Alpine Adventure Itinerary
The adventure itinerary presented here is purely an example of what might happen in a perfect week and could be changed due circumstances beyond the control of the guides, including adverse weather conditions.
Arrival Day
The group will rendez-vous at Yeti Lodge in Argentière (altitude 1240m.), just a few kilometres from Chamonix. Here, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear and to decide if you will need to pick up any further items of equipment before setting out in the morning. After this, it will be time to sit down to an excellent three-course dinner.
Day 1. Balcon de Mer de Glace - Couvercle refuge 2687m
After a full breakfast, there will be the opportunity to spend some time hiring or buying any items of clothing or gear that you will need for the trip. After this, we will take the old rack and pinion railway up through the woods from Chamonix to the edge of the Mer de Glace (1909m.). This is the glacier where Frankenstein hid in Mary Shelley’s novel. All around are granite spires, with the glacier flowing through the middle. A short trek and a few ladders lead us down to the glacier.
For those who have never used crampons, there is time for an introduction before heading up over the glacier. We cross the Mer de Glace and head for the ladders on the other side to reach the path called Balcon de Mer de Glace. This is a path / Via Ferrata route that eventually leads us to the Couvercle refuge where we spend the night. This refuge is situated in the Talèfre basin with a magnificent view of the legendary Grandes Jorasses.
Day 2. Le Jardin de Talèfre a unique alpine flower garden
Leaving the refuge, we head up the Glacier de Talèfre to the Jardin de Talèfre. This is a garden of Alpine flowers set in the middle of the glacier. Here we have time for a picnic before we slowly head down a different route back to the Montenvers train and the comfortable chalet in time for afternoon tea.
Day 3. Traverse of the Vallée Blanche
We take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi 3842m. We have time to have a look around the different viewing platforms before we continue with the little gondola over to the Italian side. During the slow journey, you get the most amazing views of the Glacier de Grands that we are about to trek across. After an Italian coffee in the little café on the other side we start the five hour walk across this classic glacier traverse. The high altitude makes this technically easy day quite challenging.
Day 4. Via Ferrata day
A brand new equipped Via Ferrata route has opened just outside the Chamonix valley. We drive up to the little village called Plaine Joux. From there we have a short walk up to the base of the Via Ferrata. This is a slightly different day to the others to break up the glacier treks and have a nice day in the sun on rocky terrain. It is also a good experience for further adventures in the mountains.
Day 5. Conscrit refuge 2730m
We drive out of the valley towards Megève to the village called Les Contamines. From the car park, it is about a five hour walk to the Conscrits refuge. This alpine trek starts through lush forest which turns into a more bare alpine landscape as we pass the Tré la Tête refuge. Soon we find ourselves on a glacier before we arrive at our destination, the Conscrits refuge. This refuge is located on a different side of the Mont Blanc range and offers a whole new view of the mountains.
Day 6. Col des Dômes 3564m
An early morning start takes us further up the Tré la Tête glacier to the Col des Dômes at 3564m. From there you have a fantastic view down the green valley on the other side, up the snowy ridge of the Dômes de Miage and up Mont Blanc. We take our time to admire the views before we head back down again for a nice relaxing afternoon at the chalet in Argentière. In the evening, we have the opportunity to reflect on the adventures of the week, during the course of a dinner at the chalet.
Departure Day
The holiday package ends after breakfast.
