Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

This was my first mountain holiday in four years.  I was pleased to find I could still get up into the mountains with my two new hips. A real sense of achievment to be back amongst the peaks and panoramic views.  (Sorry folks if I held you up a bit on the upgrades).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was an excellent leader, keen to share his extensive knowledge of flora and fauna and of the geography of the region. He  lead the group in a very civilized fashion, and kept us all together. The organisation involved was first class and everything ran very smoothly. He gave good ideas for the day off, and provided us with much humour and entertainment throughout.  And one must not forget Dillon the amiable foxhound who walked three plus times as far as anyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget walking sticks.  Take a water supply with a feed tube. If you stop to drink - as I do - you get behind all those keen types who drink on the hoof - at least on the upgrades.  Mind you, I like to stop , so don't really approve.

Most Inspirational Moment

i took the cable car up the aguille du midi on my day off and the views of the distant mountains and the surrounding peaks were pretty spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

oliver was a great guy,very experienced leader and good fun....he was very happy to help and answer any questions about anything at all....he put no pressure on anybody and maintained a pace which all group members were happy with .

Advice for Potential Travellers

take warm and wet weather clothing at all times when walking as the weather can change at the drop of a hat.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moments seemed to go on and on. The views on all the walks, with the exception of one when the weather closed down, were superb. Mont Blanc was almost always on view, but closer in the flowers on the meadows and the occasional wildlife, such as marmots, were a treat, especially in June.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver, our group leader, was highly experienced and this was obvious from the moment he led us up the first ascent. He was assessing the capability of all 15 of us so that he could set the right pace and balance the walking with rest stops. As we got fitter during the week, the pace increased slightly and the walks became slightly tougher, but this was very much in accordance with the trip notes. Oliver has a great sense of humour and a wealth of jokes which I much enjoyed. They made the whole experience great fun. He was also very careful, where necessary, to explain the safest way to walk across ice and snow and to show how to minimise the risk of a fall. This was kept in proportion and it did not become a health and safety show. He also insisted that we keep ourselves well hydrated, which was necessary as we experienced some of the hottest weather of the year. Oliver has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the plants and flowers that we encountered which were in profusion at the end of June. Oliver has a small fox terrier, by the name of Dylan, who accompanied us on 3 walks. He is a great character whose company we all enjoyed and who became quite a mascot of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy this tour. It is a great introduction to the Mont Blanc area and Oliver will show you all the best bits of the Tour de Mont Blanc. You need to be of average fitness, but the walks were never of any great distance (perhaps 9 miles), but some longish ascents are included. If you like walking in amazing scenery, you will find this tour excellent value for money.

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!

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!

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.

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!

Thoughts on Group Leader

the best, great jokes throughout our stay!