France Active Journeys Switzerland Italy Tour de Mt. Blanc Self-Guided Hiking tour

Three Countries all in One Hike!

This spectacular trip crosses three international borders and circles 15,770‐foot . But even armed with a handful of languages, you'll struggle for words to describe the ridiculously beautiful vistas gracing this 105‐mile, seven‐ to 12‐day journey. It dips into France, Italy, and Switzerland, with steep, snow‐frosted mountains towering 10,000 feet over the valleys all the while. From ancient cobblestones to dirt trails, the route tops seven alpine passes.This amazing circuit straddle three countries; France, Italy, and Switzerland. Cross over mountain passes that allow the avid hiker to enjoy the magnificent scenery on this long loop.

Mont Blanc itself, the highest peak in the Alps, needs no introduction to hikers. Our circuit begins and ends in France, starting in .

We use hotels and for two nights, mountain huts. You pass through and stay in traditional alpine villages in three countries in twelve days. This hike is reasonably demanding and suitable for the reasonably fit experienced hiker.

Tour Details

Dates: Daily mid-Jun 15 to mid-Sep Length: 13 days / 12 nights Fast Facts Cost: $2450 per person • Hiking through the Alps on a well- • Each town connected by bus or train Single Supplement: $595 marked trail—through 3 countries • Take a short cut if you need to by cable Grade: Intermediate / challenging • Breakfasts and 8 dinners included car or other local transportation Starts: Chamonix • Self-Guided hikes daily • Not suitable for beginners, elevation Ends: Chamonix • Lovely accommodations each night climb and descent each day about 1000 meters or 3000 feet

Active Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email : [email protected]

ITINERARY

Day 1 Chamonix Arrival in Chamonix, B&B hotel accommodation

Day 2 Chamonix to : You will start your trek from Chamonix with the option to take the telepherique to Plan Praz and then walk via Col du Brevent and Bel Lachat to Les Houches. BD • Distance: 13 kms Height gain: +600 Descent: ‐1200 • Distance: 17 kms Height gain: +1500 Descent: ‐ 1200 / without cable car

Day 3 Les Houches to Les Contamines From Les Houches you have the option to take the telepherique to the Bellevue 1802m and trek to Les Con‐ tamines via the Col du Tricot and the Chalets des Miage. BD • Distance: 13 kms Height gain: +800 Descent: ‐1300 / • Distance: 18 kms Height gain: +1500 Descent: ‐ 1300 / without

Day 4 Les Contamines to Refuge Mottets From Les Contamines we make our ascent to the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Col des Fours. Descending steeply to Ville des Glaciers and our rest stop for the night at the Refuge Mottets. BD • Distance: 16 kms Height gain: +1500 Descent: ‐900

Day 5 Refuge Mottets to Leaving Refuge Mottets we climb steeply at times to the Col du Seigne passing over the French/Italian border. We descend through the and make our final ascent via the Vielle d'Arp and on to Courmayeur. As this is a tough day there is an option to get the bus from the Val Veny to Courmayeur reducing the distance height gain and descent. BB • Distance: 27 klms Height gain: +1100 Descent: ‐1700

Day 6 Free day in Courmayeur A day of rest & relaxation in preparation for the second half of the tour. Visit the spa, take the lift up to Helbron‐ ner 3462m & see the Italian side of the Valley Blanche or perhaps just relax & enjoy this beautiful Italian alpine town.

Day 7 Courmayeur to Refuge Bonatti From Courmayeur you climb up passing the refuge Ber‐ toni where you traverse high above the before reaching your HB accommodation at the Refuge Bonatti. • Distance: 14 kms Height gain: +1050 Descent: ‐0

ITINERARY continued

Day 8 Refugio Bonatti to La Fouly You make your way past the Refugio Elena and on to the Col du Ferret on the Italian/Swiss border and descend to La Fouly and your accommodation for the night. BD • Distance: 20 km Height gain: +900 Descent: ‐1400

Day 9 La Fouly to Chapex‐Lac Walking in the Val Ferret you pass through the Swiss villages of Praz de Fort and Issert before making your ascent to ‐Lac and your resting place for the evening. BB • Distance: 15 km Height gain: +420 Descent: ‐570

Day 10 Clampex‐Lac to Trient You climb up steadily to the Alpage Bovine and on to the Col du Forclaz with a final descent to Trient. BD • Distance: 18 km Height gain: +750 Descent: ‐950

Day 11 Trient to Argentierre Through alpine woodland to the Alpage of Tseppes, Catogne and on to the Col du Balme 2191m and the Swiss/French boarder. Decending to the village of Argentierre and your hotel accommodation. BD • Distance: 15 km Height gain: +900 Descent: ‐900

Day 12 Argentierre to Chamonix Today takes you back into the Aiguille Rouges to Lac de Che‐ sery & on to Lac Blanc. We decend to Chamonix via Flegere and your B&B accommodation for the end of the tour. BB • Distance: 14 km Height gain: +1200 Descent: ‐1350

Shorter option available: Day 1: Arrival in Courmayeur Day 2: Courmayeur to Refuge Bonatti: Distance: 14 km Day 3: Refugio Bonatti to La Fouly: Distance: 20 km Day 4: La Fouly to Chapex‐Lac: Distance: 15 km Day 5: Clampex‐Lac to Trient: Distance: 18 km Day 6: Trient to Argentierre: Distance: 15 km Day7: Argentierre to Chamonix: Distance: 14 km Day 8: Departure

Includes: all accommodations with one night in a refuge, all break‐ fasts and 5 dinners. Luggage transfers, route notes and local sup‐ port also included.

Cost: $1750 per person What to Expect What will the weather be like? Getting There The daytime temperature will be warm and sunny. In June and July, you can ex‐ pect high 70’s, maybe even 80’s (high 20’s C), and cooler evenings. Sunscreen is a There are numerous flights must during the day, as is a sweater for the cooler nights. Normally it does not going directly to Geneva rain, but we recommend rain gear, just in case. and /or Paris. From there How many hours of hiking a day? you can take a local train to Be prepared to hike between 3 to 6 hours daily, rarely on flat terrain. The country‐ Chamonix. We also depart side is all hills. You are either going up or down almost all the time; you are as‐ from Chamonix, which also cending and descending about 1000 meters a day. has a centrally-located train How fit do I need to be? station. You can arrange bus The fitter the better, and past hiking experience is recommended and required. transportation directly to the You have the option of taking a day off and not hiking, or only doing half the route airport as well locally. if you want. There are many short cuts available throughout the journey, such as using buses, trains, trams, cable cars and chairlifts. It may be less expensive to What are the hotels like? fly to Paris and take the train We use good hotels and lodges with twin‐bedded rooms, all with private facilities. There are only two nights in a refuge en route that is below this standard (but the directly from the airport. You best available in the area for miles). It is primarily dormitory, but has some double can buy a rail pass which rooms now. would include both coun-

tries for 3 full days at a rea- What are the meals like? There is a full buffet breakfast and a 2 or 3 course meal for dinner. You will have a sonable cost. choice of two or three entrees, and should et us know if you have any dietary re‐ quirements in advance.

How to book your holiday

• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en- tire booking process.

• Download the reservation form from our website and send in the completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent immediately.

• A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Terms & conditions are outlined on the back of our Reservation Form.

• Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

• We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either Extra services through us or directly from a travel insurance provider. Extra night in Chamonix or Courmayeur $125 Per • Ensure that you are in proper health for the trip. Contact person twin, or $175 for single room. Can be us for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and upgraded as well. fitness requirements.