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Outdoor Action Alumni Trips

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Outdoor Action & Princeton Journeys Alumni Trips

Outdoor Action and the Princeton Journeys Office collaborate to offer active travelers opportunties to travel to some of the world's most spectacular adventure locations.


Trekking Mont Blanc: A three country hike

July 23 – August 2, 2018

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Princeton Journeys and the Outdoor Action Program are pleased to offer active travelers the chance to explore the majesty of the Alps during the brilliant European summer. Join your fellow Princetonians and experience one of the world’s classic treks, the Mont Blanc Circuit. Alongside Outdoor Action Director Rick Curtis '79, sample the flavors and cultures of the three different countries that share the massif: France, Italy and Switzerland. The trek is dominated by spectacular views of the premier peaks in the Alps and remarkable Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe reaching 15,781 feet. You'll be trekking on ancient pack animal routes, over high passes and through small villages and alpine pastures with experienced mountain guides who bring the wonderful added history, geology and local color to every aspect of the trip. After vigorous days of hiking, you'll welcome the creature comforts of quaint European mountain inns and comfortable hotels — all featuring excellent mountain cuisine and local wines.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is an 11-day trip with nine vigorous days of hiking covering a 110- mile circumnavigation of the Mont Blanc massif. The trip is fit for active people who are prepared to hike five to seven hours per day with an elevation gain of between 2,000– 3,000 feet per day. You will be joined by expert trip guides who are all members of the Companie des Guides de Chamonix - the oldest and biggest guide company in the world. The Mont Blanc trek is “must do” for every mountain hiker and we hope you can join this beautiful walk with its clear, clean air, dark pine forests, gleaming glaciers, soaring rocky peaks and of course, your fellow tigers!

About our Princeton Journeys Host

RickHeadShot.pngRick Curtis '79 has been the Director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton for the past thirty-six years. During that time the program has grown significantly with over 600 first year students and 200 student trip leaders participating in the annual Frosh Trip outdoor orientation program. Rick is an experienced backpacker, backcountry skier, and kayaker and is author of The Backpacker's Field Manual, a best-selling book on hiking and backpacking. Rick has led numerous Outdoor Action alumni trips over the past thirty years. Most recently, he participated in the successful 2012 Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in Nepal and the 2016 Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia.

ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE

The letters in parentheses denote the meals provided that day: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner; R=reception.

Day 1: Arrival Geneva, Switzerland → Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Hiking time: 0hrs. (D)

Day 2: Mer de Glace [France]

Hiking time: 5hrs. Ascent 2,400ft. (BL)

Day 3: Col de Voza to Les Contamines-Montjoie [France]

Hiking time: 6 hrs. Ascent: 1850ft. Descent: 2,900ft. (BLD)

Day 4: Trekking the Savoie Region [France]

Hiking time: 7 hrs. Ascent: 4,000ft. Descent: 2500ft. (BLD)

Day 5: Into Italy

Hiking time: 6hrs. Ascent: 2,000ft.  Descent: 2,000ft. (BLD)

Day 6: Mont Saxe [Italy]

Hiking time: 7 hrs. Ascent: 3,000ft. Descent: 2450ft. (BL)

Day 7: Into Switzerland

Hiking time: 6 hrs.  Ascent: 2,200ft.  Descent: 2400ft. (BLD)

Day 8: Trekking the Alpine Pastures [Switzerland]

Hiking time: 6 hrs. Ascent: 2,000ft.  Descent: 1800ft. (BLD)

Day 9: Over the Smuggler's Route [Switzerland-France]

Hiking time: 6 hrs. Ascent: 2,800ft. Descent: 2100ft. (BL)

Day 10: The Chamonix Valley [France]

Hiking time: 6hrs. Ascent: 2,800ft. Descent: 1000ft. (BLD)

Day 11: Depart Chamonix, France → Geneva, Switzerland → USA

Hiking time: 0 hrs. (B)

Program Rate: $5,300 per person double occupancy.

All prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling alone we will do our best to match you with a roommate of the same gender (when available). Participation in this program is limited to the first 16 registrants and single supplements are not available.

Included in price:

  • Accommodations - Three-star hotels, lodges, and mountain inns.
  • A qualified guide.
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary - Continental breakfast, picnic lunches & dinner are provided except for dinner on days 2, 6 & 9 when restaurants are in close walking distance to our hotel.
  • Group transfer to and from the airport.
  • All transport during the trip including cable cars.
  • Porterage* - bags will be transported from lodge to lodge by expert handlers.

Not included in price:

  • Airfare
  • Dinner on Days 2, 6 & 9
  • On-tour beverages
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Gratuities**

*Porterage Notes: Your personal equipment should not weigh more than 40 pounds as your one bag will be transported from lodge to lodge by expert handlers. All participants should be prepared to carry a daypack to carry raingear, camera, water and lunch. A recommended packing list will be providedupon receipt of registration.

**Gratuity note: Suggested rates are $40-50 per person per day based on your satisfaction with tour management, local guides, porters and drivers.

All participants will be required to both sign a release/waiver of liability and obtain a doctor’s medical release before final documents can be processed.