Full Tour du Mont Blanc – 10 days
The full Tour du Mont Blanc, for those who want to see everything!
Full Tour du Mont Blanc
One trek, three countries, ten days, 160 kilometres (100 miles), and thousands of steps: even these impressive figures cannot fully reflect the range of emotions you will experience on the TMB!
This circuit is the full version of the mythical TMB. It will enable you to discover the extraordinary diversity of landscapes in the Mont Blanc mountain range.
Immerse yourself in a spectacle of nature with varied flora and fauna, while enjoying your walk with a lightweight pack. In the evenings, your luggage will be waiting for you in accommodation selected for its comfort.
A full circuit for an all-round experience.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the Full Tour du Mont Blanc
The complete tour by foot !
This circuit includes all the most beautiful high-level traverses.
Spectacular views and proximity to the big glaciers
Home-made picnics made from local produce
Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up.
An original itinerary which follows the traditional direction, with a few variants to avoid the busiest paths
Duration
10 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Every Saturday in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without
Full Tour du Mont Blanc : the programme in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Bionnassay
5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: refuge – 850 m (2,790 ft) ascent / 300 m (985 ft) descent / 8kms
Today, you meet the group and your guide at the Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, at 9 am. The day begins with a climb through the forest, until you reach the summit of Prarion (1969m), from which you can enjoy a first 360° panorama.
Descent to the Fioux refuge for the night.
Day 2: Bionnassay – Les Contamines
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: inn – 950 m (3,115 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent / 13 to 15kms
Descend to the village of Les Contamines for the night.
Day 3: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Refuge – 1,330 m (4,365 ft) ascent / 940 m (3,085 ft) descent / 18kms
This morning you’ll head up the path following the Roman road to the Col du Bonhomme (2,408 m / 7,900 ft) and its refuge.
After a picnic with panoramic views, your route then takes you into the Les Chapieux valley, at the end of the Tarentaise, home of the famous Beaufort cheese production!
Day 4: Les Chapieux – Col Checrouit
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Mountain hut – 1,200 m (3,935 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent / 20kms
Today, you have a magnificent day ahead with views of Mont Blanc beckoning! Start with a climb up to the Col de la Seigne (2,514 m / 8,250 ft), which marks the border between France and Italy. You will then enter the Aosta Valley via Val Veny. The Italian side of Monte Bianco is revealed, and the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a mountain hut awaits at the end of this stage.
Day 5: Col Checrouit – Refuge Bonatti
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a mountain hut without luggage – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent / 15kms
The fifth day of the walk starts with a descent into Courmayeur, the Italian “Chamonix”, passing through the old village. You will then climb back up to Val Sapin and the Bertone refuge. You will end the day at the Bonatti refuge*, named after a famous Italian mountaineer and facing the impressive Frébouze glacier.
*If there are no availabilities at the Bonatti refuge, you will be transferred to Courmayeur. Night with luggage.
Day 6: Bonatti – La Fouly
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent / 17 to 20kms
*If you spent the night in Courmayeur, you will first make your way to Arnouva with bus, the starting point of the stage.
On the sixth day of walking, you enter another new country on your Tour du Mont Blanc! After a climb with magnificent views of Mont Dolent, you will cross the Grand Col Ferret mountain pass into Switzerland.
The day ends with a gentle descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and the small village of La Fouly, a picture postcard setting in the Valais.
Day 7: La Fouly – Champex
5 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,295 ft) descent / 18kms
Today, you will discover Val Ferret in Switzerland and its small traditional villages, before arriving in Champex with its pretty lake. This stage ends with a short climb to our accommodation for the night, a comfortable inn with a soothing atmosphere.
Day 8: Champex – Trient
Night in an inn
Option 1: 780 m (2,560 ft) ascent / 1000 m (3,280 ft) descent / 5 hours walking time / 15kms
Option 2: 1150 m (3,775 ft) ascent / 1,400 m (4,595 ft) descent / 7 hours walking time / 15kms
On this day of walking, you can look forward to a superb high-level traverse above Martigny. In the distance, the vineyards of the Rhone Valley bear witness to Swiss wine production. Descent towards the small village of Trient along the Bisse du Trient irrigation channel.
Depending on how the group feels and current conditions, there may be an option to take the majestic alpine route via the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m / 8,740 ft). Your guide will decide on the best option.
Day 9: Trient – Le Tour
5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent / 12kms
It’s time to go back to France. As the day progresses, the view of the Chamonix valley opens up and becomes breathtaking. The small village of Le Tour is waiting for us, to spend the night in a warm gîte.
Day 10: Le Tour – Chamonix
7 hrs walking time – 1,280 m (4,200 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,280 ft) descent / 13 to 16kms
On the last day of your hike, set off for the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. The path follows a high-level route with fantastic views of Mont Blanc – definitely one of the most famous landscapes in the Chamonix valley!
You will then walk down to La Flégère and another magnificent traverse to Planpraz. You take the cable car down to the centre of Chamonix and catch a bus that brings you back to Les Houches.
You have now come full circle! 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: a soft bag, of the duffle bag type, of a maximum of 12kg per person.
You only carry your day’s belongings, in a backpack of about 30L.
If you spend the night at the Bonatti hut at the end of day 5, you will not have your luggage. You will be carrying two days’ worth of gear in your rucksack.
Level
Ideally, you should have some hiking and/or trekking experience before embarking on this type of trek, but any physically fit beginner is welcome to join us. We’re here to guide you.
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.
Access and accommodation
Access to the starting point :
Meet 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 TMB 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 : End of the trip in Chamonix. Return by bus or train to Les Houches.
Accommodation before and after the trek :
- Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – +33 4 50 54 40 10
- Hotel du Bois – 475 Avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches – +33 4 50 54 50 35
- Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – +33 4 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 sleeping bag 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” link and select the insurance, and date options.
- Pay a 35 % deposit to confirm your booking
- The balance must be paid at least one month before the beginning of your trek.
Transfers
Our company helps you arrange private shuttles in order to move around the Mont Blanc region.
Our team can arrange the transfer from your place of arrival (Chamonix train station, Geneva airport, etc) and the place of your stay, the starting point of your trek, for example.
To understand better what we are able to organize, please contact us.
Dates and prices
Full Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 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 (exclusive of container and cutlery)
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage transfer every night (except day 5)
- Showers in the accommodations
- Cable car ticket on last day
- The return bus journey to Les Houches on last day
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point in Les Houches
- Nights before and after the trek
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- The container and cutlery for picnic
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
- Trekking equipment (bed liner, trekking poles…)
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe at the time of booking
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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