accommodation: Hotel Val Joly (or similar)
Free Day
A well-earned rest day. There are many options to fill your day including taking the cog railway to Le Nid d’aigle – the Eagles Nest – a popular start point to climb Mont Blanc, or browsing around the local market of Les Contamines. There are plenty of optional walks in the area or one can simply relax around the pleasant town of St Gervais or even treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa.
Accommodation: Hotel Val Joly (or similar)
Over Col de Tricot to the Chamonix Valley; overnight at Les Houches
Today is a challenging day with plenty of ups and downs. From St Gervais we have a 10-minute transfer to re-join our route before ascending to the Chalets de Miage. From here we take a trail that climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (6,950ft/2,119m) before descending very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. Good views of the north side of the Mont Blanc Massif. Eventually we make another ascent to reach the Col de Voza where we re-enter the Chamonix Valley and make our final descent to the village of Les Houches.
Accommodation: Hotel St Antoine (or similar)
Best views of Mont Blanc today; long ascent to the Brevent, descend to Chamonix
We cross to the north side of the Chamonix Valley and climb steeply through pine forest and then on open mountainsides to reach the high point of the day at Brevent (8,290ft/2,525m). This is a long walking day but will probably afford the best views of the French side of Mont Blanc and its neighbouring peaks that we shall have on the whole trek. We descend to Plan Praz and take the cable car to Chamonix for a well-deserved beer.
Accommodation: Hotel Richemond (or similar)
Free day in Chamonix
Free day in and around Chamonix. There are several good walks in the Chamonix valley. Chamonix itself is also a great place to spend a day. The most popular excursions, weather depending, would be the spectacular ascent by cable car to the Aiguille du Midi or the Montenvers cog railway.
Accommodation: Hotel Richemond (or similar)
End Chamonix
We enjoy our final breakfast as a group together, before going our separate ways. It’s a good chance to reflect on your adventures together, swap numbers, and, perhaps, start planning your next trek.
End Chamonix.
After breakfast we will transfer by private bus to Geneva airport.
Accommodation
Hotels and 'auberges'
Throughout our mountain adventure, we stay in a collection of family-run hotels and auberges, all of which have spent years caring and catering for weary hikers. For the uninitiated, an auberge is equivalent to an inn: simple accommodation (often in a rural setting) that provides a warm, welcoming place to stop for travellers and hikers.
Most of the properties in which we stay offer panoramic views over the Alps, while culturally reflecting the local community. Though most are relatively basic, all are clean, well run and set up with the needs of the trekker in mind, while acting as a vital source of income to the local people.
Worth knowing
- Room sizes are – twin, double, triple or quad. Facilities vary between accommodations and sometimes between rooms within a property.
- On three nights, bathroom facilities may be on the landing rather than inside the room (dependent on availability and group size).
- Couples always have their own room but we cannot guarantee whether this will be a twin or double.
- Single clients maybe required to share twin, triple or quad rooms.
- We can’t accept bookings for single rooms due to the small size of the hotels used and the fact we are usually staying only one night in each property.
- Due to limited availability, occasionally we may need to change a hotel to one further down the valley, and will provide a bus or taxi transfer.
Accommodation - Pre Trip
If you require any additional accommodation either before or after the trip, we can book this for you (subject to availability) at the Hotel Richemond in Chamonix. Please notify us at the time of booking.
Food & Drink
Included in the trip are all breakfasts and 12 hotel/restaurant dinners. On days 7 and 14, dinner is not included and needs to be bought locally.
We take our evening meals in the hotel in which we are staying or in a nearby restaurant. These meals are usually arranged as a menu for the whole group and, as they are based on special negotiations made by us, represent better value than eating independently. Please note that should the times of flights change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals will not be included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated.
Typical meals
- Continental breakfast: this will normally include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, French bread, croissants and conserves.
- Lunch: No lunches are provided but can easily be bought locally from either shops or the hotel/refuge. You may wish to bring (or buy locally) snack bars for an extra energy boost during the day.
- Evening meal: we endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to, and each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group, consisting of a soup, salad or similar, a main course of meat, fish or vegetarian served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates, and a dessert.
- Beer, wine, bottled water, other drinks, coffee or tea are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants.
- Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the time of booking.
- Vegans: If you adhere to a vegan diet, you may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region.
Transport
All transport mentioned in the itinerary and cable cars (except where these are marked as optional) are included. Transport and excursions on the three static days are not included. A private coach is normally used for the transfers between Geneva airport and Chamonix, other Exodus groups heading out to trek in the Alps may share this transfer. We will use a public bus for the few journeys to and from our hotels.
