THE BEST OF THE TOUR OF MONT
BLANC WALKS.
A 7 NIGHT/6 FULL WALKING
DAY HOLIDAY BASED IN ONE HOTEL IN THE CHAMONIX VALLEY. Two Hotels available, one deluxe with its own golf course.The other is an older traditional 2 Star but with the same views and in Les Praz de Chamonix as well.Transfers included from
Geneva Airport on Saturdays. We also include the
famous Aiguille du Midi cablecar ascent as well as the tramway du
Mont Blanc and the Montenvers mountain railway . .Ideal
for walkers of average fitness as we avoid major ascents from the
valley in order to fully benefir from the balcony walks ..and the
views!!
Introduction. I have designed this walk as a result of
many years experience of guiding the usual full Tour of Mont
Blanc, moving each day from Hotel to Hotel. This holiday ,
based in one of two hotels , is aimed to make best use of the time
available to enjoy the most scenic of the TMB walks .The holiday
also makes full use of the cable cars and mountain railways to
ensure that more time is spent enjoying the altitude walks and less
on the ascents from the valleys.So enjoy the views on the famous
balcony paths in France and Switzerland , take time to
photograph, study the flowers, relax on the terrace of a mountain
hut and return to a comfortable hotel at the end of the day. We
provide a taxi service each evening to Chamonix for
those wishing to visit the town .
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The 4 Star Hotel Labrador in Les Praz de Chamonix
set in open coutryside on a golf course with fabulous views
of Mont Blanc and the afmous Aiguilles.
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The view from the dining terrace.
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Accommodation. 1. The Hotel Labrador.Les Praz de Chamonix.
One of the best situated in the Chamonix valley , away from
the noise and bustle of Chamonix yet only 10 minutes drive
away.The hotel is attractively built from wood with a separate
chalet dining room which serves excellent meals. |
The rooms are well designed with large french windows
leading to a private balcony. A well equipped bathroom
with all the usual extras completes the light and airy
accommodation . Breakfasts are taken in a separate rooftop
dining area. |
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| Accommodation. 2. The Hotel
Rhododendrons.Les Praz de Chamonix. This hotel is
situated about 220m from the Rhododendrons in the centre of the
village of Les Praz. It is a reasonably comfortable 2 Star Hotel
with similar views to the other hotel but closer to the road .
The rooms are not of the standard of the 3 Star Rhododendron but
all are ensuite.Some of the rooms have balconies. There is a
pleasant outdoor dining terrace with good views of the Mont
Blanc range .Photos will be added to the site soon. |
 Pat , your guide for the week,
who is a European Mountain Leader, describing the famous bad
weather clouds over the Aiguille Verte and the Drus. |
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The Programme.
Saturday..Clients collected from
Geneva Airport at 1pm or by arrangement. The drive to Chamonix
takes about 2hrs .On arrival at the hotel of your choice settle
in and then meet for an aperitif at the Rhododendrons at 6pm
.Pat , the guide, will run through the week and also make sure
that clients have the right footwear and equipment. Equipment
can be hired from a shop nearby .Clients then dine in their
hotels or neaby restaurants . |
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Sunday. La Flegere/Lac
Blanc/Col des Montets/Le Tour. The Flegere cable car is
taken to La Flegere at 1877m.The views of the Mont Blanc range
are breathtaking so its time for the cameras! Our walk leads up
easy but rocky paths to the Lac Blanc. There are masses of
alpine flowers to be seen en route.The lake is at 2352 m and the
walk takes about 2 hrs at our usual comfortable pace .We explore
beyond the lake if the snowline is not too low .A break for
coffee and a loo stop is taken at the attractive refuge before
we set off down and around onto the balcony walk which leads to
the Col des Montets. The path is steep but well made and leads
down to the col and a very interesting visitor centre where
drinks and a loo are available. Depending on time we then either
take the bus back to Chamonix or walk to le Tour and take the
train .
Walking time 5hrs ..8 kms. ascent of 500m and
descent of 800m...plus stops.. |
| Monday.L'Aiguillette des Possettes,Col du
Balme, Le Tour.This is a lovely walk which starts at
the Col des Montets and climbs up fairly steeply through
delightful forests out onto the open slopes of the Possettes.
This is a favourite spot to see Chamois . As we walk up
the rocky path to the summit at 2201m there are outstanding
views over the whole Chamonix Valley and down into Switzerland.
The climb is about 500m so we allow a gentle 3hrs with stops.
There is an alternative route which skirts the Aiguille if
clients prefer . From either choice a lovely path leads down and
across to our objective ..The col de Balme at 2100m. Here we
stop for a good break, hot drinks and a loo stop . There are
delightful views down into Switzerland again .The return is down
through lovely meadows covered in flowers and grazed by mountain
cattle.Depending on the time we will either head straight to the
Cablecar at the Chalets de Charmillon at 1912m or , head around
onto the path leading to the Albert Premier Refuge . This is a
fine balcony path which leads eventually to a small path down to
the cable car ..Return to Le Tour and a drink in a bar before
returning home . Walking day of 5 to 6 hrs..600m
ascent and 200m descent.
