This itinerary is an example of what could be achieved with good weather and the right conditions. It will be changed by your guide to suit conditions and the group. The course starts with an evening meeting between you and your guide at our office. Your guide will go though the plan for the coming days and answer any questions you have.

The first day is allocated for the preparation and training. There are few options for the itinerary and we will choose one according to the weather and conditions. For example, we will take Skyway cable car and climb the Traverse of the Marbrees. Climbing above 3000m will help with the aclimatisation. However, we recommend to acclimatize prior the course if you have the opportunity to do so.

This is the first day of the Mont Blanc ascent. We will drive to Les Houches and take a cable car + train to the Nid d’Aigle (2 372m). At the start and end of the season, the train and lift are not running and we use 4×4 car to get to the top of the Bellevue lift. You would hike from / to there in this case (additional 1 hour of hiking eachway).

From here there is about 3 hours hike to the Tete Rousse hut (3165 m), where you will spend the night.

A big day! Weather permitting you will aim to summit Mont Blanc today. The ascent takes about 6 to 7 hours You should be on the summit with the sunrise. You will start very early in the morning. First, 3 hours of hiking/scrambling to the Gouter refuge (3 817m). You will then push on over the glaciated terrain to the summit of Mont Blanc. Then descent the same way back to the Gouter hut where you will rest and spend the night.

If you have not summited the day before, you will make the attempt today requiring a 1am start. After summiting, we will have to descend all the way down to the valley and should be back in Chamonix by mid-late afternoon.

Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don’t already have you can find it here.

We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.

If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.

We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.

To book your transfer, we will need the following:

• Your full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• Your flight details (date, time and flight number)

SHARED TRANSFERS:

This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS:

Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.