Mont Blanc fast & light
Reserved for experienced and acclimated mountaineers, this trip offers the possibility of climbing Mont Blanc within three days through the normal way of the Goûter.
Located on the French-Italian border, climbing the renowned Mont Blanc is a demanding challenge but one of the most beautiful mountain treks in the world. With its peak reaching 4810m, it is the highest summit in the Alps.
The first day is devoted to a quiet climb to Tête Rousse refuge (3167m) to slowly acclimatize your body to altitude, essential over 3000m. On the second day, we start climbing early in the morning, when the sun rises, towards the Goûter refuge. If announced weather conditions are better than on the third day, you will go directly to the Mont Blanc summit and you will return to the Goûter refuge to spend the night. If you didn’t do it on the second day, the third day will be the day of the ascent.
Once you will reach the 4810m summit, you will be at the Top of Europe. The jaw dropping view of Mont Blanc peak looming over the spectacular mountain landscape to the horizon will be engraved in your memory forever.
Booking for a minimum of 2 persons is required for this trip.
Itinerary
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Day 1 From the Mont Blanc train to the Nid d'Aigle, walking to the Tête Rousse refuge (3167m)
Easy first steps for our Mont Blanc ascent. We start by taking the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches to reach the Tramway du Mont Blanc and enjoy the ride until the Nid d'Aigle (2372m). An easy hike under the edge of Rognes and a small passage on the north face of the Mont Blanc, enjoying a stunning view over the Chamonix valley. We come out on a snowy plateau at the end of which is the brand-new refuge of Tête Rousse (3167m). The afternoon is devoted to resting and acclimatizing, enjoying the magnificent view of the north face of Bionnassay.
Warning: cable cars will not be open for the first two departures of June, this will increase the hiking time (about 1000m of additional vertical drop) to arrive to the Nid d'Aigle.Positive difference in altitude : about 800m / Max Alt : 3167m / Walking time : 3 to 4 hours
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Day 2 Going up to the Goûter refuge
After a nice breakfast at the refuge, we leave towards the Goûter corridor. You must follow your guide’s instructions. Once you are on the ridge, you can see the Goûter refuge: a few meters more of walking and you will rest your weary feet before the big climbing day.
Walking time : 3 to 4 hours / Positive difference in altitude : about 700m / Negative difference in altitude : about 700m
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Day 3 Mont Blanc Ascent (4810m)
Today is the day you will reach the top of Europe!
We wake up very early, even before the sun rises, have a big breakfast and we start our hike heading to the Goûter dome. We are moving forward, slopes are gentle and we take a calm and steady pace.
We then start to climb up for a few hours, finding ourselves between sky and ground walking on a magnificent, sometimes aerial, slope. Finally, the peak appears.
Here we are, standing stock-still at an altitude of 4 810 meter, open-mouthed and agog.
After absorbing the breath-taking view of the 360° panorama, it’s time to come back down to the Nid d'Aigle, where we hop back on the Tramway du Mont Blanc. A final round of cable car and here we are back in Les Houches.Walking time : 10 to 12h / Positive difference in altitude : about 1000m / Negative difference in altitude : about 2500m / Max Alt : 4810m
ITINERARY CHANGE
Probabilities of ascending the Mont Blanc with a guide reaches 50%. Most fails are due to weather conditions. You must know that above 4000 meters, the wind or bad weather makes the ascent impossible or too dangerous. We try to anticipate as much as possible and to take the best decisions to help you reach the Mont Blanc peak, but our priority will always be safety. The high mountain guide that will accompany you knows the Mont Blanc perfectly and will be able to evaluate the risks of the ascent. At last, he is the one who will take the decision to do the ascent or not. We will confirm the possibility to try the ascent three days before departure. However, the weather may be different as the one originally planned (this is unfortunately common in Chamonix). In that case, the guide may still decide to change the program or cancel the ascent in the morning of the departure day.
FOR SAFETY REASONS AND TO ENSURE A UNIFORM LEVEL CORRESPONDING TO THE ONE ANNOUNCED, THE SUPERVISION AND ORGANISATION BOARDS HAVE THE RIGHT TO INTERRUPT YOUR PARTICIPATION IF YOUR TECHNICAL OR PHYSICAL LEVEL ARE LOWER THAN THE ONE REQUIRED. THE INTERRUPTION WILL NOT GIVE YOU ANY RIGHT OF REFUND OR PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION.
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Departures for French-speaking groups:
No departure for now
Trip code: AMBC
Included
The 30% deposit has to be paid when registering. The remaining balance will be paid 30 days before departure.
