Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days: Back to basics
The Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days
Discover the trails of this not-to-be-missed trek between France, Switzerland and Italy, offering mountain lovers an unforgettable journey. The majestic Mont Blanc and the many wonders that surround it accompany you throughout this adventure.
With no luggage transfers, this trek will give you an authentic hiking experience, carrying your backpack for the whole of your stay. Every evening, you’ll enjoy the warm welcome of typical Alpine inns and refuges, offering delicious local specialities for meals.
Opt for a unique trek around the highest peak in the Alps.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the TMB in 8 days
The most beautiful stages of the Tour du Mont-Blanc in 8 days
Authentic and friendly accommodation
A unique semi-autonomous hiking experience
A reduced carbon footprint by avoiding daily baggage transfers and by using public transport
An expert guide with a passion for the Mont Blanc massif and the region
Duration
8 days
Difficulty
4/5
Group
8 max.
Departure from
Chamonix
Departure date
Every 2 weeks, on Saturdays in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
No luggage transfers
The program in detail
Day 1: Chamonix – Argentière
We meet this morning at 9am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches. By local bus we reach to Plan Praz cable car station and head for a short cable car ride up to Plan Praz. From the top we set off on this Tour du Mont Blanc in the direction of La Flégère (1894m). Along the way, we are treated to superb views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers of the Chamonix valley. The balcony path then descends to Argentière. Overnight in a gîte in Argentière.
Day 2: Argentière – Trient
Day 3: Trient – Champex – La Fouly
Choice 2 : 7 h walk – 1,260 m (4,130 ft) ascent / 915 m (3,000 ft) descent
Accommodation: refuge
On our third day of walking, a beautiful balcony stage awaits us. Overlooking Martigny and the Rhône Valley, our route takes us through various mountain pastures to Champex. Depending on the state of the group and the conditions*, we have the option of passing through the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665m), offering superb Alpine scenery. From Champex, a local bus takes us to La Fouly. Overnight in an inn in La Fouly.
*Your guide will decide on the best option.
Day 4: La Fouly – Refuge Bonatti
Day 5: Refuge Bonatti – Col Chécrouit
*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, a transfer by bus takes you back to the starting point of today’s stage.
The walk takes us on a beautiful balcony path overlooking the Italian Val Ferret, from where we have a privileged view of the Mont Blanc massif and the Grandes Jorasses. We then reach the Bertone refuge (1980m), before descending to Courmayeur, Italy’s mountaineering capital. After a visit to the old town, we climb back up to the Col Chécrouit. Overnight in a refuge.
Day 6: Col Chécrouit – Les Chapieux
Day 7: Les Chapieux – Les Contamines
Day 8: Les Contamines – Les Houches
Choice 2 : 6h30 walk – 785m (2,575 ft) ascent / 910m (2,985 ft) descent
This is the final stage of our Tour du Mont Blanc, with more beautiful scenery to discover throughout the day. We climb to the Bellevue plateau (1800m), where we can see the famous coloured trains of the Mont Blanc tramway. We then descend to Les Houches along unspoilt paths. Depending on the state of the group and the conditions*, there is the option of going over the Col du Tricot (2120m), to enjoy magnificent views of the Bionnassay glacier. The tour ends at the Prarion car park in Les Houches, around 4:30pm.
*Your guide will decide on the best option.
Useful information
Transfers & luggage
-
This trek includes only one transfer, on day 3, between Champex and La Fouly. To minimise the carbon impact of this trip, this transfer is made by public transport rather than by private minibus.
Level
The walks are between 6 and 8 hours a day for the duration of the trip. Some sections may be more difficult, particularly at the start of the season with the residual snow.
You should be able to climb at least 1000 metres per day over several consecutive days.
We strongly advise you to take part in regular endurance sports and to prepare yourself specifically for this trip.
Access 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 9:00 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.
Back to the starting point : End of the hike in Les Houches. Return by bus to Chamonix not included in the price of the trip.
Bus timetables are available from the Chamonix Tourist Office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24).
Accommodation to stay before and after the trip :
- Saint Antoine Hotel: 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10
- Richemond Hotel: 228 rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – +33 (0)4 50 53 08 85
- Hôtel du Clocher : 110 Impasse de l’Androsace, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – +33 (0)4 50 53 30 27
Equipment
Even if you’re doing it in summer, temperatures can be cool on the Tour du Mont Blanc trails! We strongly recommend that you pack clothing suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:
- a fleece
- a windproof and waterproof jacket
- a hiking trouser, ideally convertible into shorts
We recommend you take a backpack of at least 50l, so that you can carry enough for 8 days’ walking, picnics and all the equipment you need. Be careful, however, not to overfill your bag. You need to be able to carry all your gear for the 8 days of walking, some of which will be very steep. We recommend that you opt for merino clothing that can be worn for several days without smelling, and for equipment that can be used for several purposes (Aleppo soap that can also be used as shampoo, a neckwear that can also be used as a head covering).
As the terrain is varied, we recommend high-top hiking boots that provide good protection for the ankles. Accommodation provides blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet for hygiene reasons. For more information, see our page dedicated to equipment for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
- If you have any questions about equipment or how to prepare your bag, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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 make a reservation, you must:
- Click on one of the “Book” links and choose your insurance and date options.
- Choose your payment method (cheque, bank transfer, credit card). Several payment methods are available. For payment by cheque: Make payable to WATSE and send to : WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France. For payment by bank transfer, please contact us to receive our bank details. For payment by credit card: Your invoice will be in your online account as soon as the bank has confirmed payment for your holiday. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay 35 % deposit or the balance of your stay
- Print out the registration form, fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by e-mail or post. The booking of your stay will only be effective when 35 % of the amount has been credited to WATSE’s account.
- The balance of the trip must be paid no later than 1 month before departure without a reminder from us.
Transfers
Our agency offers a private shuttle service to get you around the Mont Blanc region.
Our team can liaise between your place of arrival (Chamonix station, Geneva airport, etc.) and the location of your hotel or the starting point of your trek, for example.
We also offer a number of transfers on the Tour du Mont Blanc, so you can avoid the parts that are less interesting or too difficult.
To find out more about the routes on offer and book a journey, click here !
Service available every day during the summer, from 6am to 8pm.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days without luggage transfers
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek program
- Half board, as described in the trek program
- Packed lunches prepared by the accommodation
- Dried fruit and nut snacks
- The transfers with bus on day 1 and day 3 as mentioned in the program
- Plan Praz cable car ticket on day 1
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point of the trek 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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