Wildhartt alongside the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix

Wildhartt has news for you!

In May 2026, Wildhartt will be joining forces with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix.

Since its creation, Wildhartt has been designing expeditions for people who want to experience nature in a different way: in small groups, with carefully chosen itineraries, professional guiding and a real focus on the human experience. The aim has always been simple: to make the adventure more human and better prepared, without taking away what makes it strong.

The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix has been part of Alpine history for over two centuries. Founded in 1821, it is now one of the valley's most emblematic institutions, intimately linked to the development of mountaineering in the Mont Blanc massif.

At Wildhartt, professional guides accompany our adventurers in the field, but this partnership with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix reinforces that commitment, anchoring it in one of the historic cradles of mountaineering.

Together, we're going to co-produce two expeditions designed for hikers who want to go further: discover the high mountains, walk on a glacier, learn to use crampons and ice axe, progress roped up and enjoy a first experience in the good atmosphere of a small group of enthusiasts.

We don't want to offer a simple initiation or an expedition reserved for mountaineering experts. Instead, we wanted to create a demanding gateway to the high mountains, designed for experienced hikers who are comfortable with long days, steep climbs and carrying a rucksack.

Why does this partnership make sense?

At Wildhartt, human guiding has always been at the heart of our expeditions. We work with guides and professionals in the field who know the routes, conditions and realities of the mountains.

With this new partnership, we're going one step further by teaming up with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, a historic institution in the Mont-Blanc massif. The aim is not to change our way of doing things, but to anchor it more firmly in an area that is emblematic of mountaineering.

In Chamonix, the high mountains are part of the landscape, but also part of the local culture. Setting off with a mountain guide in Chamonix gives you in-depth knowledge of the massif, the glaciers, the routes and the rapidly changing conditions.

This collaboration has enabled us to offer two co-created expeditions with a common approach: well-prepared, progressive adventures, guided by professionals and designed to enable motivated hikers to discover the high mountains in the best possible conditions.

What's in it for you?

This co-production brings together two complementary approaches to the mountains.

At Wildhartt, we design expeditions with particular attention paid to the experience: the choice of route, the progress of the group, clarity of level, preparation before departure and the spirit of adventure.

With the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, we're backed by a recognised alpine institution with deep roots in the history and terrain of the Mont-Blanc massif.

Together, we're creating an even stronger framework for these two expeditions: coherent progress, professional guiding, a local understanding of the terrain and an experience designed to take you from sporty trekking to the high mountains.

The idea is not to make the mountains "easy". The idea is to make it easier to understand, more progressive and more human, while respecting the real commitment that this type of terrain demands.

Two itinerant alpine adventures to take you further into the mountains:

With the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, we've come up with two complementary adventures. They are aimed at motivated regular hikers who want their first alpine experience in a well thought-out setting.

On the programme: itinerant hiking, nights in Mountain huts, grandiose landscapes, then a gradual discovery of mountaineering with glacier walking, roped progression and a summit ascent.

Both expeditions follow the same philosophy: start by walking, get your bearings, build your confidence, then move on to the world of glaciers with the right techniques, the right guiding and a real physical effort.

Expedition 1: Tour of Mont-Blanc and ascent of the Aiguille du Tour

The first expedition combines a great classic of the Alps with a real first experience of the high mountains.

For 6 days and 5 nights, we'll cover part of the Tour du Mont-Blanc, between France, Italy and Switzerland. You'll cross valleys, passes, mountain pastures and landscapes that are emblematic of the massif.

Then, at the end of the expedition, the atmosphere changes with the ascent of the Aiguille du Tour, a peak at 3,542 metres.

It's a great way to discover mountaineering in a progressive way. After several days of sustained hiking, you'll learn how to negotiate a glacier, use crampons, ice axe and harness, and progress roped up with a mountain guide.

This expedition is ideal if you dream of taking your first step towards the summits, while benefiting from the legendary experience of the Tour du Mont-Blanc.

It requires real experience of mountain walking, but allows you to make the transition to mountaineering in a coherent and well-supported environment.

