MINI FRANCE to ITALY Tour 23-26SEP 2024

Service Description

The MINI France to Italy section is superb. A green, lush prairie section of the Tour Mont Blanc which then crosses high rocks to reach the wind swept Italian mountain border. Start in Chamonix. Enjoy the Bellevue cable cabin to see Mont Blanc from Bellevue plateau. Look down on the entire Chamonix Valley including views to the famous Aiguille Verte. Then, traverse around above Contamines and start trekking through the green Contamines natural reserve upto the rocky Col Bon Homme. Walk for 4 full days at a leisurely pace on paths, across boulders and rocks, enjoy beautiful mountains, fine views and nature. See lovely alpine cows on the way, sometimes on the same foot path as you, and meet other trekkers. Use mountain refuges wherever possible at night to fully experience European mountain hut hospitality and conviviality. Spend 1 night outside on French/Italian border where a bivvi is planned overnight by the Italian side of the Mont Blanc. Return via paths over Col de Bonhomme. Revive your body walking in the mountains. Come prepared for everything the atmosphere can throw at you including UV50 sun protection. Each day depart after breakfast for use of day light and morning freshness. Arrive for dinner before by 18:00 to enjoy the French mountain refuge dinner reservation service. Enjoy rest and relaxation in huts. Pick up a personal lunch picnic for next day. Walking is 9 hour a day on foot. Pace is slow and steady. The itinerary allows 1 hour lunch pauses to ensure dinner reservation in evening is not missed. Warm water only if solar powers the alpine refuge or a cold shower is possible, this is an authentic mountain trip using refugegs...on arrival put down a pillow case, sleep bag, arrive for dinner, socialise and rest. Everyone must carry a bivvi bag, mat, synthetic sleeping bag, and 1 day personal food stash for the bivvi night on the border under the Mont Blanc. Aim to see sunset & sunrise on the Mont Blanc with light shining from the Italian side. Feather sleeping bags are not allowed as they don't insulate when wet, nobody wants hypothermic night on the Italian border. Accommodation: French hotels, alpine mountain huts and refuges are the preferred choice for this trip, with evening meal all prepared and included, breakfast and a picnic provided too. Hotel reservations in towns are avoided where possible to avoid descending. A fine trekking experience are the aims of the MINI FRANCE to ITALY with a night under Mont Blanc.