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Biodiversity Excursion around the Mer de Glace glacier
Duration:
3 days
Price from: 750€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 300m.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 600m or routes above 3500m.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 900m or routes above 4000m.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 1300m.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1300m.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For regular hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route is not very steep and is well-marked, or the activity may also take place in beginner-friendly areas.
Technical Level 2: For experienced hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route includes short, steep sections and may involve scree or rocky ridges, requiring surefootedness.
Technical Level 3: For occasional mountaineers (2 to 5 recent outings). The route includes steep sections requiring prior climbing experience at a French grade 3c level and/or mastery of crampons and ice axe use.
Technical Level 4: For regular mountaineers (5 to 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing at a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, as well as basic roping and belaying techniques.
Technical Level 5: For experienced mountaineers (more than 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing above a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and ice axes for ice climbing, as well as advanced roping and belaying techniques.
General information
Overlooking the Mer de Glace, the balcony trails offer unique views of how the high mountains are evolving in response to climate change, particularly through changes in flora and the accelerated melting of glaciers. Frequented since the 19th century, the Mer de Glace balconies remain exceptional today for their beauty, isolation, and the richness of their alpine flora. Over the course of three days, you will not only explore these mountain landscapes but also observe and better understand the transformations of the Mont Blanc Massif. This excursion is designed for experienced off-trail hikers with a curiosity for nature. Our high mountain guides will accompany you on this immersive journey, with the legendary Couvercle and Leschaux huts as your stages along the way.
On the itinerary: glacier trekking, traversing moraines, and hiking steep paths with ladder crossings. The summit you will reach is one of wonder and discovery, confronting a mountain that is ever-changing, yet still retaining its beauty and mystery.
Group booking
Group session associates several people who don’t know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : See below for the group booking module
Price 2025 : 750€ per person, based on a minimum of 3 persons
Minors aged 16 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Including in the package :
- mountain guiding services
- 2 nights in mountain hut with half-board
- lift tickets
Not included in the package :
- daily lunches & snacks, drinks
- personal equipment
- mandatory repatriation insurance
Private booking
Private hiring is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date (depending on the availability of the huts) and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Prices 2025 :
2 people : 1230€ per person
3 people : 900€ per person
4 people : 740€ per person
Including in the package :
- mountain guiding services
- 2 nights in mountain hut with half-board
- lift tickets
Not included in the package :
- daily lunches & snacks, drinks
- personal equipment
- mandatory repatriation insurance
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience.
Meeting point : Meet at 8.30 am at the Compagnie des Guides office in Chamonix
Physical level : Suitable for experienced hikers. Daily hikes last 6 hours
Technical level : This trip requires prior experience in off-trail mountain hiking. Experience in via ferrata is also recommended due to the numerous ladder crossings. Prior mountaineering experience is not necessary
Guiding policy : 3 to 4 people. Minors aged 16 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Accommodation : During the trip, you will stay in huts for 2 nights on a half-board basis. Before & after the trip: We have some hotel partners in Chamonix with special prices for our customers
Documentation : Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you take particular care over you choice of equipment, as it plays a large role in the success of your trip. Weight is critical, and you must always evaluate the weight-to-comfort ratio to find the best compromise.
Equipment
- 35-litre backpack
- A pair of sturdy high-top shoes
- Telescopic trekking poles
- Crampons suitable for your shoes with anti-balling plates; helmet, harness
Clothing
- Warm hat that can be worn under a helmet
- Sun hat or cap
- Neck protection such as a ‘Buff’
- ‘Micro-fibre’ style long-sleeve base layer
- Fleece
- ‘Gore Tex’ style shell jacket with hood
- Down jacket
- Base layer leggings
- A trekking trousers,
- A short,
- ‘Gore Tex’ style over-trousers
- Warm specialist walking socks
- Lightweight specialist walking socks
- Ski gloves or good quality mitts
- Leather or fleece gloves
- Change of clothes at your discretion
Accessories
- Category 4 sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Headtorch
- Sheet sleeping bag
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5l) and thermos bottle
- Personalised first aid kit with a minimum of: sun cream, lip balm, cotton buds, blister kit, antisickness medication
- Watertight bag to contain your ID/passport and Euros
NB : you can load your electrical devices in every hut
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Millet, Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Walk up to the Couvercle refuge
We take the cogwheel train to reach Montenvers at an altitude of 1,913 meters. From there, the new cable car transports us to the Mer de Glace, located at 1,700 meters. Our progression continues on the glacier, where we reach the ladders that lead us to higher elevations. A winding trail, adorned with ladders, guides us through the foothills of the Aiguille du Moine, providing exceptional panoramic views. Our final destination is the Couvercle Refuge, beautifully renovated in 2023, perched at an altitude of 2,679 meters.
Elevation gain: 1000m
Day 2
Traverse to the Leschaux hut
Our excursion begins with a trail leading us to the Talèfre Glacier, situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters. From there, we navigate through a maze of rocks to explore the surroundings. This preserved area offers exceptional immersion in an untouched natural environment, with breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine landscapes. We then head towards the Pierre à Béranger, the starting point of a traversing trail leading to the Leschaux Hut, located at 2,431 meters. This refuge, a true haven of peace, serves as the starting point for the mythical north face of the Grandes Jorasses. The location also provides an opportunity to meet crystal miners in action. Overnight stay on-site.
Positive elevation gain: 500 m - Negative elevation loss: 750 m
Day 3
Return to Montenvers
From the refuge, a series of ladders allows us to descend to the Leschaux Glacier (2,300m), partially covered with stones. We navigate through this chaotic environment, reaching the Mer de Glace (2,000m), and then begin the descent to the Montenvers cable car. This stage concludes our adventure with a panoramic descent offering unforgettable views of the majestic alpine landscapes.
Negative elevation: 750m
Booking
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Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 52 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 52 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 5.2€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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