- The technical organisation of the trip
- A high mountain guide's supervision
- Accommodation in refuges full-board
- Cable car rides necessary to the smooth running of the trip (except for the first departure in June)
- The collective technical equipment (ropes, ice axes)
Not included
- Individual transportation assured by your personal vehicle
- Individual technical equipment
- Registration fees
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc.) according to your own convenience
- Insurance & assistance: cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
Notes
Please note that our first meeting will be on the first day of the trip. If you want to book more nights (e.g. before the first day or after the last day), you can contact us and we will do it for you. The price is around 95 € / pers. / night (half-board) in a double room.
International flights
If you wish, we can take care of booking your international flights to the closest airport of your destination.
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Booking one of our activities or trips implies acceptance of the terms and conditions. Each customer must complete a booking form. Bookings are only accepted upon payment of a deposit amounting to 35% of the total cost of the trip, subject to availability. If you register less than 35 days before departure, the full cost of the trip must be paid upon registration. You can make your payment by bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) or by credit card directly on the website. A confirmation of your registration will be sent to you by email as soon as possible.
For any registration made less than 6 months before the departure date, your registration will only be confirmed once availability has been confirmed with the mountain huts.
Invoice procedure
The balance must be paid at least 35 days before your arrival date. If the balance has not been received by this deadline, Montagne Expédition reserves the right to cancel the booking without compensation.
You will receive your invoice on the day of your departure.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation on your behalf:
If, for any reason whatsoever, you need to cancel your trip, the sums you have paid will be refunded subject to the following deductions:
You must notify us of your decision to cancel in writing, using a method that provides proof of receipt, and the date of receipt of this correspondence will determine the date of your cancellation.
If you cancel your trip, for any reason whatsoever, the sums you have paid will be refunded subject to the following deductions:
If your cancellation occurs:
- More than 31 days before departure: 30% of the total cost of the trip (excluding insurance).
- Between 30 and 21 days: 40% of the total cost of the trip (excluding insurance).
- Between 20 and 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total cost of the booking (excluding insurance).
- Between 13 and 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total cost of the booking (excluding insurance).
- Less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total cost of the booking (excluding insurance).
Special cases, regardless of the date of cancellation or contract amendment: these charges are in addition to the scale above:
- Fixed land-based charges: charges incurred at an early stage for firm bookings will be invoiced to you in the event of cancellation (e.g. bookings for certain mountain huts)
- Insurance and registration fees: regardless of the insurance taken out, the insurance premium and registration fees are due and are non-refundable. If you have taken out comprehensive insurance, the amounts deducted will be reimbursed by the insurer in certain cases (notably illness, accident, death, etc.).
Comprehensive insurance comes into effect from the day you register and purchase your insurance.
Cancellation on our behalf:
Montagne Expédition may be required to cancel a trip at no cost to you:
- if the minimum number of participants required to guarantee the trip is not reached;
- due to exceptional and unavoidable circumstances relating to mountain conditions, and in particular for reasons relating to the safety of our clients;
In the latter case, Montagne Expédition will offer alternative arrangements. If no alternative solution is possible, Montagne Expédition will refund the customer for the services not provided, without the customer being entitled to any further compensation.
You will be informed of the cancellation as soon as possible and no later than:
- 30 days before the scheduled date for a self-guided or exclusive trip;
- 20 days before the departure date for trips requiring a minimum number of participants and lasting more than 6 days;
- 7 days before the start of the trip or holiday in the case of trips lasting between 2 and 6 days;
- 48 hours before the start of the trip or holiday in the case of trips lasting no more than 2 days.
In the event of total or partial cancellation of the holiday by Montagne Expédition due to circumstances jeopardising the safety of customers (such as adverse weather conditions in the mountains), Montagne Expédition will refund the customer for services not provided, without the customer being entitled to any further compensation.
For safety reasons and to ensure a consistent standard in line with that advertised, the management and organisers reserve the right to terminate your participation if your technical ability and/or physical fitness do not meet the required standards. Under no circumstances will such termination give rise to a refund or payment of compensation.
Changes to travel contract
Should the customer make any changes to a trip that result in costs for Montagne Expédition, these costs shall be borne by the customer. In all cases, any changes must be made in writing.
Montagne Expédition may amend elements of the travel contract if circumstances beyond our control arise (weather conditions or other factors) that could jeopardise the safety of participants, the accessibility of the activity areas, or are linked to an order from an administrative authority.
Where Montagne Expédition modifies the programme (meeting time, duration, location, ascent, etc.) of the trip for the reasons cited above, customers are required to accept the proposed programme modification. Montagne Expédition will reimburse the customer for any services not provided, without the customer being entitled to claim any further compensation.
