Tour du Mont Blanc - REI Itinerary
The following is taken from the REI website.
Trip Itinerary and Details
Day 1 - Explore delightful Chamonix, nestled at
the foot of Mont Blanc.
Arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport by 11:00
a.m. to rendezvous with the trip leader at 12:00 p.m. and transfer to
our first night's hotel in Chamonix. There is time this afternoon to
settle in, relax and explore delightful Chamonix, a world-famous resort
town nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc and the site of the first Winter
Olympics held in 1924. Tonight we share a welcome dinner and get
acquainted with our traveling companions and guides. Dinner included.
Driving time: 1.5 hours. Note: Hiking distances and
elevation gain/loss are estimates for all days.
Day 2 - Hike on the Grand Balcon with views of
the Mont Blanc massif.
Today we begin our spectacular journey on a trail
beneath the Aiguilles Rouges (Red Peaks), a crystalline mountain massif
opposite the Mont Blanc range. We hike to La Flégère
(6150') where we come to an amazing high path known as the Grand
Balcon. Along this trail we enjoy magnificent views of the rocky spires
and glaciers draping the Mont Blanc massif across the valley before
descending back to Chamonix. Breakfast and lunch included.
Hiking: 7 miles; Elevation gain: 2,770 ft. Elevation
loss: 2,770 ft.
Please note that hiking distances and elevation
gain/loss are estimates for all days.
Day 3 - Hike below the tumbling Bionnassay
Glacier to Les Contamines.
The day begins with a cable car ascent from Les
Houches to Bellevue where we start our hike beneath the tumbling
Bionnassay Glacier to the Col du Tricot (6955'). Along the way we'll
watch for bounding chamois, a goat-like antelope, on the hillsides.
After a steep descent to Chalets de Miage we stop for lunch amongst
picturesque alpine meadows. From here we continue up to Chalet du Truc
(5642') and then on to Les Contamines (3828'), a charming town proud of
its gastronomical heritage. We stay in a local auberge tonight. All
meals included.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 2,367 ft.,
Elevation loss: 3,127 ft.
Day 4 - Hike an old Roman road to Col du
Bonhomme. Descend to Les Chapieux.
This morning we follow in the footsteps of the
ancients as we hike on an old Roman road, making our way steadily
uphill and passing a very early chapel with Renaissance frescoes on its
interior. We'll be reminded of why this area is such a magnet for
hikers and climbers as we follow varied terrain through forests, gentle
glens and the treeless gorge of the Nant Borrant on our way to Col du
Bonhomme (7640'), our lunch spot. In the afternoon we descend a
relatively steep grassy trail leading to the remote hamlet of Les
Chapieux (3785'). We overnight in an auberge in Les Chapieux or a small
hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. All meals included.
Hiking: 11 miles; Elevation gain: 4,318 ft.,
Elevation loss: 3,048 ft.
Day 5 - Hike into Italy under the dramatic south
face of Mont Blanc.
Our path today leads us out of France and into Italy
(from "bonjour" to "buon giorno!"). We initially transfer from Les
Chapieux to the trailhead at the Vallée des Glaciers, climb east
over the Col de la Seigne (8252') and finally descend into Italy to
reflective Lac Combal. If the weather cooperates the views along our
route will take your breath away! The dramatic southern face of the
Mont Blanc range is fully exposed above us as we hike down to La
Visaille from where we transfer to the lovely Italian resort town of
Courmayeur (4014'). You'll have time to enjoy the town with a dinner on
your own. Breakfast and lunch included.
Hiking: 8 miles. Elevation gain: 2,400 ft.,
Elevation loss: 2,740 ft.
Day 6 - A balcony trail leads us to the Rifugio
Bonatti with magnificent views.
This day promises to be a highlight of the TMB!
Today we start hiking right from our hotel and on to La Montagne de la
Saxe (6970'). The ascent rewards us with magnificent views of the
Grandes Jorasses, Brenva Glacier and the Italian side of Mont Blanc
soaring into the air. A balcony trail leads us to the Rifugio Bonatti
(6745'), named after the famous Italian alpinist and adventurer Walter
Bonatti. This is one of the best-kept huts in the Alps, and the walls
inside are decorated with pictures showcasing Walter Bonatti's
impressive life story. The dramatic scenery is best appreciated while
enjoying a drink in the sunset light. The hot chocolate here is
decadent! For those who want to relax and enjoy Courmayeur, it is
possible to join the group at the hut in the afternoon (~ 1 hour hike).
Overnight at the hut. Note: There is no vehicle access to this hut. You
must carry what you need for one night in your daypack. All meals
included.
Hiking: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 3,000’; Elevation
loss: 600’. Optional mileage: Weather and group dependent, we may offer
a longer route to Rifugio Bonatti: 12 miles; Elevation gain 3,600’;
Elevation loss 1,500’. Note: There is no vehicle access to Rifugio
Bonatti. You must carry what you need for one night in your daypack.
Day 7 - Views of the Val Veny are our backdrop
en route to Grand Col Ferret.
