To make the most of your climbing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness before the trip. You will find that training on hills with a +10kg pack is the best preparation for the mountains, to build your endurance. We recommend training programmes tailored to mountaineering such as those from Uphill Athlete.
Mont Blanc in the French/Italian Alps dominates the Chamonix valley with its white majestic dome. Some say it is the most visited natural attraction in the world!
Make the climb with one of the superb Adventure Consultants guides to achieve a famous summit. Mont Blanc is Europe's highest peak...political Europe that is, since Elbrus in Russia is higher, and is a fine ascent for mountaineers of all levels.
There are a variety of routes on Mont Blanc to suit your experience and enthusiasm as well as current conditions. This trip includes an ascent of another high peak in the region to acclimatise prior to attempting Mont Blanc.
Availability for Mont Blanc trips is very limited, please consider booking early, or enquiring now to ensure your space on one of these trips!
- Climb the highest peak in the Alps
- Moderate snow-climbing in spectacular, history-steeped terrain
- Led by friendly, experienced and qualified guides
Climbing Ability
Climbing Ability
Intermediate
Elevation
Elevation
4,807m/15,771ft
Duration
Duration
5 days
Location
Location
Chamonix, France
Arrive in Chamonix, hotel night
Meet your guide for an early morning briefing and gear check. Either take the Aiguille du Midi lift and Le Panoramique or travel through the Mont Blanc tunnel and ascend via the Skyway Monte Bianco to Point Hellbronner 3,462m/11,358ft. Climb the Aiguille de Toule 3,534m/11,594ft and then spend the afternoon going over crampon and rope skills and travelling over glaciated terrain. Overnight at the Torino Hut 3,375m/11,073ft
Climb the Aiguille d’Entrèves Traverse then either return via the Panoramique lift or head back down the Skyway Monte Bianco and descend to Chamonix for the night
Take the Bellevue Lift and Mont Blanc Tramway Lift 2,380m/7,800ft and hike up to Tête Rousse 3,187m/10,377ft, 4hrs, or take the Aiguille du Midi Lift and trek to Cosmiques Hut 3,613m/11,854ft, 1hr. Enjoy an early night
Very early start for the climb of Mont Blanc 4,807m/15,771ft - 8 hrs from Tête Rousse, 7 hrs from Cosmiques - and descend to Goûter 3,863m/12,674ft or Tête Rousse Huts 3,187m/10,456ft, or return to Cosmiques Hut, 4 to 5 hrs. Sometimes it will be possible to descend to Chamonix the same day
Descend to Les Houches, transfer to Chamonix. Debrief and hotel night
Breakfast and departure. Airport transfers are not included but we can arrange this for you
Departures and Pricing
Never climbed before? Book a Mont Blanc Course and Ascent
PREPARE
Technically speaking, Mont Blanc is not especially difficult but it is very physically demanding due to the altitude and the length of the summit day, and thus requires a good level of fitness. This guided ascent is suitable for people wanting to learn and practice general mountaineering skills while climbing a classic and challenging 4000m peak. Some rock climbing or scrambling experience is desirable and prior use of ice axe and crampons is required.
Summit day on Mont Blanc is 10–12 hours long and gains over 1,500m/5,000ft in elevation. Combine these factors with an altitude of over 4,000m/15,000ft and the need to arrive with a good level of cardiovascular fitness is even more important. Our 5-day itinerary allows you to acclimatise for climbing at 4000m, as during the initial training period you are gaining the acclimatisation advantage of sleeping at altitude.
We only employ IFMGA qualified guides for European ascents and courses and this is the only certification that is recognised in the French Alps. In order to gain these qualifications guides must undergo rigorous training and assessment on climbing skills, instructional skills, avalanche training and assessment, wilderness first aid, rescue training and much more. The qualification takes many years to attain and ensures you are getting a world class professional service.
We operate the Mont Blanc Guided Ascent on a ratio of one guide to one or two climbers. This means you can come by yourself or bring a friend for the 1:2 guided ascent.
You benefit from the higher degree of personal tuition from your guide and your skills will be accelerated because of this. If you are a seasoned climber and want to attempt a more technical training climb prior to the Mont Blanc ascent then please enquire at the booking stage for other options.
You will have the undivided attention of your guide throughout the duration of your trip who will be willing to help you revise technical skills throughout the programme. Most other guide companies will amalgamate you into large groups through the acclimatisation stage of the trip then put you with a single guide (or two people with a guide) on summit day as a cost cutting measure. We do not believe this is in your best interest so we adhere to the same guide policy throughout the time you are with us.
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Qualified mountain guide
- Group technical equipment
- Lift passes as per the scheduled itinerary
- Hut accommodation as per the scheduled itinerary
- Hotel accommodation on a B&B basis during trip dates as specified on the schedule, including first / last night of your trip
- Local ground transport as per the scheduled itinerary
- Breakfast & dinner during mountain component of course/trip