Should the customer refuse the replacement services, such refusal may be treated as a cancellation initiated by the customer.
It is noted that it will not always be possible to offer equivalent services given the specific nature and unique character of certain trips.
For example, on a trip including an attempt to climb Mont Blanc, if it is impossible to climb Mont Blanc for the reasons mentioned above, we will, where possible, offer you an alternative climb in the surrounding mountain ranges (Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, etc.), which you are obliged to accept.
Pricing
For group trips, the prices listed on the website have been calculated and are valid for the specified number of participants for each trip.
If the number of participants falls below the minimum required to guarantee the trip goes ahead, a small-group supplement may be offered to ensure the trip proceeds. You may decline this small-group supplement and cancel free of charge if necessary.
For all holidays or programmes, we state the price per person, valid from a certain number of participants, and we detail the services included and not included in this price.
Contract transfer
In accordance with Article R.211-7 of the Tourism Code, you may transfer your contract to a transferee who meets the same conditions as you for undertaking the trip, provided that the contract has not yet taken effect. You must inform Montagne Expédition of your decision by any means that provides proof of receipt, no later than seven days before the start of the trip. In the event of a contract transfer, the transferor and/or the transferee are required to pay in advance the costs incurred by the transfer, which will be communicated to you by your advisor. The transferor and the transferee are jointly and severally liable for payment of the balance of the price as well as any fees, charges or other additional costs that may be incurred by this transfer.
Insurance
We recommend that you take out insurance before your departure to cover the activities undertaken with Montagne Expédition. Details of the insurance options available can be found on this page: https://montagne-expedition.com/fr/assurance
If you do not take out one of our insurance policies, we ask that you kindly email us the details of your insurance policy (name of the company, policy name, policy number, telephone number) and carry this information with you during your stay.
Altaï France (licence no. IM013110005) has taken out professional liability insurance with HISCOX under policy number PROV857693, whose registered office is at Hiscox France, 49 Avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris.
If Altaï France or one of its retailers becomes insolvent, the amounts paid will be refunded.
If Altaï France or one of its retailers becomes insolvent after the start of the package, or if the transport included in the package is affected, the repatriation of travellers is guaranteed.
Altaï France has taken out insolvency protection with: GROUPAMA ASSURANCE
Practical info
Staff
This trip is supervised by a qualified High Mountain Guide whose main objective is to train you in basic technics and to enable you to complete a safe and successful trip.
The guide might have to change the program to ensure your safety according to weather conditions and to the level & physical conditions of the group.
Food
Meals
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…). You can buy some in Champex village if you need.
Drinks
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring some Swiss francs for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
During two nights, you will stay in mountains refuges, which have mixed, shared, dormitory style accommodations. They provide mattresses, pillows, blankets and even slippers. Bring your own sleeping bag. Toilet and washing facilities are basic.You will spend Wednesday night in Club Alpin lodge in the Tour village, it will be equipped in the same way as the refuges, with shared rooms and toilets.
Transportation
During the training and the climb, you will carry your own personal equipment and packed lunches. Plus, collective equipment (first aid kid, safety items, etc...) will be distributed among the group members. Your guide will check your backpack and help you to keep it under 10 kg.
You will leave two times for three days in the mountain: plan to bring a 40 to 50L backpack inside of which you will put all your material. A bag with your replacement gears will stay in the CAF du Tour lodge from Monday morning to Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, you will leave with your backpack ready for the three days of ascent, and the rest of your belongings will remain in the back of the car, unless you have planned to go back to the CAF du Tour after the ascent.
Budget & exchange
France is in the Eurozone. Therefore, the unit of the currency is the Euro.
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances (but don’t forget to bring your PIN number!).
Refuges often don’t have EPT (Electronic Payment Terminal): it is best to bring cash.
Be aware of the fees usually applied when purchasing products or services on a credit card.
Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spend your trip constantly feeling short on funds.
As currency exchange rates can often fluctuate, we recommend to check the following website for daily exchange rates: https://www.xe.com/
Tips
Clients usually pay for the guides’ drinks : you might find it practical to make a group kitty at the beginning of your stay (no obligation).
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes, carabiners, ...)