See the Tour du Mont-Blanc expedition with ascent of the Aiguille du Tour. Click here!

Expedition 2: Tour of the Aiguilles Rouges and first glacier ascent

The second expedition takes place over 5 days and 4 nights in the Aiguilles Rouges massif, facing Mont-Blanc.

It begins with an immersion in alpine hiking: Lake Pormenaz, the Passy nature reserve, the Fiz landscape, mountain huts and spectacular views of the glaciers of the Mont-Blanc massif.

Then the adventure takes on a new dimension with a first glacier experience to Tête Blanche, at 3,710 metres.

The climb starts at night, with headlamps, in a typical high-mountain atmosphere. You'll discover how to progress on a glacier and experience your first ascent guided by a local guide.

This expedition is perfect if you want to discover mountaineering around Chamonix, in a shorter but very complete format. It is aimed at hikers who are already solid, capable of several days of effort and ready to move on to more alpine terrain.

Discover the Tour des Aiguilles Rouges & Tête Blanche expedition. Click here to find out more!

Who are these expeditions for?

These expeditions are aimed at people who are already experienced hikers and who want to take the next step into the high mountains.

It's an ideal adventure if you fit this profile:

• you hike regularly

• are comfortable with long days and steep climbs

• want to discover mountaineering in a guided way

• enjoy expeditions in small groups

• want to learn the basics of glacier progression

• you're looking for a first alpine ascent without rushing things.

An accessible but demanding experience

You need to be able to walk several hours a day, sometimes uphill, and carry a rucksack. Some days can be long, especially when you move into the glacier world, with early starts and more technical progress.

Technical mountaineering equipment such as crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet are provided on expeditions. Mountaineering boots are generally provided on your own.

The idea is to experience an intense, progressive and well-guided adventure, where you learn in real-life situations, without turning the experience into a simple discovery outing.

How do you prepare before you leave?

To get the most out of the experience, it's best to arrive with a bit of physical margin. A few weeks before the start, you can plan regular outings in the mountains or on hilly terrain, with a change in altitude and a rucksack on your back.

The ideal thing is to get used to walking for several hours, managing your pace, testing your equipment and putting in two days of effort. A first experience allows you to arrive more serene on the day of departure and to benefit more from learning on the glacier.

It's also important to prepare your equipment well: suitable footwear, warm clothing, waterproof jacket, gloves, sunglasses, comfortable rucksack and technical layers.

Mountaineering equipment such as crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet are provided on expeditions, but personal comfort depends very much on the equipment you wear on a daily basis.

Why go with a mountain guide in Chamonix?

In Chamonix, the mountain guide plays a central role. They don't just accompany the group to the summit. They read the terrain, monitor weather conditions, adapt the itinerary, manage the pace of the party and pass on the correct techniques.

On the glacier, his role becomes even more important. They choose the routes, organise the ropes, explain how to use crampons and ensure that everyone progresses safely.

For a first experience of the Alps, going with a mountain guide in Chamonix means you can discover an impressive environment with greater confidence. You can learn, understand and enjoy the mountains without having to face technical decisions alone.

Even if you already have a good level of hiking experience, the world of glaciers requires a different set of points of reference. This is where guiding comes into its own: it allows you to progress on more challenging terrain, while maintaining a margin of safety and a clear understanding of the conditions.

Discovering the high mountains in a different way

With this partnership, we are proposing a more human approach to mountaineering.

No race for performance. No need to be an expert. The idea is rather to learn, to understand the terrain, to gain confidence and to experience a powerful adventure in a small, friendly group.

These expeditions allow you to move gradually from hiking trails to glaciers, with the help of professionals who know how to make the high mountains more understandable, without ever trivialising them.

With this new roped party between Wildhartt and the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, we want to open up the high mountains to those who have been looking forward to it for a long time, who already have real hiking experience, and who are ready to take it to the next level.

Ready to move from the Alpine trails to the high mountains with Wildhartt and the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix?

Discover the Wildhartt expeditions co-created with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix and find the adventure that's right for you.