France
Shared Mont-Blanc ascent (4809 m)
7 days from
2995 €
Private guided
Mountaineering
lvl. 5
Tailor made
Mountain Hut with dorms
Multi-day hike
Réf : E529
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 4: An average of 6 hours of hiking per day on and off trail, and/or 700 to 1000 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances of 15 to 18 kilometers. Sections at higher elevations. Learn basic mountaineering techniques.
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.
Level 6: An average of 7 to 8 hours of serious 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 mountaineering techniques for PD and AD (somewhat difficult or relatively difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
Level 7: An average of 8 hours of serious 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 considerable knowledge and experience with mountaineering techniques for AD and D (relatively difficult or difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
Level 8: An average of 8 hours of serious hiking per day at higher elevations off trail or on rugged terrain, and/or more than 1000 meters of vertical gain. Sections at higher elevations. Requires mastery and considerable experience using mountaineering techniques for AD and D (relatively difficult or difficult) level routes. Climb as an independent rope team or with a guide.
Mon Roadbook app: designed for the self-guided trips, "Mon
Roadbook" travel assistant guides you throughout your journey via a
mobile application to download on your smartphone.
Prices indicated are calculated based on a limited number of seats available or for a departure in over 2 months from today. Once all prereserved seats are filled, or for reservations with a departure in less than 2 months, we might have to acquire seats for a higher price (depending on availability at the moment the reservation is made), which might result in the application of a supplement that increases the closer we are to the departure date.
Our trip
Spend the first 3 days training, acclimatizing, and preparing for the ascent
Climb the "Regular Route," the standard, easiest way to the top of Mont Blanc.
2 chances to reach the top (days 5 and 6).
The goal of this fantastic one-week mountaineering vacation is to climb Mont Blanc; the summit, at 4807m is the highest point in Western Europe. With three wonderful days in the high mountains to acclimatize, and allowing for three full days to climb Mont Blanc, including two days for the summit itself, this one-week adventure gives everyone an excellent chance of reaching the roof of Europe. On the days spent acclimatizing, enjoy the traverse from the Albert Premier hut to the Cabane du Trient hut while you spend time learning glacier skills. Marvel at Fenêtre de Saleina notch and the spectacular high-altitude landscape surrounding Col du Tour Pass. Climb the summit of Mont Blanc via the "Regular Route" from the Tête Rousse Hut and the new Gouter Hut. The summit day is a long one, but the reward is well worth the effort when standing on the highest point in the European Alps. Views of the surrounding mountain ranges are breathtaking to say the least.
Proposal of service and estimated budget
Mountain Hut with dorms
Local guide
Itinerary
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.
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.
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
Itinerary suggestion to be customized to your preferences and budget.
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 (1805 ft).
2,5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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 (2,707m/8,881ft). 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 (2625 ft). Descent : 200 m (656 ft).
5 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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 (3,235m/10,613ft). 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 (1640 ft). Descent : 1250 m (4101 ft).
6 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch. Meals not included : dinner.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch. Meals not included : 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 (3,429m/11,250ft) or the Col des Fourches (3,433m/11,263ft) - 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 (2789 ft).
3 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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 (2,115m/6,939ft). From here, we follow
a rocky trail
for approximately 3 hours to the Tete Rousse Refuge (3,167m/10,390ft) where we will stay overnight.
Day 6
Summit day (first option): Tête Rousse - Mont-Blanc - Goûter hut
Ascent : 1650 m (5413 ft). Descent : 950 m (3117 ft).
12 hrs of hiking.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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 (3,817m/12,523ft). 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 (4921 ft).
4 hrs of hiking.
Included meals : breakfast, lunch. Meals not included : dinner.
Included meals : breakfast, lunch. Meals not included : 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
The active times are given as an indication and may vary depending on several elements (eg. weather conditions, terrain, etc.). Transfer times may also vary depending on road and traffic conditions. If necessary (eg: weather conditions, decision of local authorities, etc.), we may also be required to adapt the program for the smooth running of your trip and in the interest of the participants.
- For the same reason, the Tramway du Mont-Blanc cog train may not open until late June. In this case, the program stays the same, but the approach hike on Day 5 from Bellevue to Nid d'Aigle and the descent on Day 7 from Nid d'Aigle to Bellevue will be longer.
Estimated budget
Mountain Hut with dorms
Local guide
The final price of your customized trip will depend on your departure dates, the number of participants, selected services, and any specific arrangements requested. It will be detailed in your quote.
Pricing
The price includes / does not include
The price 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 a 3-star hotel.
- All meals as described.
- All lift tickets required.
- Private transfers in Chamonix Valley from Day 2 to Day 7.
The price 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.
- Bottled water in the mountain huts.
- Showers in any huts that charge a fee.
- Drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance.
- Anything that is not specified in the "included in the price" list.
Currencies
France is 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.
Exchange rate
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.
Exchange rate