Here’s a way to enjoy the great hiking opportunities of the Mont Blanc region but with the convenience of not having to change hotels every day. Your “base camp” is a comfortable hotel in the bustling resort of Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, which features rooms with fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. Our itinerary is flexible, with moderate to challenging hiking options that showcase the spectacular beauty of this part of the Alps. And spectacular it is, with fabulous vistas of serrated peaks and glittering glaciers every single day! Best of all, our flexible itinerary allows us to “follow the sun” in this region of micro-climates, so daily hikes are chosen according to where the best weather is. (You can even take a day off to shop if you like.) This “quick escape” is also a great option for those wishing to squeeze in a couple of days in one of the continent’s celebrated cities and still miss only a week of work. Your guides, members of the prestigious Compagnie des Guides, have a wealth of knowledge that is simply unsurpassed.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Exclusive, flexible itinerary allows you daily hiking options in one of the Alps’ most spectacular locations
• 6 nights at a comfortable hotel in Chamonix—no need to repack every day!
• Add on a quick visit to one of Europe’s elegant cities and still miss only a single work week

Note - The itinerary starts on a Sunday and ends the following Saturday.

DAY 1 ~ Arrive in Geneva – Chamonix

Arrive at the airport in Geneva, Switzerland. You will be picked up promptly at 2:00 p.m. for a transfer by private car to the mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France. We suggest you arrive early enough (by 1:00 p.m.) to allow time to get through customs and immigration before the scheduled pickup. The transfer takes approximately 1½ hours, and once at the hotel, you'll have time to rest a bit or explore the town before meeting the guide for a “welcome” dinner and orientation.

Dinner…Hotel Le Prieure or Hotel Alpina

DAY 2-6 ~ Selected day hikes

We’ve chosen several outstanding options for day hikes amid the splendid scenery of the Mont Blanc area. The trails traverse France, Italy, and Switzerland so you’ll get a full complement of the fantastic scenery. Breakfast and lunch are included each day. After breakfast, the guide will lay out a variety of fixings for a delectable gourmet picnic lunch, including special regional cheeses and cold cuts, yogurt, fresh breads, plenty of fruits and vegetables, chocolate, and trail snacks. You’ll fix your own lunch and carry it in your daypack. Each night you’re free to take dinner in a local restaurant of your choice. We’ll have a festive farewell dinner at the end of our final day of hiking (Day 6).

Breakfast and Lunch each day (Dinner on Day 6)…Hotel Le Prieure or Hotel Alpina

Possible excursions include the following:

• Aiguille du Midi–Montenvers (France)
  In 1741, the first tourists to Chamonix were transported to Montenvers on the backs of mules in order to admire the glaciers. Today, most travelers take a bright red cog train up the steep slopes to reach the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), the second-largest glacier in the Alps. We begin our hike from the hotel, crossing the town of Chamonix and entering the forest. Ascend a steep trail passing the Blaitiere farm to reach the “Grand Balcon,” from where we have a fabulous view of the Chamonix Aiguilles towering above us. We traverse below these towering peaks toward the Montenvers railway sitting high above the Mer de Glace glacier. We may see alpinists on the glacier. Return to Chamonix by the cog railway. (5 hours hiking.)

• The Lakes of the Aiguilles Rouges (France)
  North of Chamonix the massif of the Aiguilles Rouges offer beautiful views of the Mont Blanc massif. A telepherique allows us to quickly escape the valley floor to for hikes to luminescent mountain lakes. According to the group’s hiking abilities (and the weather forecast), two hiking options are available: one to Lake Cornu, a five-hour hike with an ascent/descent of 1,500 feet; or a hike to White Lake, an easier three-hour hike that offers a reduced 600-foot ascent and a 1,500-foot descent.

• Courmayeur to Bonatti Refuge (Italy)
  On the Italian side of Mont Blanc is the resort town of Courmayeur (4,014'), spectacularly situated beneath the Grand Jorasses and Brenva Glacier. Here the views of Mont Blanc are Himalayan in scale—the mountain rises in a breathtaking abruptness from the Veny Valley to the summit 10,000 feet above. We’ll hike two hours from the town to the Bertone Refuge, with its views of the entire Aosta Valley of Italy. We can continue to the well-known Bonatti Refuge, which faces the famous peaks and needles of the Grandes Jorasses. From here we descend into the Val Ferret, a beautiful valley connecting Italy and Switzerland, and meet a waiting vehicle that takes us back to Chamonix. (6 hours hiking, 2,100' up, 1,500' down, 35-minute transfer.)

