Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the world's classic trekking journeys, covering 166km (104 miles) and around 10,000 metres (32,800 feet) of up and down. At the heart of the European Alps, the massif of Mont Blanc straddles the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland and includes some spectacular mountain scenery. Our route covers a complete circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc in all its glory!
With its rich mountaineering history and unsurpassed cultural diversity, this corner of Europe has been an irresistible attraction for the world’s adventurers, climbers and hikers. Mont Blanc itself, at 4810 metres (15,781 feet), is the high point of the range and the highest peak in Western Europe. When viewed from the French town of Chamonix, the capital of world mountaineering, the snowy bulk of this commanding peak exerts a strange fascination.
Streams of cloud trailing from its summit bear witness to the fact that Mont Blanc stands high above the surrounding, and in some respects more dramatic, rocky peaks. The trekker and mountain walker is spoiled for choice in this part of the world, but one obvious challenge is to complete a circuit of the Mont Blanc massif. The well-known long distance walk (or Grand Randonée) known as the Tour du Mont Blanc does just that.
Your trip starts in the world famous mountain town of Chamonix, in France. Chamonix has a rich history as a climbing and hiking destination having attracted mountain lovers for many centuries. It is perhaps most famous for its incredible mountain views of glaciers and summits which are dominated by the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc which today sits at 4810m (15,777ft). Ever since Mont Blanc was first climbed in August 1786 it has inspired the climbers who come to Chamonix throughout the summer months with their dreams of ascending the 'mighty Blanc'.
Hotel rooms are usually available from approximately 1600 hrs, but if you arrive early you will be able to leave your bags at the hotel and perhaps enjoy exploring the town. Your guide will meet you at your hotel this evening, at approximately 1800 hrs, to brief you on the days ahead and to answer any questions you might have about the trip.
A stunning first day with glorious views of the Mont Blanc range - its glaciers, jagged spires and peaks, and an introduction to the history of the Tour du Mont Blanc. From Chamonix we transfer by taxi or bus to the village of Les Houches. We then have a relaxed and speedy ascent to the mountains via the Bellevue Cable Car. We arrive at the Col de la Voza and begin a brief descent through the forest to the Bionassay torrent which we cross on a suspension bridge. Always a major photo opportunity! There are views along the way of the Bionassay Glacier and the Aiguille de Bionassay mountain towering above the valley. We climb steadily to reach our first ‘Col’ or mountain pass the Col de Tricot at 2120m (6954ft) where we have views to the historic Refuge de Miage where we plan to stop for lunch. A pastoral valley where herds of cows, and sheep are to be found grazing on the alpine wild flowers. The Refuge has been in the Orset family for several generations, and family members played a major part in the French Resistance movement. After another brief ascent, we are on our way down to the lovely alpine village of Les Contamines where we will spend the night.
Ascent: 680m (2230ft) Descent: 1300m (4264ft) Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) Duration: 7h00-8h00
We begin today with an easy riverside trail to the impressive Notre Dame de la Gorge chapel. Leaving the river, our route then climbs steeply for a short section following the ancient ‘paved’ road to reach a bridge which was constructed in Roman times. You can definitely feel the history under your feet today as we make our way towards the Beaufortain region following these old trade routes. After a while our trail eases as we pass through meadows and pastures of grazing cows to reach the refuge at La Balme, perfectly located for a morning coffee stop before the ascent to the Col du Bonhomme. This long, steady climb often has snow patches early in the season, but they present little difficulty. At 2469m (8098ft), this pass is considerably higher than yesterdays Col de Tricot, and offers wonderful views to distant mountains such as those of the Vanoise National Park. With the main climb complete we can enjoy traversing around and just slightly further up to our second col for today, the Croix du Bonhomme. Our Tour du Mont Blanc now climbs on a less frequented trail across the Col des Fours, at 2655m (8708ft) before descending into the beautiful Vallée des Glaciers. We will often stop to chat to Bernard, the diary farmer, who has a large herd of Tarines and take the chance to buy some Beaufort direct from the producer. If the weather is inclement we may descend directly to Les Chapieux, 1553m (5093ft), and follow the lower valley route.
