Taberna La Rayuela La Cantina di Manuela

Haute Route & Mont Blanc

Be the first to write a review

All content by World Expeditions

12 days (Chamonix)

Destinations visited: Switzerland, France, Chamonix, World

Grading:

Entry level Mountaineering/Exploratory Trek

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$3,890

Book now

A classic glacier walk in the European Alps combined with an ascent of Mont Blanc (4807m)

One of the greatest alpine journeys, the Haute Route, stretches from Chamonix in the French Alps to Zermatt, in the Swiss Alps. On this tour we venture off the main trails into the heart of the alps, trekking across glaciers with magnificent mountain backdrops such as the Matterhorn. Combined with a climb of Mont Blanc, this itinerary should more than satisfy the aspiring mountaineer. To join you will need a very good level of fitness and walking experience, previous mountaineering is an advantage, however not essential.

Highlights

Stunning views of the European Alps
Glacier trek of the Haute Route
Climb Mont Blanc
The picturesque mountain towns of Chamonix and Zermatt

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Chamonix

Please make your way to the group hotel which will be advised in your final documentation (any airport transfer service will take you direct to the hotel reception). A group briefing will be held at 6pm at the hotel reception, it is essential that you attend and bring your equipment with you; you will then proceed to the gear hire shop, Snell Sports, with your guide. Please ensure that your travel arrangements will have you in Chamonix at this time. Overnight at the group hotel. Snell Sports 104 Rue Paccard-74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc Tel. +33 (0) 4 50 53 02 17 Note: Hotel details subject to change, your final documents will confirm the group hotel.

Day 2 Commence walk to Albert 1st Refuge

From the Balme Cable Car we climb to the Albert Refuge. We flank the mountain and then head up through moraine to gain the Tour Glacier where we gain stunning views of the Chardonnet needle and the seracs of the glacier. Overnight mountain hut. Walking time 3-4hrs, altitude gained +800m.

Day 3 To Champex

Early morning departure to the Col Superior du Tour (3281m), reached by climbing the glacier.We cross the pass to the Trient plateau underneath the Aiguilles Dorees, towards the Orny Col. We then descend via the Orny Glacier and it's combe, to traverse to the Breya chairlift which will take us down to the village of Champex, overnight Gite. Walking time 5-6hrs, altitude +600 / -1700.

Day 4 Dix Hut

Another early morning with one of the wildest stages of the walk. Our taxi drops us at the bottom of the Mauvoisin dam, where we begin our walk. First following the trail on the right side of the Mauvoisin lake to climb the flanks of the mountain to reach the Col Du Mont Rouge.The trail is not really well defined for the first part of the day but never difficult or steep. We then traverse across the flat Gietroz glacier by contouring the north face of the Grande Ruinette up to the Cheilon col (3242m). A stunning view of the Mont Blanc of Cheilon, which dominates during our descent to the Dix hut. Walking time 7-8hrs. Altitude +850m / -320m.

Day 5 Vignettes hut

Early morning start as we climb to the Cheilon glacier and to the Serpentine Col. Traverse towards the Brenay col via a short slope of ice or snow, depending on the conditions of the season, we may need to use a rope in this section. An easy ascent of the Pigne of Arolla (3796m) our highest point of this tour, offering a unique view of all the alpine giants such as Cervin and the Dent Blanche. Descent across the seracs to the Vignettes hut (3194m). This is a magnificent glacial stage on one of the most beautiful sites in the Alps. Walking time 7-8hrs. Altitude +1100m / -500m.

Day 6 Bertol Hut

We descend to the Mont Collon Glacier before climbing up to the Eveque col (3392m) on the border with Italy. Traverse to the Colon Col (3087m) and then descent of the Arolla Glacier in its entirety down to 2540 metre level. An 800 metre climb then brings us to the Bertol Hut (3311m) reached by a ladder perched on a rock.The view from the plateau d'Herens is striking with the Matterhorn dominating the view. Walking time 7-9hrs. Altitude +1162 / -980.

Day 7 Schonbielhutte

Traverse of the Mont Mines glacier plateau up to the Herens col. On the way we will climb the Tete Blanch (3710m), where we enjoy magnificent views of the Cervin and the Dent Blanche. Descend to the grand glacial of Stockji, with its gigantic crevasses, and by the moraine we will reach the Schoenbielhutte facing the north face of the Dent D"herens, and the Tiefmatten side of the Matterhorn. Walking time 6-8hrs. Altitude +400 / -1120m. Overnight Schonbielhutte.

Continue reading ...

Day 8 Zermatt

Today is our final walking day and we will take time to enjoy this awesone scenery. We will make a start around 9am and follow the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, dominated by the Matterhorn north face. We then meet out first tree in a week! The beautiful Arolle pine, and also some larch trees. As we descend we discover the "Raccard", small wooden houses made of store grass and graines, which are well known in this valley. We soon reach Zermatt where the first half of our journey ends. Transfer back to Chamonix.

Day 9 Free day in Chamonix

There is much to see and do in Chamonix, and today is set aside for rest and last minute preparations for our climb of Mont Blanc.

