Mountain Adventure Holidays
A perfect introduction to multi-day walking for families with children aged from 10 years old. Travel through three countries and three cultures on our mini-Tour du Mont Blanc. We meet in Chamonix in France, the mountaineering capital of the world to begin a journey of discovery which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. We cross high passes, visit remote farms, a beautiful lakeside mountain village, and sleep in a mountain hut - it's all there on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
This excellent family adventure is for families who love to walk. During the week, you will make a half circuit of the Mont Blanc massive following the classic Tour du Mont Blanc trail. This excellent introduction to multi-day walking is designed for families that are already used to full days out but now want to make a journey. With comfortable hotel and chalet accommodation and luggage transfers provided, this itinerary enables the whole family to walk the most beautiful section of the famous Mont Blanc circuit.
On arrival the views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountain range provide a taste of things to come! Your guide will meet you at your accommodation in Chamonix Valley at approximately 1800 hrs when they will brief you on the trip ahead.
Today’s walk provides spectacular views across to the main Mont Blanc range. We begin with a ride in the Flégère cable car to reach the start of our ridge walk which will lead us upwards to the world famous Lac Blanc. En route we often see mountain animals, such as ibex, chamois, and marmots, which range freely throughout the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. The Reserve was set up in 1974 and covers some 3,279 hectares (8,100 acres) in a bid to protect the flora and fauna of this beautiful alpine landscape. Once we reach Lac Blanc, which sits at an altitude of 2352m (7714ft) there is an opportunity to indulge in some coffee and homemade goodies in the Refuge. We then walk down to the cable car mid-station at La Flégère, and then descend to Chamonix valley by cable car.
Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 7.5km (4.7 miles) Duration: 3h00-4h00
After breakfast we head for the village of Argentiere and then stroll along the Petit Balcon Nord, to the hamlet of Le Tour at the top end of the valley. On the way we wander through larch forest and the cow-bells of the grazing animals can often be heard in the meadows below us. We pass some beautiful old wooden chalets that seem trapped in a time warp! Once at Le Tour we save our legs by taking the cable car up the mountain. We then head across the mountainside and over our high point for the day, which lies below the peak of the Croix de Fer. From here we head to the alpine cow meadows at Les Tseppes, and then zig-zag down through the larch forest to the tiny village of Trient. Depending on the availability of accommodation, we either overnight in Trient or walk a little further to the historic coaching hotel at the Col de la Forclaz.
Ascent 600m (1968ft) Descent: 1000m (3280ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 4h00-5h00
Depending on where you stayed last night the day will either begin with a climb to the Col de la Forclaz, or you will begin from the Col and head straight along the lovely Bovine trail. Either way you are soon wandering through the larch forests, and on your way to Champex. The Bovine is famous for its high pastures which are home to the famous Swiss fighting cows during the summer months, hence the name the 'Bovine'. The fighting cows are just brilliant, they are cheeky and with a lot of attitude! The 'fight' is the equivalent of Sumo wrestling for cows, and no one gets hurt, well, apart from damaged pride! We stop for lunch at the farm, where we might be able to chat with Nathalie, the farmer, whilst enjoying views right along the Rhône Valley of some of the major Swiss peaks. In the afternoon we walk down to the idyllic lakeside village of Champex where we overnight.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 6h00-8h00
Champex has a beautiful 'blue-green' lake which is totally natural and a remnant from the days this high valley was covered by a glacier. After walking around the lake, we descend through pine trees and the begin the ‘mushroom trail’ towards the Praz de Fort meadows. Along the way there are information boards where you can learn about mushrooms. There are also fantastic wooden sculptures of animals placed at intervals along our route. Keeping to the valley floor and the river edge, we start a gradual climb towards the Italian border and Mont Dolent: a truly international summit stradling France, Switzerland and Italy. We spend the night in the small Swiss village of La Fouly. Optionally, this can be a rest day to enjoy relaxing in Champex with ‘pedalo’ hire available on the lake. You can then easily transfer to our accommodation in La Fouly by bus, a journey of approximately 90 minutes. Please note that if you choose to take the bus your ticket is not included in the trip price.
