Trip Notes CLASSIC MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS SUMMARY IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? LAND ONLY ITINERARY

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: TWE Countries: France, Switzerland Amended: September 2013 Edition No: CKT Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 CLASSIC MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS Family-run 4-star hotel with spa Heated rooftop swimming pool Iconic walks throughout the Chamonix Valley SUMMARY Nestled between the Massif du Mont Blanc in the southeast, the Aiguilles Rouges to the southwest, and bordered both by the Italian and Swiss Alps, the 20km-long Chamonix Valley justifiably claims to offer some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world. Our base for this guided walking week is 4-star Park Hotel Suisse in Chamonix, a beautiful alpine town bustling with restaurants, street cafes and fashionable shops all basking under the snow-capped peaks of Europe's tallest and most impressive mountain, Mont Blanc (4,810m). Trekking enthusiasts have long been drawn by the myriad of soaring peaks, needle-sharp spires and cascading glaciers which form the most stunning of backdrops to walks in the valley. But you don't need to be a confirmed hiker to enjoy a weeks' walking here, the routes we have put together use local trains, chairlifts and cable cars to give access to the higher slopes, allowing us to walk at a more gentle pace whilst still getting to appreciate the exceptional views that surround us. Your guided week here includes five days of the best moderately graded walks in the Chamonix valley, and we've also built in one free day so you can explore at leisure. Options include taking the Chamonix téléférique to ascend the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m or 12,605ft) and for the adventurous the cable continues over the Vallée Blanche to Italy. Alternatively, the lovely lakeside town of Annecy, Venice of France, is an easy day trip. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Activity level 2 - Leisurely/Moderate. 5 days walking 5 days centre-based walking using local transport, 1 free day. Altitude maximum 2359m, average 1500m. Walking Conditions Although the pace of the walks is leisurely and there is plenty of time to rest and enjoy the views, we place this itinerary at the tougher end of the leisurely/moderate scale due to the mountainous terrain. Days average about 5-7 hours of walking (including lunch and photo stops) and up to 7-10km in distance. The routes throughout are not technical and no special skills or equipment, other than normal walking boots and weatherproof clothing, are required. Being in the mountains there are some moderately steep slopes to negotiate both in ascent and descent and short sections of some paths are rocky and rough underfoot. An average level of fitness and some walking experience is advised, with the ability to walk on an undulating path for approximately 5-6 hours. The proposed walks are just some of many in the area and the leader may adapt them according to weather or other factors but will always select walks in character with the trip. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 You will be met by your leader at Geneva airport for your transfer to Chamonix (1.15hr transfer time). On arrival your leader will go through the weeks' walking programme. Time for a stroll around town before dinner. (D) Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Day 2 Swiss border hamlets walk A short scenic bus ride takes us to Le Tour, the highest hamlet in the valley, from where we gain further height by using the gondola. From here, (1880m 6160ft) it's a wonderfully colourful loop through archetypical alpine countryside and a tapestry of vivid wild flowers, alpine meadows and grazing cows with enormous clanging bells around their necks! The views from the Swiss border across to Mont Blanc and its gleaming white glaciers are truly unforgettable. 5 hours walking, 7km miles, 380m ft up, 380m ft down (B,L,D) Day 3 Balcon Nord and Montenvers We take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to the mid station of the Plan d'aiguille (2205m ft) where we pick up our path towards Montenvers. Initially we descend a little and then stay at approx. 2000m ft as we contour along the side of the valley. There are spectacular views of the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc behind and the sheer cliff face of the Dru and the Aiguille Verte in front. As we near Montenvers the path climbs on a series of well graded zigzags to our high point the Signal Forbes (2198m ft). Your reward, amazing views of Les Drus and the Mer de Glace. A steady descent brings us to the Montenvers station (1890m ft) and viewpoint over the Mer de Glace. There is time for an optional visit to the ice caves that have been carved into the side of the glacier. From here the path descends gently to Chamonix, alternatively you might like to take the historic cog railway back down to the valley bottom (the train ride is not included). 5 hours walking, 9km miles, 125m 410ft up, 1100m ft down or 335m ft down if you take the optional cog railway (B,L,D) Day 4 Free day Today is free with lots of choice in and around Chamonix town. Perhaps take the téléférique up the distinctive granite spires of the Aiguille du Midi (3,824m), or take the panoramic trip across to Italy and see the glacier up close. For a complete change of scene, you can pop over the Italian border into Courmayeur for a delicious pizza (local bus) or visit the lovely lakeside town of Annecy, with its multitude of water sports, lake cruises and gentle walking trails (train). (B) Day 5 Lac Blanc & Aiguilles Rouge Today we enjoy a 30-minute walk to the charming village of Les Praz where we hop aboard a cable car taking us high above the Chamonix Valley to La Flégère (1880m 6160ft). Here we will be walking in the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve with a good chance of spotting mountain ibex and marmots as we pass the peaceful Lac des Cheserys and climb steadily to the beautiful Lac Blanc. At (2352m ft) this stunning pale green lake lies under the shadow of Mont Blanc, and is one of the highest points of the week. After lunch, it s a gentle descent (on a different path) back to La Flégère with stunning views throughout before taking the cable car back down to Chamonix. Maybe enjoy a dip in your hotel s stunning rooftop pool before aperitifs on the terrace tonight? (B,L,D) 6 hours walking time including breaks and lunch etc. 8km - 5 miles, 470m ft up, 470m ft down Day 6 Argentiere & the Petit Balcon Sud The local mountain train takes us first to the traditional alpine village and glacier of Argentière. From here, it's a lovely walk to the sleepy hamlet of Trélechamps - the C18 gite serves great coffee and their homemade wild blueberry is exceptional! From here we have superb views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi to the south. We then follow the Petit Balcon Sud path as we descend the Chamonix Valley, taking in the tiny hamlets of Les Tines and Les Praz en route. There is an optional detour to the Chalet Floria - with over 4,000 plants, its panoramic terrace is one of the most bewitching spots in Chamonix and offers unbroken views of the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc chain. It's less than 30-minutes on forest paths back to Chamonix. Day 7 Prarion to Bellevue cable car Today we head down the valley to the village of Les Houches where we ascend by Gondola to Prarion. (1840m ft) A short walk takes us to a spectacular viewpoint (1950m ft) with a 360 degree panorama view of the Chamonix valley and surrounding mountains. We are close to the foot of Mont Blanc itself and she looms above us with her huge swathes of glaciers glittering in the sun. Panning around we see the Massif des Aravis then the enormous vertical cliffs of the La Chaine des Fiz. Further around again the Chamonix valley itself and the walks we have done during the week. Today's walk continues on well graded paths and we head to the bottom of the Bionnassay glacier. On the scale of other glaciers in the valley the Bionnassay is quite small but witnessing such a beautiful natural feature formed over 100's of years of snowy winters is a mesmerising sight as well as a pleasant spot to have lunch. A short walk brings us to the Bellevue cable car and our decent to the valley bottom. 5 hours walking, 9km miles, 350m ft up, 400m ft down (B,L,D) Day 8 End Chamonix. (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day. ACCOMMODATION The Park Hotel Suisse is a comfortable, family-run hotel, ideally located in the heart of Chamonix town. Combining a luxurious feel with traditional alpine architecture, this newly renovated hotel provides an excellent and welcoming base for our week. All rooms are en suite with TV, telephone, minibar and safe, with free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel. Other facilities include a rooftop heated swimming pool with exceptional views of Mont Blanc, and sauna and steam room. Each evening delicious group meals will be served in the comfortable dining room. Room upgrades are available for: Twin share Superior room upgrade 160 per room Twin share Luxury room upgrade 250 per room Twin share Suite upgrade 1080 per room Single supplement 400 per person Extra Accommodation: Extra Accommodation: If you require any additional accommodation either before or after the trip, we can book this for you (subject to availability) at the Park Hotel Suisse. Please notify us at the time of booking. Payment for this must be made to Exodus or your agent, so that we can issue you with an accommodation voucher. 4 hours walking, 9km miles, 100m - 330ft up, 300m ft down (B,L,D) 2

