The Best of Mont Blanc Walking Holiday in France with The Adventure Company.
Reaching the summit of Mont Blanc in the French Alps is an ambition for many climbers, but you can enjoy the natural splendour of this region without actually climbing the mountain.
Following trails through woodlands and pastures, past glaciers and lakes, you will experience the full scale of the mountains without any need for technical skills or a head for heights. Some of the ascents use fixed cables or rails.
The Mont Blanc massif straddles the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland, and includes western Europe’s highest mountain – Mont Blanc (4810m). Throughout the itinerary there are opportunities for great views of the mountain, but there are also plenty of other attractions, including walks to Col de La Fenêtre, Lac de Pormenaz and the Tour Glacier.
The Alpine flowers add a splash of colour, and if you keep your eyes open you should spot marmots and maybe something bigger.
• Mountain walking
• Breathtaking views
• Lakes & glaciers
8 days from £899
Plus get an extra £50 off 17 Jul departure
Visit the Adventure Company Website or Tel 0845 609 0837
Trekking Mont Blanc. A holiday with GAP Adventures. Trek the Alps from France to Italy and Switzerland; cross glaciers and pine forests, visit remote villages and mountain refuges before finishing your days with local cuisine and wines. The Mont Blanc region boasts one of the world's premier hiking circuits and the highest mountain in Western Europe.
Highlights
The Alps, France, Italy, Switzerland, Chamonix, Les Houches, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Les Chapieux, Col de la Seigne, Val Veny, Courmayuer, La Fouly, La Forclaz.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Chamonix
Arrive in Chamonix at any time. Welcome meeting in the evening.
Day 2 Les Contamines (D)
Head to Les Houches and begin with a cable car ride to the starting point of your trek in Bellevue. Hike through beautiful spruce forests and alpine meadows, on past the magnificent Bionnassay Glacier, and continue along the old Roman road towards the Col Du Bonhomme. Enjoy views of the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc Range before descending to Les Contamines valley to the La Balme gite, near Col du Bonhomme.
Day 3 Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Les Chapieux (B,D)
As we ascend the flanks of Mont Blanc, we are rewarded with awesome views down into the Vallée des Chapieux, where you'll spend the night.
Day 4 Col de la Seigne, Val Veny, Courmayeur (B)
Continue climbing through open pastures, arriving at the Col de la Seigne and the border with Italy. We pass Col Checroui, before descending into the beautiful Val Veny. Hike along picturesque glacial lakes en route and then enjoy a night in the Italian town of Courmayeur.
Day 5 Courmayeur (B)
Relax today with a much-needed rest day. Spend the day taking it easy, with options for a cable car ride to Pointe Helbronner on Mont Blanc or a transglacial crossing from Italy into France.
Day 6 Col de Grand Ferret, La Fouly (B,D)
Hike from Courmayeur to Mont de la Faxe. We take the "balcony road", for fabulous views of the Grandes Jorassses Ridge, and spend the night in the mountains at the rustic Bonatti Refuge.
Day 7 Champex (B)
Hike through the Grand Col Ferret to the border with Switzerland, before descending to the Swiss side of Val Ferret to the village of the same name. Here we hop on a local bus towards Champex, and onto Prazde Fort, where we can choose to hike the final segment of the walk, or continue by bus all the way to the village if your feet are weary!
Day 8 Trient (B,D)
Today’s hike starts at Champex d’en Bas. We take the spectacular Bovine Way, an ancient trail used to access the flower-filled summer cow pastures high above the valley. We cross the Col de la Forclaz and continue on to the Swiss town of Trient.
Day 9 Chamonix Valley (B)
Saying goodbye to Switzerland, we return to France via the Chamonix Valley. We hike over the Col de la Balme and the Col de Posettes, descending to Col des Montets in the Chamonix Valley, from where we jump on a train or bus back to Chamonix for our final night on the town.
Day 10 Departure
Depart Chamonix at any time.
