The circuit of Mont Blanc is one of the finest walking routes in the Alps. It is a series of paths linking the seven valleys that surround the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc. Walker Wellness Retreats will visit the most outstanding sections with beautiful mountain highlights in France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Throughout this walking retreat, we are based in a delightful hotel with dramatic views of Mont Blanc and utilize a mixture of local trains, buses, and private transport to travel out each day to re-join the next stage of our walk covering beautiful sections of the famous circuit. 

Fitness Level: Moderate 5 Days of Walking & Trekking 

Pace: Approximately 5-7 hours walking per day

Terrain: moderate altitude; good paths with some steep ascents and descents

Small Group: Only 6-10 people

Accommodations: Hôtel-Restaurant Aiguille du Midi

At the end of each day, we will enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant or hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A perfect introduction to alpine hiking 
• 5 guided day walks on excellent trails 
• Enjoy mountain cafes with views of Mont Blanc
• Guided by professional 'International Mountain Leader'
• Walk sections of the famous ‘Tour of Mont Blanc’
• Hike one of the best short walks in the world to Lac Blanc
• Aiguilles du Midi Cablecar and Montenvers railway

Amy Walker, MSW, LCSW, CCM, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Owner of Walker Wellness Retreats. Amy started Walker Wellness Retreats in 2016 due to her love for travel and helping others experience the world. When Amy is not leading international retreats, she works as an online mental health therapist. Amy is passionate about helping individuals and couples work through barriers and find new ways to communicate, connect, and thrive. In addition, Amy loves international travel, wine tasting, whale watching, and the outdoors. Amy works alongside her husband, Brian Walker, to run Walker Wellness Retreats. 

To meet more of the Walker Wellness Retreats team, visit the About Us page on our website. 

We will provide our guests with 5 days of hiking with a professional guide in Chamonix Valley, France, with day trips to Italy and Switzerland on sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc. 

The hiking will be Moderate to Intermediate grade and will be full days in the mountains.

We will aim to use cable cars/gondolas in some cases to make the walk less strenuous and more enjoyable, while accessing breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc Massif.

A holiday spent hiking the best trails in Chamonix Valley. Spectacular scenery of snowy peaks, glaciers and granite spires. Chamonix is the mountaineering capital of the world, and home to Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak. Experience a journey of discovery on foot which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. From remote farms and refuges, to ancient Roman towns and beautiful lakeside mountain villages - it's all here! 

Our 5 day Chamonix walking break is designed for those wishing to explore those 'must do' classic trails but at a pace that means you can also relax and be on holiday. Situated in the heart of the French Alps, sharing borders with both Italy and Switzerland, Chamonix has hiking trails for every level. We aim to hike in all three countries!

Packing List for Travel to Europe

Important Documentation:

• Travel insurance details (including emergency contact information)
• Passport
• Copy of passport (both in physical and digital form)
• COVID-19 vaccination records
• Trip itinerary (including accommodation and transportation details)

Helpful Tip: Make two copies of your passport, travel insurance papers, and other important travel documents. Diversify your copies by storing them electronically on your computer/smartphone and separating them in your money belt, carry-on bag, and checked luggage. Keep your vaccination records with your passport.

Money:

• Debit card (with a four-digit PIN)
• Credit card
• Petty cash (in euros, ~100)
• Cross-body bag or travel purse (to avoid theft when out walking around)

Helpful Tip: You can withdraw euros from ATMs, and it's usually the most convenient way to get local currency. However, it's always a good idea to bring some petty cash just in case of an emergency. Be mindful of the denomination you carry as some shops and vendors may not accept large bills.

Clothing:

• Comfortable walking shoes (closed toe preferred)
• Slip-on shoes (such as sandals or flip-flops)
• Lightweight rain jacket or umbrella
• Scarf (for covering shoulders when entering religious sites or dressing up an outfit)
• Warm sweater or jacket (depending on the season)
• Swimwear (if traveling in the summer or visiting a beach destination)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Undergarments and socks
• Casual clothing (shorts, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, etc.)
• Athletic wear (yoga pants, sports bras, etc.)
• Laundry bag

Helpful Tip: Pack for the season and be mindful of local customs and dress codes. Plan to do laundry or purchase clothes locally if you run out of outfits.

