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Soft Beds and Hard Hikes on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Guided and Self-Guided Departures Available From Late June Until Early September

Trip Overview

The Tour du Mont Blanc (or TMB), a circuit hike around Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain at almost 16 thousand feet, is one of the world’s classic hikes. In this circuit we spend each night in a different location as we hike around the base of this white, glacier covered massif.  

We travel on foot from France to Italy to Switzerland and back to France. We also journey back in time, since our base, Chamonix, is the birthplace of mountaineering in the Alps. We’ll hike on well-established trails and your luggage will be shuttled to most or all subsequent daily destinations, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular scenery with only a day pack. (There may be one or two nights where you will not have access to your luggage.) We combine challenging hikes with the comfort of stays in charming hotels and guesthouses, and with good food. Soft beds and hard hikes:  it doesn’t get any better than that! 

Highlights

• History of mountaineering and the conquest of Mount Blanc
• Spectacular circuit hike around Europe’s highest mountain passing through France, Italy and Switzerland
• Views of glaciers
• A walk on an old Roman road
• Charming local guesthouses with excellent regional cuisine

Rating

This is a challenging trek.  Daily distances range from 9 to 20 kilometers per day, with distances of 16 to 18 kilometers per day being typical.  The daily range in altitude gain and loss is 460 meters to 1316 meters with typical days involving 800 to 1100 meter gains and losses.  This is not a technical hike but the terrain is rough in places.   We will be hiking from one location to the next on a daily basis. Please call us to discuss the appropriateness of this trip for you and the best way to prepare.

Itinerary

Day 1 :  Meeting in Chamonix – Optional Warm-up Hike – Trip Orientation and Welcome Dinner

Independent arrival in Chamonix.  We will provide you with connecting information from the Geneva airport or other points. Tonight we have our trip orientation, and welcome drinks and dinner.

Day 2 :  Les Houches to Les Contamines-Montjoie

We transfer by bus from Chamonix to Les Houches.  After a short cable car ride we hike from Bellevue, cross a suspension bridge with view of the Bionnassay Glacier and then it’s up and over the Col de Tricot.  We descend to the summer village of Le Miage, and end our day in a comfortable small hotel in the village of Les Contamines-Monjoie.  We may instead hike via Bionnassay and La Gruvaz for an attractive alternative, especially if the weather is not cooperating. 

Hike:  16 km; 5-5 ½ hours; 646 m +/633m- (Gruvaz); or 18; km; 7 ½ hours; 1478m+/1318m- (Col de Tricot).  Less with cable car.

Day 3 :  Les Contamines – Notre Dame de la Gorge – Col de la Croix du Bonhomme - Les Chapieux

In addition to the scenery, which continues to be spectacular, a highlight of today’s hike is the stretch where we walk on a path, which is believed to be part of a link with the Roman Empire from the heartland of Gaul (old France).   We start today with a short bus ride to Notre Dame de la Gorge, a pilgrimage site, and then follow the Roman Road, recognizable by the huge slabs of stone and a bridge that is more than 2,000 years old.  After enjoying lunch at the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, we continue on to our charming guest house at the summer village of Les Chapieux, the southern limit of the Mont Blanc massif.

Hike:  18 km; 7- 7 ½ hours; 1316 m+/929m- (possible to shorten with a brief bus ride at the beginning)

Day 4 :   Les Chapieux - Col de la Seigne – Courmayeur

It is difficult to identify the highlight is of today’s adventure:  crossing the Col de Seigne from France to Italy with the backdrop of some of the best views of Mount Blanc?  Walking in the footsteps of countless Roman legionnaires as we enter the Aosta region of Italy?  The polenta at the Elisabetta Hut (“rifugio”) where we stop for lunch?  The glaciers behind the hut?  Today we shuttle from Les Chapieux to the start of our hike at La Ville des Glaciers and hike up to the Italian border at Col de la Seigne and on to the Elisabetta Rifugio for lunch.  After lunch we walk down from the hut to the outskirts of Courmayeur and then transfer into town.  Dinner tonight will be on your own in this delightful Italian resort.