- Slippers and blankets while in refuges
Material
Technical equipment
- Mountaineering boots that you can fit crampons onto (with rigid soles)
- A comfortable mountaineering backpack (40/50L)
- Ice axe, crampons, harness with locking carabiner, helmet
- One or two collapsible walking poles (depending on what you are used to)
- A thermos or water bottle (1.5L)
Individual equipment
- A warm bonnet
- A hat, cap and/or a scarf
- Sunglasses for glacier, category 4 + ski goggles
- A pair of warm gloves or mitten
- A pair of fleece or wool gloves or mittens
- A pair of silk gloves or mittens
- 1 breathable undershirt, preferably long sleeves (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- Fleece or heavy jacket
- Down jacket (optional but highly appreciated during the peak day if the weather is very cold)
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Goretex or similar)
- A pair of comfortable mountaineering pants
- Wind and waterproof over pants (Goretex or similar)
- Long underwear or running tights (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- 2 pairs of socks : a warm one and a lighter one
- Gaiters
- Light-weight sleeping bag liner, preferably silk (wool covers are provided by the refuge)
- Toiletries : only tooth-brush and tooth-pasteSunscreen (face and lips)
- A head lamp with spare batteries and bulb
- Pocket knife
- A rain cover for your backpack (optional)
Luggage
- During the training and the climb, you will carry your own equipment and packed lunches in your backpack (40-50L)
- The rest of your luggage will stay in Chamonix and can be kept in another bag (travel bag)
Medicine
You guide will be carrying a collective first aid kit. However, it is important for you to bring your individual pharmacy, checked with your general doctor :
- Personal medication
- Pain killers (preferably Paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast (excellent to prevent blisters)
- Bandages
- Disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eye drops
- Light sleeping pills
- Ear plugs
Non exhaustive list
Passport
Please make sure your passport and travel documents are valid.
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
For further information, please check the following website : https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
Identity card
For EU citizens, you can use your identity card to travel to France.
Mandatory vaccines
There are no mandatory vaccines needed to travel to France.
If your have any questions concerning a trip to France or if you’re wandering what vaccines you might need for your trip, take an appointment with your local clinic and travel doctor. You can call Passport Health at 1-888-499-7277.
Health information & recommendations
For this trip, you must be fit : you can train with other sports such as running, cycling, swimming or sportive walk. To have a reasonable chance of success, a high degree of fitness and stamina, some previous experience of altitude is highly recommended.
For more information about our trips' levels, please go to the "Level" section of our website.
Training advices to check with your general doctor : six months before departure, try to do at least 1 to 2 endurance sport sessions a week (each one must last at least one hour) and do a 6 hours trekking during the week-end with an elevation of 400m/hour during three hours. Three months before departure, try 2 to 3 endurance sport sessions a week and increase your trekking time during the week end from 7 to 8 hours.
Please inform us of any health issues : allergy, diabetes, asthma, or old strokes...
Weather
The weather in the French Alps varies up and down the mountain chain. It is a mountainous region between 800 and 4000 meters, so altitude plays a big part in the local weather.
As you climb higher into the mountains it gets 1 degree cooler every 100 meters. It is the case all year around but other factors such as temperature inversions and winds influence the climate. The sun plays a very important role too. In the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, some lower or north facing valleys are blocked from the sun by mountains for a large part of the day and are colder.
Keep in mind that weather conditions are unpredictable. Therefore, the trip organization can me modified for your safety.
Electricity
There will be electricity in most places you will stay. If you are scared to run low on battery, we advise to bring an external battery charger.
Power plugs in France have the particularity of being male and female at the same time : they have 2 prongs and a receptacle. If you need an adapter, please purchase if before departure.
In France the power plugs and sockets are of type E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Local time
France is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).
Like most states in Europe, Summer Time (Daylight-Saving) is observed in France, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour; 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).
After the summer months, the time in France is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET or GMT+1).
Sustainable tourism
We do our best to offer trips subscribed to the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism. Our aim is to allow visitors to discover the many facets of France by taking you off the beaten path and getting you in touch with its nature and residents, while ensuring that your visits do not have a negative effect on its natural environment and people.
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.
My local agent
Alexandre
- Skieur, cycliste et passionné de voyage, Alexandre sillonne les vallées alpines depuis plusieurs années à la recherche des plus beaux spots et des bonnes adresses. Avec une expérience de terrain et un vif intérêt pour les sports de montagne, il sera ravi de vous accompagner dans votre choix de séjour.
- Region
- France
- Activity
- Alpinism For experienced climbers Mont Blanc
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group
- 1 to 6 people
- Code
- AMBC
- Price
- From €1,970
- Level
- 4/5
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Language(s)
- English / French
Strengths
- Steady ascent in 3 days
- The mythical peak through the royal way of Goûter
Guide's advice
The Mont Blanc ascent in three days is ideal if you already did some montaineering before. Warning ! This trip is exclusively for people who already has an experience in high-mountain (crampons, ascent and peaks more than 4000m-high).