Request information / enquire / go bespoke
Please note:
Hi. I am a qualified International Mountain Leader. Trained & qualified in UK & France, a member of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders (UIMLA organisation member).
As an IML I have experience in leading groups in the mountains, young adults and adults, training youngsters in navigation, and river crossings, first aid scenarios, outdoor camping and cooking, expedition management for school groups and training and assessment of young adults who have chosen to follow the Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) scheme.
If you wish to summit the Mont Blanc, you require an IFMGA Mountain Guide, not an IML. I am an IML. You need what they call a Guide not an International Mountain leader (which is a trek leader who does hiking with groups / teaches navigation / does mountain trekking expeditions).
An IFMGA Guide ordinarily belongs to a national body of guides, such as BMG for British Mountain Guides, or the mountain guiding organisations in France, Switzerland, Italy, USA, Canada...who are affiliated to the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA).
As an IML - an International Mountain Leader - I offer walking, trekking, hiking experiences and day trips including culture tours from Chamonix assisting tourists. Treks and walks are classified as very easy, easy, medium or difficult as defined under the walking categories.
I do not provide rock climbing. I do not provide mountaineering with ropes and equipment on glaciers, nor do I offer summits of the Mont Blanc itself.
Get in touch if you like hiking and discovering the alpine environment and like to learn along the way about geography, geology, flowers, rocks and animals.
I do not operate in the death zone at 8000m+. For such an objective feel free to contact British Mountain Guides (BMG) for an English speaking guide to summit the Mont Blanc, or go to IFMGA website to discover more about Guides and to find an organisation in the country you wish to summit a mountain.
INFORMATION:
Claire Williams - Hi there...How are you? Here is some information about me. Nice to meet you virtually. Hope to see you in the mountains. Join in a group walk for 1-2 days or a multi day trekking tour. It would be great to walk with you.
-
I am an International Mountain Leader (IML).
-
I am English.
-
I am trained in the UK and France and qualified in the UK.
-
I offer 3 Tours - the Tour St Bernard (TSB), Tour Mont Blanc (TMB), Tour des Combins (TDC).
-
Tour Mont Blanc - TMB HOTEL / TMB CAMP / TMB LUXURY & LIFTS - 3 products starting Orsieres or La Fouly in Switzerland & Chamonix in France.
-
My favourite trek is currently Tour des Combins (TDC) starting from Orsieres in Switzerland.
-
I also offer day trips, culture trips in Chamonix, short hikes in Chamonix town & valley.
-
In early season, when the snow and ice dominate, I do 4 mini sub sections of the Tour Mont Blanc for clients needing to get out and walk, this aims to avoid the high passes until snow and ice and avalanche risk decreases.
-
TMB 1/4 mini loops start in any one of the 3 countries; France Switzerland and Italy using TMB paths and variants. Check out the TMB mini product.
-
I currently offer trips in France, Switzerland and Italy and have previously worked or trekked in Ecuador, Peru, India, Nepal, Morocco, Spain, UK, Germany. I find Tour des Combins (in Switzerland & Italy) offers everything a trekker might wish for in an 8 day break. If you wish to do it in less days then don't hesitate to ask but it's a good work out.
Meet and Greet Places for starting a MONTBLANCTRIP:
SWIZERLAND:
Orsieres outside the train station - TSB & TDC
Champex Lake outside the bakery - TMB 1/2
La Fouly outside the supermarket - TMB & TMB 1/4
FRANCE:
Chamonix outside the book shop/Tabac next to the bear statue and by BNPParibas bank
Les Contamines by bench infront of the band stand (opp. Sherpa supermarket)
ITALY:
Courmayeur in Italy inside the campervans car park by roundabout
Walk Category
All walks and treks are categorised as Easy, Very Easy, Medium or Difficult
Walking categories and definitions are to assist a client to gauge the challenge factor
-
Tour Mont Blanc - Difficult - Switzerland, Italy & France
-
Tour St Bernard - Diffficult - Switzerland & Italy
-
Tour des Combins - Difficult - Switzerland & Italy
-
Tour Mont Blanc - 9 or 12 days options start La Fouly (S) or Chamonix (F) in 2025
-
Tour St Bernard - 5 or 7 days options start Orsieres (S) in 2025
-
Tour des Combins - 8 days options start Orsieres (S) in 2025
-
Clearly the longer a trip, the more time to do a walk, and distance, so it is easier with more rest time in between days.
Languages:
I am English. English is spoken all day long if you want to improve your English whilst walking. French, Spanish & German chat possible too.
Location: I live halfway between Geneva (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France) near the Pre-alps Aravis & Bargy mountains.
UK products:
The only products I currently offer in UK are on an "as requested" basis, see list below. Services are provided on a daily rate basis if you wish to book me in the UK simply email info@montblanctrips.com with your ideal dates so BnB accommodation can be scheduled accordingly.
-
Cotswolds Way, England - 10 days - meet in Bath, England
-
Surrey Hills Discovery, England - 3 days - meet in Leatherhead, England
-
Glen Coe gander, Scotland - 3 days - meet at Clachaig Inn, Glencoe, Scotland
-
Ben Nevis, Scotland - day trip - meet at Ben Nevis Youth Hostel, Scotland
-
Snowdon/Eryri, Wales - day trip - meet at start of South path by public loo and car park
If desired, adhoc engagements can be arranged, request a bespoke trek if desired, please email your enquiry to info@montblanctrips.com with ideas and any dates.