french-alps-mont-blanc-ascent

Private guided

Mountaineering

lvl. 5
Mountain hut with shared rooms
Réf : E529
7 days from 2700 € Book / Enquire

Our trip

  • First 3 days to train and get ready for the ascent

  • The normal and easiest route to ascent.

  • 2 chances to get to the top (days 5 and 6)

The aim of this fantastic one week mountaineering holiday is to climb Mont Blanc; the summit, at 4809m is the highest point in Western Europe. With three wonderful days in the high mountains to acclimatise, and allowing three full days for the ascent of Mont Blanc with two days for the summit itself, this one week adventure gives everyone an excellent chance of reaching the roof of Europe. The acclimatisation days are spent traversing from the Albert Premier hut to the Cabane du Trient hut, spending time on glacier skills along the way and taking in the famous Fenêtre de Saleina and the impressive high landscape of the Col du Tour. The summit of Mont Blanc is reached via the 'Normal Route', from the Tete Rousse and then the new Gouter Hut. The summit day is a long one, but the reward .... you are now the highest point around, with the most awesome views of the surrounding mountain ranges, there will be no doubt that it was worth it.

Your choice of lodging + Guiding

Mountain hut with shared rooms

Mountain hut with shared rooms

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Itinerary

Mountaineering: Mountaineering provides access to some of our planet’s greatest peaks. Choose from introduction courses to learn basic mountaineering techniques, climbs up serious committing routes, or adventures to summit prestigious peaks or lesser-known mountains.
Level 5: An average of 6 to 7 hours of hiking per day off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 20 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Requires knowledge and experience with basic mountaineering techniques for F (“facile” or easy) level routes.
Duration : 7 days
Luggage transfers : All your gear and equipment for 3 days
Lodging : Mountain hut, Hotel
Guiding : IFMGA guides: 1 guide for 2 persons for the 3 days ascent
Group : Minimum 2 persons
Season : From early June to late August

Day by day

Day 1

Arrival in Chamonix

Lodging : hotel. Meals not included.
Arrival in Chamonix, the "french mountain capital". Check in your hotel.
Day 2

Group meeting - Col de Balme - Albert 1er hut

Ascent : 550 m. Hiking : 2.5 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

Meet your guide at 9am at your hotel. There will be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear. You can hire or buy any missing item in a Chamonix mountain store.
To assist with your acclimatization, we plan to spend tonight in the Albert Premier Refuge (2707m). We take the Charamillon-Balme gondola lift from Le Tour and walk up to the Col de Balme, from here we get the first of many simply stunning views of the Mont Blanc massive. We follow the balcony path round to the Albert Premier Refuge, a lovely and relatively easy going walk to begin our week.

Day 3

Albert 1er - Col supérieur du Tour - Cabane de Trient hut

Ascent : 800 m. Descent : 200 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.

A relatively early start this morning and our adventure truly begins as we set out onto the Glacier du Tour. Today we will look again at glacier skills and do some training as we go along. Depending on the conditions there is also the option of climbing to the Col du Midi-des-Grands (3235m). On a clear day it is possible to see the Matterhorn in the distance. We then trek over the Swiss border to the Cabane du Trient where we spend the night.

Day 4

Trient - Fenêtre de Saleina - back to Chamonix

Ascent : 500 m. Descent : 1250 m. Hiking : 6 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.

After an early breakfast we set out into this simply stunning area and make our way up to the famous Fenetre de Saleina. From here we will cross either the Col du Tour or the Col Superieur du Tour and depending on the conditions we have the option of climbing the Tete Blanche (3429m) or the Col des Fourches (3433m) - all great for acclimatisation. After the climb we cross back into France and descend to Le Tour. Transfer with a local bus (or your car) to Chamonix when you have a relaxing night in a center based hotel. This evening after chatting with the guides we prepare for our ascent of Mont Blanc.

Day 5

Chamonix - Nid d'Aigle - Tête Rousse hut

Ascent : 850 m. Hiking : 3 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
The group will be joined by more guides (ratio 2 clients to 1 guide), in order to give us the best chance of success. We will climb Mont Blanc by the Normal Route, taking advantage of the uplift provided by the Mont Blanc Tramway which will take us to Mont Lachat (2115m). From here, we follow a rocky trail for approximately 3 hours to the Tete Rousse Refuge (3167m) where we will stay overnight.

Day 6

Summit day (first option): Tête Rousse - Mont-Blanc - Goûter hut

Ascent : 1650 m. Descent : 950 m. Hiking : 12 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, dinner. Meals not included : lunch.
The Big Day! We make an early start - approximately 1am from the Tete Rousse. From the Tete Rousse, we cross the Great Couloir and then a rocky scramble leads up to the Gouter Refuge (3817m). From here the remaining 1000 metres of ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc is entirely on snow. The climbing is never technical being mostly on a broad shoulder with an uphill slope mostly below 30 degrees. However, the final "des Bosses" ridge becomes narrower and we can look down one side to Italy and the other into France as we make the final steps to the top. We are very high up now and the air is thin, so slow and steady is the way forward. The ascent can take about 8 hours depending on conditions. We will make our descent via the same route and we should reach the Goûter hut by early or mid-afternoon were we stay overnight

Day 7

Goûter - summit day (second option) or descend to Chamonix

Descent : 1500 m. Hiking : 4 hrs.
Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.
If we have not summited the day before, we may make the attempt today if the conditions permit and in this case. After summiting, we will descend via the Normal Route all the way back to the valley. If we have summited on day 5, then we have a leisurely start and make an easy descent to the valley. Back to Chamonix. End of your trip

- Early June, depending on snow conditions, some lifts / cable cars remain closed as well as Trient hut (Day 3). We may have to adapt our program for the first 3 days and change location to Couvercle hut. 
- For the same reason, the Tramway du Mont-Blanc may open only late June. In that case, no change of the program but you'll have to hike a little more Day 5 from Bellevue to Nid d'Aigle and back on Day 7. 