Day 10 Transfer to Les Houches. Hike to Tete Rousse Refuge

Transfer to Les Houches. Our guide will organise the telepherique and train trip to take us to the Nid d'Aigle at 2300m. From here, a 2 hour hike brings us to a short, and at times exposed and steep path leading to the Tete Rousse Glacier and hut. As we climb higher above the valley we enter an alpine environment of snow, ice and rock. The views as we approach the Tete Rousse Refuge are breathtaking. The Tete Rousse is a new hut perched on the edge of the glacier in a stunning mountain setting. Today is not a long day, but still quite challenging due to the increasingly rugged terrain. We can expect to reach the hut by mid afternoon, giving plenty of time to recover for the climb up to the Gouter Hut the next day. It is important to keep well hydrated. Meals at the hut usually begin with soup accompanied with bread and cheese and followed with hearty and tasty meat casseroles and dessert of fruit puree or similar, normally served around 6.30 pm. Our summit strategy If inclement weather conditions prevent us from making a summit attempt on our scheduled day from the Gouter, we have the flexibility in our program to make a summit attempt from the Tete Rousse hut, staying overnight in the Gouter hut on the descent. This flexibility gives our groups a significant advantage. Schedule: 3 to 4 hours.

Day 11 Ascend to Gouter refuge*

By utilising both the Tete Rousse Refuge and the Gouter Hut, we give ourselves the best chance of making a successful summit bid.The route today is steeper and more demanding, and we will be roped up when we leave the Tete Rousse. We soon come to the Grand Couloir and after safely crossing over we continue up through steep terrain. The majority of the route today involves rockscrambling and we will travel roped up until we reach the hut. The Gouter is an older hut and usually very busy, however it's closer proximity to the summit puts us in the optimum position for our summit attempt. The evening meal will be served around 6pm allowing for an early night in order to get some sleep before an early rise for our climb to the summit. Schedule: 3 to 4 hours, Vertical: + 700 m. *PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the season there are times when the Gouter hut is overbooked. Availability is controlled by the French Alpine Club and allocation of beds is on a random basis and released in mid April each year. Please note that booking in advance is highly recommended but still does not guarantee a bed in the Gouter Hut. If we are unable to secure beds in this hut we will use the Tete Rousse Refuge. Although this makes for a slightly longer summit day, a better nights sleep is likely at this lower altitude, as well as a wider variety of good quality food. Your World Expeditions reservations consultant or travel agent will advise with your final documents if the Gouter Hut is not available for your group.

Day 12 Attempt Mont Blanc Summit

An alpine start this morning (3am), over snow and ice slopes and traversing ridges we ascend to the summit of Mont Blanc. First we will reach the top of the Dome Du Gouter at 4300m. We then pass the Vallot shelter and hike up the Les Bosses ridge and finally after 4 - 5 hours, the summit of Mt Blanc. Weather permitting we savour the stunning mountain views for only a short time before making our descent.The long descent requires concentration and endurance to reach the Nid d'Aigle where we can allow an intermediary rest and quick snack before continuing on to the Bellevue and then by cable car to Les Houches. Overnight at Chamonix hotel. Schedule: 8 to 12 hours, Vertical: + 1000 m / - 2400 m

Day 13 Trip concludes in Chamonix

The trip concludes after breakfast in the hotel. PLEASE NOTE: The above route and estimated times must be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to weather, snow conditions, group fitness or other reasons. Your guide will always make a final decision after assessing the situation and liaising with the group members.

Additional Information

Inclusions

12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
4 nights accommodation in a two star Chamonix hotel
8 nights accommodation in mountain huts/refuges
high altitude mountain guide (ratio of 2 participants per guide for Mont Blanc Ascent , 4-8 participants per guide on Haute Route
all common climbing gear (ropes, carabiners etc)
telepherique, lift transfers & taxi from Zermatt to Chamonix

Summary

13 day trip
10 day trek/mountaineering
8 nights mountain huts/refuges
4 nights hotel

Trip Main Activities

Mountaineering

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Whilst we strongly recommend you bringing your own climbing equipment and clothing, there is a considerable range of gear available for hire in Chamonix prior to the climb. This may suit you better if you are travelling on elsewhere and want to keep your baggage to a minimum. Personal clothing and equipment is not included in the trip cost. This would include warm layers and waterproof clothing, and clothing for both hot and cold conditions. You will need to take or hire climbing equipment including ice axe, crampons, harness with belay device, leather or plastic mountaineering boots & helmet. A sleeping bag is NOT required. Our Pre-departure information document for this trip details all clothing and equipment required for the trip and will be provided on booking your place.

What You Carry

Because you will be carrying all your own equipment plus a share of food for yourself and guide, it is essential to keep the weight down. A heavy rucksack will diminish your pleasure and make the climbing a struggle; especially day after day. The rucksack should be about 45 litres maximum (it is possible to rent this in Chamonix). Everything should be pared down to the bare essentials with a change of clothes in case you get soaked. No cotton clothing should be taken as it dries slowly. Inside the huts footwear is provided. Boots should accept step-in crampons and be warm enough for hiking in snow. There are many good models out there. Wear two pairs of socks and road-test them well before the trip. Make sure that the crampons are correctly adjusted to the boots. Your guide will check and make recommendations while in Chamonix and because we are commencing and returning to Chamonix any extra gear can be stored.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$3,890

Book now

Traveller reviews for Haute Route & Mont Blanc (0)

To write a review sign in, register or

Recommend

Add your experience Your experience “ ”
Say more…
Write your review Your review

Tags

Good for…

Not good for…

Photo Upload

Add a photo

Note: when you submit posts to our site (including images), you’re giving us permission to reuse your material elsewhere and also to pass it to others for use. Full website terms here.

Why we recommend World Expeditions

Pioneers in responsible travel.
No local payments.
True adventures in every sense.
Expert guides and support.
Quality facilities and transport.

Customer care

World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.

Contact World Expeditions customer service