Family Adventures

Day 1 Arrive in Argentière

Rendez-vous at the group chalet in Argentière just a few kilometres from Chamonix. The accommodation we use for the Chamonix Family Adventure is at Yeti Lodge. The chalet has bright and airy rooms, south-facing sun-decks with views to Mont Blanc, and a hot tub and sauna. In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead where you will meet your guide for the week. (Dinner)

Day 2 Panorama trek to Lac Blanc

The Lac Blanc, or white lake, is our target for the day and is one of the most stunning locations in the area. It was recently voted by one magazine as the most beautiful day walk in the world! Our route begins at the Flégère cable car where we take advantage of a two-stage ride up to our trail at 2385m. Our lovely balcony walk gives us impressive views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley – a fantastic way to start your week’s adventures. Our walk is through the Nature Reserve with a landscape of granite cliffs, wildlife, and often old snow left over from the winter. After arriving back at Flégère we save our knees by taking the cable car back down. This walk can easily be adapted to be longer or shorter depending on your family. Ascent: 100m Descent: 500m. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Aiguille du Midi and River Arve

The Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix. It is a journey of two stages. The first brings visitors to the Plan de l'Aiguille at 2300m. The second stage traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face. Often in summer it is possible to spot climbers on their way up this face towards the summit of the Aiguille. From the top station at 3842m the view of the Alps is incredible with several terraces from where visitors can take in the spectacular views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. On a clear day it is possible to see the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Grand Combin. An elevator inside the rock rises the final 42m to the top terrace at 3842m. This is the closest you can get to Mount Blanc without climbing!

We then descend to the mid station at Plan de l'Aiguille and have our picnic lunch. After our final descent, we head off to get wet with a fun, fast and furious journey on white water along the river Arve through the centre of Chamonix itself. Choose from Rafting or 'Hydrospeed' which is swimming with a helmet, flippers and a block of plastic as a float! To raft you must be 8 years old, 1m 20 in height and for ‘Hydrospeed’ at least 12 years old and 1m50 in height and that you can all swim. Your evening meal will be at a restaurant of your choice in Argentière. (Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 4 Swiss Walk to Lac d'Emosson

Today we need to remember our passports as we are walking to Switzerland! Our walk begins in Vallorcine, the valley of bears, just a short drive from your accommodation. All the bears have long since gone but this beautiful remote valley provides opportunities for excellent walking and views of the Mont Blanc range. Our walk takes us up through the pine trees to Chalet Loriaz, a traditional mountain refuge situated in summer meadow surrounded by chickens and Swiss cows. Here at 2020m you have stunning views of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps. After lunch we continue our walk along an easy balcony trail keeping our height to reach one of Switzerland's largest dams, Lac d' Emosson. For younger families we can walk this route in reverse to save on the climbing! Ascent: 800m Descent: 200m. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Canyoning or Rock Climbing / Free Afternoon

Canyoning involves wearing protective gear whilst descending deep gorges/rivers often abseiling down cliffs, jumping and sliding over waterfalls and swimming through hidden pools. Professional guides will give you detailed instruction and equipment to allow you to enjoy the thrills of one of the region’s best canyons. To Canyon you need to be at least 12 years old, 1.5 m in height and be able to swim.

Or if you would prefer a dryer experience challenge yourself with rock climbing. Join a professional guide at Chamonix's lakeside crag to learn the skills and techniques to scale a rock face and abseil by yourself back to 'terra firma'!

Lunch today is in one of the town’s many cafés and the afternoon is then free for you to explore. You may wish to relax or if you are in need of more adventure your guide will help you organise another activity - you can take the the train up to the Mer de Glace Glacier and Ice Grotto, hire bikes, ride the Chamonix 'Luge', or check out the flumes at the swimming pool. Please note that the afternoon activities are not included. (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 6 Trek to a mountain hut

Today we need to be organised and pack our bags to start a two day walk along the world famous trail the 'Tour du Mont Blanc'. We set off for our two day adventure from Les Houches and make use of a cable car to gain 900m. We cross under the Bionnassay glacier and head up to the Col de Tricot, 2120m, before a steep descent to the Miage pastures and chalet. Here we have the afternoon to explore this hidden river valley with its farm animals, and views to the glacier. We spend the night in an alpine meadow in characterful accommodation hosted by the Orsett family. Please note that this walk can be adapted to suit most fitness levels and age groups. Our accommodation will be in a non-segregated mixed dormitory. Ascent: 600m Descent: 560m (Breakfast, lunch and evening meal in the mountain chalet)

Day 7 Walk to Les Contamines Adventure Park

After our breakfast in the chalet we make the short climb up to the Truc alpage where we have the option of climbing the Truc peak for 360 degree views before heading downhill through the forest to the small town of Les Contamines. Ascent: 150m Descent: 600m

We then walk a little further to the adventure park where we have our picnic lunch by the lakeside. Here we can experience the ‘high life’ travelling from tree to tree through the forest, using rope bridges, Tarzan swings, Tyrolean wire slides, rope ladders & cargo nets. The height for this is a minimum of 140cm and is designed for over 12 yrs. If you do not fall into this height category then you can do the area designed for those taller than 120cm. Thanks to a technique taken from mountain climbing and Via-Ferrata, the journey through the trees is completely secure but we do ask adults to stay with their children at all times. From here we meet our transport back to Argentiere for a well deserved rest and final dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Departure Day

The family package ends after breakfast. (Breakfast)

Price

Included: Hotel or chalet accommodation at Yeti Lodge in Argentière for 6 nights and a night in a mountain refuge. The services of local, professional guides and instructors unless otherwise stated as unsupervised. All cable car lifts as part of the itinerary, valley transport and entrance & equipment to all of the activities as stated in the itinerary (rock climbing or canyoning, rafting or hydrospeed and adventure park). All meals including afternoon tea.

Not included: International flights, travel Insurance, airport transfers, Chamonix activities unless stated as included, miscellaneous personal expenses – drinks, wine/soft drinks with meals, souvenirs etc.

Minimum numbers

These trips will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 10 clients. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run. This week is designed for active families from 8 years and over. Chamonix has plenty to offer for all abilities so we can adapt the week to suit a variety of ages and enthusiasm!

Further Information

During the week, there is a wide range of activities available, some of which are offered as optional extras. Safety is our main concern on this kind of trip and the rafting, adventure-park and climbing options are taken by highly qualified instructors. The walks undertaken on this trip are on good and well-marked trails and they are suitable for children of 8 years and upwards providing they are used to walking in the hills and uneven footpaths. Upon booking a list of the necessary suitable clothing will be provided.

Accommodation

Our chalet accommodation for this week is in The Yeti Lodge in the lovely alpine village of Argentière, near Chamonix. The chalet has a sauna, hot tub and wonderful views of Mont Blanc. The rooms are twin or triples with either en suite or shared bathrooms depending on the availability. The group also has the use of the comfortable lounge area which has a real fireplace, satellite TV & DVD and free WIFI. There is a secure underground car park and overnight shoe dryers in the basement.

Travel

Chamonix is easily reached from other European & Worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. For suggested travel links please refer to our Booking & Information pages for further details. Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 minutes away by road, making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange. Please contact us if you need further advise on your specific travel requirements.

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