Ascent: 550m (1804ft) Descent: 430m (1410ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today is our big day as we head to the hills to spend the night at one of the most beautiful Italian Rifugios. A Rifugio is accommodation high in the mountains, usually only accessible on foot or by helicopter! In France they are called Refuges, and in Switzerland either Cabane or Hütte. They are literally a refuge in the mountains for hikers and climbers. So we set off on a long, steady climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) and the Italian border. En route we stop at La Peule, a perfectly situated farm and refuge, to refuel with coffee and homemade cake. The farming family at La Peule spend the summer months making cheese.
The climb is well worth the effort, with views into Switzerland of the mighty snow-capped Grand Combin (4090m) and of the French frontier ahead of us in the distance. We stop here for our picnic lunch to enjoy the views and savour to our achievement! When we are ready we descend into Val Ferret to Refuge Elena at 2061m (6761ft) where we will sleep tonight providing a true night in the mountains. Enjoy stunning views of the 1000 year old Pre de Bard glacier and Mont Dolent, the only mountain that borders Italy, Switzerland and France. Showers are available and the food is excellent! Please note there is no luggage transfer to your accommodation today. You will be carrying just a few extra items in your rucksack for your overnight.
Ascent: 980m (3215ft) Descent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 10.5km (6.5 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
No access to luggage tonight.
We rise to views of the mountains and enjoy a good Italian hut breakfast before we begin our day on what is a really superb trail. We first descend 280m (918ft) from the refuge to reach the farm of Arnuva. From here we commence our final big climb to reach the Rifugio Bonatti at 2056m (6743ft). The Rifugio has stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif and makes for a wonderful hot chocolate stop! This is a new mountain hut which pays homage to the world renowned Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. We leave the Rifugio Bonatti and walk along a balcony trail without losing any of our height to reach the Rifugio Bertone. The Rifugio is an ideal spot to enjoy refreshments and the views of the ‘Italian’ side of Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco in Italian. Then it's a descent through the pine and larch forests into the old quarter of the town of Courmayeur where we complete our journey. We have time to soak up the Italian sunshine, eat gelato, and enjoy some cafe culture before meeting our transfer back to Chamonix Valley.
Ascent: 580m (1902ft) Descent: 1186m (3891ft) Distance: 19km (12 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
Today is departure day, and your trip services end after breakfast.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. In most cases we have known the management for many years.
All accommodation is in twin or family rooms, these may have en suite facilities or if in a chalet they may be with shared bathrooms.
Exact accommodations booked are detailed within the trip itinerary.
For your trip you have one night where 7 people are in a private dormitory and 2 people are in a private room at the Hotel Edelweiss in La Fouly.
At the Bekker Chalet in Finhaut you have sole use of the property where there is a mix of private rooms, one 4 bed dorm and one sofa bed.
For the rest of the trip you will stay in a mix of 3 and 4 star accommodation including a luxury chalet with a spa.
Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Chamonix is a vibrant bustling town and offers a range of hotels. For this trip we will be staying at the 4* Hotel Le Refuge des Aiglons, but this does require early booking. It is centrally located offering superb views of Mont Blanc.
The hotel has 107 rooms, a spacious lounge, fitness studio, cocktail bar and restaurant that access the pool and terrace. After a day in the mountains hotel guests have free access to the Deep Nature Spa. Free slippers and bath robes are provided.
In years gone by the Grande Ourse was a hotel, then it was home to the Swiss Youth Movement camps. It has been entirely renovated and has returned to offering accommodation for hikers. The new owner is Jasiqi Azem and his family who have put a lot of love into the renovation project which was completed 10 years ago. Our accommodation here is in bedrooms when available, and on some occasions it will be necessary to use dormitories.
The showers, and toilets are on each floor with separate facilities for males, and females. There is a cosy cafe/bar in the old pavilion building which is immediately next to the main building.
