Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many great sights and amazing views of the mountains throughout the trip.Seeing the mountains while standing between Switzerland and France on the first walking day while watching the Mont Blanc Marathoners struggle up the path. Looking at the mountains in a field of alpine flowers in the blazing sunshine.Sitting in the Bonatti refuge at over 2000 metres eating pear and chocolate tart, drinking expresso while looking at the most inspirational mountain scenary. Seeing a Golden eagle and a Marmot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olivers excellent leadership meant I could be in terrain which I could not hope to have managed alone. His unique sense of humour and respectful approach to the mountains, other walkers, the mountain refuge owners and to the group made the trip very special. He has an amazing knowledge of Alpine flowers and the local landscape which also enhanced my enjoyment of the walks. There were one or two people on the trip who were better suited to a grade C holiday who were frustrated at the grade B pace of the trip but I found the walks entirely suited to my fitness levels and well described in the trip notes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all equipment that is recommended in the trip notes. I used it all!

Suggestions

Elaine and Oliver are great people, very ecologically aware and have a real passion for the countryside and the mountains. There are amazing views of the mountains from the chalet which are beautiful to look at while having breakfast in the mornings and dinner in the evening. Dylan the 11 month old fox terrier accompanied us on most walks and was a joy to have with us- this helped make the trip really special.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many great sights and amazing views of the mountains throughout the trip.Seeing the mountains while standing between Switzerland and France on the first walking day while watching the Mont Blanc Marathoners struggle up the path. Looking at the mountains in a field of alpine flowers in the blazing sunshine.Sitting in the Bonatti refuge at over 2000 metres eating pear and chocolate tart, drinking expresso while looking at the most inspirational mountain scenary. Seeing a Golden eagle and a Marmot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olivers excellent leadership meant I could be in terrain which I could not hope to have managed alone. His unique sense of humour and respectful approach to the mountains, other walkers, the mountain refuge owners and to the group made the trip very special. He has an amazing knowledge of Alpine flowers and the local landscape which also enhanced my enjoyment of the walks. There were one or two people on the trip who were better suited to a grade C holiday who were frustrated at the grade B pace of the trip but I found the walks entirely suited to my fitness levels and well described in the trip notes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all equipment that s recommended in the trip notes. I used it all!

Suggestions

Elaine and Oliver are great people, very ecologically aware and have a real passion for the countryside and the mountains. There are amazing views of the mountains from the chalet which are beautiful to look at while having breakfast in the mornings and dinner in the evening. Dylan the 11 month old fox terrier accompanied us on most walks and was a joy to have with us- this helped make the trip really special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick one single moment, the views of Mont Blanc and surronuding mountains on the various treks throughout the week are all breathtaking, although the panoramic 360 view on the last day at the top of Agiuillette du Brevent are amazing. Make sure your camera is well charged!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver is a fantastic leader. What he doesn't know about the mountains, history, and the flora and fauna really isn't worth knowing. He clearly loves and enjoys what he does, and he made a real effort with the group to make sure the slower members of the group were ok, without holding back the faster walkers amongst us. I couldn't fault his leadership. The trip alone is excellent, but Oliver really puts the icing on the cake.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take lots of layers. I found that when we set out in the morning it was usually quite fresh and chilly, but by the time you got walking, you soon build up some heat and the midday sun in the mountains can be very strong, so make sure you have some suncream, glasses and a hat. Waterproofs are essential as well, as the rain can come out of nowhere.

Suggestions

The trip is perfect for seeing the 'highlights' of the area, with each walk slightly different than the last - all with fantastic scenery. From the organisation, to our hosts Oliver and Elaine - I cannot fault the trip in any way.

Most Inspirational Moment

the scenery was breathtaking

Thoughts on Group Leader

disappointing and spoiling the whole trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

if you are a slow walker, don't mind eccentric guide and basic food, you will enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

None in particular but the - Alpine meadows were fab and the Mont Blanc mountain range is very impressive

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver, Dylan and Elaine are great hosts !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk above Le Tour  with stunning views back to Mont Blanc

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver knows his mountains, his routes, his mountain flowers. He was great at settting a group pace to suit all and to walk within the comfort zone of all   at the same time enabling fun for others. A newish memebr of his team ,Dylan, his 11month old puppy became part of the group. All his breifings and  stories were punctuated by a stream of  jokes and puns but he also took all our safety very seriously.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be reasonably fit so as to enjoy. Bring hat and suncream! Accept life in smallish chalet can be a bit cramped and remeber it is Oliver and Elaine's home.. All days start with breakfast at 7.20 so be prepared!

Suggestions

If you want gently challenging walking within sight of the high Alps and meeting a group of new people it  would be hard to beat this trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

the best, great jokes throughout our stay!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to list but special mention though for the beautiful woodland we passed through at the end of the long, long, long descent down from Lac Blanc (who needs ski lifts anyway?) and final 'off piste' climb up the Les Houches peak and seeing the best view in the Alps come up over the horizon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver is a real gem of a group leader - awful jokes and the Spencer Tracy fan club aside, he's an excellent guide who did a great job of gauging the different levels of the group and getting us all safely up and down the cols with smiles all round.  Voila.  Elaine did a great job too with the hearty evening meals, sandwiches, and brilliant home made cakes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is rated a Moderate which I think is about right, albeit at the upper scale.  However while you don't need any trekking experience you do need to be reasonably fit as some of the 'up' sections are long and hard (900m plus, and often immediately followed by an equally long 'down' section).  I'm in decent shape and go to the gym a few times a week and I found the walks challenging but still enjoyable, so a bit of preparation pays off. Also, take a wide brimmed sun hat not just a peaked baseball cap, as the sun is strong, even at the end of September, and I have the sunburnt, blistered ears to prove it.

Suggestions

I'm not sure why Exodus are being so coy about this in the Trip Notes etc but the chalet has a sauna on the top floor!  It's not perfect as you need to go back to your own bathroom for cold showers between sessions but it's lovely way to wind down after a walk.I had a fantastic time and would love to go back - a cross country skiing trip has never looked so appealing...

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top at Brevent, it was a hard climb but the view made it worth it! I took the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi on the first day which gave the most amazing views across to Mont Blanc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver certainly knows his stuff, he is very enthusiastic about his local environment, people, animals and plants. His jokes are truely terrible, but by the end of the week you are joining in with them too! :) Elaine's cooking is wonderful, you don't go hungry, and it is very impressive how she manages to cater for such a big group!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and practise climbing some hills before you go, the distances you cover each day are not that far - approx 10 miles, but the ascents and descents at altitute might not be what you are used to. And read the trip notes to get an accurate idea of the planned walks, accomodation and trip. 

Suggestions

It was a really good week and was a good group of people, all of mixed abilities. If you go with the view of walking as a group rather than 15 individuals you will have a fabulous time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing France, Switzerland, and Italy at the same time from a mountain top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was a great guide who had excellent knowledge of the history and culture of the region.  I was very safety conscious and did a good job arranging for evacuation of a member of our party who became ill at a mountain top.  His jokes received mixed reviews but overall he was great in setting a positive mood to the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Trekking poles are essential.

Suggestions

The trip is rated B but should be rated B/C.  Several days had over 1000 meters of ascent or descent which was tough with the heat wave in Europe that week.