2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Tour du Mont Blanc ON FOOT FROM FRANCE TO ITALY TO SWITZERLAND

Glacier-clad Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps, with seven distinct valleys radiating into France, Italy, and Switzerland. On our hiking journey circling

snow-covered ridge of the Dômes de Miage, one of the most spectacular ridges on the Mont Blanc massif. Days 3-5 Into Italy / Col de la Croix du Bonhomme / Courmayeur From the lovely chapel of Notre Dame de la Gorge, an ancient pilgrimage site, we hike through gentle glades and forests and up through a superb gorge to the top of Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, our first pass. Crossing into the mountainous Aosta region of Italy on foot, we’ll have fantastic vistas of Mont Blanc’s sheer 11,000-foot southern face. On one festive evening, we join in the alpine tradition of passing the grolla bowl (espresso and grappa, flambé !) to toast our day’s adventures. Days 6-7 Into Switzerland / Champex / Trient Glacier / Col de la Forclaz Crossing into Switzerland on foot, we traverse the Val Ferret, passing beneath the massive granite peaks of Mont Dolent (12,543'), the Dent du Géant, and the Grandes Jorasses. From lakeside Champex, our hikes take us along the edge of the magnificent Trient Glacier to Col de la Forclaz. Days 8-9 Col de Balme / Chamonix Our trail climbs through a serene larch forest to the Col de Balme (7,234'), the border between Switzerland and France, where we can once again see the beautiful Chamonix Valley. With the glory of the Mont Blanc massif above us, we descend, coming full circle on this classic adventure. Depart on Day 9.

this famed massif, we’ll cross from one country to the next—on foot! The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the “Great Hikes of the World,” and we’ve honed this classic to perfection. Impeccably designed days bring you to epic glaciers, across wildflower-carpeted meadows, and into classic alpine hamlets as

“Our Trip Leaders were excellent—they made the trip a 20 on a scale of 1 to 10! I can’t wait to take another trip with WT after this experience.”

Tom D., Kenosha WI

we explore each country’s cultural and culinary delights. Overnights are in cozy mountain hotels and hikers’ inns, and our team of Trip Leaders (up to three on each trip) brings a wonderful esprit to the adventure. Days 1-2 Chamonix / Col de Tricot The charming alpine town of Chamonix sits right at the foot of Mont Blanc (15,770'). One of our warm-up hikes brings us below the vast Bionnassay Glacier, with a climb up to the Col de Tricot for fine views of the long, • Our guide-to-guest ratio. It’s unmatched—you’ll have two (and often three) Trip Leaders so you can enjoy the opportunity to hike at your own pace. • Hand-picked hotels. We select the most welcoming accommodations, from historic inns and chalets to hike-in lodges in breathtaking settings. • Expert Trip Leaders. They offer wonderful introductions to special people and places you would never find on your own, and they know these regions inside and out. • The best selection of trips in the Alps. From one-week getaways to in-depth two-week hikes, we have the expertise to offer hiking trips for every level and interest. DISCOVER THE WT DIFFERENCE IN THE ALPS

HIGHLIGHTS • One of the world’s classic hikes—and we do it right! • Hike across three international borders on foot and enjoy magnificent mountain and glacier views, up to three Trip Leaders • Delicious mountain cuisines in each country • Overnights in mountain villages with great charm and character DETAILS • 9-day trip begins and ends in Chamonix • 6 nights hotels, 2 nights small inns with semi-private rooms • All meals included except 1 dinner • All transport during the trip included (cable cars, etc.) DATES Jun 30-Jul 8, 2019 Aug 22-30 Jul 12-20 Aug 31-Sep 8 Jul 27-Aug 4 Sep 8-16 Aug 8-16

TRIP COST $4995 (10-14 members) $5495 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $520

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 6-8 hours a day, altitudes between 4,000-8,800 feet, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders

Hike from France to Italy to Switzerland on our unique circle around the crown jewel of the Alps. PHOTO RIGHT: DAN PATITUCCI

CODY BROCK

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE 40