Tour du Mont Blanc Camping Trek

138 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  If you're considering it, do it!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?When the clouds cleared and we saw Mont Blanc for the first time. Just beautiful.What did you think of your group leader?Really knowledgeable. Interesting to talk to.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?In my view there are only a couple of difficult days really, the rest can be long but are not too strenuous. I was worried it would be harder than it actually was.Is there anything else you would like to add?I had a really really great time on this trip and didn't want to come home! Really nice bunch of fellow walkers too. And the food - WOW! Glad I went for the camping option with Graham the gourmet chef.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A wonderful trekking holiday through spectacular alpine scenery. The guidance from the leader and the support from our camp support meant I could focus on enjoying each day's trek to the fullest.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For me the border crossings, from France to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy and Italy to France were all spectacular - difficult days that made me feel a sense of achievement as passes were crossed, moving from one country to another. On two of the rest days I took the opprtunity to take the respective cable cars up to stations high up on glaciers. An amazing experience to see the high mountains without having to be a mountaineer. What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader Jenny was quite frankly superb. She was organised, kept us well briefed throughout the trek, and was tremendous fun to socialise with. It was pretty obvious she had many years of leading and her experience showed.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?For anyone who walks regularly or is reasonably active, this trek should not pose any significant physical challenges as long as you are reasonably fit before you come on this trek. That being said the more physical preparation you can do pre departure, the more you can enjoy the trek. Read the pre departre notes and even look at the Exodus trekking fitness guide and be honest with yourself you can do what's described. You want a challenge not an ordeal.Is there anything else you would like to add?Graham, our support: supported the camp site, drove the support vehicle and was our camp cook. The meals Graham made for us on trek were fabulous; he really put a lot of effort into the meals and it showed in the quality of the cuisine he prepared. We were also lucky to have as a bonus a trainee leader on trek, Tom. Tom, Graham and Jenny made a great team who at all times went out of their way to make our trek as enjoyable and hassle free as possible - they were friendly, social and thoroughly good fun to trek with -what a great holiday, thanks guys. 
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  If you're considering it, do it!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?When the clouds cleared and we saw Mont Blanc for the first time. Just beautiful.What did you think of your group leader?Really knowledgeable. Interesting to talk to.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?In my view there are only a couple of difficult days really, the rest can be long but are not too strenuous. I was worried it would be harder than it actually was.Is there anything else you would like to add?I had a really really great time on this trip and didn't want to come home! Really nice bunch of fellow walkers too. And the food - WOW! Glad I went for the camping option with Graham the gourmet chef.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A wonderful trekking holiday through spectacular alpine scenery. The guidance from the leader and the support from our camp support meant I could focus on enjoying each day's trek to the fullest.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For me the border crossings, from France to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy and Italy to France were all spectacular - difficult days that made me feel a sense of achievement as passes were crossed, moving from one country to another. On two of the rest days I took the opprtunity to take the respective cable cars up to stations high up on glaciers. An amazing experience to see the high mountains without having to be a mountaineer. What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader Jenny was quite frankly superb. She was organised, kept us well briefed throughout the trek, and was tremendous fun to socialise with. It was pretty obvious she had many years of leading and her experience showed.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?For anyone who walks regularly or is reasonably active, this trek should not pose any significant physical challenges as long as you are reasonably fit before you come on this trek. That being said the more physical preparation you can do pre departure, the more you can enjoy the trek. Read the pre departre notes and even look at the Exodus trekking fitness guide and be honest with yourself you can do what's described. You want a challenge not an ordeal.Is there anything else you would like to add?Graham, our support: supported the camp site, drove the support vehicle and was our camp cook. The meals Graham made for us on trek were fabulous; he really put a lot of effort into the meals and it showed in the quality of the cuisine he prepared. We were also lucky to have as a bonus a trainee leader on trek, Tom. Tom, Graham and Jenny made a great team who at all times went out of their way to make our trek as enjoyable and hassle free as possible - they were friendly, social and thoroughly good fun to trek with -what a great holiday, thanks guys. 
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on September 17, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  An absolutely brilliant trip - the views were truly spectacular and I thoroughly enjoyed the walks.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Passing from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was a really special moment.What did you think of your group leader?The group leader was extremely helpful, friendly & knowledgable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just go for it, you won't regret it!Is there anything else you would like to add?Thank you for a truly memorable trip!
