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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
8 DAYS
COMFORT
STYLE
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • A family holiday beneath Mont Blanc
  • Classic Alpine walking for families with older children
  • Trekking amongst the biggest Alpine peaks
  • A range of Alpine experiences for all the family
  • Comfortable hotel and mountain hut accommodation
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Walking Tour
Other: trekking, Hiking, Swimming, sightseeing, Urban Exploration
$1640USD
Prices vary by date. Make sure to pick your departure date.
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8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
See the locations you'll visit!

Family Tour du Mont Blanc

Starting out from the Chamonix Valley and designed for families with fit and active children (12 years of age and above) this is a classic Alpine walking holiday.
Starting out from the Chamonix Valley and designed for families with fit and active children (12 years of age and above) this is a classic Alpine walking holiday. We know that there are adventurous families out there who would like to enjoy some of the world's classic walks - this itinerary has been created especially for them! Meeting in Chamonix, the Alpine mountaineering capital, we begin our journey through 3 countries, France, Italy and Switzerland to complete the best parts of the Mont Blanc circuit. After a day's introductory walk up to lovely Lac Blanc, we return to our very comfortable chalet-style accommodation for a second night. We spend the next 5 days trekking our mini-tour, starting the walk from the door of our chalet. Our route includes several famous pass crossings including the Col de Balme, Col du Forclaz and the Grand Col Ferret (2537m). Along the way we'll see Alpine cows, mountain farms, some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe and spend a night at the Bonatti Hut (2056m), newly erected in memory of the Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. All other accommodation will be in simple but comfortable hotels and there's no need to carry heavy bags as our baggage will be transported from hotel to hotel. An excellent holiday and the perfect introduction to multi-day walking for active families!

NOTE:
  • Prices and itineraries shown for trips departing in 2013 may be subject to change although we will endeavour to keep any price increases for 2013 trips to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.
  • The child price age for this holiday is: 12-18 years
  • The group size for this holiday is: 4-12
Day 1: Arrive in Argentiere
Rendezvous at group chalet in Argentiere just a few kilometres from Chamonix. On arrival, you can relax in the splendour of your surroundings and enjoy the stunning views of Mont Blanc from the sundeck! In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead where you will meet your guide for the week. KE Land Only package services begin with dinner at Yeti Lodge. Meals included – Dinner (D)
Day 2: Warm-up walk to Lac Blanc
Today’s walk is an excellent introduction to the Tour du Mont Blanc with spectacular views across to the main Mont Blanc range. We start our trip with a ride up in the Flégère cable car to gain some height and to the start of a ridge walk which will lead us upwards to Lac Blanc. Our walk is through the Aguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and here we often see ibex, chamois, and marmots. It really can be a great chance to get up close to some of the alpine wildlife. Lac Blanc, or white lake is one of the most stunning locations in the area. It was recently voted by one magazine as the most beautiful day walk in the world! At Lac Blanc itself there is an opportunity to visit the Refuge and indulge in some home-made cake and a coffee! We then drop down to the mid-station at La Flegere and continue down to Chamonix by cable car before returning to Argentiere. Distance: 6km. Ascent: 200m. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Col du Balme to Col de la Forclaz
After breakfast, our trek starts straight from the front door with a walk along the Petit Balcon Nord, to Le Tour at the top end of the valley. We head up and over the Col de Balme from where Charles Dickens once penned a letter describing the stunning beauty of the mountains – and where you can have one foot in France and the other in Switzerland! We have our picnic lunch here before leaving the Col to begin our descent to Trient. Our final climb is to the Col du Forclaz where we stay the night in a simple hotel. Distance: 9km. Ascent: 450m. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Col de la Forclaz to Champex
Today we walk along the beautiful Bovine trail through the high meadows where the famous Swiss fighting cows spend the summer months. We stop for lunch at the farm and might have a chance to chat with the cowherder whilst enjoying views right along the Rhône Valley and of some of the major Swiss peaks. In the afternoon we walk down to the idyllic lakeside village of Champex where we spend the night at a village hotel. Distance: 13km. Ascent: 550m. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Champex to Le Fouly
We enjoy waking up by the lake and the fresh mountain air before descending through pine forest and the ‘mushroom trail’ towards the meadows of Praz de Fort. Here our trail keeps to the valley floor and the river edge as we gently start to climb towards the Italian border and Mont Dolent, the summit of which is shared by France, Switzerland and Italy. We spend the night in Le Fouly. For any tired legs in the family, this day could also be used as a rest day spent relaxing on the lake in Champex and you would then transfer to our accommodation by bus, a journey of around 90 minutes. Please note that should you choose this option, the bus is not included in the trip price. Distance: 11km. Ascent: 500m (B,L,D)
Day 6: To Bonatti Hut via the Grand Col
Today is our big day! We set off on a long climb to the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m. Along the way we stop at le Peule, a perfectly situated farm and refuge where we can refuel with coffee and homemade cake. Our climb to the Grand Col is well worth the effort. We have views of the snow-capped Grand Combin 4090m, and beyond the pass we enter Italy with views all the way to the border of France. We descend into Val Ferret to Arnuva for another refuel before our last push up to a beautiful balcony trail to reach the fantastic Bonatti Hut (2056m). The Refuge enjoys stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif and provides a true night in the mountains. This is a new mountain hut which pays homage to the world renowned Italian mountaineer Walter Bonatti. Showers are available and the food is excellent! Pleas note that there is no vehicle access to the hut and so our main luggage will go direct from Le Fouly to Argentiere. You should bring with you anything that you require for this overnight stay. Distance: 10km. Ascent: 1100m (B,L,D)
Day 7: From the Bonatti Hut to Courmayeur
Our final day is less strenuous but yet another gem. It begins with a walk along a balcony trail maintaining our hard-won elevation. We now have several options to complete our journey all depending on how we feel. We may choose to walk over the Col du Sapin (2436m) and even the Tête de la Tronche (2584m) before making our way along the Mont de la Saxe Ridge with some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range. A little further on we find the Bertone Refuge which is ideally situated for refreshments and views of the ‘Italian’ side of Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco! From here we descend through pine forests to the old quarter of Courmayeur where we complete our journey. We have time to soak up the Italian sunshine and cuisine before meeting our transfer back to our chalet base in Argentiere. Distance: 10km. Ascent: 600m. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Services end after breakfast
The KE Land Only package ends after breakfast. (B)
Overall Rating
Guide Rating
Accommodation Rating
Itinerary Rating
Value Rating
Catherine Hewes
Everything was great - highlights would have to be the Bonatti Hut which everyone thought was the high point (almost literally!) of the holiday. I would especially like to express thanks for the fantastic meals my coeliac/vegetarian daughter received as we were led to believe this might be a problem but everyone made a huge effort and her meals were excellent everywhere we went.
Overall Rating
Guide Rating
Accommodation Rating
Itinerary Rating
Value Rating
TRIP INCLUDES
  • The guiding services of a fully qualified International Mountain Leader
  • Valley transport (not airport transfers)
  • Hotel or chalet accommodation in Argentiere for 3 nights; hotel/gite accommodation for 3 nights; 1 night at the Bonatti Refuge
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
  • All cable car lifts which are part of the itinerary
  • The services of a baggage vehicle and driver
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport transfers
  • Transfers and cable cars which are not part of the itinerary
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and snacks and souvenirs etc
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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