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Tour
du Mont Blanc treks 2010
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Welcome
to the Icicle Tour Mont Blanc trek page |
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Tour du Mont Blanc is the legendary 180km circuit of Mont
Blanc. This is one of the world's finest most famous circular
treks, and it is understandable why. Mont Blanc presents
a different landscape on each of its aspects, from the
steep wooded valley sids in the Val Ferret, to the stony
deserts of the Col du Bonhomme, and the glaciers tumbling
down to Chamonix. One of the world's finest treks. |
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| Icicle
is a genuine specialist in the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB),
as we have groups on it nearly every week of the summer
season from June through to late September. If you have
a group of four or more don't worry if none of our scheduled
dates suit, as we can run a tailor made TMB on any dates
that you require. Our Chamonix office is a great logistical
support for those on guided or self-guided TMB treks. |
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| Please
do get in touch if you have any queries at all about the
TMB, as we are the experts in it, and can even tailor
make a custom designed itinerary for you. |
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Photo
Above: View up to the Elizabetta Soldini refuge in the
Italian Val Veni
Photo Left: Kingsley - Icicle head trek guide and International
Mountain Leader |
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| FEEDBACK:
"Brilliantly planned and organised.
Thanks guys" Amanda
R, July '07 |
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| Key
advice and facts about the Icicle Tour Mont Blanc trek |
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Mountain
Huts - Whilst on the trek, all accommodation is in
mountain huts or gites. If you have never stayed in a
hut before, you may not know what to expect, so here goes...
They are purpose built refuges, sleeping between 20 and
120 people. They are run by a guardian and their staff,
and rooms generally vary from four to twenty people in
size. Your evening meal and breakfast is provided, and
you can order a packed lunch. |
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Lightweight
Daypack Only - You do not need to carry any more than
a 30 litre backpack, as all the bedding and food is provided
each day. All you are carrying is a day bag, with some
spare clothes, waterproofs, water and snacks. You do NOT
need to carry sleeping bags, tents, etc. This is a lightweight
trek. Accordingly there is no need for vehicle support,
as all extra lugguage is left in Chamonix for when you
return there. |
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Timescales
- We offer the TMB over three timescles, in 10,
6 or 3 days. We also offer a self-guided TMB, for
those wanting to go on their own, but with logistical
support. |
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Training
& Fitness - The TMB is a popular trek, but
you should not underestimate the level of fitness
that you will require. Each day involves roughly
six to eight hours trekking, & while each day
may not be difficult on its own, the cumulative
effect is tougher. |
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Leadership
- The trekking in the Mont Blanc massif is unforgiving
and steep in many places. This is a key reason why
you are led by an IML. At either side of the key
season, there is a chance of crossing some snow
patches. |
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Icicle
Photo Gallery of the Tour du Mont Blanc
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Classic
Tour Mont Blanc
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Highlights
of the TMB
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Demi
Tour Mont Blanc
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Trekking
level & duration
Approx 6 hours moderate trekking |
Trekking
level & duration
Approx 6 hours moderate trekking |
Trekking
level & duration
Approx 6 hours moderate trekking |
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10
days guiding (12 days total)
Les Houches - Contamines
Contamines - Croix du Bonhomme
Croix du Bonhomme - Elisabetta
Elisabetta - Courmayeur
Courmayeur - Elena
Elena - La Fouly
La Fouly - Champex
Champex - Trient
Trient - Lac Blanc
Lac Blanc - Les Houches |
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Trekking
is often weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly
we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case,
suitable alternative routes will be are offered. Use this
outline itinerary as a guide to the treks that you will
attempt, not necessarily the exact routes, as we must
cater for everyone in terms of experience, fitness, &
conditions. |
6
days guiding (8 days total)
Contamines - Croix du Bonhomme
Croix du Bonhomme - Elisabetta
Elisabetta - Courmayeur
Courmayeur - La Fouly
La Fouly - Champex - Trient
Trient - Chamonix |
3
days guiding (5 days total)
Contamines - Croix du Bonhomme
Croix du Bonhomme - Elisabetta
Elisabetta - Courmayeur |
| SUGGESTION:
You could extend this trip by doing a 2 day weekend acclimatisation
trek just before your TMB. Only £99 pp. Details. |
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Accommodation
9 nights mountain hut (half board)
2 nights in valley on B&B basis |
Accommodation
4 nights mountain hut (half board)
3 nights in valley on B&B basis |
Accommodation
2 nights mountain hut (half board)
2 nights in valley on B&B basis |
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Trekking
Group Sizes
Small groups, 4 to 12 maximum |
Trekking
Group Sizes
Small groups, 4 to 12 maximum |
Trekking
Group Sizes
Small groups, 4 to 12 maximum |
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Price
for guided trek
£1099 per person |
Price
for guided trek
£699 per person |
Price
for guided trek
£499 per person |
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Extra
dates (private groups)
This TMB option is not run on scheduled dates, and is
available to groups of 4 or more booking at the same time.
Any departure date can be catered for on any day from
mid June to late September each year. |
Scheduled
departures
26 June - 3 July 2010
31
Jul - 7 August 2010
28
Aug - 4 Sept 2010
4 - 11 September 2010 |
Extra
dates (private groups)
This TMB option is not run on scheduled dates, and is
available to groups of 4 or more booking at the same time.
Any departure date can be catered for on any day from
mid June to late September each year. |
Extra
dates (private groups)
On demand, starting on a Saturday, every week from June
- September |
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Inclusions
1) UIMLA guide for 10 days, 2) Chamonix
course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two nights
B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Up to 9 nights in a mountain huts (half board),
5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount
voucher for UK shops. |
Inclusions
1) UIMLA guide for 6 days, 2) Chamonix
course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two nights
B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Up to 5 nights in a mountain huts (half board),
5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount
voucher for UK shops. |
Inclusions
1) UIMLA guide for 3 days, 2) Chamonix
course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two nights
B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Up to 2 nights in a mountain huts (half board),
5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount
voucher for UK shops. |
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Exclusions
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment
hire, 3) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening
meals, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels /
restaurants, 4) Road / rail transport as required, 5)
Activities / medical / cancellation insurance, & excess
baggage. |
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
On these treks you are led by
an International Mountain Leader (IML). This is the
highest qualification for leading trekking groups in
the Alps (where it is a legal requirement) and worldwide.
To become an IML, it takes several years to train. During
the treks their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment,
education and safety, all of which are equally important.
Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You will
learn about the environment, flora, fauna, glaciology,
geology, and geography of the region. The leader will
have a vast local knowledge. In terms of safety an IML
can guide you on steep
ground, on fixed equipment (ladders, chains, etc), and
over snow patches.
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Explore
the Icicle TMB on Google Earth
To help you prepare and explore
the Tour du Mont Blanc before you travel, we have developed
a Google Earth file with all the key features and places
of interest marked on it. All you need to do is download
the file by clicking on the link below, or the image
to the left. You can then launch Google Earth, and visit
the passes, towns, huts, and variations of the TMB.
Click
here for Google Earth file.
If you do not already have Google Earth installed on
your computer, click
here. It is
a free download, and the satellite images are constantly
uploaded. You can alter the viewing angles to 'see'
the TMB in 3D, and to explore the route.
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