Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The fantastic views when you could see them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I felt like I had gone to boot camp rather than being on holiday. I got the impression that Heather was more used to working with children/teenagers rather than adults. She often spoke to the group in quite a patronising way. I didn't find her very approachable. If you asked her a question about the day's itinerary that she had mentioned in her briefing the night before she always made a point of letting you know that you should remember every detail from the previous day's briefing. I felt uncomfortable asking any questions by the end of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would describe this trip as challenging (not moderate/challenging). There are only two days of moderate walking. The majority of the walks are challenging; the last day involved 4 hours of continuous steep uphill walking. I would recommend taking walking poles even if you don't normally use walking poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing views on the high passes, the great food, the good company.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick did a great job leading our group and he lived in Chamonix so knew the area very well & had a good knowledge of the plants / trees / wildlife too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your walking boots are well worn in before the trip, one person in our group came with brand new boots and got blisters. Bring a reasonably warm sleeping bag, the highest camps were at about 1600m and temp got down to near 0 degreesC in August on clear nights. Eg mine was 3 season (Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20c) and was just warm enough on a couple of nights. Get a good sleeping mat, it doesn't have to be super compact and light as you are not carrying it while walking, I got the 'Thermorest luxury map, large' (7cm thick, 61cm wide) and it was amazingly comfortable & it made such a difference being able to sleep well every night, also helps keep you warm having a thick sleeping mat. Don't worry about a compact travel pillow either, just roll up a normal pillow from your bed at home, much more comfortable! Some of the campsites have washing machines and tumble dryers, so no need to bring lots of sets of clothes. Consider wearing your boots on the flight out, one person from our group lost their luggage. The single supplement is well worth the money as its nice to have your own tent and space.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were none, I found the whole experience depressing and unsettling, I felt ignored, disregarded by the bulk of the group and all of the time walking in foul weather on a difficult mountain so far behind everyone else, I felt unsafe

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overwhelmed by the number of people, she could not have coped looking after everyone despite her best efforts. Some people were just so bossy and domineering they just took over the whole trip. Too time obsessed, never had time to just enjoy the mountains which was the whole point of being there

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have a military level of fitness and consider another holiday with another company, I could not find anything to recommend this company any more and I have had many holidays with them

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the border into Switzerland through magnificent fields of wildflowers, hearing the cowbells in the distance, then descending through the forest into a beautiful valley and our campsite (and beer!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lotte was great and helped me a good deal when I had some height-fear challenges. She also kept her eye out for segments that I might find particularly challenging. Charlie did a great job with the campsite and cuisine. I always felt safe with Lotte leading the group. I also appreciate that she let us take our time on the walks and allowed plenty of time for relaxing breaks in the shade. I went on this vacation to enjoy the walks and scenery and to stop and smell the roses - not to race up and down the trail or compete with fellow walkers. If all I want is a workout I can go to the gym - I don't need to travel from the U.S. to Switzerland.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I have a moderate fear of heights, so had some trepidation about signing up for the trip. I'm happy to report that, except for a couple of brief moments (including a suspension bridge over the river) I did just fine and found the experience exhilarating and liberating (and my fear of heights has greatly improved). Again, I did fine, just needed a bit of moral support, which the group and leader provided. So glad I went, so if you have a moderate fear of heights, I wouldn't necessarily be discouraged from booking the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The jubilation and sense of achievement at crossing each one of the Cols to be greeted by new and wonderful vistas stretched out before you and then reaching camp at the end of each day of walking, knowing with satisfaction what you had achieved .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our walking leader Heather was excellent, leading the group and making sure that everybody felt that they were getting the benefit of her knowledge, experience and support. She has massive amount of enthusiasm and this helped make the trip more enjoyable. The camp leader (Neil) should not be forgotten either, not for them the glamour of leading the walking, they are up early each morning to get the kettle on, and laying out the breakfast and lunch supplies, then once we get walking Neil has to get on the road to the next campsite, while getting supplies and provisions on the way, before getting to the campsite and getting the camp set up and possibly dinner on before we the walkers get back, and then turing out some really rather good food from some pretty basic resources.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't figure on having to pack clothes to last the whole two weeks, there's washing machines and dryers at the campsite in Val Ferret and the campsite at Les Contamines. Bring plenty of compeed blister plasters and zinc oxide tape to help protect any raw spots on your feet. We were unsure about bringing trekking poles, but did, and we were glad we did, they really help take the pressure of the knees.

Most Inspirational Moment

Singing songs from The Sound of Music at the top of le Brévent takes some beating. The company and camaraderie throughout was excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was the perfect mix of fun and professionalism. When we faced our day walking in the rain, she lifted our spirits expertly. I suffer from vertigo and she was very patient in the gnarly bits, making me feel safe. Meanwhile, Neil's cooking and hard work around the camp were very much valued. They were a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Everyone says this, but get fit! I hadn't, and it took a few days for me to start to enjoy the walking. Pack light - you can wash things along the way and you're going to have to take the bag from the van to your tent and back each day. Take plenty of money for snacks - you might think you're not going to need them, but when you've walked 3 hours steep uphill and it's only 11AM, you're going to want the can of cold, sugary pop that costs 5 Euros. Take a few cereal bars or buy them in Chamonix on Day 1 - not many stops in the first couple of days' walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the whole TMB with the 1500m climb up Mount Brevant on the last day. In the public swimming pool in Chamonix, there is a nice indoor pool and sauna, but there is also a large outdoor pool - it was weird but wonderful to swim outside, surrounded by mountains partially covered in cloud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was so much fun and knew how to encourage us up the hills - luring us with promises of good coffee and cake - and knowing where the best ice cream was found. But I also had confidence in her as a guide and felt safe and comfortable on the mountains. Neil - the camp organiser was also a star - hot water for tea always available and the food was amazing, especially considering the limited facilities he had at his disposal. Altogether they were a great team, who greatly contributed to the spirit of the trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to say that there are opportunities for washing clothes at some of the campsites (sometimes limited, but most managed a mid trip wash of kit). Be prepared to spend more on cake and ice creams than you might expect!

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed everything but the view from Grand Col Ferret was especially stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Heather was a terrific leader - sociable, great fun but always professional. And Neil ran the camp with friendly efficiency and cooked a wonderful variety of fantastic food for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's worth getting as fit as possible as some of the days are pretty strenuous.

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't think I have a most inspirational moment, loved it all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was fantastic - really enthusiastic & knowledgeable, plus motivational (when needed!). Neil kept everything running amazingly, copious amounts of delicious food and a well maintained bar- bliss to have a cold beer after a days walking… The food that he cooked in camp was better than the meals we ate out.

Most Inspirational Moment

a sense of achievement when completing the tour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember that you are camping, and are REQUIRED to help with domestic duties.