Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
8 Days Starting in Les Houches, France and ending in Chamonix, France
Visiting: Les Houches, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Les Chapieux, Courmayeur, Champex-Lac, Trient, Chamonix
Tour operator:
Tour code:
111
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 14
Tour operated in:
English , FrenchTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Mont Blanc is one of the highest mountains in Europe (4,807m) and generous in its greatness, reaching into France, Italy and Switzerland. The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), which circumnavigates the massif, is also one of Europe’s greatest long-distance trails. This Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights route takes you in an anti-clockwise direction, starting in Les Houches and finishing in Chamonix. You also use shortcut transfers in some spots so you can see as much of the trail as possible, over eight days. Stay in a mix of budget mountain accommodation and hotels with luggage transfers, when possible
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Les Houches
Location: Les Houches
Accommodation Name: Hôtel Saint-Antoine (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Welcome to Les Houches, a village on the banks of the river l’Arve just 6km from Chamonix and the official start point for the Tour du Mont Blanc. If arriving early, take the time to wander around this Alpine town, taking in some superb alpine scenery.
Day 2 : Les Houches - Les Contamines-Montjoie 4-5H
Location: Les Contamines-Montjoie
Accommodation Name: La Gélinotte, private room (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take the cable car to Bellevue. The path meanders through the forest high above Bionnassay Valley while passing through hamlets with views of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay dominate the view with Glacier de Bionnassay between them. Climb up Col de Tricot and descend along a series of switchbacks to Chalet de Miage. Following a riverside path into Les Contamines at the end of the day.
Walking for the day: 4-5h, approx. 12.9km, ?380m ?1,010m
Day 3 : Les Contamines - Les Chapieux/Refuge Des Mottets 7-8H
Location: Les Chapieux
Accommodation Name: mountain hut Auberge de la Nova or Refuge des Mottets, dormitory rooms (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Begin with a short transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge, before traversing Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and descending into Chapieux Valley. Today offers remarkable panoramas of Aiguille des Glaciers. Depending on availability, you will either be booked into a hut in Les Chapieux or Refuge des Mottets. There is a shuttle service between Les Chapieux and Refuge des Mottets, which you can use if staying in the latter.
Walking for the day: 7-8h, approx. 15.3km ?1,380m ?980m (with transfer) / 8-9h without transfer
Day 4 : Les Chapieux - Val Veny - Val Ferret
Location: Courmayeur
Accommodation Name: Rifugio Elena, dormitory rooms (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
If beginning the day in Les Chapieux or Bourg-Saint-Maurice, take the public shuttle to La Ville des Glaciers before embarking on a hike over Col de la Seigne, crossing into the Italian side of the border. Take the bus from Val Veny valley to Courmayeur for a bite to eat before taking a second bus to Val Ferret. If staying in Rifugio Elena, there is a final short walk from the Arp Nouvaz bus stop to the refuge.
Walking for the day: 6-7h, approx. 18km, ?810m ?1,500m
Please note:
The public shuttle does not run during the low season, so private transfers will be arranged (supplemental cost).
If accommodation in Val Ferret isn’t available, we will book you into a hotel in Courmayeur on a B&B basis and will require a private transfer or public bus if available (supplemental cost).
Day 5 : Val Ferret - La Fouly - Champex-Lac
Location: Champex-Lac
Accommodation Name: Relais d'Arpette, dormitory rooms (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross Grand Col Ferret, arriving at the village of La Fouly in Switzerland. Take in the views over the Grand Combin massif in the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc before taking two connecting buses to Champex-Lac.
Walking for the day: 4-5h, approx. 11km, ?485m ?945m
Day 6 : Champex-Lac - Trient
Location: Trient
Accommodation Name: Auberge du Mont Blanc, dormitory rooms (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s journey leads to the highest point of the TMB, Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665m). Soak up the view while continuing along Trient Glacier. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative route via Col de Bovine is highly recommended and offers a shorter day’s walk.
Walking for the day: 8-9h, approx. 13km, ?1,100m ?1,350m, or 5-6h ?770m ?945m (shorter option via Col de Bovine, especially during bad weather).
Please note:
If accommodation in Trient isn’t available, we will book you into a hotel in Martigny on a B&B basis and will require a private transfer or public bus if available (supplemental cost).
Day 7 : Trient - Le Tour - Chamonix
Location: Chamonix
Accommodation Name: Hôtel Vallée Blanche, private room (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
A morning trek over Col de Balme with views back over to France and a panoramic vista of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte. There are two options for descent to Le Tour, a higher route along the crest of Aiguillette des Possets, or a more direct route from Col de Balme following the Charamillon gondola line down to Le Tour. From Le Tour, take the local bus to Chamonix centre.
Walking for the day: 15km, 7-8h, ?1,449m, ? 917m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Chamonix
Chamonix is a great base to spend a couple of days and we would recommend adding extra nights here. There are multiple walks in Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve or you can take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) or the train to Mer de Glace.
What's Included
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Meals
Breakfast and dinner are included on most days of the tour.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in hotels, mountain huts, and dormitory rooms throughout the tour.
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Transfers
Public shuttles and buses are included for certain segments of the tour, such as from Val Veny valley to Courmayeur and from La Fouly to Champex-Lac.
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Transport
The tour includes a mix of public shuttles, buses, and cable cars to facilitate travel between key locations.
What's Not Included
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Private Transfers
Private transfers are not included and may incur a supplemental cost if public transport is unavailable.
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Additional Nights
Extra nights in Chamonix or other locations are not included in the standard tour package.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as additional hikes or cable car rides are not included.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a mix of public shuttles, buses, and cable cars to facilitate travel between key locations, ensuring a seamless journey through the stunning landscapes of France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations including private rooms at Hôtel Saint-Antoine and La Gélinotte, as well as dormitory rooms in mountain huts like Auberge de la Nova and Rifugio Elena, offering a blend of comfort and rustic charm throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights?
The tour includes a mix of public shuttles, buses, and cable cars to facilitate travel between key locations, ensuring a seamless journey through the stunning landscapes of France, Italy, and Switzerland.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect on the Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights?
You will experience a variety of accommodations including private rooms at hotels like Hôtel Saint-Antoine and La Gélinotte, as well as dormitory rooms in mountain huts such as Auberge de la Nova and Rifugio Elena, offering a blend of comfort and rustic charm throughout your journey.
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Are meals included in the Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights?
Breakfast and dinner are included on most days of the tour.
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What happens if the public shuttle is not available during the tour?
If the public shuttle does not run during the low season, private transfers will be arranged at a supplemental cost.
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What is the highest point reached during the Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights?
The highest point of the Tour du Mont Blanc is Fenêtre d’Arpette, which offers views of the Trient Glacier.
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What are some of the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights?
Some highlights include breathtaking views of Mont Blanc from the Bellevue cable car, traversing Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, crossing into Italy over Col de la Seigne, and enjoying views over the Grand Combin massif from Grand Col Ferret in Switzerland.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.