How about summitting the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc at 4,807m/15,771ft. Its easier than you may think, all you need is a strong determination to succeed and a good level of fitness.

The climb is fairly strenuous but it is not technically difficult so you do not need any previous climbing experience. Our English speaking , highly experienced mountain guides will prepare you and help you get the most out of this once in a lifetime alpine experience.

We cannot predict the weather and therefore there is no guarantee that you will reach the summit during your trip, but you will learn a new set of skills and be able to enjoy new experiences in the mountains, including summitting other peaks

Weekend Travel will professionally tailor make your trip, you tell us when you can get time off work and we will take care of the rest of the details, apart from the getting fit part!

Itinerary

A six day stay in Chamonix incorporating five days with a mountain guide. For all of the climbing and mountaineering that you do you will have one guide leading two of you. This is a legal requirement for the climb on Mont Blanc but we believe that it is also better on training days. This ratio allows you to have the maximum personal tuition so that you can progress at your own individual pace and get the most out of your time in the mountains.

We can tailor make your trip around your most convenient dates and times but the following should give you a good idea of what to expect. The whole itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions but we will endeavour to take you to the most appropriate place for each day.

Arrival Day
Afternoon/evening Fly out from Heathrow or City airport, personally met at airport taken to Chamonix on private transfer. Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day One
Rendezvous early in the specialist mountain sportshop to sort out boots and other equipment. Today is all about learning new techniques for moving on steep and icy terrain roping up, using crampons and general mountain safety!! A favourite place to learn these skills is on the Petite Verte or in bad weather the Mer de Glace provides a good alternative. Night in hotel

Day Two
Today is your first acclimatisation day at altitude. Climbing on the Tour Ronde and the Aiguille de Toul, up to 3600m. Learn more mountaineering skills such as rope work and moving as part of a team Night in hotel.

Day Three
Another day at altitude, for instance at Allalin, above Saas Fee in Switzerland. Alternatively, experience some mixed route climbing techniques on the famous Cosmiques Arrets on the Aiguille du Midi. Night in hotel.

Day Four
Today will be a positioning day for the Summit. After a morning of resting, packaging your equipment and eating lots of carbohydrate you will set off in the afternoon to reach one of the mountain huts, either the Gouter or Comsiques huts. The evening and night will be spent in the hut, with a hearty meal.

Day Five
The day will start at 2am. Aiming to reach the summit by the Gouter route at 7-9am or via Mont Maudit and Tacul at 10-12am. Once there enjoy the truly spectacular views from the Matterhorn in Switzerland to the Mont Venton in Italy. Descent back to the Aiguille du Midi or alternative route.

Departure Day
Take an early flight back or enjoy a leisurely day in Chamonix looking at the summit from another angle before departing!

The Instructors

All of the guides we use hold the UAIGM qualification, which means that they are all members of the official Company de Guides and all highly trained. They have all got years of experience in the Alps and speak excellent English. They will be key in tailor making the programme around your individual needs and abilities.

Costs

Based on 2 people travelling for a total of 6 days and having private guiding for 5 days with the mountain guide. Cost per person start from £1159 which will include the following:

· Scheduled flights from London Heathrow or City airport to Geneva
· Private transfer to and from Chamonix
· Accommodation in a 2 star hotel in Chamonix on a B & B basis
· 1 nights accommodation and evening meal in mountain hut
· Mountain guide services for 5 days which will include picking you up from your hotel in the morning and taking you back in the afternoon.
· Transport on Climbing days to and from lifts

Not included

Cost of lifts - this is because the cost will vary considerably depending on the itinerary and subsequent location of each day
Hire of equipment
Lunches or evening meals
Insurance - we recommend CAP for mountain rescue
We van offer a range of different hotels in Chamonix and run our own luxurious chalet there. If you want to stay in a 3 or 4 star hotel or in our chalet this is possible. Please contact us to discuss this further.

For more information, please call us on 01367 241636. Some of us in the office have done the trip ourselves so we can give you a personal view of the experience.

Kit List

During your climbing conditions can vary from very hot and sunny to extremely cold, wet and windy. All of your clothes should be light and layerable so that you can adjust accordingly.

We recommend:

Daily walking
Thermal underwear
Tights of thermal long johns which you can walk in
Waterproof Goretex style over trousers
Gaiters
Fleece
Warm Goretex style jacket with hood
Gloves or mittens with separate inner and outer which you can adapt to the temperature
Warm socks
Warm hat
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sun Cream
1 litre water bottle
Basic first aid kit

30-40 litre rucksack

Mountain boots - can be hired from Chamonix
Crampons, ice axes, harness and helmet - can be hired from Chamonix

Night in hut
Keep things as light as possible. There will be blankets supplied.
Small tube toothpaste and soap
Head torch

Don't forget
Camera
Passport