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 17, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  An absolutely brilliant trip - the views were truly spectacular and I thoroughly enjoyed the walks.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Passing from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was a really special moment.What did you think of your group leader?The group leader was extremely helpful, friendly & knowledgable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just go for it, you won't regret it!Is there anything else you would like to add?Thank you for a truly memorable trip!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 28, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A great trip, with great scenery and cake stops.  It's hard work though!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?At the Col du Bonhomme refuge one of our party played the guitar that was in the refuge.  It seemed quite surreal for us to be singing along to the Pretenders 500 miles at 2,100 metresThe views across the whole trek are sensational, hard to pick a highlight, but the descent into Italy down the Col Ferret was pretty niceThere are plenty of cake stops along the route, which certainly helped me, the cakes at each refuge were really good and I was lucky to be part of a group that wanted to stop and partake at regular intervals.What did you think of your group leader?Mike Rhodes was an excellent leader.  I have no experience of the other leaders, who I would expect to be just as good, but if you end up with Mike you are really lucky.He is a really nice man, who knows the area like the back of his hand.  He can identify every flower, peak (including who climbed it first) & animal you might encounter and is a wealth of knowledge on the area generally, including recommended activities on the rest days.Because of his knowledge he is able to adjust the route to fit the group's ability, he put several tougher climbs in for our group as we were all fairly fit, but these were also avoidable for those who would rather have a rest.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Compeed! - I was lucky and didn't suffer with blisters, but on a 10 day trek, if you do suffer you will certainly get through them.  Mike also uses surgical tape over the top of the Compeed to stop them rubbing on your sock and coming off.  a bit of vaseline on the top of the tape helps even more.  There are quite a few chemists, shops etc on route who sell them, but better to be self sufficient Don't wear white t-shirts - I doubt mine will ever be white againYou can buy stuff in Chamonix before the trek starts, but it is pretty pricey and best left for things you forgot to bring, I would recommend purchasing anything you need at home. Take your camera, ipod etc chargers.  The support van is well kitted out and I was able to charge batteries in it once we got to camp or overnight (it had about 8 socket points the group could use) A book is useful for the evenings, as is a small speaker for your ipod, but obviously only if the whole group like your taste in music! Wet wipes are useful for the 2 days you are basic camping (ie no hot showers, but there are toilets)Is there anything else you would like to add?This is a really good trip, I would recommend to anyone who wants to see the Mont Blanc area.  A good level of fitness is necessary, but that said, the guide won't leave anyone behind - not that you have to walk in a group, our party of 16 tended to spread out to around 5-10 minutes apart over a 1.5 hour section. You also get to chat to everyone else in your group, although ours wasn't a 'singles trip' there were 2 couples, 2 pairs of friends and a whole lot of single travellers, you should be prepared to mingle and chat to others even ifyou come in a 'couple'.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on August 28, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A great trip, with great scenery and cake stops.  It's hard work though!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?At the Col du Bonhomme refuge one of our party played the guitar that was in the refuge.  It seemed quite surreal for us to be singing along to the Pretenders 500 miles at 2,100 metresThe views across the whole trek are sensational, hard to pick a highlight, but the descent into Italy down the Col Ferret was pretty niceThere are plenty of cake stops along the route, which certainly helped me, the cakes at each refuge were really good and I was lucky to be part of a group that wanted to stop and partake at regular intervals.What did you think of your group leader?Mike Rhodes was an excellent leader.  I have no experience of the other leaders, who I would expect to be just as good, but if you end up with Mike you are really lucky.He is a really nice man, who knows the area like the back of his hand.  He can identify every flower, peak (including who climbed it first) & animal you might encounter and is a wealth of knowledge on the area generally, including recommended activities on the rest days.Because of his knowledge he is able to adjust the route to fit the group's ability, he put several tougher climbs in for our group as we were all fairly fit, but these were also avoidable for those who would rather have a rest.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Compeed! - I was lucky and didn't suffer with blisters, but on a 10 day trek, if you do suffer you will certainly get through them.  Mike also uses surgical tape over the top of the Compeed to stop them rubbing on your sock and coming off.  a bit of vaseline on the top of the tape helps even more.  There are quite a few chemists, shops etc on route who sell them, but better to be self sufficient Don't wear white t-shirts - I doubt mine will ever be white againYou can buy stuff in Chamonix before the trek starts, but it is pretty pricey and best left for things you forgot to bring, I would recommend purchasing anything you need at home. Take your camera, ipod etc chargers.  The support van is well kitted out and I was able to charge batteries in it once we got to camp or overnight (it had about 8 socket points the group could use) A book is useful for the evenings, as is a small speaker for your ipod, but obviously only if the whole group like your taste in music! Wet wipes are useful for the 2 days you are basic camping (ie no hot showers, but there are toilets)Is there anything else you would like to add?This is a really good trip, I would recommend to anyone who wants to see the Mont Blanc area.  A good level of fitness is necessary, but that said, the guide won't leave anyone behind - not that you have to walk in a group, our party of 16 tended to spread out to around 5-10 minutes apart over a 1.5 hour section. You also get to chat to everyone else in your group, although ours wasn't a 'singles trip' there were 2 couples, 2 pairs of friends and a whole lot of single travellers, you should be prepared to mingle and chat to others even ifyou come in a 'couple'.
