Full Tour du Mont Blanc
The Grand Tour du Mont Blanc, for those who want to see it all!
Full Tour du Mont Blanc
One trek, three countries, nine 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
Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region.
As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession, always with your happiness as his goal. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.
The advantages of the Full Tour du Mont Blanc
Just one transfer at the end of the circuit!
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
9 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Departure from
Les Houches
Date of departure
Every Sunday in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories/rooms
Luggage
One night without
Full Tour du Mont Blanc : the programme in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
5 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: B&B or refuge – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,260 ft) descent
Today, you will meet the group and your guide at the car park for the Bellevue cable car at 9 am.
The day begins with a cable car ride up the mountain to the start of the hike. Following a beautiful route along the foot of the glaciers, you will go through the Col de Tricot (2,120 m / 6,950 ft) mountain pass and cross the Alpage du Truc mountain pastures. Night in the village of Les Contamines.
Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Mottets
7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Refuge – 1,450 m (4,750 ft) ascent / 800 m (2,620 ft) descent
This morning you’ll head up the path following the Roman road to the Col du Bonhomme (2,408 m / 7,900 ft) and the Col des Fours (2,665 m / 8,740 ft).
After a picnic with panoramic views, your route then takes you into the Les Chapieux valley, at the end of the Tarentaise, home of Beaufort cheese production!
Day 3: Les Mottets – Maison Vieille
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Refuge – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,050 m (3,450 ft) descent
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 Veni.
The Italian side of Monte Bianco is revealed, and the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Maison Vieille refuge awaits at the end of this stage.
Day 4: Maison Vieille – Refuge Bonatti
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a refuge without luggage – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
The fourth 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.
Day 5: Refuge 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
Mont Dolent, the meeting point between France, Switzerland and Italy, stands ahead of you on today’s trail. On arrival at the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m / 8,320 ft), Switzerland will welcome you!
A pleasant descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and La Fouly, a small village located at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,250 ft) in the heart of the Valais canton.
Day 6: La Fouly – Champex
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent
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 7: 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
On this seventh 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 8: Trient – Le Tour
5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: at a B&B – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
Now it’s time to return to France. As the day progresses, the views over the Chamonix valley open up and becoming more and more stunning. Spend the night in a cosy B&B in the small village of Le Tour.
Day 9: Le Tour – Chamonix – Les Houches
7 hrs walking time – 1,350 m (4,430 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
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. Take the cable car down to the centre of Chamonix and then a bus to Les Houches.
You have now come full circle!
Useful information
Les informations pratiques
Comfort option
The Comfort option costs €1,330 per person.
The itinerary described remains the same. You will sleep in the same accommodation or somewhere close to the accommodation stipulated on the trek programme. The option includes:
- 6 nights in a double room with or without bathroom facilities in the room
- 1 night in a room for 4 with bathroom facilities on the landing
- 1 night in a shared dormitory
To choose this alternative, select the “Comfort” option when you book your trek!
Directions and accommodation
Directions to the starting point:
Meet at Bellevue cable car station at 9 am on Day 1.
> Map to get to the starting point
Accommodation before and after the trek:
- Saint Antoine hotel – 7 route Napoléon 74310 Les Houches
- Les Campanules hotel- 450 route de Coupeau 74310 Les Houches
- Les Mélèzes hotel – 333 rue de l’Essert 74310 Les Houches
- Michel Fagot B&B- 2 Allée des Sorbiers 74310 Les Houches
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.
For more information, voir notre our special TMB equipment page.
Insurance
To ensure your TMB goes off without a hitch, Watse Trekking Mont Blanc offers three insurance policies with our partner April International Voyage, and a comprehensive Covid-specific contract.
These contracts are designed especially for treks like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
The Comfort cancellation contract covers you in the case of cancellation before your departure and/or a missed flight.
The Comfort multi-risk contract includes:
- Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
- Missed flight and flight delay
- Luggage and personal belongings option
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Individual travel accident option
- Third-party liability abroad
- Impossible return and early return
The COVID contract includes:
- Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
- Missed flight and flight delay
- Luggage and personal belongings option
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Individual travel accident option
- Third-party liability abroad
- Impossible return and early return
- Cancellation due to illness 30 days before departure
- Cancellation due to denied boarding
- Remote consultation before departure
- Medical repatriation
- Hotel costs and medical fees
- Psychological support
- Grocery deliveries and home help
The price varies according to the Tour du Mont Blanc you choose. To take out one of these two contracts, just select the option when you book your trek!
Book
To book, you must:
- Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, accommodation 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. The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.
- To pay by French travel voucher: please send us your vouchers and any remaining balance by cheque.
- Pay a 30% 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 30% of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
Dates and prices
Full Tour du Mont Blanc in 9 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation, 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
- Showers where applicable (as described in the trek programme)
- Cable car ticket
Not included in the price
- Transport to and from the start of the trek
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Supplement for a private or single room, as part of our comfort offer (contact us)
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
- Assistance and cancellation insurance
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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Contact us!
Do you have a question about this trek? Write us a message and one of our guides will get back to you!