4
moderate to challenging

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 5 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotels
  • 1 night guesthouse
  • 1 night auberge
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1580GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: JEM

Hotel-based Tour du Mont Blanc Trip highlights

  • Tick off Europe’s most iconic alpine mountain walk
  • All the essential sections of this famous hike
  • Experience 3 countries on one trip: France, Italy & Switzerland
  • Walk from alpine meadows to mountain passes, with snow-clad peaks in the background
  • Flexibility to walk individually or with other guests
  • Take in Western Europe's highest mountain
  • Ultimate comfort: Hotel-based tour, private rooms (no dormitories)
  • Local team on hand 24/7
  • Single travellers have the option to share a twin room
  • Luggage transfer included, you only carry your daily essentials

The famous ‘Tour du Mont Blanc’, or ‘TMB’, is one of the world’s most classic alpine walks and our most popular Mont Blanc walk. On this anti-clockwise Mont Blanc hiking itinerary you cover the most essential sections around Western Europe’s highest mountain. Trek over spectacular passes and through the valleys of three contrasting countries: France, Italy and Switzerland. Staying at a mix of hotels and with ample rest days, on this walking trip you will savour food and wine from the Alpine region and enjoy some of the finest mountain scenery in the world.

Notes:

*There will normally be up to 10 travellers doing the walk on any date, you have a choice to walk together or individually on some or most days.

*Unlike most of our other self guided treks, this tour operates on fixed dates in order to accommodate the logistics of baggage movement. We will normally have 2 members of staff in the area to carry out the baggage transfers and offer 24/7 local assistance.

*This is a hotel-based Tour du Mont Blanc trek with a mixed selection of independent hotels, an auberge and a guesthouse that often have fantastic views of the European Alps.

*If twin rooms are available, single travellers can be paired to save single supplement charges.

Countries:

France, Italy & Switzerland

Starting Point:

Les Houches

Finishing Point:

Chamonix

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Make your own way to Les Houches, a resort located 6 km/3.8 miles from Chamonix which nestles under the Mont Blanc massif. This evening a trip briefing is held by our local support team before enjoying your evening meal. Accommodation: Stay in a very comfortable 2* chalet-style hotel facing the Mont Blanc range. All rooms have bath/shower, WC and telephone. The hotel has a shaded garden and a lounge. Food is home made with seasonal products and regional specialties.

Meals:  D

Today will certainly get the legs and heart working. A steady climb from Les Houches (950m) via Col de Voza (1653 m) and below the tip of the Bionassay glacier to the Col de Tricot (2120 m). There is a very steep descent from the col to the Chalets de Miage (1550m), followed by a short climb over Truc before descending further through forest to Les Contamines (1170m). Les Contamines is a ski resort in winter and has several restaurants and bars, also a well-stocked supermarket. Many walkers start by taking the cable car up from Les Houches to Bellevue; this avoids the long trek and makes for a more enjoyable start to your Tour du Mont Blanc walking holiday. Accommodation: A modern 4* hotel with a swimming pool, bright restaurant and a welcoming lounge-bar area.

Meals:  B,D

Ascend to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and then traverse to the slightly higher Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2479m) before descending to Les Chapieux. Les Chapieux is a tiny and remote settlement, 15 km/9 miles from the nearest village of Bourg St Maurice. There is a little shop in the hamlet where you may wish to purchase some Beaufort cheese for your lunch tomorrow. Accommodation: You'll stay at a very welcoming family-run guesthouse with a restaurant, outdoor bar and a lovely garden. The evening meal is included and offers home-cooked, local specialities. Packed lunches are available. NB Due to limited options, single travellers stay at a family hotel in Bourg St Maurice - this stay excludes dinner and includes a return taxi transfer from/to Les Chapieux. Please note that on the 13 July departure, all travellers spend the night in Bourg St Maurice. Luggage Transfer: Please carry overnight items with you as there is no luggage transfer to Les Chapieux/Bourg St Maurice today (bags will be stored securely and delivered to your accommodation in La Palud tomorrow).