• Emosson Dam (Switzerland)
  Not far from Chamonix in Switzerland is a dam from which there are several splendid hiking options. Starting from the Passet Pass, we follow a trail to a terraced plateau with unobstructed views of the Tour Glacier, neighboring Swiss summits, and a background view of the summit of Mont Blanc. We descend through the wild and narrow Veudale gorge and reach a transfer vehicle for a return to Chamonix. (7 hours hiking, 2,100' up and down, 1 hour total vehicle transfer.)

• The Combe of Fours (France)
  With a little distance from the Mont Blanc massif, we can get a full appreciation of just how magnificent it really is. Just above the village of Sallanches in the Aravis massif is a small valley where reclusive mountain goats called chamois live undisturbed. From this valley, we’ll have views of the Mont Blanc massif in all its majesty. (6 hours hiking, 2,400' up, 2,400' down, 45-minute transfer.)

• The Junction (France)
  This is another challenging hiking option, one of the best the region has to offer. A classic route on the circuit, this trail connecting two glaciers is absolutely spectacular. (8 hours hiking, 3,600' up and down.)

• High altitude meadows of the Grands (Switzerland)
  From Trient in Switzerland, we hike a portion of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc. Above tree line, a narrow path brings us to the high pastures of the Grands. From here, the views are spectacular. (6 hours, 2,100' up and down.)

DAY 7 ~ Depart

Transfer to the Geneva airport between 7:00-8:00 a.m. Please schedule your flight after 11:00 a.m. for inter-European destinations, after 12:00 p.m. for all transcontinental destinations. If you would like to depart earlier or later, the transfer is on your own.

Breakfast…

Stay a Little Longer

Prefer a Group Adventure?
Check out our Mont Blanc Express and Mont Blanc Circuit group adventures and many other Europe, our Heart of Provence Private Adventure, or other independent travel on your own.

Arrival & Departure Information

You must arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, by 1:00 p.m. on Day 1. Your guide (or a Mountain Travel Sobek representative) will meet you at 2:00 p.m. and transfer you to Chamonix, France. The trip ends with a transfer to the airport in Geneva on Day 7.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. We rate this trip as moderate in nature. On most days you’ll be hiking anywhere from three to eight hours, depending on the selected hike. Trails can be rocky with some steep ascents and descents. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy this trip, with adequate muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and good balance.

The level of fitness and endurance needed for this trip requires regular aerobic exercise at least one hour 3-4 times per week, performing moderate intensity hiking, cycling, swimming, or other forms of cardiovascular exercise. You should be able to hike four to six hours a day for at least two consecutive days and be comfortable hiking on rough terrain.

If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

Your Guide

You will be accompanied throughout the trip by an expert local guide. Besides ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch, he or she will provide a unique perspective on the local life and culture as only a native can. Their close familiarity with the local geography, history, culture and traditions are the key to a superb, informative experience—one you just can’t get on your own. In their friendly company, you will truly learn, enjoy, and share their passion for the country they call home. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

The guides are certified by the Union of International Mountain Leader Association and members of the prestigious “Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix,” a professional guide association that dates back to the first climb of Mont Blanc over 200 years ago.

Guide assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

Accommodations

Accommodation for the entire week is at the comfortable Hotel Le Prieuré in Chamonix. The chalet-style hotel is centrally located and just a few steps to many great local restaurants and shops. Each room features a small balcony that faces the Mont Blanc massif, so the views are incredible! A sauna and huge Jacuzzi on the lower level are great places to relax your weary muscles at the end of each invigorating day; optional massages can be arranged. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant and furnishes a hearty breakfast each day, with a large selection of cereals, breads, eggs, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, juices, and the like. The staff is quite courteous and friendly.

What's Included

• expert guides
• accommodations at the Hotel Le Prieuré or Hotel Alpina in Chamonix
• meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• airport transfer from Geneva to Chamonix and return
• sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
• local transfers by bus or cable car
• ground transportation by van
• entrance fees
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What’s Not

International airfare; meals not noted in itinerary (dinners on Days 2-7; lunches on Days 1 and 7); insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance as noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.