3 FOOD & TRANSPORT Food In the itinerary we state which meals are included on each day. 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included in the trip. On free day 4 and both transfer days lunch is not provided. On the free day 4, dinner is also not included, giving the opportunity to try one of the many fabulous local restaurants on offer. Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast will usually consist of cereal, orange juice, croissant, fresh French bread, butter, jam, as well as number of hot dishes, tea or coffee. Lunch: Picnic style lunches will normally include bread, fresh salad vegetables, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit. Evening meal: There will be two group meal choices per evening and will normally consist of a first course of soup, salad or other savoury dish, a main course of meat or fish with rice, potatoes or pasta and vegetables, followed by dessert. Drinks are not included in the price of evening meals. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the time of booking. If you take a vegan diet you should expect that variety of food may be limited whilst on this trip. As this kind of diet is relatively uncommon in this region we cannot guarantee that the hotels and restaurants will provide meals that have the necessary variety to be considered satisfying when on a more restricted diet. Transport All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where a client may choose to curtail a group walk. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Swiss International Airlines (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. JOINING THE TRIP IN CHAMONIX 8 days, normally start Chamonix Sat, end Chamonix Sat Low cost airlines It is possible to fly direct to Geneva with some budget airlines. It is likely that flights from regional airports will arrive at different times to the group flight from London; where this is the case a wait at the airport for the group transfer, or alternative transfer arrangements at your own cost, may be necessary (see below). Alternative flight options: Bristol, Manchester, Gatwick, Luton, Liverpool, Edinburgh - Easyjet. East Midlands - BMI baby. Heathrow - BA. City, Heathrow - Swiss Air. Airport Transfers for land only itinerary Those arriving/departing on non-group flights can join the group transfer free of charge (by prior arrangement only) if your flight arrives before or, at the end of the holiday, departs after the group flight. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if it has been booked for you by Exodus. Please check with the Exodus office if you are unsure whether or not a transfer is included. As mentioned group flights can be rescheduled, so you must check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. From late June to early October fair weather is to be expected, but all mountain ranges create their own weather patterns and the Alps are no exception. It can and does rain and especially on the high passes it can be surprisingly cold at times. Expected daytime temperatures are in the range of 15 to 25ºC in the valleys (although it can sometimes reach 30ºC in July/August), 5 to 15ºC on the passes (though it will feel colder if wet and windy) and 5 to 15ºC in the valley at night; possibly a little lower early and late in the season. There is always the possibility of snow, even in August, and in September trips may find snow on the passes. Please note that on late season treks (September) the days are shorter and we will need to make early starts to make the most of the available daylight hours. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. For those arriving at different times to the group flight it is very easy to book a bus transfer with a local company and you should do this at least a week before your departure date. A shared transfer (with others who have booked with them also) will cost approximately 27 one way if booked in advance with our partner Mountain Drop Offs. Book on their website - and quote the following promotional code EXO14. Take The Train Both Geneva Airport and Chamonix can easily be reached by train. If you book a train to coincide with the group flight timings there is a station inside Geneva airport itself. You are then welcome to join our free group transfer to Chamonix (by prior arrangement only). It is only possible to reserve train seats 3 months before your departure date and our sales team will be happy to book this for you in cooperation with Rail Europe. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. Throughout this walking holiday we visit small mountain huts for drink and snack stops helping to support the mountain community. 3

