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Chamonix Family Adventure

Price £795 or 1035€

Trip 1 Saturday 19 July – Saturday 26 July 2008*
Trip 2 Saturday 26 July – Saturday 2 August 2008 (Closed)
Trip 3 Saturday 9 August – Saturday 16 August 2008*
Trip 4 Saturday 23 August – Saturday 30 August 2008 (Closed)

*These trips have the required minimum numbers and are guaranteed to run

France’s Chamonix Valley, with its spectacular backdrop of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, is the perfect setting for a family holiday. From our comfortable chalet base in the village of Argentière, our daily programme of escorted activities will include day hikes such as the scenic trek from the Brévent Summit and along the Grand Balcon Sud. We will also be able to try our hand at introductory rock climbing, take a whitewater rafting trip on the Arve, ride Europe's highest cable-car to the Aiguille du Midi and spend a day at the thermal pools of Saillon. If this was not enough excitement for one holiday, there is also the opportunity to try out some of the many additional activities which are available locally - such as swimming, ice-skating, the adventure park and the Chamonix 'luge'. This is an action-packed week of fun and adventure at the heart of the French Alps.

Is it for you?  Served by several 'low-cost' airlines, the ChamonixValley has a wealth of adventure options. With our comfortable chalet base at Yeti Lodge and a variety of included activities, this itinerary should appeal to most families with active children of 8 years and over.

Day 1   Arrive in Argentière

Rendezvous at the group chalet in Argentière just a few kilometres from Chamonix. The accommodation we use for the Chamonix Family Adventure is superb and adds an element of luxury to six days of adventure in the Chamonix valley. Yeti Lodge offers bright and airy rooms with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, south-facing sun-decks facing Mont Blanc, and tastefully decorated interiors. On arrival, you can relax in the splendor of your surroundings and enjoy the stunning views of Mont Blanc from the sundeck!  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 A guided beginners trek

We drive to La Tour by mini bus and use the lift system to take us to the Col de Balme at 2191m. After a short climb to the Tête de Balme at 2321m, which lies on the border with Switzerland, we descend on delightful forest trails to the pretty village of Vallorcine, stopping en route for a picnic lunch. This is a relatively gentle introduction to our week. Based at the northern end of the Chamonix Valley with our first col and summit – most of the trek is downhill!  The mini bus will pick the group up in Vallorcine for the 10 minute drive back to the chalet.  We take afternoon tea and then head off into Chamonix where we have the option to visit the swimming baths (extra cost and unsupervised).  Return to accommodation for dinner.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Rafting and Adventure Parc

We plan to get wet today with a choice of activities. We have a sedate option of gentle rafting down the Chamonix Valley to Les Houches.  There are a wide variety of rafts and also one or two person inflatable kayaks. The smaller craft are more vulnerable! Alternatively, you can try “Hydrospeed” – swimming with a helmet, flippers and a block of plastic. All good fun and time to enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the River.  At the end of the rafting trip, you can choose to either spend the afternoon in Chamonix or head off to the Adventure Parc in Les Houches.  Here we are in the tree tops travelling from tree to tree through the forest, using rope bridges, Tarzan swings, Tyrolean wire slides, gangways, ladders, and cargo nets. Thanks to a technique taken from mountain climbing and from the Via-Ferrata, the journey through the trees is completely secured and kids are supervised throughout.  At the end of the day, we re-group in Chamonix and return to our accommodation.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Cable car to the Aiguille du Midi

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 time 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! Returning to Chamonix we can enjoy a walk around Chamonix town, taking lunch at "Poco Loco’s" – the best burgers in town. In the afternoon we suggest free time at the Luge or swimming baths (or both!) - extra cost and unsupervised – both activities are a great favourite with adults and kids alike. Later we take the  mini-bus back to the Chalet for Dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Trek the Grand Balcon Sud

This is the big trek.  We start with a cable car ride to the Brévent summit at 2500m offering unsurpassed views of the Mer De Glace, the Chamonix Aiguilles and of course Mont Blanc. Our trek follows the Grand Balcon Sud - a magnificent belvedere path, which twists and turns its way through impressive rock pinnacles and side valleys to the refuge at Flégère where we have lunch. From here the path descends through the pine forests all the way back to Argentière and Yeti Lodge. We take a well-earned rest and afternoon before driving you into Chamonix where you have the option to go ice skating (extra cost and unsupervised). Tonight is a free night for dinner when you can choose from several restaurants. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 Visit to Les Bains de Saillon

Today we head across the border to visit the Spa town of Saillon in the heart of the Swiss Valais. Located at an altitude of 460m, the thermal pools of Les Bains de Saillon are surrounded by vineyards, orchards and fields, with the medieval village of Saillon and the majestic mountains as the backdrop. This resort is a great place to relax at the end of the trip. As well as the indoor and outdoor thermal pools, there are saunas and steam rooms, a solarium and fitness and beauty centre. For the kids there is a semi Olympic size swimming pool with a waterslide. Returning to the Argentière, the final afternoon is free for shopping or to relax. There are several restaurants in Argentière to celebrate the end of your holiday. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 Rock climbing and visit to Mer de Glace

This morning we can try our hand at rock climbing with a qualified mountain guide at the cliffs of les Gaillands, a famous roadside crag which has been prepared and equipped providing a safe outdoor climbing environment. Under instruction of the best guides in the business we can learn rock climbing techniques and try our hand at a variety of routes. After a picnic lunch, we return to the centre of Chamonix to catch the Montenvers Train. This old funicular climbs a steep track to a stunning vantage point above the Mer de Glace. From here, views of Les Grandes Jorasses and Les Drus are exceptional. From the top station at Montenvers we have time to walk down to the glacier and into an ice grotto. We then take the train back down to Chamonix and return to the chalet for dinner.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Departure Day

The family package ends after breakfast. For those with afternoon or late flights there is an excellent Saturday market in Chamonix. (Breakfast)

Price

What’s included: - Hotel or chalet accommodation in Argentière for 7 nights. All cable car lifts, the mountain railway, valley transport, entrance to Bains de Saillon. All meals - with the exception of 2 evening meals. Professional guides and instructors for all activities unless otherwise stated as unsupervised.

What’s 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

This trip will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 12 clients. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run.

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.  Upon booking a list of the necessary suitable clothing will be provided.

Travel

Chamonix is easily reached from Geneva airport by transfer, train, bus or car. It is a drive of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Please note that this trip is run in conjunction with our partners at
KE Adventure Travel

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