Toiletries:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Shampoo and conditioner (travel-sized)
• Body wash or soap (travel-sized)
• Deodorant
• Razor and shaving cream
• Personal medications (in their original containers)
• Pain reliever (such as aspirin or ibuprofen)
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol)
• Motion sickness medicine (if prone to motion sickness)
• Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher)
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.)
• Towel (microfiber or quick-dry)
• Hand sanitizer
• Earplugs

Electronics:

• Smartphone and/or camera
• Charger and adapter (for European outlets)
• Portable charger (if planning to use devices extensively throughout the day)
• Headphones
• Waterproof phone case
• Power strip (if traveling with multiple devices)
• VPN software (if needed for internet security and accessing geo-restricted content)

Additional Personal Items:

• Refillable water bottle
• Day pack or backpack (for carrying essentials during the day)
• Beach bag or tote (if visiting a beach destination)
• Dry bag (for storing wet clothes or electronics)
• Beach blanket (if visiting a beach destination)
• Book or e-reader
• Journal or notepad

Always keep an eye on your belongings and be mindful of pickpockets and scams. Leave valuable items at home if possible or store them in a secure location such as a hotel safe. And don't forget to leave room in your luggage for souvenirs and gifts!

Money:

• Take out Euros from an ATM. Conversion rates are about equal to the dollar.
• Be mindful that some ATMs charge a crazy conversion rate like 11-15%. Do not use these ATMs. Avoid taking money out of EuroNet ATMs as they charge a lot of conversion fees.
• Use the XE currency conversion app to show you the conversion rate when you buy something. 
• Don't pay in USD. They probably won't take it, and if they do, you won't get a good conversion.
• Always do the local currency, Euro, if a merchant asks if you want to process your card in USD or Euro.
• Cash is widely used, especially for small things like drinks. Keep small bills and coins for the bathroom.
• If you leave a tip anywhere, just round up. No need to tip out standard 20%.
• Make sure you use up all your coins before leaving Europe as you cannot exchange them back.

Financial Safety:

• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying large amounts of cash in public.
• Split up your cash, cards, and important documents into different places (e.g., some in a wallet, some in a money belt, and some in your luggage).
• Keep your wallet or purse close to your body and never leave it unattended.
• Use ATMs located in secure, well-lit areas and avoid those with suspicious-looking devices attached to them.
• Check your credit card and bank statements regularly for any unauthorized charges or transactions.
• Use credit cards for larger purchases as they offer better protection than debit cards.
• Use a travel credit card that offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.
• Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel plans to prevent them from flagging your purchases as suspicious and freezing your account.
• Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi to avoid identity theft and fraud. Use a virtual private network (VPN) and avoid accessing sensitive information (e.g., bank accounts) on public Wi-Fi networks.

Personal Safety:

• Be aware of surroundings and stay alert.
• Avoid carrying valuables or expensive jewelry.
• Use a money belt or cross-body purse to keep important items secure.
• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unlit areas.
• Keep wallet in a front pocket or money belt.
• Use a cross-body purse with a secure zipper or buckle.
• Be wary of strangers who approach.
• Stay alert in crowded places, such as train stations and tourist attractions.
• Register with embassy or consulate in case of emergency.
• Always keep emergency contact information with you.
• Learn basic phrases in local language, including how to ask for help.

Transportation:

• Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding.
• Use trusted ride-sharing apps or licensed taxis when taking a taxi.
• Official transportation services should be used at airports and train stations.

Activity Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks whilst taking part of this retreat.

To be fully covered you should take out your insurance immediately after booking. Bring a copy of your insurance details with you, and carry it at all times. It is entirely your own responsibility to ensure that any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and for the activity you will be undertaking. Walker Wellness Retreats cannot advise on insurance policies and cannot be held responsible if in the event of a claim your insurance is inadequate. Information provided below is for guidance only.

Travel Guard - for residents worldwide, including the United States of America and Canada

The Travel Guard Plus Plan is for those travelers who want the most comprehensive package of travel insurance coverage and assistance services that includes Adventure Sports coverage.

World Nomad Insurance - for residents worldwide, including the United States of America and Canada

World Nomad offers simple and flexible insurance coverage. You can buy online, even after you’ve left home. Extend and claim online while traveling. They offer adventure traveler insurance for over 140 countries. Some but not all of their policies provide cover for some coronavirus-related events.

Questions about refunds or cancellations? Click here to view our payment and cancellation policy.

The deadline to book an international retreat is 30 days before the retreat begins; however, some exceptions can be made based on availability. Email us at contact@walkerwellnessretreats.com to inquire about booking after the deadline has passed.