4 While our leaders work hard to ensure our groups leave minimal impact on the areas we walk, taking all litter and recycling where possible. We keep our walking groups small to limit impact on the areas we visit. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: Local Time GMT +1hr Electricity 230 Volts AC, standard European adapter required. Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. We provide a qualified International Mountain Leader to escort the group on each walking day. Our walking leaders are true mountain professionals as well as being skilled group leaders. This not only helps to assure safety on the mountain but also the benefit that your leader has experience and knowledge of wider mountain environment such as flora and fauna, geology, weather and local customs. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. Solo Departures We have chosen one or two departure dates on a selection of our most popular trips which are specifically recommended for clients travelling on their own. However, we do not exclude couples or friends travelling together from these departures, so we do not guarantee that the group will be entirely made up of solos. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. France No visa required for British passport holders. Switzerland No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Dates of Solo Departures can be found in our brochures or on our website. For further details please visit: solodepartures. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of France is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.2 to the UK and 0.75 to the US$. The national currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF), with an exchange rate of 1.42 to the UK and 1.08 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques We recommend you bring your spending money in cash, but credit or debit cards may be useful for shopping/extra excursions. Cash points are available in Geneva and Chamonix. Extra Expenses and Spending Money For your evening meal out on the free day you will need to allow approximately Obviously this can vary depending on the restaurant you choose and there is plenty of choice for all budgets. You will also need money for drinks in cafés or huts during the day's walk and drinks with our evening meals in the hotel. Typically a large café au lait or a soft drink would cost between 4-5, and a glass of beer Insurance - are you adequately covered? It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services). If taking an alternative policy you must be sure that you are covered for any activities that are part of this trip or optional activities that you intend to take part in. You must have adequate travel insurance, and as you are joining a trip which goes to altitude you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. 4

5 Tipping (leader and local staff) Although optional a tip for the walking leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution of 10 to 30 (US$15-50) per client. It is customary and appreciated to leave a small tip when settling your drinks bill at group meals. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) There are a number of extra excursions available, exact prices and details will be confirmed locally, but the following provides a guide to what is normally available: Visit to Courmayeur: 25 per person Return ride on Aiguille du Midi cable car: 50 per person. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing In addition to your 'normal' daily clothes, you will need the following: Traditional or lightweight walking boots with good ankle support Waterproof/windproof jacket (preferably Gortex) and waterproof trousers Hat and gloves (even for August). A warm 2 season jacket or sweater/fleece. Water bottle approx. 2 litres Day sack of 25/30 litre capacity. Sun hat, sun glasses (the sun in the Alps has a very high UV factor and is very intensive), sun screen and lip salve We also advise using dry flow wicking clothing rather than cotton as it dries much quicker and is more comfortable when trekking. Walking poles are highly recommended. Optional items: Swimming costume/trunks for the swimming pool Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Chamonix Mont Blanc, A Walking Guide by Martin Collins. Published by the Cicerone Press. Maps: For maps the best single sheet for this area is the IGN / Libris 1:50000 'Massif et tour du Mont-Blanc'. More detailed sheets for the area are the two IGN sheets at 1: ET St Gervais and 3630 OT Chamonix. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO 5

6 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 6