guided walk

At UTracks, it's all about u + the tracks you want to explore, be it walking the scenic tracks of the Austrian , a leisurely cycle along the backroads of Tuscany, or trekking the famous Compostela Trail. We are specialists in active walking, trekking and cycling tours throughout Europe, with creative itineraries that feature the best of each region at the greatest possible explore europe your way value to you. There are more than 140 different self guided and small group guided itineraries on offer, lasting as few as four days or as many as 15 days throughout , Germany, the Alps, Portugal, Iceland, , Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Belgium, Czech Republic, Holland, Spain, , Scotland and Ireland. The physical demands of the tours range from introductory to challenging - yet all offer unique opportunities to discover the 'untrodden' Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries-old culture, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. In short, they're flexible, unique adventures of 'undiscovered' corners that offer you a great deal of independence yet provide support when you need it. Best of all, they start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. Compare the price and you will see that we offer great value active programs that are virtually all- inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the wonders you've come to experience.

TRIP NAME MONT BLANC GUIDED WALK

TRIP CODE MBG

TRIP DURATION 7 DAYS

GRADE 4-5 (MODERATE TO CHALLENGING) 1 2 3 4 5

2009 DATES EVERY SUNDAY FROM 30 MAY TO 3 OCT

2008 PRICE REFER TO www.utracks.com

ACTIVITY GUIDED WALK

ACCOMMODATION 6 NIGHTS MOUNTAIN REFUGES/GÎTE-HOSTELS

highlights ´ Trek through stunning alpine scenery around the highest peak in Western Europe ´ Experience the exhilaration of trekking through three countries in the European Alps ´ Enjoying the culinary specialties such as Raclette ´ Sharing your walking day with a group of like minded travellers

the trip The historic is easily one of the most spectacular walks of the world. Brimming with incredible vistas from high mountain passes, lush valleys and highway sized , alpine scenery does not get much better than this. Joining an international group led by a bilingual mountain guide, the emphasis is on full immersion into the sublime mountain culture, with overnights in cosy mountain refuges or charming village gîtes. Carrying only a day pack, our mules transport your luggage leaving you free to enjoy the days walk.

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mont blanc guided walk

Commencing from the Valley in France, the route takes you through Italy and Switzerland during a horseshoe circuit around the . There is plenty of time to enjoy the small villages along the way, including the delightful hamlets of and .

Itinerary at a glance DAY 1 Commence walk to Bonhomme (5 hours / 1200m) DAY 2 To Elisabetha (6 hours / 900m) DAY 3 To Elena (5 hours / 500m) DAY 4 To La Fouly (6 hours / 800m) DAY 5 To (5 hours / 600m) DAY 6 To Trient (5 hours / 1000m) DAY 7 To Le Tour (5 hours / 900m)

detailed itinerary: Please note the itinerary will change according to the meeting point and may be operated in reverse. The following description is a guide only. Important: The heading for each days description below shows the approximate time it will take to complete the walk for someone of good to excellent fitness and the days ascent in metres. The hours indicated are for walking only and do not include breaks for lunch and rest stops. The planned itinerary can be affected by mountain weather and trail conditions.

DAY 1 Walk to Bonhomme – 6 hours/1200m Today begins by meeting the rest of the group and your guide. You will be advised of the meeting point with your tour confirmation. There will be a short briefing where you will pack gear in the kit bags provided and begin walking. This is a big days walk with a long and sustained ascent which will test your pre trip training! The route commences along the ancient

Roman road that leads us into the beautiful Nature Reserve of Contamines. We make our way through the “Bonhomme” mountain passage and have some fun making our way around Beaufortin and Tyrol, two mountains which form part of the French Alps. Overnight: Refuge with shower. DAY 2 Walk to Elisabetha – 6 hours/900m Descending through luscious pastures, we have ample opportunities to buy Beaufort cheese from the shepherds, a great addition to our lunch. We will later pass through the City of the Glaciers – a magnificent vista where the green pastures are covered by ice. Following a steady ascent we reach the Seigne Passage (2516m) where the ruins of a customs hut remind us that we are now crossing into Italy. Here is our first glimpse of the Mont Blanc massif from a southern face. Descending to the Vallon de

la Lée Blanche, there are good views of the fabulous limestone and snow pyramid of the Grand Combin and the Estelette and Lée Blanche glaciers which is a rocky landscape in stark contrast to the lush pastures of this morning. Overnight: Refuge with shower.