The Hotel Splendide sits high in the mountains with great views from the terrace down to the valley below. This historic hotel was built between 1934 and 1938 by the grand-father of the owner. Please note that not all of the rooms here are en suite but we do book as many as possible. For example, in some cases single rooms share a bathroom located on the same floor. There are some large family rooms available with adjoining rooms with en suite bathrooms which make a twin. We eat dinner in the lovely old-fashioned dining room, a real touch of history to be found in this family run hotel.
During the Second World War the army from the nearby artillery fort were stationed at the hotel. Those perfect views down the valley were appreciated by more than just the tourists! It gave the army an excellent position of strength for protecting the route through to Italy.
In La Fouly we spend our overnight at the Hotel Edelweiss, like all our other hotels it is family run, cosy and comfortable. There is a bar with a terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the afternoon sun. All the bedrooms are traditional in style with lots of 'wood'. Most of the rooms have en suite facilities, however on some occasions it's necessary for us to book two rooms (classed as a family room) with an adjoining bathroom. There is a dining room with lovely views, and breakfast is served buffet style.
Located below the Grand Col Ferret and thousand-year-old Prè de Bard glacier experience an unforgettable night in the mountains at Refuge Elena 2061m (6761ft) in Italy. Located at the head of the valley make yourself at home at this comfortable overnight stop with the warmth of a fireplace, in rustic surroundings of wooden beams and stone works. Elena's refuge offers a 3 course menu with typical dishes and wines of the Val d'Aosta. Depending on availability the accommodation is either in small rooms or dormitories, showers and electricity is available.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
If travelling by plane, Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the night in the mountain hut
Additional Items
Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. The legal maximum weight limit is 15kg (33lbs) per person. If your luggage exceeds this limit it will not be collected. You can take only ONE luggage bag on the trip. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Note that your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. For our family trips we ensure that you have a guide who enjoys working with young people and encouraging their interest in the outdoors.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
If you consider yourselves a ‘hill-walking’ family then this is for you. These trips involve longer days at an altitude of up to 2800m (9184ft) on good paths and tracks. A good level of fitness is required as these treks can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day on rougher paths. There may be an occasional day with ascents/descents of up to 1250m (4100ft). We would expect you to have previous experience of walking on consecutive days in the mountains, and have experience of hiking in bad weather. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day.
You should be confident that everyone in the family is comfortable with these daily distances and ascents, especially the younger members of the family.
On this trip you will have access to your luggage on every night except the evening we spend at the Rifugio Bonatti in Italy when you will carry a few extra overnight items in your rucksack.
Your luggage will be transferred daily to the next accommodation and you only need carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
Your luggage, ONE bag per person, will be moved along the route by taxi and should not exceed the legal maximum weight of 15kgs (33lbs). If your luggage exceeds this weight limit it will not be collected and will be left behind.
Be aware that you will have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea, and the taxi companies prefer a soft bag. They cannot accept responsibility for damage to any hard-shell suitcases. You are asked to avoid leaving valuables in your luggage, fragile items, personal medication or official documents, such as passports.
If your trip begins and ends at the same hotel in Chamonix it is possible to leave extra luggage at the hotel for your return. However, we cannot guarantee at this point in time that we will be using the same hotel at the beginning and end of your journey as it depends on availability. Contact us for details.
Your bags will be collected each morning at 0800 hrs and if your bag is not ready it will not be collected. The bags will be delivered by 1730 hrs to your next accommodation. Earlier delivery cannot be guarantee due to the volume of luggage moving around the Tour du Mont Blanc.
We recommend that you consider a device such as an "AirTag" which allows you to track your luggage in the event of it being misplaced.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover the route:
IGN 89025: Tour du Mont Blanc 1:50,000
or
IGN 3630 OT: Chamonix Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 10 Aug - Sun 17 Aug Code: FMB1 |
Price: £2275 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2275 |
| Holiday Type | Family |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 5-10 |
| Minimum Age | 10 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2537m (8321ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