We will experience hiking at its finest with alpine
meadows, rushing streams and stunning views of the Val Veny as a
backdrop en route to the Grand Col Ferret (8320'), the border between
Italy and Switzerland. Mont Dolent towers above and its summit is the
meeting point of the borders with France, Italy, and Switzerland.
You'll continue to be amazed by fabulous close-up views of rocky spires
and sparkling glaciers. Our grassy path ultimately leads us to our
evening's auberge in the quiet but scenic village of La Fouly (5280').
All meals included.
Hiking: 10 miles. Elevation gain: 2,520 ft.,
Elevation loss: 3,830 ft.
Day 8 - Walk through quaint Swiss villages to
Champex, set on pretty blue lake.
Today is a day for soaking up the pure pleasures of
being in the truly great outdoors as we proceed at a leisurely pace,
trekking through forests, fields of wildflowers and quaint Swiss
villages. After lunch our hiking gets steeper as we climb through
woodlands to the lovely alpine town of Champex (4808'), offering a
perfect resting spot for the night - a small resort beside a pretty
blue lake with several restaurant choices for dinner on your own.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Hiking: 9 miles; Elevation gain: 1,378 ft.,
Elevation loss: 1,854 ft.
Day 9 - Hike along the "Bovine Route" that
herders once used to guide stock.
We continue to enjoy this picturesque area beginning
with an hour and a half of easy hiking along the "Bovine Route" that
herders once used to guide their stock across the mountains. You might
even catch the sound of cowbells tinkling in the breeze as we walk.
Continuing across the rolling terrain, we enjoy views of the rocky
Dents du Midi and ascend through the forest to lookouts high over the
lovely Rhone Valley and the town of Martigny. Views of the Bernese Alps
are impressive before beginning an easy descent to the Col de Forclaz
(3,900'). All meals included.
Hiking: 9 miles, Elevation gain: 2,434 ft.,
Elevation loss: 2,238 ft.
Day 10 - Hike to the French border. See
breathtaking views of the Chamonix Valley.
Our path follows an old smuggler's route back into
France. We hike to Col de Balme (7,186'), the border between
Switzerland and France, and eat our picnic lunch while gazing down at
the Swiss countryside behind us and the Chamonix Valley ahead. The
views to Mont Blanc are absolutely phenomenal! We descend to our hotel
in Argentière, just north of Chamonix. All meals included.
Hiking: 8.5 miles; Elevation gain: 3,507'; Elevation
loss: 3,225'.
Day 11 - Close our loop on the Grand Balcon,
hiking to Lac des Chérsey.
We take a short drive to the Col des Montets where
we begin our hike along the Grand Balcon to the spectacularly situated
Lac des Cheserys with the many glaciers and peaks of the entire range
in view. We finally close the loop of our tour at La
Flégère (6150') where our unforgettable journey began 10
days ago. The cable car at La Flégère carries us down
into the valley over alpine pastures to Les Praz where we meet with our
driver and return to Chamonix. Dinner on your own. Breakfast and lunch
included.
Hiking: 5 miles. Elevation gain: 2,460 ft.,
Elevation loss: 1,103 ft.
Note: The La Flégère cable car may
cease operations if high winds are present. In such conditions, the
group will hike down to Les Praz, adding an additional 2,700' of
descent.
Day 12 - Ride a historic train and hike near the
Mer de Glace.
This morning we take a historic 100-year-old
cog-wheel train up to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), one of the largest
glaciers in the Alps. Early in the day Montenvers (6276'), the upper
station, is still quiet and boasts an imposing panorama of the Mer de
Glace, the Aiguille Drus and the Grand Jorasses. A short ascent to
Signal Forbes (7217') grants us even better vistas. From Montenvers, we
traverse on the Northern Grand Balcon to the Plan de l'Aiguille
(7518'), mid-station of the cable car to Aiguille du Midi. On this high
path we have lovely views over the Chamonix Valley and to the Aiguilles
Rouges. After lunch the afternoon is free for you to explore on your
own. You may ride a cable car back down to Chamonix for sightseeing and
shopping, or up to the breathtaking site of Aiguille du Midi (optional;
cost not included). From the top of the Aiguille du Midi (~12,600')
there are spectacular views over the entire Mont Blanc range and of the
Swiss, French and Italian Alps. On a clear day it is possible to see
the Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and the Grand Combin in Switzerland. We
gather together again in the evening to raise a toast to an excellent
adventure and enjoy a farewell dinner in Chamonix. All meals included.
Hiking: 3-4 miles. Elevation gain: 1,720 ft.
Day 13 - Say farewell to the Alps and return to
Geneva.
After breakfast, we transfer back to Geneva and
connect with homeward-bound flights, ending our exciting walk around
Mont Blanc. You are welcome to schedule your homeward flight or train
for any time after 11 a.m. Breakfast included.
Notes on Itinerary
Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the
trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in
advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above,
this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our
control including weather and terrain conditions. The final route
is always left up to the discretion of the trip leader in the field.
All rights to these pictures
are reserved.
This page maintained by Don Samuels
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This page last updated June 28, 2016