We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
France |
Italy |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
€2.50 |
€3.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
€2.50 |
€2.40 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
€1.45 |
€2.40 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
€3.50 |
€4.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
€15.00 |
€18.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
€25.00 |
€35.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
€12.00 |
€18.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to top
Visa Requirements
Visas not required by UK, CAN, USA & AUS, NZ citizens or EU nationals. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Back to top
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to top
Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
Back to top
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to top
Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Preparing for your tour
Walking Grades and Fitness
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual’s own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated Strenuous.
Strenuous: For the more serious hillwalker and a higher level of physical fitness is required. Walking days can be 6-8 hrs and may involve up to 900m plus of ascent/descent. be prepared for many consecutive days walking, often at high altitudes, so stamina is very important.
Back to top
Altitude: On Trek
Gradient Chart
Back to top
Climate
The Alps are an ideal place to visit in the summer with generally warm to hot sunny days (reaching 25-30°C) and cool nights (7- 15°C), although in early June it will be a little cooler. On the walking days we trek to higher altitudes where the temperature will be lower and even a small breeze will feel cold. As with all mountain environments it can and does rain and it is not unusual to find snow on the passes. At higher altitudes it can become very cold if rain storms come in and you should be prepared for this. Please pay special attention to the clothing list we recommend.
Back to top
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to top
Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to top
Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to top
One main piece of baggage and a waterproof daysac (40 litres recommended). You will need to carry enough spare clothes and toiletries for the overnight stay at Les Chapieux and Les Contamines (days 4, 5 & 6).
Back to top
Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
Clothing
Pack for ‘Mountain Treks’ as listed in our ‘General Information Booklet’. The following are essential: Good quality waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, comfortable walking trousers, shorts, warm hat and gloves, sunhat, sunglasses and high factor suncream. Jeans are not ideal for walking. Although you should expect to live in T-shirts and shorts for the holiday, please be aware that temperatures can change dramatically at altitude and at night. There is a good public swimming pool in Chamonix – French health regulations require men to wear ‘proper’ swimming trunks, not loose Bermuda / boxer-style trunks. For aroundtown wear in Chamonix, you should bring some slightly smarter clothes.
Back to top
Footwear
Walking boots with ankle support and good tread. ’Trekking shoes’ are not good enough for the walks as they do not give ankle support. In addition, you should avoid cheap boots found in high-street shops that are merely trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. We recommend that you wear/carry your walking boots as hand luggage on the international flight: should your luggage be delayed, your well broken-in boots will be irreplaceable. Trainers or trekking sandals are useful for relaxing in the evening.
Back to top
Equipment
You will need a water bottle (preferably 2 litres), torch, insect repellent and high factor sun cream. You may like to bring trekking poles. It is a good idea to line your daysac with a good quality plastic bag. This will go a long way in protecting your gear from any rainstorms we encounter.
Tap water is safe to drink but water sources along the trail may not always be drinkable. We recommend you bring a 2 litre personal water bottle and water purifying tablets. If you dislike the taste of sterilised water, is a good idea to add some powdered fruit juice. Using tap or purified water rather than bottled water will help avoid creating plastic bottle waste. Energy snacks including chocolate and sweets are recommended whilst on trek.
Back to top
Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to top
General Information
Trip Summary
This trek completes half of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and is suitable for people with less time and who prefer the comfort of the same bedroom for the majority of the holiday. Using a comfortable chalet as our main base, we have 5 days of walking, all on the TMB. There are 2 day-walks within the Chamonix Valley and 3 days on a point-to-point trek – known locally as the demi tour du Mont Blanc - with 2 overnight stops at different hotels on the trail.
The Mont Blanc massif is the highest mountain range in Western Europe. Spending a week in the Italian and French Alps we take five very different walks. Our hikes take us through thick conifer forests, high Alpine meadows and over rugged cols. There are breathtaking views of high mountain peaks, great glaciers and the soaring granite spires above Chamonix. Our route enables us to see a variety of views of Mont Blanc, including the steep South Face from Italy. Early in the season there are brightly coloured Alpine flowers and we are likely to see marmots, chamois and birds of prey.
There is a free day for optional activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking and riding the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car. In addition, there is plenty of opportunity to savour French culture, try local food and sit at pavement cafés admiring the views.
Our chalet in Chamonix has well-appointed twin rooms with a dining area where breakfast is taken. There are great views of Mont Blanc and the garden has a hot tub. When on days 4 and 5 of the trek we stay at a small family-run hotel and auberge.
Back to top
Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to top
Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
