Discovery, Wildlife & Adventure - Exodus Discovery, Wildlife & Adventure 2012/2013 (page 19)

Lac Blanc Western Europe � France, Switzerland & Italy France, Switzerland & Italy � 8 days Mont Blanc Highlights The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc in a week The circuit of Mont Blanc is one of the finest walking routes in the Alps, a series of paths linking the seven valleys that surround the highest mountain in western Europe. To complete the whole circuit normally takes a fortnight, but for those with less time this one-week trip takes in the most outstanding sections. We stay the entire week at the comfortable Chalet Savoy in Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley, avoiding the need to carry luggage, or pack and unpack each day. The chalet has nine bedrooms, all with private facilities, and evening meals are taken in the rustic wood-beamed dining room or in the garden with its superb mountain views and outdoor hot tub. SWITZERLAND Col de Balme Aiguille du Tour from �999 Mont Blanc Winter Flight Inc. France, Switzerland & Italy � 8 days Activity Week from �1149 Flight Inc. Trip Details Trip Code: TWn Profile: travel by private minibus and telepherique. 5 days centre-based walking, reasonable level of fitness required. Group: normally 1 to 15, plus leader. Accommodation: 7 nights Chalet Savoy (see picture below of chalet in winter); all rooms en suite. Food: all breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners included. Itinerary: Day 1 Fly to Geneva; transfer to Chalet Savoy in Chamonix Valley. 2 Drive to Le Tour in France; walk to Switzerland via les Bonhommes and the Col de Balme; descend back into France passing Charamillon. 3 Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy; traverse around Mont de la Saxe and descend to Courmayeur. 4 Drive to Col de Montets; walk via Lac Blanc to La Flegere then descend on telepherique. 5 Free day for optional walks, activities or sightseeing. 6 From the chalet we cross the Col de Voza and continue to Les Contamines commune. 7 Transfer across Les Houches. Ascend to the Bellachat refuge, before crossing the Carlaveyron Natural reserve and summiting the Aiguillette des Houches and the Aiguillette du Brevent. 8 Transfer to Geneva; fly to London. Land Only Duration: 8 days, start Les Houches day 1, end Les Houches day 8. Start Flight Land End Inc. Only Start Flight Land End Inc. Only A varied week of winter activities in the Chamonix Valley The Mont Blanc region justifiably lays claim to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, and is a stunning setting for our week of activities. Both Italy and Switzerland border the Chamonix Valley, making this a truly international trip. We are based for the week at the Chalet Savoy, a few minutes walk from the Prarion ski lift which accesses Les Houches World Cup downhill ski fields and cross-country ski trails. From our comfortable chalet we enjoy a range of fun activities including snowshoe walking, a horse-sleigh ride, cross-country skiing in both classic and skating style, dogsledding, ice-skating, riding the Mont Blanc Express train and also visiting St Bernard dog kennels. There will be time to explore the town of Chamonix and a variety of optional activities to do on your free day. Alternatively enjoy the hot tub, comfortable lounge and log fire at the chalet - the perfect place to relax after a day in the snow. Trip Details Trip Code: CeB Profile: travel by private minicoach. No experience needed, but good level of general fitness required. Instruction for cross-country skiing is given for both beginners and intermediates. Group: normally 4 to 15, plus leader. Min. age 18 yrs. Accommodation: 7 nights Chalet Savoy, all rooms en suite. Food: all breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners included. Itinerary: Day 1 Fly to Geneva; transfer to Les Houches. 2 Half-day guided snowshoe walk; half day cross-country `classic' ski lesson. 3 A full day in Italy, in Val Ferret for cross-country skiing with instructor. 4 Half-day dogsled outing (sharing sleds) before riding on the Chamonix express train; visit St. Bernard dog kennels then on to Chamonix for an ice-skating session. 5 Free day options include skiing, glacier walk with guide, Aiguille du Midi cable car ride or relaxing in Chamonix. 6 Half-day cross-country skiing instruction with emphasis on `skate' technique; introduction to `Nordic walking' and a horse sleigh ride. 7 Full day guided snowshoe outing. 8 Transfer to Geneva; fly to London. Land Only Duration: 8 days, start Les Houches day 1, end Les Houches day 8. Start Flight Land End Inc. Only Start Flight Land End Inc. Only FRANCE Lac Blanc La Flegere Brevent Les Houches Col de Voza Aiguille du Midi Mont Blanc Chamonix Mer de Glace Grand Jorasses Val Ferret Mont de la Saxe Courmayeur Les Contamines Entreves ITALY 02 Jun 09 Jun 999 799 09 Jun 16 Jun 999 799 16 Jun 23 Jun 999 799 23 Jun 30 Jun 999 799 30 Jun 07 Jul 07 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 28 Jul 2012 04 Aug 11 Aug 999 799 11 Aug 18 Aug 999 799 18 Aug 25 Aug 999 799 25 Aug 01 Sep 999 799 01 Sep 08 Sep 999 799 08 Sep 15 Sep 999 799 15 Sep 22 Sep 999 799 22 Sep 29 Sep 999 799 Mont Blanc Highlights: Walks Road Mont Blanc Tunnel 20 Dec 27 Dec 1199 1049 2011/2012 26 Feb 04 Mar 1199 1049 11 Mar 18 Mar 1149 999 15 Jan 22 Jan 1149 999 05 Feb 12 Feb 1169 999 23 Dec 30 Dec 1229 1049 03 Feb 10 Feb 1199 1029 999 799 999 799 999 799 999 799 2012/2013 24 Feb 03 Mar 1199 1029 10 Mar 17 Mar 1199 1029 13 Jan 20 Jan 1169 999 28 Jul 04 Aug 999 799 Datesandpricescorrectattimeofpublication (seepage11).Pricesare�Sterlingperperson. � optional single supplement �120 � All departures guaranteed � Insurance �28 Datesandpricescorrectattimeofpublication (seepage11).Pricesare�Sterlingperperson. � optional single supplement �130 � Cross-country ski hire not included, available locally for approx. 40 per week � Insurance �28 For up-to-date prices and availability call 0845 863 9606 or visit www.exodus.co.uk 19