Trip Details
Trip Style: Active
Service Level: Basic
Physical Demands Rating: 5
Duration: 10 days
Trip Code: EFMB
Countries Visited: France, Italy, Switzerland
Dates and Departures
£719 GBPpp for 1 Adult
Local Payments now included on all Gap Adventures
International airfare is not included
Next Available Departure: Sat, Jun. 19, 2010
Trekking Mont Blanc - Find Out More
Special Offer on All-Inclusive Chamonix Mont-Blanc Ski Holiday with Club Med.
7 nights departing 21st February from GBP1,049pp including transport. Save up to GBP432pp.
7 nights departing 28th February from GBP1,030pp including transport. Save up to GBP345pp.
Ever since two mountaineers first conquered the Giant of the Alps over two centuries ago, this Haute-Savoie resort, a pioneer in the sport of skiing, has preserved its unique atmosphere.
At an altitude of 1,035 metres (nearly 3,400 ft), this Club Med Resort is set in the cosy, welcoming decor of the former Savoy Hotel, renovated by the architect Jacques Garcia.
Babies can be entrusted to the brand-new Baby Club Med, a charming "cocoon" in pastel shades with snowflake murals, while Mums enjoy a well-deserved moment of luminous serenity at the Cinq Mondes at Club Med Spa.
From the terrace or the outdoor heated swimming pool, the view of Mont Blanc is all yours.
Resort Highlights
● The famous Haute-Savoie resort was a pioneer in developing skiing as a sport
● A renowned former luxury hotel and the legendary Chamonix ski domain
● CINQ MONDES Spa at Club Med, sauna, Turkish bath
● NEW Baby Club Med for babies from 4 months
● In the outdoor heated pool or on the terrace, relax and enjoy the view of Mont Blanc
Access conditions: Resort welcoming children of all ages, with children's club facilities from 4 to 23 months.
Chamski ski domain
- Lognan, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour, Vallorcine, Brévent, Flégère, Planards and Savoy)
- Altitude between 3,295 m and 1,050 m
- 46 ski-lifts ; 67 snow cannons ; Snowpark. (Grands Montets)
- 182 km of ski runs: 12 black; 21 red; 31 blue; 16 green.
The resort has a "hands free" ski pass system ensuring greater fluidity for skiers (you may be required to pay a deposit at the Resort in order to ensure that skiers return their pass at the end of their stay).
Alpine skiing - Included in your package
Professional ski instructors who know the ski domain by heart will guide you down the slopes best suited to your skills, to ensure you progress safely and surely in the best possible conditions.Access by bus to the mountain ranges of Chamonix Valley
Ski lift pass included up to 24 April
NB: if you wish to ski on your day of arrival, you can purchase a one-day pass, on site.
Equipment
Top quality equipment* and the Ski Service to ensure your satisfaction
Tuition
- From age 12, our group lessons last the whole day, for a period of 5 days
- Small groups of around 12 people
- To guarantee beginners' progress, they are expected to start lessons the day after arrival at the Resort.
- If you book a weekend stay (Friday evening to Sunday) or a long weekend (Thursday evening to Sunday), you can ski at your own pace, there are no skiing lessons scheduled.
A test on the first morning's skiing will establish each skier's level and ensure he or she is put in the right class:
- Beginners: this is your first experience of Alpine skiing
- Class 1: you can control your speed and movements on the blue slopes
- Class 2: you can negotiate the red slopes at average speed
- Class 3: you can negotiate all slopes with ease
- Expert: you are at ease on all types of terrain and snow
For one-week stays, lessons begin the day after main arrival day.
The peace of mind of all-inclusive holidays by Club Med:
- Return flights with a choice of airlines, cabin classes and flight schedules
- Meet & Greet, transfers, taxes & tips
- Choice of room comfort : Club
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and dinner
- Choice of restaurants offering refined and generous buffets
- Open Bar drinks & snacks served throughout the day and evening with a large choice of premium brands
- A wide range of après-ski activities
- Ski pass and group lessons in partnership with ESF in France
- A choice of relaxed and festive atmospheres with concerts and shows
Visit the Club Med Website for more information
Club Med Online Exclusive Offer. Chamonix Mont Blanc, France.