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| Tuesday.La Flegere to
Plan Praz and descent to Chamonix.Plus
the ascent to the Aiguille du Midi by cablecar.This is a
shorter day but one which provides excellent views of Mont
Blanc and the glaciers.We take the cablecar to La Flegere
again and then follow the famous balcony path through forest
and meadows to the Plan Praz terminal of the Brevent
Cablecar.We have an early lunch there at 2000m and then
clients take the cable car down to the centre of
Chamonix.Those who wish to walk down will enjoy a 1000m
descent through the forest and open spaces on a good
path. At 2.30pm the party will be booked
onto the famous cablecar run up to the fabulous views of the
Auguille du Midi This
usually takes a total of about 3hrs depending on the weather
and the bookings on the day..Walking time 2hrs30 and very little ascent.
Alternative descent of 1000m..allow at least 2hrs. |
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On the balcony path
to the Brevent .
Thursday.Montenvers,Signal,Forbes The Mer du Glace and the
Balcony path to the Plan des Aiguilles.
Today we switch to the other side of the valley for a
fascinating walk along the Balcon Nord. The quaint Montenvers
mountain railway leads up through the forest to the 19C
station/hotel of Montenvers 1930m.The alpine museum is well
worth a visit on arrival .Clients may well want visit the ice
grotto..From the balcony the famous Mer du Glace glacier and the
Dru mountain form one of the THE viewpoints of the Alps.Our walk
leads up to the Signal Forbes at 2198m..a 40 minute walk..with
again outstanding views..marmots abound here as well as alpine
flowers. We then follow the balcony path perched between the
high snow and glaciers of the Aiguilles and the deep Chamonix
valley. Our picnic spot is in a sheltered corner with
views across the valley to the Aiguilles Rouge. After lunch a
gentle stroll leads to the Plan d'Aiguille cablecar Station and
we descend in the cablecar to Chamonix. Time for a break in
Chamonix before returning to Les Praz . Walking time.4hrs
with little ascent or descent
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Wednesday.Traverse from
Les Houches to Les Contamines via the col de Voza.
This is one of the most famous parts of the
TMB with its views of Mont Blanc . We take the Tramway du Mont
Blanc from St Gervais up to Bellevue. From there a very scenic
walk leads around the glacier du Bionnassey via an impressive
suspension bridge and up to the Col du Tricot. A steep descent
then leads to the chalets du Miage. The chalets are in a lovely
alpine meadow setting complete with cows with their bells ,
wooden chalet for lunch and masses of alpine flowers.A short but
steep ascent leads up and over towards Les Contamines . A lovely
path leads down through forest until we pop out at the Church in
les Contamines.A bus then returns the group to St gervais.
Walking time 5hrs with
500m of ascent..
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Friday..The Brevent,2525m to Chamonix at
1100m via Refuge Bellachat. Our last walk provides
the best views of Mont Blanc itself from the summit of the
Brevent. With a keen eye one can even see the well marked trail
indicating the Alpinist's route to the top of Mont Blanc.The
walk can start from the mid station of the Brevent cablecar or
from the top depending on how clients feel.The ascent to the
Brevent of 500m is on a fine but rugged mountain path with one
short section of ladders but it is a fine way to get to the top
.allow 2hrs..From the summit our route descends to the Refuge
Bellachat on a good path . Here we have lunch on the terrace
with this enormous panorama in front of us ..from Mont Blanc ,
via the glaciers and then right down to Chamonix itself at
1100m. The walk down is long but the path is good and the views
ever changing . Allow 3hrs 30 for the descent to Chamonix
from the refuge ..As the path wanders in and out of woodland
there is shade most of the way down. Arrive in Chamonix for a
well deserved cold beer and ice cream...PLEASE NOTE..We can also offer a day walk in Courmayeur in Italy. A superb alpine flower walk up onto the Mont de la Saxe with savage aspect of Mont Blanc on our right ..small extra charge for the tunnel. Walking time
5 to 6 hrs..500m ascent and 1500m descent. Return to
Les Praz for supper .. |
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Saturday..depart. The minibus
leaves for Geneva at 9.15am . arriving at about 11.30 depending
on the traffic.
Clients wishing to stay on or who would like some alpine
climbing please contact Francetrek and we can arrange this for
you . Prices and Dates.
Hotel Labrador..B and B ....E1100
Hotel Les Rhododendrons ..B and B .E850...all
Summer the same price.
Please note that excellent meals are on offer
in a variety of restaurants in Chamonix and Argentiere as
well as in the hotel. These prices include the
accommodation as listed, transfers from Geneva and return, all
cablecars and trains in Chamonix, ,guiding all week and taxi service to Chamonix in the
evenings. Excluded are drinks with meals, lunches/picnics and any entrance fees.
Dates for 2009....4 to 11 July..Other dates available for groups of 4 or more ..Please contact us. |
Francetrek Holidays, Barnier, 26110, Vinsobres,
France.
Tel/Fax + 33 (0)4 75 27 68 29
email:
francetrek@aol.com
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