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Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc for kids
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The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix has developed a collection of tours and summer camps especially for children aged 9 to 13. Based around different daily physical activities, they allow your children to meet new people, improve their self-confidence and develop an awareness of environmental issues while exploring the mountains of the Mont Blanc Massif.
- 6-day summer camp: Outdoor and hiking activities with accommodation in tents and mountain huts
- 6 day Tour du Mont Blanc: Route specially developed for children with accommodation in tents
The Chamonix Compagnie des Guides has developed a Tour du Mont Blanc especially designed for children aged 9 to 13. The stages have been designed to ensure that the tour is as evenly spread as possible with no major difficulties. At night we camp to maintain a suitable environment. Throughout the trip there are fun and educational activities, such as tours of high mountain pastures, themed evenings and entertainments, stewardship of the campsite, and not forgetting the chance to go shopping in Courmayeur!
To best meet the needs of the children, logistics have been specifically designed and based on supervision by three mountain professionals. There are two hike leaders for the groups and one person managing the trip logistics who can help if necessary. We manage the luggage transfers, so your child only has to carry a light backpack.
It’s never too early to start serious hiking! This is a real immersion in the mountain environment to make the most of this legendary route in the Northern Alps!
The collective formula associates several people who do not necessarily know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : Find all the dates available in the drop-down list below
Price 2024 : 890€ per person - based on a minimum of 10 participants
This price includes :
- the organization and supervision by 2 state qualified trekking guides
- half-board accommodation in campsites
- picnic lunches
- transfers throughout the hike
- luggage transportation throughout the trek (1 piece of luggage per person, Maximum 15KG per bag - No hard-shell suitcase)
Not included in the price :
- drinks and personal expenditure (souvenirs…)
- repatriation insurance (compulsory)
In this section, find all the information about this activity. For further information, please contact our advisor (contact details above).
Meeting point : meet at 8.30 am at the Compagnie des Guides office, 190 Place de l’Eglise, 74400 Chamonix.
Ability level : 3/5. The Tour du Mont-Blanc Kid hiking trip is a moderate trek. A minimum of 460m (1509ft) and a maximum of 1150m (3772ft) vertical gain and about 5 to 7 hours of hiking daily. Hiking on generally well-maintained mountain trails, sometimes including out-of-trail sections. For active people who do not mind training to prepare for the hike. A great multiday hike for people with trekking experience.
Guiding policy : minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 children per group. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy is one of the strictest in the mountain guiding business. It guarantees the most balanced groups as possible as well as high-quality personalised advice.
- 2 state qualified trekking guides (1 male, 1 female) for each group are dedicated to our junior tours
- 1 state qualified trekking guide is managing the trip logistics and can help if necessary
Accomodation : 5 nights under tents in a campground. Our campsite is equiped with 3/4 people tents and a large group tent used for meals and meetings.
Meals : our guiding team prepares healthy balanced meals daily, using fresh local products as much as possible. Naturally, food preferences of the children are taken into consideration.
Documentation :
- Aged between 9 and 13 years old
- Participants must have sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance offering both of these types of cover when you sign up.
- Participants must also take valid ID with them.
- Authorization to leave the French country
Preparing for the trip : There is an information meeting with your mountain leader the day before departure at 6pm at the Compagnie des Guides Office.
For the attention of the legal guardian of the registered minor : The legal guardian is aware of the sporting and risky nature of the activities offered as part of this service. Failure to comply with safety instructions and level requirements can lead to accidents
Documents available for download
We recommend that you take special care in choosing your equipment because it contributes greatly to the success of your trip. As alpine conditions can be highly variable with sudden changes, it can get very cold in altitude, it is preferable to have numerous layers rather than one thick piece of clothing. It is not uncommon to have snow in the middle of summer, do not skimp on warm clothes even if the weather seems favourable. Contrarily, the sun can be scorching hot. Without weighing too much, you should always have sufficient equipment in your backpack to deal with the capricious and severe weather.
Equipment
- A comfortable backpack with sufficient volume (25 liters) for the days belongings which is properly adapted to the childs morphology. . Make sure you have enough space for the picnic. A small tip in case it rains : even if you have a backpack cover, always protect your belongings in a plastic bag (a big rubbish bag) inside your backpack.
- A compact and solid travel bag, maximum 15kg, with the childs name. If the sleeping bag is too latge place it in another bag.
- A pair of hiking boots with Vibram or Contagrip soles. For new shoes, we strongly suggest that you wear them beforehand to mold them to the shape of your foot. If you are prone to blisters : talcum powder applied to dry feet and in your shoes before you start your days hiking. Provide elastoplast to put on their heels and sides of their feet.
Clothing
For added comfort regarding underwear, (t-shirts, boxers, socks), avoid cotton which is heavy, cold and dries very slowly. Opt for synthetic technical fabrics or wool, which is making a comeback. They are warmer and dry quickly.