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 26, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Yes, it’s the best trekking trip I have ever had.  Good roomy, thunderstorm proofed tents (easy to pitch up and dismantle), great camping sites (only two had no internet access, and no showers) with one having a large LCD TV screen to watch the Tour D’ France going up Alpe d’Huez (an excellent treat for me as I had biked up it 10 days ago), and, not forgetting, good food (four nights at local restaurants on Exodus tab).  Of course, the scenery was just awesome, and we took lots of beautiful picture postcards. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Too many.  Most would include doing the touristic stuff in Chamonix (Aguille du Midi to see Mt Blanc at close range; trip to Heilbroner;  seeing skiers going down Vallee Blanche, Mers du Glace and the Cave); having lunch at Lac Blanc; seeing Ibex, Marmot, and even a baby poisonous snake;  doing the Balcony and the Bovine trail; multi day view of Grand Jorasse; having gelato in Courmeyer; ascending Col du Tricot in just over an hour; watching the bungee jumpers in St. Gervais; the paragliders taking off in Mt Brevent and toasting our successful completion at the top of Mt Brevent….10 days trekking, 3 countries, 176 km, 10000m cumulative elevation.  Too many pleasant memories so much so some of us had withdrawal symptoms on returning home.What did you think of your group leader?Mike was knowledgeable and experienced.  He modified the start times based on his estimate of what time we would like to arrive at camp e.g. on the day of the TDF going up Alpe d’Huez, he made sure we arrived at 2.30 pm in camp so we have time to settle down, and get to watch the race at 3 pm.  This flexibility also ensured we did not get caught in bad weather, although there may be an occasion when we got wet (although not very heavy).   Safety was always a priority, and he was always around to lend a helping hand whenever there were obstacles such as crossing a fast running stream, climbing down a ladder, walking over a slippery patch of snow, and climbing over steep rocks adjoining deep ravines. Matt, our driver and cook ensured we always have enough fruits, bread, cheese, and salad for our lunch bags.  We were never hungry.  And dinner was something that was always a pleasant surprise, with enough for second helpings for those who wanted more.  I am still trying to lose the 2 kg I put on.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?My group was an experienced group, having done tougher treks in higher altitudes.   However, this trek was still very challenging, especially the last two days where climbs of cumulative 1500m elevations were the norms.  Train hard.  Also bring lots of warm clothing as it can be very cold at night.    Bring long sleeves/pants, a hat and sun block to protect from the UV…we were deep fried by the end of the trek.  Be careful of ticks even though lyme disease is not prevalent in the alps.  I may have been bitten, and had symptoms that were indicative such as muscle and joint ache/pain, fatigue, ear ache, and other normal flu symptoms after returning home.  As a precaution I took doxycycline (an antibiotic) to kill the bacteriaIs there anything else you would like to add?Read up on Lyme Disease and preventive measures,  but do not let that discourage you from going for this very enjoyable and comfortable camping trip.   Go for it.  This is a very popular trek with hikers from all over the world
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 26, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Yes, it