Ascent: 1600m (5248ft) Descent: 940m (3083ft) Distance: 22km (13.7 miles) Duration: 08h00 - 09h00
Today starts with a steady climb as we leave behind the ‘Ville des Glaciers’, a tiny farming community. In winter, this entire valley is cut off by snow, but in the summer it offers some of the finest grazing for the chestnut coloured Tarine cows which provide the milk for the world-famous Beaufort cheese. The view ahead is dominated by the Aiguille des Glaciers, a dramatic 3,816m (12,516ft) peak. Our trail is easy for now as it meanders upwards at a gentle angle to our next hight point at the Col de la Seigne at 2516m (8252ft). This is a significant col as we take our first steps into Italy! The panoramic views from the col are unforgettable as we see not only the impressive Brenva face of Mont Blanc, but all the way to Switzerland and the massive white peak of the Grand Combin. We can then enjoy a descent past the Elizabetta Refuge under the impressive ridge of the infamous Aiguille Noire de Peuterey. Our ultimate TMB then climbs to Vieille Maison Refuge on the Col Checrouit (1960m) where we can enjoy a cake and coffee. We now descend on a narrow path that skirts the ski runs which drop down through the forest to Courmayeur. If your legs are tired you can take the chair lift down (at your own expense). We then arrive in the vibrant town and mountaineering centre of Courmayeur where we will spend two nights.
Ascent: 1200m (2843ft) Descent: 1850m (3329ft) Distance: 24km (10.7 miles) Duration: 08h00 - 09h00
Leaving Courmayeur we wander past ancient chalets until we reach a steep but steady forest trail which takes us to the stunningly positioned Rifugio Bertone. Today is without doubt a wonderful high level alpine walk, through flower meadows, amongst wildlife, passing herds of cows, and sheep, and with a lovely summit for our lunch spot. Once we gain our goal, the Monte de la Saxe ridge, we are rewarded with first-class views of many famous peaks of the Mont Blanc massif; the Grandes Jorasses, Dent du Geant, and Mont Dolent where Italy, France and Switzerland all meet on the summit! After lunch our trail leads us down from the Tête de la Tronche to the Col Sapin where we make our way down to the Armina valley, before our final climb over the Col Entre Deux Sauts and into the Malatra Valley. We then walk down this beautiful valley through the meadows to the famous Rifugio Bonatti where we can enjoy afternoon tea and cake with stunning views Mont Blanc. The Rifugio is dedicated to Walter Bonatti, one of our most famous alpine climbers and photographers. A short descent from the hut brings us to the road head where we take the local bus back to Courmayeur for a second night.
Ascent: 1584m (5195ft) Descent: 1220m (4002ft) Distance: 19km (11.8 miles) Duration: 07h00 - 08h00
Leaving Courmayeur we return to the Ferret Valley and the tiny community of Arnuva to pick up the Tour du Mont trail. Enjoying views both back to France and on towards our next destination, Switzerland. Amazing views, stunning flowers, and often local cow herds guarding their cattle as they graze on the slopes amidst the brilliant pink of the Alpenrose bushes. We climb up to the Rifugio Elena for our final Italian coffee, and any refreshments needed before our big climb of the day to the Grand Col Ferret. The is one of the highest cols on the trip at 2537m (8321ft) and is on the border of Italy and Switzerland. Here we are rewarded with stunning views of the Val Ferret, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent, the summit of which is the only one bordering France, Switzerland and Italy. If we’re doing well for time we might stop for second refreshments at the farm at La Peule where the farmers spend the summer making cheese. Here we leave the signposted 'TMB' and head to La Fouly via a gorgeous balcony path used by the farmers. La Fouly is an alpine village with traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets. We are reunited with our bags as we check into a hotel in the village centre.
Ascent: 900m (2952ft) Descent: 1050m (3442ft) Distance: 15km (9.3 miles) Duration: 06h00 - 07h00
By this time in the trek we are usually happy to have a gentler day, and our walk to the high alpine village of Champex is exactly right in terms of a relaxed wander along the valley through some truly ancient settlements. We will leave La Fouly and start off with a walk that makes its way gently downhill through woodland, and meadows by the riverside. This is a great day for enjoying the typical Swiss mountain villages with their extraordinary architecture dating back centuries. The wood used to build some of the chalets is so ancient it has become almost 'black' in colour, a true sense of walking through history. We usually stop at a local cafe for refreshments before the climb to Champex. The climb itself is very enjoyable as we make our way along the ‘Sentier de Champignons’ which means the 'mushroom trail'. There are also many wooden sculptures of animals and flowers by the side of the trail which add to the experience. Eventually we gain Champex where we leave the forest behind us and enter a high lakeside valley where you can enjoy a drink by the jade green waters.