For the hike :
- 1 short-sleeved t-shirt
- 1 long-sleeved t-shirt (technical fabric)
- 1 polar fleece
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 pair of hiking trousers
- 1 pair of hiking socks (technical fabric/terrycloth)
- 1 Goretex jacket (waterproof windbreaker)
- 1 poncho (large rain cover that fits over your pack) or 1 pack cover
- 1 pair of waterproof trousers (although light Gore-tex trousers are expensive, other types of light waterproof trousers will do)
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- 1 warm hat
- 1 pair of gloves
For the entire trip (spare items for the luggage in the bus) :
- 6 pairs of socks
- 5 underpants
- 5 T-shirts
- 3 shorts
- 1 pair of jogging trousers and sweater
- 1 sweatshirt
- 1 warm jumper
- 1 undershirt/jumper
- 1 warm outfit for the evening (down jacket or thick fleece)
Accessories
For the day :
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream and lip salve
- 1 water bottle (minimum 1 litre but 1.5 litres is better)
- 1 knife
- 1 fork (type "spork")
- 1 pair of telescopic poles
For the entire trip :
- 1 sleeping bag
- 1 ground sheet/matress (optional)
- 1 pair of comfortable shoes or flip flops
- Toiletries, hand towel, bath towel
- Flashlight or headlight
- Games, playing cards, book ....
- Personal pharmacy : elastoplast, (stretchable strapping tape), band-aids "second skin" kit, compresses, medicines for common ailments : diarrhea, constipation, sore throat, headaches, pain relief, allergies and any prescribed medication. The mountain leader always carries a first aid kit with them. Remember that packing light is essential.
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1 : Chamonix - Trient
We start our beautiful trip from the village of Le Tour in order to begin the climb through the mountain pastures to the Col de Balme (7,188ft) on the Franco-Swiss border. After a last look at the Chamonix valley and the Aiguilles Rouges massif that we will find again at the end of the week, we will descend through mountain pastures and forests, arriving in the village of Trient (4,350ft). Night at the Col de la Forclaz campsite.
Elevation gain : 2,600 feet - Elevation drop : 2,600 feet
Day 2 : Trient - La Fouly
From the pass, we climb into a forest that dominates the Rhone Valley and Martigny. We arrive at the mountain pastures of Bovine (6,519ft), an ideal place for the picnic that we will take surrounded by Hérens (Swiss cows). Then we descend towards the Plan de l'Au to finish the walk in Champex (4,862ft). It is by bus that we will reach the La Fouly campsite, passing through very pretty, typically Swiss villages.
Elevation gain : 1,500 feet - Elevation drop : 1,600 feet
Day 3 : La Fouly - Val Ferret italien
A small transfer to the bottom of the valley (5,912ft). Climbing into the Swiss mountain pastures, we go to meet the shepherds and their flocks of sheep, as well as the gray cows, famous for their "bear ears." Finally arriving at the Grand Col Ferret (8,169ft), on the Italian-Swiss border. We are welcomed by the southern faces of the Mont-Blanc massif. On our right, we will discover Mont Dolent, an emblematic summit on the borders on Franc Italy and Switzerland. The descent takes place in front of the Pré de Bar and Miage glaciers, to the bottom of the Italian Val Ferret, at Arnuva (5,803ft). We spend the night in a campsite at Planpincieux.
Elevation gain : 2,300 feet- Elevation drop : 2,600 feet
Day 4 : Val Ferret - Courmayeur
Today a nice traverse of the Saxe Mountain is waiting for us. From the hamlet of Lavachey (5,413ft) we reach the famous Walter Bonatti mountain hut. The small valley of Malatra lead us to the pass “d’Entre deux sauts” (8,270ft) followed by the pass “Col des sapins” (7,988ft). The follow the Val Sapin path to reach the hamlet of Villair Superiore. It's time to enjoy Courmayeur and a well-deserved ice cream. Transfer to the Val Veny campsite.
Elevation gain : 3,700 feet - Elevation drop : 4,300 feet
Day 5 : Val Veny - Chapieux
Departing from the hamlet of La Visaille (5,442ft), we climb along the glacial waters of Lac Combal. Step by step we reach the Italian-french border and the “Col de la Seigne” pass (8,254ft). It is time to say goodbye to the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The Beaufortin mountain pastures await us for the descent, with their herds of goats, but above all its Tarines: superb cows with velvet eyes. We hike down to Les Chapieux where we spend the night in the campsite.
Elevation gain : 3,000 feet - Elevation drop : 2,300 feet
Day 6 : Les Chapieux - Les Contamines
Today we are doing the Col du Bonhomme pass (7,982ft), a nice hike up through the mountain pasture where we might have surprising encounters and surely a nice lunch on a natural terrace. Step by step we are heading down to Notre Dame de la Gorge. This is the end of our hike. Transfer back to Chamonix around 5p.m, it will be time to say good bye … until our next junior trip in the Alps together !
Elevation gain : 3,000 feet - Elevation drop : 4,000 feet
The guide may have to adapt the route to weather conditions and/or to group physical and/or technical ability.
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CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 90 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 90 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 9€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.