Weather & Seasonality
From late June to early October, fair weather is to be expected, but all mountain ranges create their own weather patterns and the Alps are no exception. It can and does rain and it can be surprisingly cold at times, especially on the high passes. Expected daytime temperatures are in the range of 15C-25C (59F-77F) in the valleys (although it can sometimes reach 30C/86F in July/August), 5C-15C (41F-59F) on the passes (though it will feel colder if wet and windy) and 5C-15C (41F-59F) in the valleys at night; possibly a little lower early and late in the season. There is always the possibility of lying snow, especially in the early season, and snowfall even in August and September when we may find new snow on the passes. Please note that on late-season treks (September) the days are shorter and we will need to make early starts to make the most of the available daylight hours.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Richemond, 228 Rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Phone: +33 4 50 53 08 85
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Geneva (GVA)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 15min drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
You can reach the start hotel by taking a bus transfer with a local company – make sure to book at least a week before your departure date. A one-way transfer (shared with other travellers) will cost approximately €50 with our partner Mountain Drop-offs. Book on www.mountaindropoffs.com using promotional code EXOCHX for an approximate €5 discount. Discounted rates apply to transfers taking place between 17 June and 17 September. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, we recommend booking a shared transfer in advance with Mountain Drop-offs (please see Make your own way section above). Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to arrange a private transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Chamonix
Location end: Chamonix
What To Take
Essential Equipment
As well as casual clothes for travel and days off we recommended you bring the following:
- Walking boots with good ankle support and a strong sole
- Good quality waterproof/windproof jacket and waterproof trousers
- Hat and gloves (even for August)
- Warm two/three-season fleece jacket or lightweight down jacket
- Backpack with 30-40 litre capacity
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Large water bottle or Camelbak
- Walking poles
All luggage is transported between the hotels by a support vehicle (but not to your room). Please note that we must limit you to one item of luggage, weighing a maximum of 33lb (15kg) per person to be carried in the support vehicle. Excess baggage can be left in the hotel store in Chamonix. You should pack your belongings in a sturdy kitbag or holdall; suitcases should not be used, as they cannot be packed easily in our support vehicle. On Swiss Air flights the baggage allowance is 44lb (20kg) with a maximum of two bags per passenger, this will be confirmed on your tickets. If you are booking other flights, please check luggage allowances shown on your tickets. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check www.baa.com and/or the airline’s website for the latest information prior to your departure.
Optional Equipment
- Swimming costume (be aware some swimming pools in this region insist males wear fitted trunks/speedos)
- Comfortable shoes for the evenings
- Towel
- Umbrella
- Gaiters
- Travel kettle
- Reusable plastic container to protect your packed lunches and reduce plastic waste
- Snack bars for an energy boost throughout the day
- Maps: recommended for this trek are the two sheets 3630 Ouest and 3531 Est issued by IGN series at a scale of 1:25,000. The best alternative is the single sheet 1:50,000 map issued by Rando-Editions `Pays du Mont-Blanc’ (sheet A1)
Practical Information
Passport
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Visa
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France, Italy or Switzerland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
• United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Vaccinations and Health
There are no required vaccinations for this trip. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
If you’re a UK citizen, please note that your UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid and offer the same cover as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) in the EU. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and in some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Once your EHIC has expired, replace it with a GHIC.
Local Time
France's time zone: Europe/Paris (UTC +02:00)
Italy's time zone: Europe/Rome (UTC +02:00)
Switzerland's time zone: Europe/Zurich (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
France's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and E (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Italy's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard), F (two round pins), and L (three round pins in a row) – 230V, 50Hz
Switzerland's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and J (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
France's currency: Euros (EUR)
Italy's currency: Euros (EUR)
Switzerland's currency: Swiss francs (CHF), but euros (EUR) are widely accepted
ATM Availability
Coffee, cake and snacks purchased from mountain cafés are still best bought in cash, but cards are accepted everywhere else. There are plenty of ATMs in Chamonix, Courmayeur and Les Contamines (€) and also at other points along the route.
While walking in Switzerland, drinks and snacks can be bought in Euros, so it is not necessary to have Swiss Francs.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
The cost of lunches varies along the trek if you choose the packed lunches provided by the hotel/refugee which will cost around €5 – €15. For the free dinners allow €25-€30 each. You will also need money for drinks in cafes or huts during the day’s walk and drinks in restaurants where we take our evening meal. Typically a large café au lait or a soft drink would cost between €5-€6, and a glass of beer €6-€8. A bottle of wine can be bought for approximately €10-€16 in these restaurants.
There are several extra excursions available in Chamonix, exact prices and details will be confirmed locally, but the following provides a guide to what is normally available:
- Tandem paragliding flight: €135 from Brévent or Aiguille du Midi middle stations.
- Return ride on Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix or the Skyway to Helbronner from Courmayeur from €70 per person, or buy a mulitpass that covers all lifts for the whole valley for the same price. The cable car from Entrèves to Helbronner on the Italian side is slightly cheaper, you would need to take a bus from the campsite in Planpincieux to Courmayeur, this is approximately €2.
- Mont Blanc Tramway, Saint Gervais – Nid d’Aigle €40 return
- Montenvers cog railways – Mer de Glace €35 return
- Courmayeur Spa from €54 for a 5-hour pass. Book here.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the walking and support crew at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a reasonable starting point, we suggest a contribution from €40 per person per leader. Smaller groups may wish to give a little more per person. It is customary and appreciated to leave a small tip when settling your drinks bill at group meals in restaurants.
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
- We stop almost daily in locally run refuges where you can usually have a coffee and a big slice of cake. These are all locally owned establishments and our business is an excellent source of income for them.
- There is a delightful Saturday market in Chamonix with plenty of local shops and cafes en route which we encourage our travellers to patronise in order to support the local economy.
- Read more about our other initiatives here.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re–usable bottles.
- Recycling and waste management are well established in the areas we operate.
- We only walk on official paths that have for the most part been constructed to be resistant to erosion.
- We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
- We have a single arrival and departure fight for all trips and a single transfer from the airport for all trips. There are usually 4 to 6 trips arriving each week so combining these into a single transfer as opposed to multiple transfers helps reduce the carbon footprint.
- Where practical we take public transport. The Chamonix valley have a train and bus service that we use and this is included in the price
- Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support of the trip.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re–usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.