Ascent: 711m (2332ft) Descent: 855m (2804ft) Distance: 17.2km (10.7 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we have two route options and your guide will make a decision on the best trail given the group fitness and ability, and the weather.
A challenging day today as we take a route which is a variant of the TMB and head for the pass known as the Fenêtre d’Arpette, which sits at 2670m (8757ft). The Fenêtre d’Arpette is perhaps one of the most demanding days of the tour, but there are compensations. On reaching the rocky col we will have earned the spectacular view across the Trient Glacier lying below. We often have lunch here as we take our time to fully appreciate this unique position, looking down towards a veritable sea of seracs and crevasses. We then make the long descent into the Trient valley and stay either at the Col de la Forclaz or Trient itself.
Ascent: 1480m (4854ft) Descent: 1760m (5772ft) Distance: 15.4km (9.6 miles) Duration: 7h00 - 8h00
Note that sometimes the Fenêtre d’Arpette can be affected by trail erosion and if this is the case we can take the route via the alpage known as the Bovine. An alpage is the name given to the summer grazing grounds and the Bovine provides one of the highlights of the trek taking us through the pastures of the Race d'Hérens. This particular breed of cow is famous as the Swiss Fighting Cow! The females have been used for centuries for the cow-fights which we would describe as resembling 'sumo wrestling' for cows. The two cows in the ring push and shove each other until the loser is the one who runs away first! They are rarely hurt, and the fights have been part of farming life in these mountains for hundreds of years. On our way we will stop to visit the farmer, Nathalie and her family, to sample her homemade cakes!
Ascent: 570m (1869ft) Descent: 570m (1869ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 6h00
Leaving our overnight stop in the hamlet of Trient, or the Col de la Forclaz if we have spent the night there, we have two options to reach our next high point at the Col de Balme. We prefer to go via the quieter trail of Les Grands, or Les Tseppes since this allows us to savour views of the Trient Glacier and better appreciate the exposed position of the Fenêtre d’Arpette from the previous day. This is quite a climb today and although the forest trail rises steeply and at times can seem daunting it is very efficient and we gain height quickly. Both routes ensure flower strewn meadows and stunning mountain views before we reach our high point on the frontier between France and Switzerland. It was on this frontier in the year 1845 that English writer Charles Dickens penned a wonderful description of the views down to Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc. "...Gothic pinnacles, deserts of ice and snow, forests of firs on mountain sides..waterfalls, avalanches, pyramids and towers of ice, torrents, bridges, mountain upon mountain." You too can have the same experience as Dickens on the Tour du Mont Blanc! Once we have enjoyed the views we descend to Argentière via the hamlet of Tré-le -Champ to our accommodation for the night. The village of Argentière takes its name from the French word for 'silver', as in past times there was a small silver mine here.
Ascent: 1200m (3936ft) Descent: 1500m (4920ft) Distance: 18km (11.3 miles) Duration: 07h00 - 08h00
We start our hike from the middle of Argentière village as we head towards the Cheserys rock climbing area where we can marvel at the tiny figures clinging to the rock faces. First we make our way through the larch forests before we arrive under the cliffs of the Cheserys where ibex are often to be found seeking shade from the sun. These mountain animals are incredibly well adapted to their environment and are without doubt natures own rock climbers performing amazing moves on the cliffs and crags of the alps. Today's walk is truly stunning and your guide will decide which route to take to gain the high ground. If conditions allow, we plan to use a series of easy, short ladders with handrails to skirt the rocky landscape. This is a straightforward ascent without difficulty, and is in fact often a highlight of the tour for many. We then make our way to the Lac des Cheserys where the brave have been known to strip off and dive in, and then it's a short climb to Lac Blanc with some of the most famous views in the world. After a picnic lunch by the lake we descend on rocky ground to reach the Flégère cable car and make a quick descent to Les Praz. We finish today with a stroll into town along the riverbank into Chamonix. A lovely end to another stunning day.