Meals:  B,D

Today is the toughest day in terms of distance, and perhaps the most tiring one overall, but can be shortened considerably at both ends by using buses. It is an exceptionally scenic day with, in good conditions, fantastic views of Mont Blanc, Mont Tiondu, Aiguille des Glaciers and Aiguille Noire de Peuterey amongst many others and of course some great glaciers dripping like candle wax from the mountains. These include Glacier des Glaciers, Glacier de la Lee Blanche, and glaciers Miage, Brouillard, Freney and Brenva. Your first objective of the day is to cross the Col de la Seigne (2516m) into Italy. The Elisabetta refuge is a popular lunch stop. There is a choice of routes onwards, a high route via Lac Checrouit or a shorter route via La Visaille. There is a local bus service along the Val Veni from Cantine de la Visaille to La Saxe and Courmayeur, reducing the distance by some 10km. From La Saxe or Courmayeur you can walk or catch the bus up to La Palud (1370m). The first 7km of the day can also be avoided by taking the local bus up towards Refuge des Mottets. Accommodation: You stay at a comfortable modern 3* hotel. All rooms have private facilities. There is a large terrace, a bar and a TV lounge. It is a short bus ride to the historic town and modern shopping centre of Courmayeur but it is also possible to walk to Courmayeur via La Saxe.

Meals:  B

Today we recommend that you start the day taking the public bus from La Palud to Arnuva which will cut about 10 km of walking by a road. Then you start your climb, passing close by Mont Dolent and cross the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) to enter Switzerland. From Grand Col Ferret, descend through alpine meadows past the summer pastures and barns of La Peula (refreshments available) to the tiny village of Ferret and optional onward walk to La Fouly (1595m). Take a local bus to Som-la-Proz and connecting bus up to Champex-Lac - a pleasant resort town at the northeastern end of the Mont Blanc range. Accommodation: a charming family-run 3* hotel, all rooms have ensuite facilities.

Meals:  B,D

Ascend through woods to reach the barns of Bovine (1987m); food and drinks are usually available before you descend to the Col de la Forclaz (1526m); in season, try the local tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry pie). There is then the option of a walk to the Chalet du Glacier and a bit beyond for fine views of the Trient Glacier, before descending to the village of Trient. We consider the ‘Bovine’ route so scenic that it should not be missed. Trient is a tiny village in the Val Trient. Accommodation: There is not much choice in accommodation and you stay at a very basic inn, more akin to a refuge, in two-bedded rooms without private facilities. Packed lunches are available.

Meals:  B,D

Cross into France via the Col de Balme (2191m) revealing the Chamonix Valley below and the Mont Blanc massif. On the way up to the col there is a longer but very scenic and satisfying alternative via Les Grands (head for heights is an advantage). The best way on from Col de Balme is via the spectacular and easy Posettes ridge, from the end of which there is a steep descent on good paths through forest to Tre le Champ and the bus stop in Montroc or Argentiere. From here, take one of the local buses to your hotel in Chamonix or Les Houches. Accommodation: Stay in a comfortable 4* hotel. Departure on 23 August will stay in a cosy 3* hotel with a spa in Les Houches. All the rooms are fully ensuite. *For those who want a more leisurely day, a shorter (and still scenic) descent from Col de Balme to Argentiere is possible via Le Tour. Note: Request an extra night in Chamonix to walk a section of the Grand Balcon & the scenic Lac Blanc (maps & notes included).

Meals:  B

It's the end of your Tour du Mont Blanc walking holiday. Depart Chamonix for your onward journey.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Learn About the Classic 14-Day Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel-based Trek

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners (4 dinners on 13 July departure)
  • 5 nights twin share accommodation in 2, 3 and 4-star hotels with ensuite facilities, 1 night guesthouse, 1 night auberge
  • Luggage transfer (except day 3) - maximum weight 15 kg
  • Information pack including route notes & maps, navigational app
  • 24/7 Local support
  • GPX files of the main walks are available on request

  • 2 dinners (3 on 13 July departure), lunch & beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Local bus transfers on days 4, 5 & 7
  • City tax in Chamonix to be paid to the hotel
  • Excess luggage
  • Guide - this is a self-guided hiking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room

Accommodation

2-4* Hotels

We have organised for your overnight stays a selection of independent chalet hotels. Whether 2, 3 or 4 stars, they usually have a space to relax after your walk which could be a garden, lounge, swimming pool, sauna, your private balcony or a communal area. The hospitality is generous and the local knowledge is invaluable.

You will not stay in dormitory-style rooms on this trip and all hotel rooms are ensuite.

Guesthouse

Stay at a very welcoming small guesthouse that is run by a family. There is a restaurant, a bar and a lovely terrace to relax after your walk. The evening meal, with local specialities homecooked, is included. Packed lunches can be requested as well. With no Wi-Fi or mobile coverage in the guesthouse or garden you will be able to fully disconnect and relax.

Auberge

One night on this Tour du Mont Blanc hike is spent at a very basic inn, that is more akin to a refuge or hostel. Stay in two-bedded rooms without private facilities. Packed lunches are available.