7 nights departing 31 January from GBP459pp. Save up to GBP133pp excluding transport.
Ever since two mountaineers first conquered the Giant of the Alps over two centuries ago, this Haute-Savoie resort, a pioneer in the sport of skiing, has preserved its unique atmosphere.
At an altitude of 1,035 metres (nearly 3,400 ft), this Club Med Resort is set in the cosy, welcoming decor of the former Savoy Hotel, renovated by the architect Jacques Garcia.
Babies can be entrusted to the brand-new Baby Club Med®, a charming "cocoon" in pastel shades with snowflake murals, while Mums enjoy a well-deserved moment of luminous serenity at the Cinq Mondes at Club Med Spa.
From the terrace or the outdoor heated swimming pool, the view of Mont Blanc is all yours.
Sports and Activities
Indulge in a selection of activities which will help you pamper yourself and relax. With sports such as those offered at Club Med Fitness, you will recharge your batteries and feel renewed.
Chamski ski domain
- Lognan, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour, Vallorcine, Brévent, Flégère, Planards and Savoy
- Altitude between 3,295m and 1,050m
- 46 ski-lifts; 67 snow cannons; Snowpark. (Grands Montets)
- 182 km of ski runs: 12 black, 21 red, 31 blue, 16 green.
The resort has a "hands free" ski pass system ensuring greater fluidity for skiers (you may be required to pay a deposit at the Resort in order to ensure that skiers return their pass at the end of their stay).
Alpine skiing - Included in your package
All the sensations of the ski slopes, at your own pace
Professional ski instructors who know the ski domain by heart will guide you down the slopes best suited to your skills, to ensure you progress safely and surely in the best possible conditions. Access by bus to the mountain ranges of Chamonix Valley
• A test on the first morning's skiing will establish each skier's level and ensure he or she is put in the right class
• Ski lift pass included up to 24 April. NB: if you wish to ski on your day of arrival, you can purchase a one-day pass, on site.
• Top quality equipment and the Ski Service® to ensure your satisfaction
Visit the Club Med Website now
The Raymond Blanc Cookery School is located at the heart of the famous Manoir aux Quat Saisons Hotel in Oxfordshire.
This cookery school is for everyone who has a passion for food and wishes to have fun preparing it. In fact, fun is the word most often used by the cookery school students to describe their one, two or four days at the School.Any concerns you may have about the level of cooking skills required are immediately dispelled by the informality of the environment and the realisation that the only qualifications needed are a love of food and the desire to learn about cooking. At the hands of their experienced chefs, the complete novice through to the experienced enthusiast will learn not only the secrets of producing the finest food, but the reasons behind those secrets.
The cookery courses provide a hands-on opportunity to develop your culinary skills in a practical and supportive learning environment, as well as being a holiday in the most luxurious and beautiful surroundings and a chance to make new friends. You will leave Le Manoir with new-found confidence and enthusiasm, impatient to return to your own kitchen to experiment with your skills.
Cookery Courses
One, two or four days at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School will nurture your natural love of food and provide you with the skills you need to translate this love into beautiful and imaginative cuisine.
Choose the length of your course, from a range of one, two and four day courses, taking in the selection and preparation of a wide range of foods...Or decide on a specialised course, in order to create the perfect dinner for your party, update your repertoire with a little Fusion cooking or create exciting dishes packed with perfectly balanced nutritional goodness.
Here are some of the courses on offer: Fish and Shellfish Cookery Course at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School4 Day Stage Cookery Course at Le Manoir Aux Quat' SaisonsSeasonal Dinner Party Cookery Course at Le Manoir Aux Quat' SaisonsFood and Wine - One Day Course with accommodation hosted by Raymond BlancFusion Cuisine - One Day Course at the Raymond Blanc Cookery SchoolDegustibus One Day Bread Course at the Raymond Blanc Cookery SchoolGarden to Plate One Day Cookery Course at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School
View other cookery holidays at inspiringholidays.com