Ascent: 1000m (3280ft) Descent: 650m (2132ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 7h00 - 8h00
A fabulous finale to our trip today as we save some of the best views to last! We complete our Tour du Mont Blanc by taking a cable car up to the mid-station of Planpraz where it will deposit us high above the town of Chamonix with incredible views to the massif of Mont Blanc offering a window on a world of tumbling ice, sparking glaciers, and jagged summits. After taking in the spectacle we begin our hike with steep climb on a rocky trail all the way up to the Col du Brévent at 2368m, (7767ft) where ibex can often be seen playing on the rocks. Then it's up to the Brévent summit at 2525m (8282ft) and the perfect photo opportunity for shots of Mont Blanc in all its glory. The walk along the ridge provides a stunning panorama of the Mont Blanc glaciers, more so than at any other time on the trip. You will feel as though you can almost 'touch' the ice! After enjoying the skyline ridge, we descend steeply via the spectacularly located Refuge Belachat and the Merlet animal park before reaching the valley floor at Les Houches, the starting point of our trip. We will take a transfer back to our Chamonix hotel for a second night, and enjoy a celebratory meal to mark the completion of our tour.
Ascent: 870m (2853ft) Descent: 1770m (5805ft) Distance: 14.8km (9.3 miles) Duration: 7h00 - 8h00
The holiday package ends after breakfast. Please contact us if you’d like any extra days added to your trip.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
Due to the demand for accommodation on this particular trip we sometimes have to transfer at the end of our hiking day to the nearest available hotel in local towns and villages. The transfer is usually never more than 20 minutes of driving. There is the possibility that we have to use dormitory accommodation, but that is rare. If this is the case those guests who booked first will be given priority when allocating bedrooms.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The 4* Chalet Hôtel Le Prieuré has a chalet style to the interior making it a warm and welcoming place to spend time in Chamonix. Step onto your balcony and you have amazing views to the mountains. Your meals will be taken in the light and modern restaurant, with its glass frontage. Whether it be the start or end of your holiday a visit to the hotels pool and spa will help you relax and unwind.
In the Middle Ages, Le Prieuré was the name given to the center of the village of Chamonix. It was referred to as the Prieuré of Chamonix valley. In 1928, Doctor Chabanolles enlarged the building to accommodate children suffering from tuberculosis. In 1960, after extensive renovations, a 'Le Prieuré' opened its doors in Chamonix. It was run by the Morand family, who named it L'Hôtel le Prieuré in reference to its history. In 2015, the hotel was completely renovated while retaining its history and authenticity.
We have worked with this family run hotel for a number of years. The 4**** Chemenaz is a modern hotel in Les Hameaux du Lay on the outskirts of Les Contamines. The Hotel, which has a swimming pool, offers 36 bedrooms and 4 suites. The bedrooms have en suite facilities, and are non-smoking. The hotel is in a great location for the start of our most challenging day, in that it gains us some km's first thing in the morning as we have less distance to walk to join the first climb of the day.
Chalet de Roseland is a hidden gem situated at 1605m (5264ft) close to the Tour du Mont Blanc trail on the road to Beaufort. It's a small family run hotel with just 12 rooms offering fabulous panoramic views of the Roseland Lake, Roc du Vent and Mont Blanc. Enjoy an authentic warm welcome from Nicolas & Isabelle who pride themselves in offering quality home cooked local produce inspired by the specialities of our mountains.
A 20 minute transfer up from Les Chapieux to the Col de Méraillet gains wonderful views for this nights stay - often said to be one of the best nights stay on the Tour du Mont Blanc. The hotel has a range of rooms, and singles are available with early booking.
The owners of the Maison Saint Jean have been welcoming guests for over 60 years. The recently renovated hotel is in the centre of the town of Courmayeur and with easy access to the main shopping area. The hotel is proud of its wine list which comes from the owner's personal collection. The hotel has a very cosy lounge to enjoy a glass, and there is a small spa to ease any aching muscles. The hotel has twenty bedrooms with handcrafted furniture in local mountain style.
In La Fouly we spend our overnight at the Hotel Edelweiss, like all our other hotels it is family run, cosy and comfortable. There is a bar with a terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the afternoon sun. All the bedrooms are traditional in style with lots of 'wood'. Most of the rooms have en suite facilities, however on some occasions it's necessary for us to book two rooms (classed as a family room) with an adjoining bathroom. There is a dining room with lovely views, and breakfast is served buffet style.
