Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc Circuit
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and culturally rich hiking tours in the world, our Mont Blanc circuit is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Set in the heart of the Alps this majestic mountain is the tallest in Europe and our tour will travel around it through France, Italy, and Switzerland. We will visit a number of cities and villages including Geneva, Chamonix, Courmayeur and Champex just to name a few. Combined with a European guide, our Backwoods Adventures guides will be with you every step of the way.

We will spend our evenings at inns and lodges along the route. We will have our breakfast and dinner at local eateries. Lunches will either be in small villages that we pass through or we will picnic with the Alps as our scenery.

We will travel by plane, mini bus, chair lifts, and the power of our own two legs. After two weeks of hiking, you will appreciate the enchantment that this European jewel has to offer. From the abundance of wilderness to the rich history and culture of three separate European nations, it’s easy to see why this has become a Backwoods Adventures favorite.

What’s Included?
The price includes international and domestic airfare, all hotels and most meals, and guide fees. Yes, you can (almost) leave your wallet at home - the price is ALL inclusive! This is a unique feature of the Backwoods Adventures trips as most companies price their trips on land cost only.

What’s not included?
Personal gear and clothing for your personal use on the trip; alcoholic drinks at meals, guide tips (should you choose to tip your guide): additional charges in hotels such as laundry charges, etc.; additional activities outside the designed trip; airport and immigration taxes (in some situations); passports; travel insurance; any medical costs; and any costs associated with leaving the trip early by your choice. The trip price is figured on double room occupancy; however, single occupancy is available at an additional charge.

Tips
During your Backwoods Adventures experience your leaders work 24 hours a day for the duration of your trip ensuring that you have a great time. If you feel they gave you an excellent experience, and you wish to leave a tip for them, it is greatly appreciated!

Certain Backwoods Adventures trips will require the additional assistance of porters, drivers, or other local staff members to assist with the overall operation. These are hard working individuals who also stay on task 24 hours a day and assist in any way necessary. It is not mandatory to tip, but, it does highly supplement their pay, therefore, again is greatly appreciated.

Excess Baggage Fees
Each airline has its own baggage regulations; most will charge for overweight baggage. Check with your international airlines to determine their baggage weight limitations and excess baggage fees. Most international flights allow two bags per person that can weight up to 70Lbs. For domestic flights, remember that the weight limits for baggage is much less. Please check with Backwoods Adventures for this weight if your trip includes domestic flights.

Group Size
We like to travel in small, more intimate numbers. This allows us to build great chemistry as a group and also allows for opportunities that may not be available while traveling in larger numbers.

Meals
At Backwoods Adventures we know that well fed travelers are happy travelers. We aim to please your palate. Since we will be staying at huts or lodges on the entire trip we will have our breakfast and dinner at local restaurants or cafes. Lunches will either be in small towns or villages that we pass through or we will grab some light fare to take with us and enjoy our lunch picnic stile with the Alps to gaze at while we eat.

Accommodations
Our accommodations will vary based on our location. However, all hotels and lodges are among the highest rated in the country both for location and amenities. Most hotels will provide single rooms (double occupancy). However, the possibility of sleeping dorm arrangements in a couple of locations along the circuit, depending on availability.

Travel Insurance
It is strongly suggested that you have comprehensive travel protection insurance. Trip insurance can include coverage for medical emergencies, coverage for trip cancellation due to your own accident or illness, or all of the above. We recommend this insurance as Backwoods Adventures cannot be responsible for covering these types of individual situations. Should you choose to purchase this insurance, please carry your confirmation information with you on your trip. Please provide us with the name, policy number and emergency contact number of your chosen insurance company.

Visa Requirements
No Visa is required for travel while in Europe. You should carry a photocopy of your passport, insurance information and emergency contact numbers with you at all times. You should leave a copy of this information with a friend or relative at home.

Recommended Reading
Around Mont Blanc: A Rother Walking Guide, Eberlein
49 carefully-selected tours tailored to the pleasure-oriented mountain hiker. Some tours lead close to cliffs and ice, many touch the summits, but none exceeds 3000 m. Also described: the popular "Tour du Mont Blanc" 17 stages which can be walked by novice hikers. For each trip there's a detailed text description, colored hiking map with the route illustrated, a brief trip summary, and color photo. Truly a hiker's valuable companion through the fascinating world around Mont Blanc. $14.95

Tour of Mont Blanc, Reynolds
This book describes one of the world's greatest hikes - the circumnavigation of the Mont Blanc massif, 120 miles and 11 days of pure magic. The book is split into 11 1-day sections, going either the traditional couter-clockwise direction, or - for less continuous human contact - the clockwise direction. Small enough to take with you, too. $19.95

Buy these books at your local Backwoods store or call 1.877.779.0677.

Health
Some of the activities that you may choose to participate in while in Europe are strenuous and should not be undertaken if you have any health conditions which may put you at risk. You are strongly advised to consult your physician for a thorough medical check-up and clearance before a empting the trip. If you are over 50 years old, talk to your doctor about doing a "stress EKG". Should you require any medication whatsoever, you must provide your own and be able to administer it yourself.