Hike:  18 km; 5 ½ - 6 hours; 1004m+/794m-  

Day 5 :  Courmayeur (Italy)– La Vachy  – La Fouly (Switzerland) – Champex (Switzerland)

Today we hike over a continental divide between Italy and Switzerland.  As we pass over the Grand Col Ferret from Italy into Switzerland we’ll have views of a glacier, and, hopefully, chamois.  Rain falling on the Italian side of this pass, which has been in use for several centuries, ultimately flows into the Po River and the Adriatic Sea.  Rain falling on the Swiss side flows into the Rhone River and then into the Mediterranean.  Our day starts with a transfer to La Vachy and then a walk down the Ferret Valley.   As we cross over the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland we have a great view of Mont Dolent, whose summit is shared by France, Switzerland and Italy.  We hike to the village of La Fouly and then transfer to the charming French Swiss town of Champex.

Hike:  20 km; 6-6 ½ hours; 895m+; 1410m-

Day 6 :  Champex (Switzerland) – Trient (Switzerland) via the Bovine Route or  Champex – Fenetre d’Arpette –  Trient

Weather permitting, today we experience the most challenging hike of the TMB, the Fenetre d’Arpette, or rock window across a ridge.  We start our day with a walk from Champex up the Arpette Valley.  We pass through a rocky chasm and then up to the Fenetre.  We have a two hour descent to Trient down next to the right side of the Glacier de Trient.  We treat ourselves to cheese fondue tonight at our guesthouse.

Hike: Bovine Route: 16 km; 4 ½ - 5 hours; 742 m +; 682 m –;  Fenetre d’Arpette: 14 km; 6 ½ hours; 1199 m+; 1139m-

Day 7 :  Trient (Switzerland) – Col de Balme – Argentiere (France)

When we return to France today the feeling of excitement will be great as we near the last stage of our adventure.  After leaving Trient via a steep trail through larch forest we hike up to and over the Col Balme and cross the French/Swiss border.  We start the day with views of the Trient Glacier and then have a view over the glacier to the Fenetre d’Arpette, the scene of yesterday’s challenging high point.  We spend the night in Argentiere, a village in a dramatic setting with views of the Mont Blanc massif.  We are now back in the Chamonix Valley with the Arve River.

Hike:  13 km; 5 ½  hours; 1068 m +; 1178 M –

Day 8 :  Argentiere – Lac Blanc –  La Flegere – Chamonix

For our return into Chamonix and the completion of the Mont Blanc circuit we enjoy the famous Mont Blanc Massif reflection in Lac Blanc and a view of the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”).  We feel proud of our accomplishments as we walk back to Chamonix.  Our last hike, though high in drama, is our shortest leg (about four hours), leaving us time to make connections elsewhere.  Those who are staying on for another day on their own in Chamonix will have time to explore the town, perhaps visiting the Alpine Museum to admire the feats of their mountaineering predecessors.

Hike:  9 km; 4 hours; 733 m +; 257 m -

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites and accommodations may vary due to season, special events or weather.  We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise.   Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Transportation

There are a number of transfers by public bus and lift during the trip.  Of course, our primary mode of transportation is by foot.

Meeting Point and Time

Independent arrival. Please plan on being at the hotel in time for a 6 p.m. orientation and welcome drinks on Day 1.  The Geneva (Switzerland) Airport is the closest major airport.  We will provide information on connecting to Chamonix in your guest information packet, which is emailed to you after we receive your deposit.  Options include public bus (35E per person) or private vans.

Departure

Independent departure. The trip will be over by 1 p.m. on Day 8.   Please make your connecting travel arrangements accordingly.

Included

• 5 nights in hotels and 2 nights in guests houses, with the possibility of 1 night in a hut instead of a guest house.  Please note:  single rooms are not always available in guest houses, and baths are usually shared.  Those requesting single rooms should understand that the supplement covers the five nights in hotels and is subject to availability.
• Welcome drinks on the first night
• Transfers during the trip
• Breakfast and dinners, except dinner on Day 4, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8.  Dinners will be multi-course.
• Experienced guide services throughout the trip 
• Cultural and historical information

Pre- and Post-Trip Extension

If you wish to arrive in Chamonix before July 1 or stay after July 9, please let us know.  While you would need to pay the hotel directly for a pre- or post-trip extension, we would be delighted to make an inquiry on your behalf.

Group Size

A minimum of six guests will be required for this trip to take place.  The group will be held to a maximum of ten guests.  Before making your travel arrangements, please contact us to make sure that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants and is taking place.

We hope that you will join us on this grand adventure!

Call us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com