A tour of Mont Blanc accessible to anyone in good shape... but we have also selected the most comfortable accommodation for you, the best food and the warmest welcomes. Benefit from adaptable stages, easy to really sporty enabling you to discover some of the most beautiful panoramas of the TMB.
Seven valleys, 71 glaciers, 400 summits... the impressive, magical high mountains and the striking display of glaciers descending from summits to alpine pastures... viewed from the track, no risk and no height induced fears!
Your roadbook can be provided in a digital format with an app to download on your phone, or with the traditional paper format send by the mail (or even both versions, with a supplement of 25€). Please tell us which you prefer!
Departures from mid-June to mid-September 2023
Departure on Sundays or Tuesdays.
Comfortable accommodation with baggage transport
From €850 per person 6 days/5 nights (based on twin/double bedroom)
On request:
Picnic lunch supplement
Extra nights accommodation before/after departure
7, 8 and 9 days options possible
Rest day possible
Single occupancy 1110€ per person
Single supplement 80€
Information and reservation online, by email or by phone.
Secure payment
THE PRICE
The price includes:
The price does not include:
Meeting at 9:45am at the Flégère cablecar in les Praz, Chamonix.
Possibility to walk via les Balcons with a departure from Chamonix.
LES PRAZ DE CHAMONIX - LAC BLANC - ARGENTIERE
Ascend in the Flégère cablecar to the Balcons du Mont Blanc to reach Lac Blanc at 2300m. Descend on the path which winds through the forest to the village of Argentière. Night in a hotel.
Possibility to go back down to the valley with the same cablecar and then take a bus to Argentière.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1120m
BOVINE or FENÊTRE D'ARPETTE - CHAMPEX
Transfer to Switzerland and traverse through the mountain pastures of Bovine via a balcony trail overlooking the Rhone Valley or climb alongside the Trient Glacier to reach the mythical Fenêtre d'Arpette, a more "high mountain" route. Night in the village of Champex.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1050m -700m (via Bovine)
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1380m -1040m (via Arpette)
THE GRAND COL FERRET - COURMAYEUR
From the village of Champex, transfer by bus to the village of La Fouly. Ascend to the Col Ferret (2537m) on the Swiss/Italian border. Possible meetings with alpine pasture farmers at the Alpage de la Peule. Descend into the Italian Val Ferret under the impressive towers of the south face of the Mont-Blanc range. Approach the foot of the Pré de Bar glacier. Transfer by bus to Courmayeur.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -780m
COL DE LA SEIGNE - LES CHAPIEUX
Transfer to La Visaille and climb via the glacial lake of Miage and continue to the Col de la Seigne on the French/Italian border unveiling the unreal Himalayan profile of the south face of the Mont-Blanc range. Possible detour by the south balcony of the Mont-Blanc passing by the Col de Chécroui. Descend the Vallée des Glaciers into France.
Possible bus from Ville des Glaciers to Les Chapieux in July and August.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +820m -750m (Ville des Glaciers)
additional -250m if descent to les Chapieux is on foot
THE COL DU BONHOMME - LES CONTAMINES MONTJOIE
Climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and on to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m), a passing place of the hawkers of old. Descend to Notre Dame de la Gorge passing by the old Roman road at the end of the valley. Small transfer to your hotel in the village of Les Contamines.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +930m -1270m
COL DU TRICOT or CHAMPEL - LES HOUCHES
Climb to the Bionnassay Glacier passing via the village of Champel or by the Col du Tricot (2120m) with a magnificent panorama of the Chamonix Valley, the domes of Miage and the Mont-Blanc close up. Descend to Bellevue then by cable car to Les Houches village.
3.5 hour walk / Elevation: +780m -50m (via Champel)
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1220m -600m (via the Col du Tricot)
Elevation: +/- 800m average per day.
Walking time: 4 to 6.5 hours per day. Possible route options to add to elevation and walking times are listed in the road book.
Type of trek: The Tour of Mont Blanc is a long hike route accessible to any person with a good physical condition. Altough it does not involve any technical difficulty (no rock climbing or very steep path...), this trip remains a demanding hike where you will need to be able to walk almost 1000 meters up every day for a week.
The path of the TMB is very well marked and the Roadbook you receive is complete enough to allow you to hike safely. Nonetheless, it is crucial to be able to read a 1:25'000 topographic map and to have a good orientation sense in order to do this trek, even under bad weather.
Adviced preparation : regular practice of a cardio sport (hike, running, bike...), 3 to 4 hours of sport every week. Being able to easily walk 15km in less than 3 hours.
Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing:
- 2 IGN TOP 25 with the route highlighted;
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek;
- 1 waterproof map holder;
- Accommodation list.
Your roadbook can be provided in a digital format with an app to download on your phone, or with the traditional paper format send by the mail (or even both versions, with a supplement of 25€). Please tell us which you prefer!
The tour of Mont-Blanc is a very well indicated trek:
In France: marked with red and white stripes for Grande Randonnée (in both directions).
In Switzerland and Italy: a black dot on a yellow diamond (in both directions).
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.
With baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily by our logistics vehicle.
COMFORT: 2/3* Hotel or gîte
Day 1 - night in 2* Hotel in Argentiere.
Day 2 - night in 3* Hotel in Champex.
Day 3 - night in 3* Hotel in Courmayeur.
Day 4 - night in a very comfortable gîte in Les Chapieux, bedroom with private bathroom.
Day 5 - night in 3* Hotel in Les Contamines-Montjoie - very comfortable hotel.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening.
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (Days 1,2,3,4 and 6).
During the stages of your tour in Switzerland, Euros are widely accepted and it is not essential to carry Swiss Francs.
We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)
IGN Top 25 - 3630 OT - Chamonix and Top 25 - 3531 ET - Saint Gervais (1/25 000)
BY TRAIN
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:18pm (or 2:18pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:32pm (8:32pm).
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return : departure from Les Houches at 9:20am (or 12:20pm), arrival at Paris-Gare de Lyon at 3:42pm (5:42pm).
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix,
FREE PARKING: There is ample parking at Chemin du Biolay, opposite the Montenvers train station, Chamonix.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
The easiest option for your return, is to leave your car at the end point of the tour at the free parking at the Prarion telecabine in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the departure point in Chamonix.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
CAR-SHARING Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2.15 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4.15 hour journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)
End point Saturday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Prarion telecabine in Les Houches.
At the end of the tour the return to Chamonix is easy via bus.
On request, we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your trek.
Les Houches - Hôtel Les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71
Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
Hôtel Le Labrador: +33 (0)4 50 55 90 09
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24
www.chamonix.com
If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 10kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the the driver to refuges, which access is not always easy! Luggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!
If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be dropped off at the end point with your other baggage.
Great organisation by Altitude Montblanc - Ahead of the trip questions were always immediately addressed. The hiking plan was well organised and documented, and the accommodation was pleasant, meals were good, and the logistics flawless. And of course, the trek itself is just beautiful - not difficult, fantastic landscapes, meeting people on the road. First time but not last time !
Luc le 07/09/2022