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mont blanc guided walk

DAY 3 To Elena – 5 hours / 500m In the enchanted valley of Veni, the enormous Miage flows down into the beautiful Lake Combal. This is the Italian side of Mont-Blanc, where the views are incredible – many rate this as the best day on the trail. The trail continues along the flat valley floor overlooked by the serrated rock pinnacle of Aiguille Noire de Peuterey (3773m). There are

some steep climbs, rewarded by magnificent alpine views, before we arrive in the town of , where you should definitely make the most of the delicious Italian Gelato (ice cream). There is a transfer by bus before rejoining the trail to reach our destination. Overnight Refuge with shower. DAY 4 Walk to La Fouly – 6 hours /800m The sight of the Pré de Bar glacier, (a glacier that boasts a perfect tongue formation), is with us all the way as we make our way to the Grand (2537m), and the whole atmosphere is out of this world, and despite the climb is a very rewarding section of the whole walk. The col

marks the border of Switzerland and Italy and the trail becomes wider and more defined on reaching the border. The ascent from the pass takes you to the valley floor and eventually the charming village of La Fouly. Overnight Hotel with shower. DAY 5 Walk to Champex – 5 hours /600m Although this is most definitely a quieter day, it is also one that brings you into contact with some scenes of amazing natural beauty. Dry meadows, pools of cold, fresh water and chalets that are as black as the small Heren cows that roam about, and are surrounded by flower filled gardens. Swiss village life is all about us and whilst the dramatic scenery of previous days is not as apparent today, it is a chance to experience the wonderful “ des hommes”. Overnight gîte with shower. DAY 6 Walk to Trient – 5 hours /1000m The guide will decide on the route to be taken. It will either be the “Fenêtre d'Arpette” (2665m), which is a variant on the Tour du Mont Blanc and quite a challenge, or the mountain pasture of Aulp and Bovine Mountain which overlooks the Rhône valley and the village of Martigny. Regardless of the route, the morning’s hike is almost completely uphill and the trail is not as well defined as on previous days but as with many pass crossings, the rewards on a good weather day are the extraordinary views to the . This ascent will be one of the

most memorable moments of the trek. From the pass there is an initially steep ascent before the gradient levels out to the Trient Valley. This evening will be spent in a gîte in Trient with shower. Note: the choice between the two routes (Fenêtre d'Arpette and Aulp / Bovine Mountain), depends upon the weather conditions and the fitness of all the group members. (If 1-2 people do not possess the required physical condition then we will take the latter option). This is a standard rule that is applied to all groups operating in the Mont-Blanc region. DAY 7 Walk to Le Tour – 5 hours /900m On our last days walk we make our way to the Balme mountain passage. Weather permitting we will be afforded wonderful views over the Mont Blanc chain. Our walk concludes in the valley at Le Tour.

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mont blanc guided walk inclusions ´ 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties ´ 6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges / gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis. It is possible to spend 5 nights in a double room – supplement applies. ´ Luggage transfer by mule (limit 7 kgs) ´ Experienced mountain guide

Items not included ´ travel to and from the trail head ´ drinks ´ items of a personal nature ´ storage of luggage ´ transfers ´ travel insurance

getting to / from Chamonix Valley BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following website www.ShellGeostar.com or www.viamichelin.com. BY TRAIN FROM PARIS - If you are flying into Paris you can take a train from Paris to Saint Gervais les Bains le fayet and change to a local train to . The journey time from Paris Gare de Lyon is around 8 hours whilst the night train from Paris Austerlitz takes around 11 hours. For any information & reservations you can contact France Rail ,http://www.voyages-sncf.com FROM GENEVA – It is possible to take a train from Geneva to Chamonix but it is not recommended. It takes 3 hours and you need to get to a train station on the other side of Geneva. TRANSFER Transfers from Geneva Airport to the Chamonix Valley can be SERVICE arranged through Mountain Drop offs. Please use the following link:- http://www.mountaindropoffs.com/advertlink=anlegu_tra

BY AIR Your closest airport is Geneva Airport which is around 1-1.5 hours from Chamonix. There are normally several buses a day from the airport to Chamonix. Details can be found at Swiss Buses at: www.gare-routiere.com

tour guide & participants

You will be joining a group with a mix of participants from different countries and other group participants therefore may not speak English. The guide will speak in English and French to cater to all participants.