The Hotel Splendide sits high in the mountains with great views from the terrace down to the valley below. This historic hotel was built between 1934 and 1938 by the grand-father of the owner. Please note that not all of the rooms here are en suite but we do book as many as possible. For example, in some cases single rooms share a bathroom located on the same floor. There are some large family rooms available with adjoining rooms with en suite bathrooms which make a twin. We eat dinner in the lovely old-fashioned dining room, a real touch of history to be found in this family run hotel.
During the Second World War the army from the nearby artillery fort were stationed at the hotel. Those perfect views down the valley were appreciated by more than just the tourists! It gave the army an excellent position of strength for protecting the route through to Italy.
This historic coaching inn has been in the same family for generations. Today it is run by Sophie who is the 6th generation! It was in around 1830 that her ancestor Joseph Gay-des Combes opened the first inn at the summit of the Col de la Forclaz with his wife. The hotel has a range of bedrooms, but due to the traditional nature of the building not all of them are en suite.
Our hotel in Argentière is the most historic in the village build in 1865 when there was an influx of mountaineers and therefore a demand for accommodation. With the first ever Winter Olympics held in the valley in 1924 tourism continued to grow and the Hotel de la Couronne has played its part ever since. In the 1930's the hotel was one of the first to install central heating, and it has continued its modernisation every since.
The Hotel de la Couronne is the only hotel of the nineteenth century in the Chamonix valley that has not changed activity since its construction. Right in the heart of the village it is ideal for exploring the characterful bars and shops, and for the start of our hike the next morning.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
If travelling by plane, Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue 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. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the night at Rifugio Bonatti
Additional Items
Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. The legal maximum weight limit is 15kg (33lbs) per person. If your luggage exceeds this limit it will not be collected. You can take only ONE luggage bag on the trip. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for this trip is £995.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
This classic walking route is all on good trails. The average daily distance covered each day is 15 kilometres (9.5 miles) with approximately 1000m of ascent and descent so this trip is suitable for regular hikers or those with a good level of fitness. Your luggage will be transferred between hotels, except to the Bonatti Refuge, which means that you need carry no more than a small daypack. Carrying only a daypack and staying in comfortable valley hotels, makes this trip quite relaxed for its DEMANDING grade.
Your luggage will be transferred daily to the next accommodation and you only need carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
Your luggage, ONE bag per person, will be moved along the route by taxi and should not exceed the legal maximum weight of 15kgs (33lbs). If your luggage exceeds this weight limit it will not be collected and will be left behind.
Be aware that you will have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea, and the taxi companies prefer a soft bag. They cannot accept responsibility for damage to any hard-shell suitcases. You are asked to avoid leaving valuables in your luggage, fragile items, personal medication or official documents, such as passports.
If your trip begins and ends at the same hotel in Chamonix it is possible to leave extra luggage at the hotel for your return. However, we cannot guarantee at this point in time that we will be using the same hotel at the beginning and end of your journey as it depends on availability. Contact us for details.
Your bags will be collected each morning at 0800 hrs and if your bag is not ready it will not be collected. The bags will be delivered by 1730 hrs to your next accommodation. Earlier delivery cannot be guarantee due to the volume of luggage moving around the Tour du Mont Blanc.
We recommend that you consider a device such as an "AirTag" which allows you to track your luggage in the event of it being misplaced.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover the route:
IGN 89025: Tour du Mont Blanc 1:50,000
or
IGN 3630 OT: Chamonix Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
IGN 3531 ET: St Gervais-les-Bains Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food and where the menu reflects the best that the region provides.
The hotels to there best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guest . If you are vegetarian this is not a problem as the hotel is used to being asked for vegetarian meals. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can but we would ask that you make it clear on your booking form of any food intolerance so that we can discuss your needs with the hotel at the earliest point possible. When using remote mountain huts the staff are usually able to offer breakfast and dinner which meet with the clients needs. Packed lunches can be more problematic and so we do suggest that, if you do have a specific dietary requirement, you bring a range of suitable snacks to supplement the lunches. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 07 Sep - Wed 18 Sep Code: CTM1 |
Price: £2975 | 1 more to guarantee | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 10 Sep - Sun 21 Sep Code: CTM1 |
Price: £3075 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2975 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 12 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2670m (8757ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix, France |
