Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days
The northern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, between Italy, Switzerland and France.
The Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days
This trek is for all those who wish to discover the splendid Tour du Mont Blanc in just a few days. This route, from Courmayeur to Chamonix, will take you through 3 countries and discover 3 different cultures in no time.
The northern part of our famous Tour du Mont Blanc, with multiple facets: the charm of Courmayeur and Val Ferret as well as the splendid landscapes of Switzerland will amaze you.
All this with a light bag and nights in comfortable mountain huts to give you an unforgettable adventure.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the TMB in 5 days
The best stages of the TMB in 5 days
Accommodation chosen for its friendliness and comfort
Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up.
Expert local mountain guide
Duration
5 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Every Wednesday in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without (day 1)
The program in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Courmayeur – Bonatti
5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: refuge without luggage – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 200 m (660 ft) descent
Meet at 8.30 am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches, for a transfer to Courmayeur.
We then climb to the Bertone refuge to enjoy the extraordinary panorama it offers on the Mont-Blanc massif. Breathtaking ! We end with a beautiful balcony crossing to the Bonatti refuge*, marking the end of a beautiful stage.
*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, transfer by taxi to Courmayeur. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.
Day 2: Bonatti – La Fouly
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent
*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, you will take a taxi from Courmayeur heading towards Arnouva.
After a climb with a magnificent view of Mont Dolent, we pass the Grand Col Ferret to pass into Switzerland. The day ends with a gentle descent towards the mountain pasture of La Peule to reach the small village of La Fouly, a real postcard of Valais.
Day 3: La Fouly – Champex
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent
Today, discover Val Ferret Switzerland and its small traditional villages to reach Champex and its pretty lake.
This stage ends with a short climb to our accommodation for the day, a comfortable inn bathed in a soothing atmosphere.
Day 4: Champex – Trient
Night in an inn
Option 1: 715 m (2,345 ft) ascent / 925 m (3,030 ft) descent / 5 hours walking time
Option 2: 915 m (3,000 ft) ascent / 1,260 m (4,130 ft) descent / 7 hours walking time
After a short transfer in Val Ferret to Champex, you will embark on a beautiful high-level traverse above Martigny and the Rhone valley. In the distance, the vineyards bear witness to the canton’s wine production. Depending on how the group feels and current conditions, there may be an option to take the Fenêtre d’Arpette route and enjoy a beautiful alpine setting. Your guide will take the best decision.
Day 5: Trient – Le Tour
5 hrs walking time – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
Your last day on the TMB and time to return to France. Views over the Chamonix valley open up on the way down, as you enjoy a final breathtaking moment before arriving at the village of Le Tour. Train back to the Prarion car park and end of the trip around 4:30pm.
Useful information
Useful information
Luggage transport
The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided every day between the different accommodations (except on the evening of day 1 in Bonatti): one soft bag per person, of a maximum of 12kg each (duffle bag type).
You carry only your stuff for the day, in a backpack of about 30L.
Level
Between 6 and 8 hours’ walking per day throughout the trek, with some more difficult sections, particularly at the start of the season when the snow is still present. You should be able to climb at least 1,000 m (3 200ft.)a day for several days in a row.
We strongly recommend that you practice an endurance sport regularly and train specifically for this trek.
Directions and accommodation
Access to the starting point :
Meet at the parking lot in front of the Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, on the departure day at 8:30 AM.
By car : You can leave your vehicle at the Prarion parking lot in Les Houches. It is a free outdoor parking area. There are no free parking spaces in Chamonix.
By train : To reach Chamonix, it takes approximately 3.5 hours by train from Lyon, 8 hours from Paris, and 2 hours from Geneva. In just a few hours, you can be at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the center of Chamonix, without having to worry about parking, tolls, or heavy traffic. By choosing the train, you are opting for the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, while enjoying a comfortable journey, ensuring you arrive in great shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc.
You can find schedules and prices on the SNCF website : https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/home/search.
Return to the starting point : Local bus from Le Tour, not included in the price of the trip.
Bus timetables at the Chamonix tourist office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24)
Accommodation before and after the trek :
- Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 40 10
- Hôtel Ibis Style : 333 Rue de l’Essert, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 50 35
- Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 42 28
Equipment
Even if you choose to do it in summer, it can get cold on the TMB! We strongly recommend that you pack clothes suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:
- A fleece
- A windproof and waterproof jacket
- Walking trousers.
The terrain is varied and we recommend you wear walking boots that protect your ankles.
The accommodations provide blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet, for hygienic reasons.
For more information, see our special TMB equipment page.
Insurance
To travel with peace of mind, Trekking Mont Blanc offers two insurance policies in partnership with Assur Travel, specially designed to meet the needs of a trek such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. These options, Cancellation and Multirisk, provide coverage to deal with unforeseen circumstances throughout your trip.
Cancellation Insurance :
This option covers the cancellation of your trip for a valid reason (illness, accident, etc.) before the departure date. You will be reimbursed for the amounts paid, subject to the conditions specified in the policy.
- Cost : 3.15% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
- In case of cancellation, you should contact the insurance company directly to file your claim, with our team’s assistance if needed.
Multirisk Insurance :
The Multirisk option offers comprehensive coverage, including :
- Cancellation Insurance
- Emergency repatriation assistance : perfectly suited for mountain treks
- Mountain search and rescue costs : up to €30,000
- Luggage: in case of loss, theft, or damage
- Medical expenses abroad
- Individual accident insurance
- Civil liability abroad
- Inability to return or quarantine in case of an epidemic
- Cost : 4.45% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
Whether you choose the Cancellation or Multirisk option, you will benefit from optimal coverage to enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind. The insurance cost depends on the price of your trip, and you can select the desired option when booking.
Booking
To book, you must:
- Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, and date options.
- Select your payment type (cheque, bank transfer, debit card): There are several ways to pay.
- To pay by cheque: please make it out to WATSE and send to: WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France.
- To pay by bank transfer: contact us for our bank details.
- To pay by debit card: your invoice will be in your online account as soon as your payment has been confirmed by the bank. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay a 35 % deposit or the balance for your trek
- Print out the booking form then fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by email or post.Your reservation will only be effective when 35 % of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
- The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek programme
- Half board, as described in the trek programme
- Packed lunches prepared by a chef
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage transfer every night (except day 1)
- Showers where applicable (as described in the trek programme)
- Transport from Les Houches to Courmayeur, day 1
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point in Les Houches
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe at the time of booking
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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