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mont blanc guided walk trip organisation Our groups consist of a maximum of 14 people. Our mules spare you the worry of carrying your own belongings and we provide you with special bags to allow this transportation process to run as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. There is a 7 kg maximum for the bags that are to be carried by the mules and any excess will be refused so make sure you weigh it beforehand. The trip begins at one of 3 locations – either Notre Dame de la Gorge (near Contamines), at Le Tour or at Chamonix Rail Station and we will confirm the meeting place and time with you on booking or at least 2 months before the departure date. It is recommended that you spend one night pre-tour in Chamonix and leave your luggage at the hotel before joining up with your group with just the essential items. We can assist you with booking additional and have suggestions for pre and post accommodation. Ask our office for details. Please note that participants travel in groups according to whether a dormitory room or double room has been booked and a slightly different route and different accommodation is used at times. The two groups will meet up during the walk however if you are travelling with friends you should be aware that you will spend nights apart if you choose different accommodation options. accommodation Accommodation is dormitory style in mountain refuges or gîte hostels. There can be up to 40 people in one room in some refuges but less on most nights (around 10-12). Beds are often bunks but can also be one long platform with separate mattresses. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. There will be two groups travelling on the same route with separate guides. The groups are split according to the chosen category of accommodation (ie. Dormitory or double room) and will often stay in different accommodation and therefore follow slightly different routes. This should be kept in mind when travelling with friends as you will be split up if you choose different styles of accommodation. The double room option is not available for single travelers. In the alps if there is a free bed it will be sold regardless of whether you as an individual have requested a single room. To avoid this likelihood we do not offer a single option in this category. Single travelers should take the dormitory option.

trip grading MODERATE to CHALLENGING – GRADE 4-5 The walking is moderate to advanced (4-5) grade with daily guided walks of around 5-9 hours, between 8 and 15 kms and maximum ascents of 1400 metres per day. There are some challenging stages during the walk with steep uphills, descents, and many sections of the trail which require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good to excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and alter the grading of the trip to challenging. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds.

FAST FACTS VISAS Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Britain, Canada, USA and New Zealand. For all other nationalities please contact the relevant embassy

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mont blanc guided walk

COUNTRIES VISITED: France, Italy, Switzerland CONFIRMATION OF The operation of this trip requires a minimum number of DEPARTURE participants. Departures can be cancelled up to 3 weeks prior to the trip start date. While the vast majority of departures operate during the season, if there are too few people the trip will be cancelled and we will do all possible to offer you an alternative trip or an alternative departure date. Should the alternatives offered not be suitable we will provide a refund of the trip price only. No further compensation shall be payable. For further details please review our conditions of contract in our brochure. SPECIALSIT GEAR Wet weather gear, sunscreen, walking boots, warm clothes, day REQUIRED pack and sun hat – walking sticks are recommended.

CLIMATE The walking season in the European Alps is short – from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time. In winter parts of the trail are transformed into world class ski runs, evidenced by the comprehensive network of cablecars or téléfériques. Bearing in mind that much of the route is at altitudes of over 1000m and up to around 2500m, the temperatures can vary significantly. Please note at the beginning of the season you may experience snow and therefore the walking can be harder and slippery underfoot. Temperatures in summer range from around 6 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common. At the higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer. how to book To book a UTRACKS trip, complete our booking form which is found at the back of our brochure or can be downloaded from our website www.utracks.com. On completion, fax or post the form to your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office along with full payment by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges apply for credit card payments). World Expeditions/UTRACKS has access to pre and post accommodation and competitive airfares to Europe. Call your nearest UTRACKS/World Expeditions office or travel agent for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation.

SLIDE SHOWS UTracks invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website – www.utracks.com. Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two!

ENEWSLETTER To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, www.utracks.com or contact our office.

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mont blanc guided walk

IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE.

talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office.

AUSTRALIA NORTH AMERICA NEW ZEALAND UNITED KINGDOM UTracks / World Expeditions World Expeditions World Expeditions World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St 78 George St Level 2, 35 High St 81 Craven Gardens Sydney NSW 2000 Ottawa, Ontario Auckland CBD Wimbledon T: (02) 8270 8488 Canada PO Box 137-052 London SW19 8LU F: (02) 8270 8489 K1N 5W1 Parnell, Auckland T: 0845 241 7599 Toll free: 1300 303 368 T: 613 241 2700 T: (09) 368 4161 F: 020 8543 8316 [email protected] F: 613 2414189 F: (09) 368 4162 T: 1800 946 258 (Ireland) Toll Free: 1-800-567-2216 Toll Free: 0800 350 354 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Feel free to visit our World Expeditions offices in:- Canada - Montreal • Melbourne Expéditions Monde • Perth 1705 St-Denis • Adelaide (Thor Travel) Montréal, Québec Our staff will be happy to assist Canada with your enquiries. For address H2X 3K4 and office phone numbers see T: 514 844 6364 our website at F: 514 844 8144 www.worldexpeditions.com Toll Free: 1-866-606-1721 [email protected]

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