Guides & Tours in Chamonix — 6 of Our Favourites

3-Day Ascent

You must have previous alpine climbing experience (e.g. Grand Paradiso), or have climbed other peaks using Ice Axe & Crampons (with or without a mountain guide) before you aim for the 3 day Mont Blanc course. Please note that there is no training / no acclimatization, we go straight to the summit!!!

We take the classic "Gouter" route, via the tramway to the Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest), from where we will climb up to the Tete Rousse hut.

The Mont Blanc summit bid will either be from here or the Gouter hut.

You will need to bring an identity card or passport.

Your high mountain guide:

• High mountain guide (alpinism state qualified)
• English & French speaking
• 1 guide between 2 clients

5-Day Ascent

The preparation for the course is done in the most spectacular environment within the Mont Blanc range, the Tour glacier.

Their 5 day course is designed to allow highly motivated people, with an excellent fitness level, to reach the summit of Mont Blanc - the highest point in Western Europe.

Days 1, 2 are dedicated to mountaineering and technical preparation (snow, ice and rock), done on and around a glacier, including the climb of the Aiguille du Tour, 3540m. Sleeping in a high mountain hut also helps you get acclimatized.

Days 3, 4 and 5 are focused on climbing the Mont Blanc, 4810m: tramway up to the Nid d’Aigle, then climb up to the Tete Rousse hut. Upon conditions the summit of Mont Blanc can be done either from this hut on Day 4 or the Gouter hut on Day 5.

You must have an identity card or passport with you.

Your guide:

• High mountain guide (alpinism state qualified)
• 1 guide for 4 clients for DAY 1+ 2 -  training days
• 1 guide for 2 clients on DAY 3, 4, 5 - Mont Blanc ascent

For further information and a detailed itinerary, click on the “Enquire” button at the top of the page.

They are all fully qualified and hold the UIAGM certification and have each been recruited for their specialist skills. 

They are experts in creating beautiful experiences on the world’s highest mountains. Their guide's combined experience and skills have aided them in creating original routes that take you off the beaten track.

Small groups ensure more personal attention and a higher level of safety and enjoyment. Their guides teach a respect for the natural world and their passion for the mountains is truly infectious!

They are equally comfortable in guiding groups of amateurs or leading experienced mountaineers. The possibilities within the Chamonix Valley are endless so why not book a guide and experience the mountains knowing you are in safe hands.

Rock climbing ability is an important part of being a complete mountaineer, as well as being a sport in its own right, with the intense pleasure of surpassing your own abilities, while increasing your taste for adventure.

For all abilities

There are local sessions available for beginner to experienced climbers, taking place at Les Gaillands, a rock wall located in a pleasant surrounding between lakes and forest only 2.5 km from the centre of Chamonix. This crag offers a wide range of grades to suit any level of climber.

For experienced climbers

There's the option to hire a private guide for a full day and head out for a full-day multi-pitch climb on the bigger crags and mixed terrain around Chamonix. The itinerary is adapted according to your climbing level.

Two via ferrata routes are available, each offering a unique adventure in spectacular alpine scenery.

Via ferrata des Evettes - Chamonix

Located around a twenty-minute walk from the top of the Flégère cable car, the Evettes via ferrata takes you into a beautiful natural setting with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc range. Along the way, you will cross several bridges and can use one of the two escape routes if needed.

Accessible to families, this route offers a friendly and enjoyable introduction to via ferrata.

Extras: Flégère return ticket (24 €) not included. Via ferrata equipment rental available for 5 € per person.

Level:

• Difficulty: AD
• Beginners welcome, but you should be sporty and comfortable with heights
• Minimum height: 150 cm

Via ferrata de Curalla - Passy

For a more challenging adventure, the Curalla via ferrata in Passy offers a longer and more vertiginous route. Over four hundred metres, you progress through an exciting course featuring footbridges, rope bridges, a Nepalese bridge, ladders, and nets.

This adventurous itinerary combines adrenaline, fun, and impressive views of the surrounding mountains.

Level:

• Difficulty: AD+
• Previous climbing or via ferrata experience recommended
• Minimum height: 150 cm

Schedule:

Day 1:

• depart for Mont Blanc from "Les Houches", by taking the "Bellevue" cable car and the Mont Blanc train between Col de Voza and Le Nid d'Aigle
• hike to the Tête Rousse refuge at 3,167m where you will spend the night

Day 2:

• early start to climb to the refuge du Goûter, by the Gouter ridge, up at 3,815 m
• ascend to Mont Blanc by the the Bosses Ridge (the same day)
• spend the night at the Gouter refuge

Day 3:

• return to the Valley from the Goûter refuge

This three day activity is for people who already have a good experience in mountaineering and using crampons, are in good physical condition, but who wish to take their time on the climb by doing it in three stages with two nights in refuge.

Chamonix guides are working in the mountains nearly every day, and have the knowledge to read and understand the terrain and what it is doing. Advised and encouraged by your high mountain guide, you will find the energy to reach the coveted summit.

You can choose to do each section separately or combined, the first part (which includes a Himalayan Bridge) should take around three to four hours and the combined route (more of a bolted climbing route) in the region of six hours.

Talk to one of the local mountain guides if you'd like to give this a try and you don't have any gear of prior knowledge. You can hire equipment at most of the sports shops in Chamonix centre and the guides can talk you through what you'll need to hire and what to do when you're up there. 

Other things you'll need include: 

• hiking boots 
• backpack with snacks and drinks 
• windproof jacket 
• sunglasses 
• camera 
• gloves

If you've got all your own equipment and ropes, there are information boards in place to help you discover the routes.