Pricing

Pricing

The price includes / does not include

The prices includes
- Professional IFMGA certified guides: 1 guide for 6 people for the three days spent acclimatizing, and 1 guide for 2 people to climb Mt. Blanc.
- Accommodations: 4 nights in mountain huts, 2 nights in 3-star hotel.
- All meals as described.
- All lift tickets required.
- Private transfer in the Chamonix valley from Day 2 to Day 7.

The prices does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point at the start of the trip and from the point where the trip officially ends.
- Dinners on day 1 and day 4 in Chamonix.
- All lunches.
- Bottled water in the mountain huts.
- Showers in those huts that charge a fee
- Drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance.
- Everything not described as "included".

Currencies

France and Italy are part of the Euro zone. You may find ATMs easily in the main cities and towns.
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.

 

Access

Access

The best way to get to Chamonix is Geneva international airport.
From Geneva, we can organise a private transfer for you for 275€ per group up to 8 persons.

If you're on your own, we advice you to book one of the following shutttle service:
http://www.mountaindropoffs.com/fr/
http://www.chamexpress.com/?gclid=CJ-vzIOkuMoCFRUTGwod0SEFdA

During your trip

Our team

IFMGA english speaking guides: 1 guide for 2 persons for the 3 days ascent and 1 for 6 persons the first 3 days.

Private transfers in Chamonix valley:
- Day 2/4: return trip Chamonix - Le Tour
- Day 5 /7: return trip Chamonix - Les Houches

Lodging

- Twin / double room in a 3-star hotel  in Chamonix
- Dormitories in all mountain huts. These huts, french or swiss do offer all services but are quit "basics": no shower, no drink-water, no double bedrooms.

Meals

Our goal is to ensure that you eat well-balanced meals suited for the effort required each day, and to lighten your pack load as much as possible.
- Dinners (hot meals, very filling) and breakfasts are prepared by your accommodations.
- 2 dinners in Chamonix are not included to allow you to choose your dining place as there are so many options in Chamonix.
- Lunches are not included and on your own. You can either shop and make your own pique-nique or buy lunch at every hut (please check with your guide for the timings).

Luggage transfer

This is a hut to hut itinerary, there is no luggage transfer.

Required before leaving

Formalities

Please check with your embassy.

Health

Vaccinations

Required vaccinations

No vaccinations are required.

Recommended vaccinations

Please check to make sure that all your vaccinations are current: DPT, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.

Dentist and general physician

We recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.

Getting ready

Physical fitness level 5

To take full advantage of your trip, make sure that you stay in good shape by walking or hiking multiple times per week (around 20km) on trails with considerable vertical gain (350m/hr) or by participating in a moderately intense athletic activity to build endurance.

Your first aid kit

For the medication and pain relievers listed below, we recommend that you check with your doctor beforehand, adding what you need based on personal requirements and the specificities of your trip.

  • An analgesic.
  • An anti-inflammatory (pills or gels).
  • An anti-diarrheal tablets
  • A disinfectant, band aids (several sizes), mole skin, sterile compresses, medical tape, Steri-Strips,

Gear list

Mountaineering equipment list:

  • Mountain boots and pairs of warm mountain socks
  • Gaiters
  • Warm mountain trousers
  • Waterproof over trousers
  • Trekking trousers
  • Shorts and T-shirts
  • Thermal baselayers including one with long sleeves
  • Fleece jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Extra warm layer / down jacket
  • Sunhat and warm hat
  • Sunglasses (category 4) and ski goggles
  • Thin gloves + warm gloves + mittens
  • Climbing daypack - 30-40 litres
  • Head torch
  • Sun protection and lipstick
  • Water bottle 2 litters
  • Trekking poles
  • Basic wash kit
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • First aid kit and own medicines
  • Travel / duffle bag
  • Washbag and toiletries
  • Travel clothes
  • Travel shoes
  • Earplugs

Technical equipment

  • Crampons (with anti-balling plates)
  • Ice axe
  • Helmet
  • Mountaineering harness
    We can rent you all these technical items

Note: keep in mind that the weight of your day pack shouldn't be over 10-12kg.

Safety

The Mont Blanc Experience promise

No region in the world is 100% safe and without danger.

Allibert Trekking keeps you informed and is fully transparent when it comes to the potential risks. We gather security risk information from multiple sources: in-house research, monitoring specialized websites, meetings with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "safety and security" trips in the field, constant contact with our regional specialists, local teams on the ground, and France's travel agency federation (ATT-ATR).

Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot make any decisions for you.

If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to:

— Reinforce our guide team (for guided trips).
— Modify the itinerary for our tours.
— Place a tour or destination on hiatus for an extended period of time when we consider the level of risk to be too high.

Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.