Suitability

moderate to challenging

4

We grade this tour as moderate to challenging (grade 4); anyone used to hill walking/mountain hiking with a daily height gain/loss of 3,300 feet (1000 metres) per day should find the tour within their capability walking an average of 6 to 7 hours per day. There are no vertigo-inducing sections on this walk provided you stick to the itinerary as described in the route notes and defined on the maps; and avoid the ‘variations’. It is clear from the notes which alternate routes in our opinion do require a ‘head for heights’. Some of the walks can be shortened, if desired, by the use of cable cars or (in Italy) a local bus service. Notes: *There will normally be up to 15 travellers doing the walk on any date, you have a choice to walk together or individually on some or most days. *Unlike most of our other self guided treks, this tour operates on fixed dates in order to accommodate the logistics of baggage movement. We will normally have 2 members of staff in the area to carry out the baggage transfers and offer 24/7 local assistance. *This is a hotel-based Tour du Mont Blanc trek with a mixed selection of independent hotels that often have fantastic views of the European Alps. *If twin rooms are available, single travellers can be paired to save single supplement charges.

Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
Note:
High season departure 23 August, supplement applies.
NB:
Due to limited options, you may stay in a hotel in Bourg St Maurice (breakfast only, return transfer included) instead of a guesthouse Les Chapieux.
NB:
On the 23 Aug departure you will stay at a 3* hotel in Les Houches instead of Chamonix due to limited availability.
Note:
There is only 1 single room available per departure. It is possible to be matched with another single traveller of the same gender, if available. Otherwise enquire about the option to stay in a double room for single use, extra supplement applies. >> Although this is a self guided walking holiday, you'll walk at the same time as others booked on the same departure date.

Priceper person from

£1580GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Supplement - 13 Jul DepartureGBP£560
  • Single Supplement - 26 Jul & 23 Aug DepartureGBP£640
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all | Collapse all

Walkers on the TMB can choose between different variants of this walk for some of the days. In its purist form, the full circuit of Mont Blanc starts and finishes in Les Houches. However, because of time constraints, this trip is a horse shoe walk from Les Houches to Chamonix. It includes the essential sections of the famous TMB. Please see the itinerary above for full details.

Accommodation at Les Chapieux is very limited, especially for single rooms. If there is no availability there, you will stay in a comfortable hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and benefit from taxi transfers (included) between Les Chapieux and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. There are various options for your evening meal, tonight's dinner is not included.

If you are travelling to the Mont Blanc region from abroad, it is easiest to fly or train to Geneva Airport. From there, use a dedicated transfer company such as Mountain Drop offs to take you to Les Houches or back from Chamonix. It takes around 1 hour.

The baggage allowance is 15kg to be transported each day. You will have to carry any extra items during your walking days. However, if you are travelling with a lot of luggage you will be able to leave extra items to be handed back to you at the end of the holiday, small fee applies. There are two days when you must carry overnight items as there is no baggage transfer to/from one overnight stop.

Exposure is a very subjective thing, if you suffer from severe vertigo you will not enjoy this walk. The most exposed sections is on the 'Fenetre d’Arpette'. There is a ladder section on the TMB, which is not our our itinerary. Moderate and light sufferers of vertigo can enjoy their alpine walk by taking the variants of the route that are less exposed. Nevertheless, there are still some rocky sections on the normal variants including above the Col du Bonhomme.

The highest point reached on our regular Tour du Mont Blanc route is 2532m/8307ft at the Grand Col Ferret. At such altitudes you may feel a shortness of breath, but you are unlikely to be effected too much. Slow down and take it easy!

The Mont Blanc Massif is affected by Atlantic, Mediterranean and Continental weather influences. Combined with a massive height difference within a small area, this creates huge weather differences. The summer months tend to have periods of fine stable weather, but then Atlantic fronts can sweep in causing days of drizzle and can even produce snow on the higher passes of the walk. Even on fine days, there can be afternoon storms and short periods of intense rain reverting back to calm and bright conditions. When walking around Mont Blanc, you must be prepared for all such conditions and carry a good set of waterproofs, hat and gloves as well as anti sun clothing.

You will stay at a varied mix of handpicked, comfortable hotels with 2, 3 and 4* status as well as a basic mountain inn and a small mountain hotel. The majority of hotels have en-suite facilities, some a swimming pool, a sauna, and an outdoor area to relax after your day on the trails. It can be difficult to differentiate between the star ratings as these are often based on features and room size. Two of the accommodations have shared bathrooms and if you are a single traveller, we will arrange for you to spend one night in a mall dormitory (Refuge des Mottets).

Hotel-based Tour du Mont Blanc Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.