Mont Blanc Explorer - a Family Holiday in France (EXFMN)

Duration: 8 days (may vary)
Areas: France
Tour types: Family Adventures, Walking & Trekking

Description

Alpine trekking & trails, mountain biking, adventure parks
From the chalet, you will take exhilarating day-walks walking along well-maintained paths through pretty fir and larch forest with classic views of Chamonix and the great Alpine peaks. The highlight is the mighty Mer de Glace (sea of ice) - a huge, gleaming-white glacier with crevasses and steep sides. The leisurely mountain biking explores different parts of the valley, travelling through thick forests and open Alpine meadows following easy trails and quiet roads. The adventure park at Les Contamines has a range of activities including, horse riding and an aerial ropeway with tree slides, and at the park in Chamonix we try out rope swings, aerial ropeways, a bungee trampoline and a spectacular summer bobsleigh - at 900m long it is the longest in France.

Listen & learn
In addition to having fun, there is ample opportunity to sample the local food, such as cheese fondue and even try out your French language skills. On the days in the mountains you will learn about the environment, and search for animal tracks and Alpine plants as well as discuss why the glaciers are getting smaller. There is also the opportunity to have fun with map reading and a treasure hunt on the last day.

Chamonix & the chalet
There are spectacular views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc range in the two adjacent chalets just a few minutes from Chamonix. The chalets are ideal for families with 8 well-appointed twin rooms and a large dining area where everyone eats at the same table. The garden has a Jacuzzi and also a barbecue area. The food is of a good quality that will be familiar to children, which also may have a local twist such as cheese fondue, and other Alpine specialities.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Geneva airport; transfer to Chamonix.

Day 2

Morning mountain biking in the Chamonix Valley Day, picnic lunch; PM free for optional activities such as rock climbing or horse riding.

Teenage departure itinerary is the same as the family departure other than the following: Day 2

One of the afternoon options allows for further mountain biking using cable cars to gain altitude.

Day 3

Day trip to Les Contamines Adventure Park.

Day 4

Trek to see a glacier.

Day 4

Full day walking to Le Blanc, including a 900 metre descent using well maintained paths and easy to use ropes and ladders.

Day 5

Full day walking from Emosson Lake through wild scenery to see dinosaur footprints.

Day 5

Walk around Emosson Lake; PM free at chalet.

Day 6

Free day; optional cable car to Aiguille du Midi or hikes, rafting or rock climbing.

Day 7

Visit the local market in Chamonix and then visit the Adventure Park.

Day 8

End Geneva airport.